"The Good Daughter" by Karin Slaughter
Oh, Karin. I never know if I should love you or loathe you.
This book had me sucked in from the get-go which is how Slaughter got me on last book I read, "The Kept Women". Even though I love how she keeps you on the edge trying to figure out who did what, I really do not like how she puts her books together. She seems to be all over the place and I don't know if I start to space off a little while reading but I will come across a paragraph and sit in wonder of how I got from there to here. Drives me crazy!
There are a lot of twists which keeps you engaged. There were times when I figured out a plot twist before it was exposed. There were times when I was completely thrown off. I also am annoyed with how Slaughter takes one scene and repeats it multiple times from a different characters point of view. It's a waste of pages to me, especially when my reading time is limited!
"The Good Daughter" is about two sisters who experience the most unimaginable tragedy only to have it drudged up again 28 years later. They've barely spoken to each other, or their father, throughout that time and all three end up back in their hometown to lawyer up for the innocent until proven guilty.
All-in-all, this was a good book from the suspense persepective, and maybe I'll read another one of her books, but I'll leave it up to you to take Karin Slaughter upon yourself!
Friday, October 6, 2017
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Week 35: August 28
"Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
I've been wanting to see this movie but came upon the book first so though I'd give it a whirl.
"Hidden Figures" tells the story of female, black engineers working at NACA, later to be called NASA. These women have to endure the hardships of not only being black, but also of being female. The story goes into depth on racial tensions and gender equality that took place from the 1940's to the 1970's.
The book makes a great point on how ignorance can stall advancement. Accomplishments are made because the right person for the job is completing the task. Maybe we could've advanced more back then and maybe we could advance even more now if we always had that on our minds instead of holding each other or ourselves back.
I'm anxious to see the movie and I encourage you to read the book!
I've been wanting to see this movie but came upon the book first so though I'd give it a whirl.
"Hidden Figures" tells the story of female, black engineers working at NACA, later to be called NASA. These women have to endure the hardships of not only being black, but also of being female. The story goes into depth on racial tensions and gender equality that took place from the 1940's to the 1970's.
The book makes a great point on how ignorance can stall advancement. Accomplishments are made because the right person for the job is completing the task. Maybe we could've advanced more back then and maybe we could advance even more now if we always had that on our minds instead of holding each other or ourselves back.
I'm anxious to see the movie and I encourage you to read the book!
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Week 34: August 21
"The Sacred Acre: The Ed Thomas Story" by Mark Tabb and the Ed Thomas Family
I heard Aaron Thomas, Ed's son, speak at the school during back to school meetings and wanted to hear more of his story. Hearing Aaron speak of the tragedies his family has faced and how they persevered and made it through each one is true adversity.
The Thomas family is from a small town in Iowa where Ed was the AD and head football coach. In 2008, a tornado devastated the town and left the Thomas family, and much of their neighbors, with nothing. Then in 2009, the unimaginable happened and Ed was shot and killed by one of his former players.
Being a coach's wife myself, I have a fear that someone could come after my husband. Whether it be the students themselves or the parents. This is the wrong mindset to have but I remember hearing about this in the news and thinking to myself that this could be my husband someday. It's a scary feeling and certainly not one you should get by being a coach. Firefighter, police officer, sure. But a coach?
The family handles their adversity beautifully and show amazing grace to those responsible. This book was a good read.
I heard Aaron Thomas, Ed's son, speak at the school during back to school meetings and wanted to hear more of his story. Hearing Aaron speak of the tragedies his family has faced and how they persevered and made it through each one is true adversity.
The Thomas family is from a small town in Iowa where Ed was the AD and head football coach. In 2008, a tornado devastated the town and left the Thomas family, and much of their neighbors, with nothing. Then in 2009, the unimaginable happened and Ed was shot and killed by one of his former players.
Being a coach's wife myself, I have a fear that someone could come after my husband. Whether it be the students themselves or the parents. This is the wrong mindset to have but I remember hearing about this in the news and thinking to myself that this could be my husband someday. It's a scary feeling and certainly not one you should get by being a coach. Firefighter, police officer, sure. But a coach?
The family handles their adversity beautifully and show amazing grace to those responsible. This book was a good read.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Week 33: August 14
"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak
I started out a little disappointed as I couldn't figure out the narrator and the random bolded side stories were distracting. Thankfully, that turned around and I was able to thoroughly enjoy this book!
During WWII, Leisel is dropped off to live with foster parents for her safety. The Book Thief tells her story of how she coped with the tragedies and changes that have occurred, one of which, stealing books. She shows incredible determination to learn to read and write when it seems all around her she is set up for failure.
The last 200 pages were a tough go as I was constantly tearing up. This is a great book and it has lived up to the hype!
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Week 32: August 7
"After You" by JoJo Moyes
I was a little skeptical that I would enjoy this book as I have found the sequels are never as good as the originals (unless it's a series) especially where "Me Before You" had such an intense emotional message. But I'm happy to say that I really liked this one!
Lou has now had to live for the last 18 months with the guilt she felt for failing Will's family as he decided to end his life. She has traveled and now lives in London as a barmaid, not exactly what she envisioned Will wanted for her.
This book takes you through Lou's grief and her attempts to move on. Tragedy and life come into play as she just can't seem to get it all right.
I loved how Moyes continued Lou's story. I would definitely recommend this sequel!
I was a little skeptical that I would enjoy this book as I have found the sequels are never as good as the originals (unless it's a series) especially where "Me Before You" had such an intense emotional message. But I'm happy to say that I really liked this one!
