A Robertson Family Christmas

Ok, so I admit. I don't know much about the Robertsons. I would be like one of the main characters in this book, Hunter, who is from the Midwest and won a contest to spend Christmas with the famous Duck Commander family. As I read this quick read, I couldn't help but want to meet them myself. Miss Kay wrote this novella as a work of fiction as if someone was getting an inside glimpse of Christmas with the Robertsons.

One of the highlights was the recipe for Willie's crazy bread (you'll have to read it to find out what it is!). YUM. Can't wait to make it.

This is the perfect time of year to read this book -- so make sure you grab it! I have a FREE COPY.
Comment below to enter to win!

Tyndale House Publishers has provided you with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Middle School Makeover

Middle School is tough. That's no surprise. But it doesn't have to be awful for your children!

So if you're a parent of a middle school (or are just interested in working with that age group like I am), this book is a great resource on how to navigate the interesting transitions happening during the time in kids' lives.

Our experience in middle school sets the foundation for what we believe about ourselves in high school and beyond (19).

During middle school (and most commonly in seventh grade) kids start to freak out a little bit about who they are in relationship to their peers. It’s their primary goal to develop an identity apart from family, so that one day they can successfully leave your house and have a job, apartment and relationships of their own (97).

I appreciated Michelle's perspective. She shared her own middle school experiences as well as questions she has heard from other parents trying to navigate this age.

Michelle gives insight into how to have conversations about cell phones, modesty, social media and more.

I don't agree with everything in her book (based on my own convictions), but for the most part, I liked the insight she shares with parents and those wanting to read a book about middle school.

Girl Talk: Unsolicited Advice for Modern Ladies

Know your audience. If you're a single 20/30-something year old, this book might interest you. It won't take you long to read and can be a good gift for a friend.

The part I have a hard time with is having different morals than the author. From page one, she uses colorful language (seriously, you couldn't think of another way to say that -- do you think cursing makes you look cool?). Her thoughts on dating, men, and sex did not align with my views, which is fine because as the subtitle mentions, this is unsolicited advice.

Although the book is aesthetically pleasing and sometimes contained witty banter, I won't be passing this one along to friends any time soon.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

No Man is an Island

It took me almost a year to get through this book.

Originally published in 1955, I have the book like the one pictured above, which is the 2003 edition. Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"It is in loving others that we best love ourselves" (3).

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time" (34).

"Everything we love is uncertain: when we are seeking it, we fear we may not get it. When we have obtained it, we fear even more that it may be lost" (111).

"There are times, then, when in order to keep ourselves in existence at all we simply have to sit back for a while and do nothing. And for a man who has left himself be drawn completely out of himself by his activity, nothing is more difficult than to sit still and rest, doing nothing at all. The very act of resting is the hardest and most courageous act he can perform: and often it is quite beyond his power" (123).

"If we wait for some people to become agreeable or attractive before we begin to love them, we will never begin" (169).

"Some men are only virtuous enough to forget that they are sinners without being wretched enough to remember how much they need the mercy of God" (209).

This book was very contemplative, which I appreciate, but it was not something I could just sit down and read. It was more of a book to include in spiritual disciplines.

Dad is Fat

Lately, I've found myself in need of lighter reading material. Several people who saw me reading the book asked my thoughts on it: BUY IT! This man is hilarious + clean.

I have been bugging my dad for a few years to write me a book of wisdom, and although Jim Gaffigan is writing to his young children, I am sure they will appreciate it later in life.

Jim shares the struggles of raising five children in NYC. Everyday's an adventure and he shares with the reader his successes (like getting the kids to bed each night in a two bedroom apartment) and struggles (taking his family out in NYC).

His advice for parents is valuable (not being a parent yet, I would THINK this is valuable advice). He talks about fun things to do with kids in the city, the hassle of putting sunscreen on his extremely pale offspring, and the challenge of having small kids while trying to attend a church service.

Great gift idea for Father's Day or a new dad. I even appreciated it as a 20-something single female.

Thanks for the laughs, Jim.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

All Right Here

Despite the Parenthood-esque cover, the storyline of this book was choppy. The storyline did not flow well, although the family issues included in the book are real issues: drinking to cover up relationship problems, sleeping with your boss, emotional affairs, and racism.

It took me a while to get into the book itself. It might have been the book I read previously that was along the same genre and was written better that made it hard to engage with this story.

At times, there were cheesy Christian lines.

Overall I would say it's probably your best bet to leave this book on the shelf.

I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review.

Networking is Not Working

Back in May, my friend tweeting that he was reading Networking is Not Working. 

It automatically made me think of this clip from Ugly Betty. Ha.

My friend actually bought me the Kindle version of this book. (Thanks, Joel!)

I would appreciate it more if I was in more of a business setting. There was still practical insights into networking. 

As an introvert, it may surprise people that I actually love networking. I love connecting people with each other to make their lives better. 

"Networking: any activity that increases the value of your network and/or the value you contribute to it."

Seth Godin says, "The value of your connection is worth far more than the value of your service or widgets" (Kindle 61).

Coburn ended up creating his own networking group and being the Ultimate Resource, connecting people in different fields and adding value to their networks.

Thought this book was practical and to the point. Again, I think I would appreciate it more if I was in more of a business/sales role, although networking as he does works in most careers.