I received Difficult People: Flash Fictions
This book has been in my bathroom for a few months now. Some people would think that is a bad thing but in fact it is not. Difficult People is a book of Flash Fictions or super short stories that really jump into each character with abandon. Each flash fiction is engrossing and at times very intense, making them a bit hard to read back to back to back in this book of 231 pages.
The fact that they are short but intense makes them a perfect bathroom read. I am not sure they could be truly appreciated if read straight through. Reading a few then taking a bit of time off gives you the opportunity to really consider each story then go back in for more.
Even if this book doesn't land a spot in your bathroom, I highly recommend taking your time to read Difficult People, don't push through it, read a bit then put it down and savor it.
Book Review - Difficult People by Jim Stallings
Harry Potter the Books/ the Movies
I first became interested in Harry Potter when the fifth book came out and I was working at Barnes and Noble, everyone was into it and I hadn't even tried to read it, so I picked up the first in the series and I was hooked. I read through all five of the books that were out at the time and was waiting on the edge of my seat just like everyone else for the sixth. And have since read each of the last two books as soon as they came out, I am even proud to say I was dressed as McGonagall for the release of the sixth book and purchased it at midnight the night of the release.
When the movies started I was right there waiting again, I was really happy with the first two movies as a matter of fact I think they are two of the best book to movie translations I have ever seen,then the third movie happened and I was seriously disappointed. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was my favorite book and now with Alfonso Cuaron directing and all the things they just simply left out of the movie it was the worst of all the movies so far, I was so disappointed. After that major fail in the movie department I kind of lost steam to see the rest of them, sure I have seen them and enjoyed them but I don't run out to the theater to catch them anymore I just wait for the the DVD or for them to come out on iTunes, then watch it at home. I do feel a little bad about this because I really love the world of Harry Potter and really want to support that but I just can't seem justify the effort.
That being said I hope the Deathly Hallows changes my mind, I really want to get back that lust for the movies that I had in the beginning. I love that they are breaking it into two movies, there is so much going on this way they can get it all in, I hope.
This takes care of one requirement for the Read the Book See the Movie Challenge.
Teaser Tuesday - Doctor Who Forever Autumn
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teasers are from Doctor Who Forever Autumn by Mark Morbis
"No, it wasn't really. Like I said, they're not exactly life-and-soul types, the Hervoken. They prefer to keep a low profile." page 163
He looked into her eyes. His fae was set and serious. So quietly that it made her shiver, he muttered, 'By the pricking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes...' page 34
Book Review - Talk to me Like I'm Someone you Love by Nancy Dreyfus
I received Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love: Relationship Repair in a Flash
I was excited to read it but again it took me a while to get to it, not sure why... anyway. My husband and I communicate very well so I thought this book was going to be a breeze which it was for the most part but there were a few surprises. I think the biggest thing I learned from this book is you can never stop trying to improve your relationship. Just like life in general the moment you become complacent is the moment you or your relationship begins to deteriorate. In life it's your memory, your reaction time or your flexibility in a relationship it's trust, loving physical touch and meaningful communication. Either way it is each of our job's to seek out new and better ways to live, to get out there learn new skills and create experiences that keep our minds, bodies and spirits engaged. If anyone expects to have what can be considered a good and lasting relationship you must stay engaged in that relationship.
With that said it is naive to ever think that you don't need to read relationship books because "my relationship is fine." Talk to me Like I'm Someone you Love is basically a book of flash cards. One liners, if you will to keep the lines of communication open between you and your partner, Each card helps to put into words the feelings you want to convey but for some reason just can't get across to your partner. Each card is accompanied by a page or so of explanation as to when and why each card might be used. As it turns out I didn't find a lot that my husband and I need to work on but I this book did give me a whole list of new phrases to work into conversation that will help to get my point across without making my husband feel belittled or that I don't love him. Even though while in the heat of an argument it may feel like your partner doesn't love you the truth is that they do and it is important to let them know that without having to forfeit your opinions. this book gives a lot of great ideas on how to do just that.
Product Description
A groundbreaking, interactive relationship tool that literally places in the hands of couples the power to transform chronically frustrating relationship dynamics.
We've all been there. A conversation with a loved one escalates into conflict. Voices rise to a fever pitch and angry, accusative words fly through the air. At times like these, it seems impossible to find the magic words that will lead to healing. Enter Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love.
