Book Review: Here, Home, Hope

Every so often I sign up to do a book review for One2One Network. It's a great way to try out a new book-- maybe from a genre I don't usually read-- and it makes me feel important to review an actual book, by an actual author on my blog. I've found a few winners, too, which just makes my day.

Unfortunately this one wasn't one of those winners. I really hate giving bad reviews. Matter of fact I'd much rather simply not read or write about books I dislike. But, when you receive a free, advance copy with the understanding that you will write a review expressing your honest, uncensored views... well, what can you do?

So the truth is, I really disliked this book. Sad but true. I found the main character, Kelly, to be self-absorbed, uninspiring and a rather sad example of middle-aged frustrated maternal angst.

In addition to the lack of inspiration in the main character, the plot jumps around from vignette to vignette in a confusing and seemingly pointless manner. There's a crippling lack of a strong story line and quite frankly, I had a hard time reading past chapter nine, at the end of which Kelly adds to her "Things to Change List", a trite item number 8-- "Remember All My Blessings"

Gag.

There's no point in remembering "Blessings" if you have no connection at all to the the Author of those Blessings.

Norah Jones

I recently had the privilege of joining One2One Network's promotion campaign for Norah Jones' new album:



I received an early release copy of the album several weeks ago and the kids and I tried it out. We loved it! I've always said that I enjoy a wide range of musical styles and this album is a perfect representation of that. What a variety show! I've always loved her music and this album pairs her up with some other really great artists.

I had intended to post about this much sooner (especially since today is the deadline for posting our reviews. doh.) and in much greater detail, but for now, suffice to say that Norah Jones has done it again-- stellar album. The kids and I give it two thumbs up!

Oooh! Pretty music!! (my very serious review of the new Michael Buble Album: Crazy Love)

Ok. First off, a confession. I absolutely love oldies and jazz. I also love Sting. I am not the world's most discerning music connoisseur. But I know what I like and I LOVE Michael Buble. I also love Harry Connick, Jr and I think the two are really similar-- they've both got that Sinatra re-born groove goin' on. This is one of those (few) albums that I turn on and then can't sit still! And listen to over and over! I love it :) I really do. Here's a sample for ya:



So, am I right or am I right? Is that not FUN? And catchy? And it will be in stores starting today, just in time for the start of the Christmas shopping season. You can even get it on Amazon.

Hah. Who am I kidding? Y'all know I don't start shopping for Christmas till Dec 20th. But maybe this year...

My absolute favorite on this album is "All I Do Is Dream of You" (track 5) because of memories of the musical and who doesn't love Gene Kelly?? And Michael Buble's rendition is so... peppy! and upbeat! It makes me want to dance. I'm actually listening to it right now and dancing a little in my chair. The kids are asleep and no one will know. except y'all and no one will believe you if you tell anyone anyways.

And also? Is this cuteness, or what?

He reminds me of my brother, who's always been that kind of guy who can sell buns to old ladies (*snicker, snicker*). Go on, ask me, you know you're dying to hear that story!

Michael Buble can sell me buns any old day. That's all I'm sayin'.

Review: A new book by Eileen Goudge

I am so excited! I just got a FREE BOOK! Nothing lights my fire like a new book-- especially one that I don't have to pay for!

Under the recommendation of Robin, a favorite blogger of mine, I joined the blogging community; One to One Network, about six months or so ago. I've received several products to try out and review lately (you'll be hearing more about that in the next few days). Today I'm talking about the newest Eileen Goudge book: Blue Moon. Here's the official synopsis:

Sisters Lindsay and Kerrie Ann have known hardship from an early age. Without guidance from their neglectful mother, their only aid came from an unlikely source, a retired exotic dancer by the name of Miss Honi Love. When the girls’ mother was sent to prison, Miss Honi tried unsuccessfully to save them from being separated and sent into foster care.

Thirty years later, Lindsay is still trying to reconnect with her sister. The owner of a bookstore in the sleepy California seaside town of Blue Moon Bay, she was lucky enough to have been adopted by a loving couple. Unbeknownst to her, Kerrie Ann has suffered a very different life. Bounced from one foster home to the next, she ran away as a teenager before becoming a drug-addicted single mother. Now, newly sober, Kerrie Ann is fighting to regain custody of the little girl who was taken from her.

