Book Review: "Blind Hope"

Though I respect and appreciate the heartwarming, life-changing experiences the authors of this book had, and the fact that they wanted to share them with others through literary means, I have to say that I was most disappointed with the way they chose to do so. This book would have been better off as a featured--and more critically edited--magazine article.

Two or three pages are often used to describe feelings that could easily be summed up in a paragraph. The metaphors leave you trying confusedly to picture what the author is describing, rather than better able to. The dialogue between characters sounds rehearsed and formal, even when the settings indicate otherwise.

At times when the author would write something that sounded like it might add real interest to the story, such as the first few nights of the dog's newly diagnosed medical condition being "scary," she moves on to the next part of the story--without ever revealing to us how those times were scary. In short, this "author" does not understand how turn a good message or meaningful experience into a book that people enjoy reading.

I don't mean to be unkind. However, if I could suggest one thing to Kim Meeder, it would be that she spend more time reading good literature (Pride & Prejudice, writings by Charles Dickens, even the modern Harry Potter books) to learn what makes reading a book enjoyable. If I could suggest one thing to you, it would, sadly, be that you don't waste your time or your money on this book.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. Please rate how well you think I wrote this review by going to the original posting on the Blogging for Books site. Thanks!

Book Review: The Duggars: 20 and counting!

I've been a little Duggar-crazy lately. I admit it.

Jason found their show, "17/18 Kids and Counting" on the Netflix instant queue, which we love. He said, "Look what I found. You want me to add it?" I replied, "Are you kidding?! Add it, add it!!"

I've always loved watching the Duggars go through their day-to-day lives in a way that boggles mine and much of the world's minds. Watching them feels like visiting friends who always welcome you with open arms and a smile. They have a huge family, yet they are all best friends, enjoying time together and sticking like glue to their ultra-traditional values. They now have 19 well-behaved, home-schooled, faithful children; a 7,000 square-foot house that they all built themselves; and not one cent of debt. Who wouldn't want to know how they do it?

When I saw the parents, Jim Bob and Michelle, writing a book during one of the episodes, I immediately reserved it at my library. (That's what they would do--always frugal!) I know now that I'm almost done with it that I most definitely want to own it. This book has been so inspiring! You get to learn about how they developed the standards they have now, what their family life was like from the very beginning, and many wonderful, faith-inspiring stories are included. They also include lots of practical advice about organizing, teaching, cooking (recipes are scattered throughout the pages), and even potty-training. I've already read about a technique I want to try with Jamie called "blanket training."

The best part is that they give all of this information, plus answer some of the questions they're asked most frequently, with great humility and gratitude for all the blessings bestowed upon them. I'm so grateful that such righteous people have become so popular in our culture today. I hope that they're role models, and not just an entertaining oddity, more often than not. We could all benefit by being more like them.

Yes, Duggar-crazy. But, I believe, with good reason! :)

I highly recommend checking out this book. It's an easy, compelling, empowering read that will leave you inspired!





No compensation. Just wanted to share the awesomeness.

a bit of gratitude

Today I finished the 9th and final volume of The Work and the Glory series, which is historical fiction about the restoration of the Church. I can't believe how much reading these wonderful books has changed my perspective. You really think twice about complaining about the too-small bathroom when you've been reading about people who, for their faith, are content to live in log cabins, sod huts, the back of a wagon, or a tent if need be. You know how, in church, people will thank the Lord in a prayer for the beautiful building you're meeting in? It means more when you've more fully imagined (and feel like you've lived, with the characters) meeting in people's houses, or out in the open, with logs to sit on. I kind of dread planning my lessons for the 4-year-olds, but I can tell myself that at least I have a manual to go by and don't have to come up with everything on my own. Etc., etc.

Last Saturday, I got on lds.org to watch Conference, since we don't have cable and I didn't want to try to keep Jamie occupied at the stake center--and the video streaming just would not work. I was frustrated for awhile, and ended up listening to it; that worked fine, at least. Tonight, while I'm finishing Sam's kids' project, I thought I would watch the talks I missed. So I went to the website, clicked the link, and almost instantly, there were the choir, the conference center, the prophet, right in front of me.

The early Saints got to hear their prophet if he came (sometimes hundreds of miles, by horse) and spoke to them in person. And I can hear mine any time, almost instantly.

Reading about the struggles they endured in being endlessly and horrendously driven from place to place, and finally having to travel by wagon for a thousand miles, for months and months, to a completely empty place and start a new civilization from next to NOTHING--all because they had faith and would not turn from it--and if I wanted to travel across the entire country, I could be on the other side of it in a few hours. If I wanted to move there, I could take ALL my stuff with me, not just what would fit in a wagon. My trip would be very comfortable and easy, and I could be there in days.

There are many ways to learn Church history, to better understand what we Mormons are all about from the perspective of many different types of people, and to strengthen a testimony and understanding, and historical fiction is one that works wonders for me. I cannot recommend this series enough. I've learned so much, and I have much more appreciation for our pioneer forbears (who would rather have just stayed in one place like anybody else, but did what they had to do). The first one starts out a bit slow, it's true, but it's practically impossible to put them down after that. There's no way you could regret reading them!

Reading Aloud

I want to do some catchy tagline that will instantly make all of you want to read this book, but I'm afraid it will just sound stupid.

I took a children's literature class in college, and an earlier edition of this book, in addition to lots of children's books, was our main textbook. (Oh, man. That class was so awesome.) Jamie hasn't been interested in books, which has been frustrating for me (an avid bookworm), so I started reading my copy that I saved, hoping for a little guidance.

This book, surprisingly, is very readable. The author has done and collaborated all sorts of research on the connection between kids reading and succeeding in school--and therefore, in life. Here are a few key points that Mr. Trelease touches on, expands on, and gives interesting and inspiring anecdotes about (with many simple ideas and tips thrown in along the way):

• Kids who aren't read to by their parents or primary caregivers usually don't like reading.
  
  
• Kids who don't like reading aren't good at reading--and the only way to get good at reading is to do it. Which they don't, because they don't like it.
  
  
• Kids who aren't good at reading have a MUCH, MUCH more difficult time succeeding in school, are more likely to drop out, and therefore are more likely to be incarcerated. (Most prison inmates are dropouts and have a low level of literacy, or are illiterate.)
  
  
• You can't start reading to your child too early.
  
  
• You pretty much can't read to your child too much.
  
  
• You don't need flashcards and expensive phonics programs to teach a child to read. You lay the groundwork for reading by reading to your child.

I tore myself away from the book in order to get on the library website and try to find more good audio books to download.

I really recommend reading this book, not just for parents, but for anyone. It's inspiring, enlightening, and motivating. I wish I was better at book reviews, but I'm doing my best. :) Maybe I should be more formal...

BUY THE BOOK!! IT'S AWESOME AND IT'LL TELL YOU HOW TO MAKE YOUR KIDS WAY SMART AND STUFF!!! :D

You can get it new for under $20 and used for around $10 (shipping included) on Amazon.
Take a look, read the book, and I promise you won't regret it!

And if you really just don't want to read the dang book, read aloud to your kids, have lots of printed materials available for them, and let them see you reading!