I was able to read more books in January. Two of the books I finished this month were from Audible. It turns out I definitely have more of an opinion depending on how it was read. Hopefully next month is better for reading. I've got a few on the go.
Here are my February books:
Peaceful Parenting, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting by Laura Markham
This was an Audible book. I have been reading self help type books lately, and this one appealed to me because I can always be a better parent. Also, I am a yeller. (I also cry sometimes). I yell when I'm excited and when I've lost my patience. It's in my nature, and I'd like to get it out of my nature.
So, I gave it a go. She made a lot of great points, and gave a lot of great advice. She gave alternatives to yelling, and how to stop worrying. She gave ideas on how to help your child change their behavior without having to discipline.
There were also things that seemed a bit silly. Like the fact that she thinks you should not praise your children as much as acknowledge that they've done a good job. In my humble opinion, I think the world is negative, and me telling my child he's doing well is never a bad thing. I understand the point she was trying to make, I just don't think I'll stop telling my son how great he's doing if he is doing great. He will know when I'm proud of him.
While I think this is a great book, I also like the approach of letting parents know they're doing a great job. Everyone needs help now and then. This book focused on everything every one does wrong, and basically made it seem as though they are wrong if they don't parent like she wants them to. We're all different. We won't all parent the same.
However, I do feel there were a lot of useful tidbits in this book. Obviously, I don't want to yell at my toddler if he's done something to scare me, or something aggressive (hitting or biting for instance). He doesn't deserve it, and I don't want him to grow up in a yelling household. So he won't.
I'll take her advice, and work to be a better parent. I'll also be proud of myself for the good things I've done, and keep learning from my negative experiences.
Domestic Secrets by Rosalind Noonan
This was an actual book. (Not from Audible.) I found it in a drawer in my 'to read' section. I have no idea where it came from.
I finished this a couple of weeks ago, and even now, I still don't quite know how I feel about it. It followed two mothers with VERY different parenting techniques. One of them was a horrible woman, and I guessed a few things before they happened. I hated her. And I hate hating characters, but if you think about it, it's pretty good writing to make me hate a character like that.
It felt like I was waiting for a very long time for the shocking event that was mentioned on the cover to happen. I wanted to put it down many times, but that kept me going. It honestly took a long time to get to. Too long in my opinion.
That being said: it was a shocker. I didn't see it coming. At all. I had guessed a few things, but I didn't expect the major trauma. I probably cried.
I couldn't put it down after that. I have a lot of thoughts, but I don't like to get into spoilers on my book reviews, so I can't really say a lot.
It's one of those books that I get somebody else to read because I really want to discuss it with somebody. My mom is currently reading it.
That's all. I will spend some time reading the reviews on Goodreads. I don't think it has a great rating.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
I listened to this on Audible. Even though it was in the self help genre and about the author's personal experiences, it wasn't read by the author. I wish it had been. I might have liked it better. There were certain things that I didn't like in the reading. One that stands out was his impression of women (doing the voice of a woman). I think he could have just read it in his own voice without making them sound ridiculous.
Other than my complaints about the reading. I thought it was good.
A lot of it, to me, is common sense, but I guess it's not to everybody. He's not saying not to care about things, but not to focus on the things that can't be changed. (And of course, he said a whole lot more.)
One thing I found interesting because it's the opposite of what I've been doing was when he suggested people not just feel gratitude. I'm paraphrasing here, but he basically said instead of finding one happy thing on a crappy day, feel the pain. Because it's a part of life.
I get that, but I think you can also feel the gratitude. That's just my personal feelings about it. I need to see the good, or I'll sink.
There's not a lot to say about it. I liked it better than the self help book I read last year. I don't think I've written about it because of my horrible job at book blogging.
I did not know I was a self help gal. However, it's never a bad thing learning new things. Finding new ways to look at life. I don't have to agree, but it's still nice to hear other options. Living a good life is all I really need.
