I really enjoyed this book. I had read her Modern Love piece and liked that too which is what made me pick up the book from the library. But in readinI really enjoyed this book. I had read her Modern Love piece and liked that too which is what made me pick up the book from the library. But in reading it, I was blown away. The entire chapter on Cinderella and Pretty Woman had me nodding my head the whole time. I saw myself in a number of her stories and the book was a really eye-opening read....more
Parts of this were very very funny. And other parts really fell flat for me. I feel the same way about this that I do about most "blogs into books" - Parts of this were very very funny. And other parts really fell flat for me. I feel the same way about this that I do about most "blogs into books" - what seems funny when you read it once a month online is not necessarily the best thing to read in a book format. It's too much of the same thing over and over and over and over. She's funny but the jokes grew stale after a while and it was just too much of the same thing....more
This book is a very quick read. It has a lot of great basic information - drink more water, eat whole foods, get plenty of sleep, get sunshine, exerciThis book is a very quick read. It has a lot of great basic information - drink more water, eat whole foods, get plenty of sleep, get sunshine, exercise, etc. Just good basic reminders on health. I only gave it three stars because it has a lot of that really vague health information like giving random names of chemicals in dish detergent or deodorant and saying they will harm you. Or that fluoride in water will mess with your hormones. Yet there are no citations given for any of this advice which is a bit suspect and a little irresponsible. ...more
I read Bird by Bird and really loved it so I thought this would be a great read. I don't know about this one. I mean, yes, it had some good advice - bI read Bird by Bird and really loved it so I thought this would be a great read. I don't know about this one. I mean, yes, it had some good advice - but it was sometimes seemed bogged down by her personal anecdotes rather than helped by them. So this isn't bad. It's not bad. None of it is bad - it's just that there are so many other books out there that do this better. ...more
I read so many of Brene's other books and adored them . . . and maybe that's my issue? Maybe it's just too much repetition from her earlier books? If I read so many of Brene's other books and adored them . . . and maybe that's my issue? Maybe it's just too much repetition from her earlier books? If this is the first Brene book you're reading, you'll probably love it. If it's the third or fourth, you aren't going to read much that's new or different. ...more
I've been on a self-help kick this year and I've read so many books. Due to that, I'm becoming a tough critic. Scott Stabile is no Brene Brown. She's I've been on a self-help kick this year and I've read so many books. Due to that, I'm becoming a tough critic. Scott Stabile is no Brene Brown. She's my favorite. But he knows that and he's not trying to be Brene Brown. He's just trying to be himself and share the knowledge that he's gained throughout his life. And his life has been pretty damn challenging. So while not all of the book grabbed me and spoke to me - there were enough moments of pure simple wisdom that I really did enjoy this. I like to copy and paste favorite lines from books like this into a word document and I have a few pages of favorite lines from this book. He has this way of writing where he just speaks pure simple wisdom and it's not anything new or anything groundbreaking but he says it so concisely that it's very easy to digest. The chapter on self-care really spoke to me and even chapters that I initially thought wouldn't have anything for me (like the one about the cult) I was able to see a few lines and think "oh wow, wait, that reminds me of how I feel about ____" and the pure simple wisdom would shine through and I'd copy and paste another line so I can go to it at a later date. ...more
Dry dry dry dry. Just so boring. I hate to be like that but honestly my first tip for how to get someone to listen would be "Be slightly interesting" Dry dry dry dry. Just so boring. I hate to be like that but honestly my first tip for how to get someone to listen would be "Be slightly interesting" - and this book missed that mark. ...more
I love Brene Brown. I really do. She does a wonderful job of pointing out the sorts of things that we all feel in a way where it is not at all judgey I love Brene Brown. I really do. She does a wonderful job of pointing out the sorts of things that we all feel in a way where it is not at all judgey or mean. This is a great book to read if you only want to read one Brene Brown book (I've read three because I have a lot of issues). We all experience shame in our lives - she has a great way of explaining this shame and making you realize that it is not just you - and then gives tips on how to cut it off from doing real harm to your mental health. Highly recommend it. Love it. ...more
I really enjoyed Lean In. Yes, Sheryl is privileged. I wasn't as critical with her first book on that subject. Here it's clear that some of those compI really enjoyed Lean In. Yes, Sheryl is privileged. I wasn't as critical with her first book on that subject. Here it's clear that some of those complaints hit her pretty hard because she apologizes for her privilege and wealth quite a bit. Almost too much.
This was a quick read and it was a good read for anyone who is trying to figure out the next steps after a major life change. The book is most interesting when it's about her own life and what she learned in her struggles - or in the struggles of Adam her co-author. It became a bit boring to me when it went on too much with psychological studies or stories about things that the author wasn't personally related to.
Overall, a helpful book. I'm glad I read it. ...more
I read Cat's stuff in xojane and also followed the Gawker/Jezebel coverage of her rise and fall. So when this book became available at the library, I I read Cat's stuff in xojane and also followed the Gawker/Jezebel coverage of her rise and fall. So when this book became available at the library, I thought I'd read it to learn more.
I know in autobiographies there's a certain suspension of belief that's required. People are either going to be way harsher on themselves or they're going to be too nice and put themselves as the heroes of their story. Cat's book is odd. She seems to be filled with a great deal of self-loathing but also seems very proud of how terrible she is. It honestly reminded me of A Million Little Pieces. So much bragging and bravado about how insane it is that she can handle so many drugs. Drug counselors and doctors are just AMAZED at how high Cat was and still managed to survive. She seems really proud of how terribly she treated her body and everyone around her.