A psychotherapist with decades of experience in counseling couples, Nancy Dreyfus hit upon the revolutionary practice outlined in this book during a couples-therapy session in which a wife's unrelenting criticism of her husband was causing him to become emotionally withdrawn. In the midst of this, Dreyfus found herself scribbling on a scrap of paper, "Talk to me like I'm someone you love" and gestured to the husband that he should hold it up. He did and within seconds the familiar power differential between the two shifted, and a gentler, more genuine connection emerged. Dreyfus was startled, then intrigued, and then motivated to create a tool that could help others.
This elegantly packaged spiral-bound book features more than one hundred of Dreyfus's "flash cards for real life"-written statements that express what we wish we could communicate to the person we love, but either can't find the right words or the right tone in which to say it. The statements include:
*Taking responsibility: "I realize I'm overreacting. Can you give me a minute to get sane again?"
*Apologizing: "I know I've really hurt you. What can I do to help you trust me again?"
*Loving: "You are precious, and I get that I haven't been treating you like you are."
A one-of-a-kind, practical relationship tool, Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love will help couples to stop arguing and begin healing.
About the Author
Nancy Dreyfus, Psy.D., is a psychotherapist and couples therapist with more than two decades of experience. She holds a doctorate degree from Hahnemann University Medical School. She lives near Philadelphia.Book Review - Secrets: You Tell me Yours and I'll Tell you Mine, Maybe by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Secrets: You Tell Me Yours and I'll Tell You Mine Maybe
In Secrets, our heroine is facing many new challenges, a new house, a new baby sister and new school. Along with a new boy to crush and new friends to make it's going to be an emotional roller coaster of a year. The teenage years are such a crazy time of life and yet everyone deals with many of the exact same issues finding a way to connect and not feel alone in those emotional times is important.
I love the way Dr. Holstein creates a character in Truth and Secrets that is so full of teen troubles bubbling with emotion but at the same time familiar and approachable. Not a thing is lost in the transition from book one to book two of The Truth For Girls Series, Secrets is a perfect continuation. As an adult reading this book my favorite part comes near the end when Rob's Father turns out to be the waiter from the restaurant...you'll just have to read it to see what I mean but it's a great little example of how life comes full circle.
Bottom line is both Truth and Secrets are great books for girls whether they are preteens, teens or Mothers looking to relate to their daughters.
I received this book to review as part of Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein's book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion.
Book Review - More Information Than You Require by John Hodgman
I downloaded More Information Than You Require
Anyway back to More Information than you Require, having never picked up the paper copy the first thing that comes to mind is DON'T. There are things in the audio edition that you simply could not get in the paper edition. Like Paul Rudd, he's there seemingly through the entire recording sleeping in the corner because after all he was originally tapped to read the audio book then John moved some things around and was able to read it himself. Alas Paul needs the paycheck and so there he is. Also Jonathan Coulton, I just discovered Mr. Coulton and I like him very much. To top off these voices as well as quite a few more I didn't even mention here, there are two wonderful addition to the end of the audio book.
The first is John Hodgman and Ricky Gervais mostly just talking though they start off reading the blurbs from the back of More Information Than You Require. The second addition that you simply could not fully grasp in the traditional paper edition of the book is John Hodgman on stage reading 700 Moleman names along with their occupations accompanied by Jonathan Coulton on guitar. They take over an hour to read and make me wish I was in the live audience to really be part of what must have been a truly magical experience.
If you enjoy humor then you should listen to More Information Than You Require. If you don't enjoy humor, then you should lighten up. Life is short, listen to John Hodgman and laugh.
Begin your new lighter life by watching this video of John Hodgman discussing his book on BoingBoingTV.
Book Review - The Survivors Club by Ben Sherwood
We all want to be in the Survivors Club. Ben Sherwood decided to find out what the people in The Club have in common, what sets those people apart and keeps them alive. The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life
Through sharing stories from survivors with a bit of science worked in to back them up Sherwood gives us tips on how to prolong our own lives in general and especially how to keep our heads on straight during different kinds of trying situations. We find our true selves when faced with a crisis. This book is a collection people each facing their true selves. We have the opportunity to benefit from the qualities each of these people had that got them through their worst moments. The question is do we actually have the ability to teach ourselves these qualities? The qualities that these other people seemed to already poses when they faced their crisis.
Read this book, learn if you have what it takes or if you can cultivate what it takes inside you.
