7/4/16

Summer Reading

I have read only a few books since Janey stopped taking naps awhile ago, and enjoyed these immensely and wanted to share them.  They are all quick, easy reads, and have received great reviews.

So much to think about in this one-I think it would be an excellent book club choice.  How a marriage can go wrong or right, how attitude/personality effects those around us and how important finding joy in life is-it is not particularly deep, but it really made me think about tolerance, forgiveness, perception, relationship, etc. in the scope of family life. 

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE 2014 EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL
WINNER OF THE 2014 DILYS AWARD
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF 2013
This is not my usual pick of books-I just chose this randomly at the library.  It's a little mystery (that's the part that's not usually my type of book) but the story telling is amazing, and the characters are also-I love the setting, mid-West small town in the 60's. I found myself tearing up quite a few times during this book.  It's very heart-wrenching (so if you want a light summer romantic book this is not the one).  I am trying to get my high schooler to read this-it's told from a teenage boy's perspective.



I owe Stephanie for recommending this book on her blog first of all, and my sentiments on this book mirror hers-if you read any book this is the one.  If you want to know what the difference maker is in parenting, this book tells you.  And that means it is not specific which is the awesome part of it-because there is a wide range of good parenting-but it does break down some myths about what being an authority figure means and what children need to grow to be happy, successful (and what happy and successful really should mean) adults.  His writing reminds me somewhat of Malcolm Gladwell-he really gets a reader thinking.

I have read Dr. Sax's other two books-I own them-Girls on the Edge and Boys Adrift but this one is so much better than both-maybe because those books seemed filled with drastic examples of serious issues that teens are facing today, and seemed almost hopeless in solutions.

This one is different in that he really hits the nail on the head in terms of parenting/discipline/what kids crave vs. what they are getting today not just from parents, but from schools and physicians.  It is eye-opening and yes, made me sad that what he writes about is true-I've seen it with my own eyes (and have made mistakes myself), but overall it's SO encouraging to me.  He really knows the challenges parents face today.  To stay on task, to say no, to set limits, to teach self-control, to be IN CHARGE, most especially when it seems like we are sometimes the only ones doing those things.   He talks of how our culture has changed drastically and how our parenting has changed and how those two things have created some big issues we have seen with children today.  I love the last chapters.  I bought a copy after I read my library copy and have turned down just about every page with a quote or thought I've loved.  I re-read it twice, I'm "making" Jeff read it ;), and I have told so many friends about it.  I really wanted to write an entire post about it with all those quotes and thoughts but summer is not the time.
I can't recommend it enough as you can tell.

Happy Reading!
I am now going to catch up on laundry and meal planning and swing pushing and bike rides and sleep. 
The price I pay to sit down and read a book or two. :)

12 comments:

  1. You know I loved it too!
    Can't thank you enough, will also purchase my own copy! Everything I was feeling and seeing is brought to understanding. We have to do our job!

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  2. I am currently reading The Collapse of Parenting from the library!!

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  3. Thank you for these recommendations! I have been poring through books so quickly this summer, and your books always go right to my Goodreads shelf! (Your toy recommendations go right to my Amazon wish list, too!) One of my favorite, unexpected reads this summer was The Kitchen House. It's a DEEP read, so please don't bring it on your lovely beach vacation, but it's a beautiful book.

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  4. Sarah, have you ever read "Hold Onto Your Kids-Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers" by Gordon Neufeld? I have been reading it and just today I was thinking that it would be a book you would really like. Such an incredible mix of why parents matter, and how we keep our ability to parent well by investing time into our children or "attaching". So fascinating!

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    1. Yes I own it and Dr. Sax references it several times in his book! I've been meaning to go back and reread it.

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  5. I love your book recs!!! I need to read the Dr. Sax book. I agree that this is a huge issue for today's parents and I'm always concerned with how I may be failing in this area. I'm a bit scared to read it (!!) but hope to be encouraged.

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    1. Hi Erin! I think you will be encouraged and inspired-even for moms of younger kids.

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  6. Loved The Two-Family House!
    Loved!

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  7. Thanks Sarah - can't wait to check all of these out. 😊

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  8. Thank you for your parenting spirit, for being a witness to the joys and sorrows, and practical and spiritual sides of being parents today. Your blog is such a treasure trove for me. I'm still raising older teenagers, while I'm also a grandmother to a two-year old. You provide so many practical suggestions, while inspiring me and reassuring me in my roles. Thank you so much! I look forward to checking out your recent book recommendations. Enjoy summer with your family!

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  9. I just so enjoy your insights/review to books recommended. I'm going to track down a couple of these. My baby isn't napping either. But then again he's 20!

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  10. The two-family house sounds really interesting! I've also just posted my summer reading list on my blog: www.maxitopper.com/2016/07/my-summer-reads-16.html

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