Happy Reading.
©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.
Here are my February books:
Peaceful Parenting, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting by Laura Markham
This was an Audible book. I have been reading self help type books lately, and this one appealed to me because I can always be a better parent. Also, I am a yeller. (I also cry sometimes). I yell when I'm excited and when I've lost my patience. It's in my nature, and I'd like to get it out of my nature.
So, I gave it a go. She made a lot of great points, and gave a lot of great advice. She gave alternatives to yelling, and how to stop worrying. She gave ideas on how to help your child change their behavior without having to discipline.
There were also things that seemed a bit silly. Like the fact that she thinks you should not praise your children as much as acknowledge that they've done a good job. In my humble opinion, I think the world is negative, and me telling my child he's doing well is never a bad thing. I understand the point she was trying to make, I just don't think I'll stop telling my son how great he's doing if he is doing great. He will know when I'm proud of him.
While I think this is a great book, I also like the approach of letting parents know they're doing a great job. Everyone needs help now and then. This book focused on everything every one does wrong, and basically made it seem as though they are wrong if they don't parent like she wants them to. We're all different. We won't all parent the same.
However, I do feel there were a lot of useful tidbits in this book. Obviously, I don't want to yell at my toddler if he's done something to scare me, or something aggressive (hitting or biting for instance). He doesn't deserve it, and I don't want him to grow up in a yelling household. So he won't.
I'll take her advice, and work to be a better parent. I'll also be proud of myself for the good things I've done, and keep learning from my negative experiences.
Domestic Secrets by Rosalind Noonan
This was an actual book. (Not from Audible.) I found it in a drawer in my 'to read' section. I have no idea where it came from.
I finished this a couple of weeks ago, and even now, I still don't quite know how I feel about it. It followed two mothers with VERY different parenting techniques. One of them was a horrible woman, and I guessed a few things before they happened. I hated her. And I hate hating characters, but if you think about it, it's pretty good writing to make me hate a character like that.
It felt like I was waiting for a very long time for the shocking event that was mentioned on the cover to happen. I wanted to put it down many times, but that kept me going. It honestly took a long time to get to. Too long in my opinion.
That being said: it was a shocker. I didn't see it coming. At all. I had guessed a few things, but I didn't expect the major trauma. I probably cried.
I couldn't put it down after that. I have a lot of thoughts, but I don't like to get into spoilers on my book reviews, so I can't really say a lot.
It's one of those books that I get somebody else to read because I really want to discuss it with somebody. My mom is currently reading it.
That's all. I will spend some time reading the reviews on Goodreads. I don't think it has a great rating.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
I listened to this on Audible. Even though it was in the self help genre and about the author's personal experiences, it wasn't read by the author. I wish it had been. I might have liked it better. There were certain things that I didn't like in the reading. One that stands out was his impression of women (doing the voice of a woman). I think he could have just read it in his own voice without making them sound ridiculous.
Other than my complaints about the reading. I thought it was good.
A lot of it, to me, is common sense, but I guess it's not to everybody. He's not saying not to care about things, but not to focus on the things that can't be changed. (And of course, he said a whole lot more.)
One thing I found interesting because it's the opposite of what I've been doing was when he suggested people not just feel gratitude. I'm paraphrasing here, but he basically said instead of finding one happy thing on a crappy day, feel the pain. Because it's a part of life.
I get that, but I think you can also feel the gratitude. That's just my personal feelings about it. I need to see the good, or I'll sink.
There's not a lot to say about it. I liked it better than the self help book I read last year. I don't think I've written about it because of my horrible job at book blogging.
I did not know I was a self help gal. However, it's never a bad thing learning new things. Finding new ways to look at life. I don't have to agree, but it's still nice to hear other options. Living a good life is all I really need.
Happy Reading.
©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.
Also check out http://erinisawriter.blogspot.ca/
Or check out http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/
Or check out http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/
