Toddler 411, second edition by Denise Fields and Ari Brown, M.D.
Pages: 407
Reading Days: Less than 1 day
Sassy Summary: This no-nonsense reference guide aims to save its reader a trip to the doctor’s office by providing easy-to-find answers to common questions (How Often Should My Child Pee?) to advice on handling Picky Eaters. Success! The index and glossary are comprehensive. It’s funny. It’s smart. It’s reassuring. My only complaint is that the organic food recommendations gave me anxiety and made me afraid to put anything in my child’s mouth.
Quotable Writing: Follow the “Two Stop” Rule. Getting in and out of your car with a toddler is an experience itself. With our kids, we always had a two stop rule for Saturday errands–that is, if you have to stop the car more than twice to do errands, you are asking for trouble.
Cheetah or Snail? Cheetah. I skimmed this book in one evening.
Buy or Borrow? Buy. Give it as a gift to a mother on her child’s first birthday.
Book Club Discussion Generator? Negative.
Who should read it? Any caregiver for a child between the ages of 1 and 4 years old.
Showing posts with label book reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book reviews. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Write Now, Fold Laundry Later: A Review of Pen on Fire
Pen on Fire: A Busy Woman’s Guide to Igniting the Writer Within by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
Pages: 258
Reading Days: 4 days
Sassy Summary: The book is compilation of interviews with writers from DeMarco-Barrett’s radio show, along with her advice and writing prompts and exercises. It started slow, gained speed (and my interest) and then it lost steam toward the end. Her section on “Overcoming the Obstacles” provided valuable insight on how to organize yourself (and avoid housework) when working at home. I may return to this book for encouragement on frustrating days or to think creatively through her writing exercises.
Quotable Writing: “Journals can be a legacy for those you love. They are also like a savings account; the details you’ve recorded—what something looked like, smelled like, what someone said— might be just what you need for a future piece of work or for inspiration .”
Cheetah or Snail? Cheetah (a quick read).
Buy or Borrow? Buy a used copy.
Book Club Discussion Generator? For a writing group. Maybe.
Who should read it? Newbie female fiction writers who want to take a community college writing class, but can’t afford the tuition.
Pages: 258
Reading Days: 4 days
Sassy Summary: The book is compilation of interviews with writers from DeMarco-Barrett’s radio show, along with her advice and writing prompts and exercises. It started slow, gained speed (and my interest) and then it lost steam toward the end. Her section on “Overcoming the Obstacles” provided valuable insight on how to organize yourself (and avoid housework) when working at home. I may return to this book for encouragement on frustrating days or to think creatively through her writing exercises.
Quotable Writing: “Journals can be a legacy for those you love. They are also like a savings account; the details you’ve recorded—what something looked like, smelled like, what someone said— might be just what you need for a future piece of work or for inspiration .”
Cheetah or Snail? Cheetah (a quick read).
Buy or Borrow? Buy a used copy.
Book Club Discussion Generator? For a writing group. Maybe.
Who should read it? Newbie female fiction writers who want to take a community college writing class, but can’t afford the tuition.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Scary Good: A Review of Dark Places
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Pages: 343
Reading Days: 30 days. I started the book twice. I stopped reading because I was too scared to keep reading at night.
Sassy Summary: Can Gillian Flynn read thoughts? For as long as I can remember I have had a recurring nightmare where my family is murdered in my parent’s farmhouse while I’m hiding under my bed. “Dark Places” is a thriller based on that fear. It’s eerie. I refused to read it at night. If I was alone, I would sleep with the lights on, just like the main character, Libby Day. I haven’t been this scared since reading Stephen King in high school. I’m returning it to the library today. I don’t want that book in my house anymore.
Quotable Writing: “I’d woken up from a miserable dream, the kind you keep telling yourself doesn’t mean anything, shouldn't bother you because it’s just a dream, just a dream.”
Cheetah or Snail? Not as fast paced as I expected from Flynn. First half is slow moving.
Buy or Borrow? Borrow. After you’ve read “Gone Girl” and “Sharp Objects.”
Book Club Discussion Generator? Definitely.
Who should read it? Stephen King fans
Pages: 343
Reading Days: 30 days. I started the book twice. I stopped reading because I was too scared to keep reading at night.
Sassy Summary: Can Gillian Flynn read thoughts? For as long as I can remember I have had a recurring nightmare where my family is murdered in my parent’s farmhouse while I’m hiding under my bed. “Dark Places” is a thriller based on that fear. It’s eerie. I refused to read it at night. If I was alone, I would sleep with the lights on, just like the main character, Libby Day. I haven’t been this scared since reading Stephen King in high school. I’m returning it to the library today. I don’t want that book in my house anymore.
Quotable Writing: “I’d woken up from a miserable dream, the kind you keep telling yourself doesn’t mean anything, shouldn't bother you because it’s just a dream, just a dream.”
Cheetah or Snail? Not as fast paced as I expected from Flynn. First half is slow moving.
Buy or Borrow? Borrow. After you’ve read “Gone Girl” and “Sharp Objects.”
Book Club Discussion Generator? Definitely.
Who should read it? Stephen King fans
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