Neither sister’s expectations are met when they’re finally reunited. But as the two sisters engage in the fiercest battles of their lives, they are at last drawn together despite their differences, restoring belief in the unshakable bond of family

Since y'all all know I'm one of four (make that five now, actually *waves at Mina*) sisters you can imagine that a story about long-lost sisters finding one another would pique my interest. It did, indeed. I was hoping for a quick and easy read-- the chocolate brownie sunday of the book world-- and I was not disappointed. I scarfed it down with milk and some late-night candle burning and will have to repent and burn it off with some serious book reading (like Jane Eyre, or something), but thoroughly enjoyed it in the meantime. I recommend it to my fellow readers as a weekend book-- something to take to... well, I'd say the beach, but it's a little late for that. How about a weekend ski trip? Curl up by the fire under a cozy comforter and enjoy :) Not high literature, for sure, but fun. And tasty.

Warning: there's a bit of "adult content" and some language, so if you're sensitive to that sort of thing, don't say I didn't warn you! I wouldn't give it to Sofi, but I'd pass it on to another mom friend.

New Review up at Blissfully Domestic

And once again, I'm up on the Inspired Bliss channel at Blissfully Domestic. This week I'm reminiscing about some books I loved as a child and the fun of watching Sofi discover them. Stop by and tell me about some of your favorites!

New Review Up At Blissfully Domestic!

I forgot to post a link to my newest post at Blissfully Domestic! Here it is :) I'm talking about woman and relationships-- a topic dear to every woman's heart. Tell me what you think!

Marriage Book Review

I have a new review up at Inspired Bliss! This time I'm talking about one of my favorite marriage books. Jenny M. and Laurie B., in particular, be sure to go and add your voices to the acclaim for this great book!

The No-Cry Nap Solution, by Elizabeth Pantley (review)

Up until now my Baby Sleep Book of Choice has been Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, by Dr Marc Weisbluth. Those of you who know me and my path-to-achieve-sleeping-children may be surprised to hear that The No-Cry Nap Solution is now running neck and neck with HSHHC.

My basic judgment of a parenting/child raising book is based on the amount of information it brings to me. Good sound information that I can examine, ruminate over (I love that word, it sounds like a contented cow...) and then make my own decisions regarding implementation of a plan. I don't mind at all disagreeing with an author's basic premise or conclusions if s/he provides me with information that is sound and unbiased.

I believe that Elizabeth Pantley has done just that. Her book presents a wealth of information about the science of sleep. I would even go so far as to say that her book is even more in-depth in this area than HSHHC, although without being too technical for a sleep-deprived mother to understand (Dr Weisbluth tends to be a bit wordy and vague, IMO). This is by far the strongest point of the book.

I also appreciate the manner in which her advice is given. The book is a little like having about 700 girlfriends all sharing "what worked for me" in an easy-to-read format (and without having to pay for lunch or lattes). There's no specific agenda being forced on the reader, the suggestions are as varied as the children being written about. She addresses issues from "Cat-Nappers" to "Completely Refuses To Nap At All" and even has a section at the end dealing with true medical problems. Many of her suggestions are things I've tried and found successful with my own children.

However. I do part ways with Ms Pantley in both her premise and her conclusion First, the basic premise (to the best of my judgment from reading her website and this book) of her organization is that crying is something to be prevented in your child's life. I disagree. I don't like to hear my kids cry-- quite the contrary. But I do believe that sometimes it is simply an expression of a thwarted will. At other times and in other situations, I believe it does far more good for my child to leave him to deal with the cause of his distress and problem-solve on his own than to intervene and solve it for him. At still other times I believe that one child's particular wants ought to take second place to the general well-being of the household at large.

Since this premise rules out the possibility of allowing the child to Cry It Out (I'm betting most of you know what I mean by this), Ms Pantley has concluded that a parent's role therefore is to provide a child with the environment and aids that that particular child "needs" in order that the child get an adequate amount of sleep. I, on the other hand, think there is a third option (kind of a mixture of the two mentioned above) that will be better for the child in the end run. That is, to teach him to sleep in a fairly average environment, with a minimum of aids and special circumstances. I've done this in various ways that I won't get into atm. (But I'll post about it later if anyone's interested.)

That being said, I do think that there are times when the basic need for sleep in the short-term tends to cloud one's vision of the long-term goal of an independent and solid sleeper. That's where this book could be quite helpful and aside from those two disagreements I found the book to be informative, easy to read and full of useful tips and stories. I would recommend it to any new mom or mother of problem-sleepers with the caveat stated above.

And I'd slip them Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child a few months later when they've had a little more sleep ;)