Also, I'd love to hear more from her bosses and her co-workers. She sounds like an absolute nightmare to work with and I wonder if she was really as terrible as she thinks she was at work (is it more exaggeration?) or was she really that much of a mess and her bosses really were huge pushovers?...more
This isn't a BAD book. I would say it's probably 3.5 stars. I had the same issue with it that I have with almost all parenting books - they make it soThis isn't a BAD book. I would say it's probably 3.5 stars. I had the same issue with it that I have with almost all parenting books - they make it sound so easy! Like for example, the coat scenario. The author discusses a situation where a kid doesn't want to wear a coat so the adult says "Well, it's cold out and i'm going to stay warm in my coat. It's your choice not to wear one though." and then in this scenario in the book, the child's teeth chatter in the car and they say "I'm cold! Next time I'm going to wear a coat!" and that's just not how my kids would act. Mine would refuse to wear a coat for the rest of their lives and then be extra cranky because they're cold.
So it's all very good advice in theory but it's so so so so so hard to follow when you're tired, your kid is tired and you've worked all day and you are at the end of your rope - and the books never talk about that! There's one chapter in there about how you don't do these things if you're angry - you need to do them before you're angry.
Other tips seem to take for granted that I have unlimited income and an army of babysitters who are able to help me out. For example, the idea floated to get your kid not to come into your bed at night? Get a hotel room and hire a babysitter. Sure! Why not? I have that kind of money. And then how do you get your kid to not act up at the store? Call one of your available friends to pick up your kid and take them home. I . . . don't have anyone who could do that? Am I supposed to? Is this why I feel like a bad mom all the time?
Also, the book was a bit Jesus-y. Which is fine. I'm just not religious so it was a little too much for me. But any time I read Jesus-y things they're also pretty hung up on traditional gender roles within the house which is also eye-roll worthy.
On the good side: I did get some good tips on how to speak to my kids and it was a good reminder to not sweat the small stuff and not get so hung up on winning every battle....more
**spoiler alert** I read Love Warrior first so it was really really interesting reading the relationship parts of this book knowing how this all turns**spoiler alert** I read Love Warrior first so it was really really interesting reading the relationship parts of this book knowing how this all turns our with a divorce from her husband and marriage to a woman.
Most of Glennon's writing is way too "ooey gooey" for me. It's a bit too mushy and spiritual. That being said, every few pages I get a little nugget of truth or I see something in a new way and it is all worth it for those nuggets....more
This was an interesting look at friendship. It was sad to see how it all ended and there were many moments I wanted to shake Lucy while at the same tiThis was an interesting look at friendship. It was sad to see how it all ended and there were many moments I wanted to shake Lucy while at the same time understanding why Ann was close to her - they'd been through so much and they knew each other so intimately. The friendships you keep through the transition of becoming an adult are very often there for life because they are so weaved into this idea of who you are as a person. ...more
I have a weird fandom for Jennifer Weiner books. I enjoy them and I read them as they are released - but I also feel like they're all very similar andI have a weird fandom for Jennifer Weiner books. I enjoy them and I read them as they are released - but I also feel like they're all very similar and sometimes that annoys me. Sometimes I also feel like IRL, Jennifer can get a bit whiny about the attention she does or does not receive as an author. Reading this book gave me more understanding into her family issues but it also left me with a feeling that she's not always the nicest person - and her sister is really not very pleasant to be around. Sometimes the stories about them were supposed to seem funny but just seemed kind of sad and mean. Overall though, I enjoyed this book. It was hit or miss in a lot of parts (the tweets chapter was not great but the chapter about her book getting published and her dog/love life was great). ...more
The title of this book grabbed me and then the description reeled me in the rest of the way. As a somewhat privileged white woman, I think it was a diThe title of this book grabbed me and then the description reeled me in the rest of the way. As a somewhat privileged white woman, I think it was a difficult thing to accept that "the rules are, there are no rules" when it comes to life. You are taught from an early age that if you do A, B and C, you will get success and happiness. College and a job plus working hard means success. Being a grown-up means getting a spouse, getting a spouse means having a family. These are the rules. Follow them and win at life. And then you start seeing others who haven't followed the rules getting success. And then you realize that your own idea of success eludes you.
So while some of the reviewers say that Ariel is privileged, yeah, sure. But I think she recognizes that. And it doesn't make her problems any less real. She's kind of brutal about others but I think she also uses some of that brutality on herself.
It was amazing to me the trauma of what she went through in Mongolia. In a way it was inspirational to see her get through that and come out on the other side. But also depressing in a way too. Like damn that was a really horrifying experience and she had to just keep on going afterwards.
For me the book was overall inspirational. Anyone who is going through anything difficult might find some catharsis in seeing how others have dealt with difficulties and come out on the other side. ...more
I work in higher ed and have always wondered how for-profit schools survived. They're more expensive, they aren't accredited---why would anyone pick tI work in higher ed and have always wondered how for-profit schools survived. They're more expensive, they aren't accredited---why would anyone pick them? This book does an excellent job of answering that question. One you read the book you not only understand but you see how they are successful. This is a fascinating and quick read....more
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