Lou has now had to live for the last 18 months with the guilt she felt for failing Will's family as he decided to end his life. She has traveled and now lives in London as a barmaid, not exactly what she envisioned Will wanted for her.
This book takes you through Lou's grief and her attempts to move on. Tragedy and life come into play as she just can't seem to get it all right.
I loved how Moyes continued Lou's story. I would definitely recommend this sequel!
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Week 31: July 31
"The Florence Prescription: From Accountability to Ownership" by Joe Tye with Dick Schwab and forward by Charles S. Lauer
If you think this book is about the history and perseverance of Miss Florence Nightengale or is a motivating book on how to stay positive while working in healthcare, you were sadly mistken.
I received this book when I started my job 4 years ago and just now decided to actually read it as it was my last week there and I did have this goal to read 52 books in one year. But I was disappointed within the first 10 pages and I can tell you, I was left with no excitement to get out there and be the best healthcare professional I could be!
No offense to Tye and Schwab, but putting a fantasy spin on a make believe hospital to try to motivate your workers will only leave them feeling like you think they are children that can't do their jobs. Yes, the book had some good points such as how there should be no caste system in the hospital (which there is) and how all employees should feel like they have an ownership in the workings of the hospital. It's all a very nice idea but rarely gets truly promoted.
I strongly recommend not giving this book to your employees with the hope that it will change their outlook. In these instances I feel like the true success stories are what make employees buy into the concept. Keep to those folks! And above all else, no matter what book you throw at your workers, no matter how many motivational speakers you have, what gets people changing is to SEE it in their leaders. Not the talk, but the action. This will get the ball rolling more than anything else I feel like.
If you think this book is about the history and perseverance of Miss Florence Nightengale or is a motivating book on how to stay positive while working in healthcare, you were sadly mistken.
I received this book when I started my job 4 years ago and just now decided to actually read it as it was my last week there and I did have this goal to read 52 books in one year. But I was disappointed within the first 10 pages and I can tell you, I was left with no excitement to get out there and be the best healthcare professional I could be!
No offense to Tye and Schwab, but putting a fantasy spin on a make believe hospital to try to motivate your workers will only leave them feeling like you think they are children that can't do their jobs. Yes, the book had some good points such as how there should be no caste system in the hospital (which there is) and how all employees should feel like they have an ownership in the workings of the hospital. It's all a very nice idea but rarely gets truly promoted.
I strongly recommend not giving this book to your employees with the hope that it will change their outlook. In these instances I feel like the true success stories are what make employees buy into the concept. Keep to those folks! And above all else, no matter what book you throw at your workers, no matter how many motivational speakers you have, what gets people changing is to SEE it in their leaders. Not the talk, but the action. This will get the ball rolling more than anything else I feel like.
Monday, August 7, 2017
Week 30: July 24
"The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts" by Gary Chapman
I was excited to dive into this book because not only had I heard great things about it, but I wanted to look at this as a chance to better my own marriage. Not to say our marriage needed any immediate help, but it never hurts to try and understand each other and to treat each other a little better to show your love for one another.
The 5 Love Languages that Dr. Chapman describes are:
1) Words of Affirmation
2) Quality Time
3) Gifts
4) Acts of Service
5) Physical Touch
He describes each of these in their own chapter and paints a clear and easy picture of how to understand the languages of each. Some I realized overlap a bit but it was good to have examples of real couples going through each of these languages.
The biggest takeaway was the realization of not only your own love language but the love language of your spouse and how you need to overcome any hesitations or discomforts to learn their language. I thought I had BJ's all figured out but it turns out I was wrong. I thought I knew my own but, again, I realized it was another.
I always thought mine was Acts of Service because I get so discouraged when BJ doesn't help me with the daily chores. Diving in a bit more, I realized it to be more Quality Time. I enjoy it most when we do things together, including chores, and work as a team I feel the most content and loved.
I always thought BJ's was Words of Affirmation but thinking back to arguments we've had, I think he's more of a Quality Time also. Dr. Chapman was quick to point out that two of the same languages don't necessarily mean peace and harmony. There are also different dialects to think about.
This was a fun read that made you look to yourself, put yourself in the hot seat to get answers. I encourage all to take a look at this book!
I was excited to dive into this book because not only had I heard great things about it, but I wanted to look at this as a chance to better my own marriage. Not to say our marriage needed any immediate help, but it never hurts to try and understand each other and to treat each other a little better to show your love for one another.
The 5 Love Languages that Dr. Chapman describes are:
1) Words of Affirmation
2) Quality Time
3) Gifts
4) Acts of Service
5) Physical Touch
He describes each of these in their own chapter and paints a clear and easy picture of how to understand the languages of each. Some I realized overlap a bit but it was good to have examples of real couples going through each of these languages.
The biggest takeaway was the realization of not only your own love language but the love language of your spouse and how you need to overcome any hesitations or discomforts to learn their language. I thought I had BJ's all figured out but it turns out I was wrong. I thought I knew my own but, again, I realized it was another.
I always thought mine was Acts of Service because I get so discouraged when BJ doesn't help me with the daily chores. Diving in a bit more, I realized it to be more Quality Time. I enjoy it most when we do things together, including chores, and work as a team I feel the most content and loved.
I always thought BJ's was Words of Affirmation but thinking back to arguments we've had, I think he's more of a Quality Time also. Dr. Chapman was quick to point out that two of the same languages don't necessarily mean peace and harmony. There are also different dialects to think about.
This was a fun read that made you look to yourself, put yourself in the hot seat to get answers. I encourage all to take a look at this book!
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