book review // better than before

book review // better than before

6.24.2015

I actually really enjoy reading "self-help" books. When chosen wisely, I think they can be really inspiring and awesome. I read Gretchen Rubin's book The Happiness Project right after college as it was a gift from my friend Alex. I r

eally enjoyed it and almost feel like it qualifies as a re-read (which is super rare for me). 

Better Than Before is her newest book and let me tell you, it's awesome. The way she researches and write about human nature is so fascinating to me. She basically walks you through how we form habits and the different strategies we can use. There are four tendencies: Upholder, Obliger, Questioner, Rebel. These "type" guide you through the book and help you identify your barriers and strengths to forming habits. I LOVED figuring out what I was (you can even use this quiz) and then applying it throughout the book. I would read excerpts out loud to C when something totally applied to him. 

Overall, I think recognizing these things about myself and how I deal with habits will make me more aware in the future. For example, I'm a Moderator meaning I'm totally fine having one bite of chocolate cake and then staring at the rest of it for an entire week. C on the other hand is definitely an Abstainer; he cannot have potato chips in the house or he'll he the entire bag. Knowing this will help create strategies going forward. 

I highly recommend picking up this book. It's an easy read and totally captivating.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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book review // David and Goliath

book review // David and Goliath

2.18.2014

I got excited about this book after hearing Malcolm Gladwell speak on a panel in Hartford a little while back. In the past, his books never really grabbed me - they just seemed kind of...fluffy. But his description of this book seemed different. I was especially interested because he has some focus on education which is obviously my new favorite subject. 

I really enjoyed this book overall. His points were well made and well supported. I feel like I learned something new with each turn of the page. If you haven't previously been drawn to one of his books before, I would give this one a try. The stories are engaging and not too heavy. I really loved how Malcolm was able interview so many people to gain their insights for his chapters. I felt like I was getting a first hand account from the source rather than just a collection of research points. 

I'm looking forward to sharing the chapters on education with my team. He makes some really interesting points about class size, and "top colleges" that I think are very applicable to the world. 

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book review // Me Before You

book review // Me Before You

12.19.2013

I use Grammarly's grammar & plagiarism checker because copycatting is not the highest form of flattery...but cake and flowers work.

I'm on a role with the books I've been reading lately. I've been gravitating towards fun, easy reads that I can blow through pretty quickly. For me, reading, especially at night, is a break. I like to unwind for a little bit and just read something that I don't have to think too hard about. That's now always the case...but when I'm busy and only have time to read at night, I'm looking for something easy and entertaining.

I've been seeing Me Before You all over the blogsphere lately...and all over the bookshelves. It's been on my list for a few months and I finally decided to give it a go. The story takes place in London and includes a 26-year-old girl who becomes the caretaker for a 35-year-old quadriplegic man. While the story may seem sad at the beginning, I loved the ending and really appreciated the how the story was told. The author kept me engaged and interested throughout.

As always, if you're looking for something to pick up while you're snuggled up on the couch over the holidays, this is a must-read.

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book review // Inferno

book review // Inferno

9.04.2013

I love a good thriller/suspense book. I used to be addicted to basically all of Harlan Coben's books, I devoured The Girl with the Dragon tattoo series, and I'll pick up a John Grishim novel every now and then. I like a book that keeps me turning the page with all those cliffhangers at the end of the chapter. I read all of Dan Brown's previous books and definitely enjoyed them even though they can be predictable. C was saving this book for the honeymoon so I bought the Nook version and let him read it on his iPad first. 

This is your typical Robert Langdon thriller. It's based around Dante's Inferno It's slightly predictable with a big twist at the end. It keeps you turning the page for sure. Sometimes I get bogged down with all of Brown's historical references and descriptions. There were definitely parts of this book that I somewhat skimmed through because the information wasn't critical to the scene. Overall, it's a good read and worth picking up. I'm sure this one will be made into a movie (it has a great "movie script") and I'll probably end up seeing it. 

What are you reading these days?

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book review // Bread & Wine

book review // Bread & Wine

8.24.2013

I just spent a few quiet moments on this beautiful Saturday finishing Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist. I read the first 150 pages within hours of receiving the book in the mail last week. Then I tried to slow myself down because I didn't want the book to be over so soon! That's when you know you're reading a good book. 

My sweet friend Mary first brought this book to my attention a few months ago. I heard about Shauna's two other books, Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet, and this was her newest. I'd had her books on my reading list for awhile but kept pushing them to the side when I looked for a new book. I typically read on my Nook but I knew that I wanted to read the paper version of her books so that I could mark them up with all my thoughts. 

I finally ordered Bread & Wine and I'm kicking myself for waiting so long. it. is. so. good. I dogeared basically every other page because she said something awesome or because I wanted to try the recipe. Her writing is fluid, easy to read, and thoughtful. Each chapter is a short story, maybe just a few pages long, but her points are so well made. 

About 30 pages into the book, Shauna writes about being hungry. She writes about loving food and finally admitting that she's "hungry". Mostly for food, but also for life. And she goes on to say...

"To feed one's body, to admit one's hunger, to look one's appetite straight in the eye without fear or shame - this is controversial work in our culture.

Part of being a Christian means practicing grace in all sorts of big and small and daily ways, and my body gives me the opportunity to demonstrate grace, to make peace with imperfection every time I see myself in the mirror. On my best days, I practice grace and patience with myself, knowing that I can't extend grace and patience if I haven't tasted it."

Preach Shauna. And so, this is how the book continues. With Shauna's wise, smart, and insightful remarks about our daily life. About gathering around a table, sharing a meal, the bread and the wine. She really hit the nail on the head with this book. I would have highlighted every line...but that's just called coloring. 

And then there's the recipes. Amazingly simple, but worth mentioning all the same. I found all her notes and anecdotes about the recipes so fun to read. I already have grand bread making plans for Monday. 

In lieu of finishing this book so fast, I went ahead and ordered her two other books. I'm sure I'll have them finished by the end of next week. Thank goodness she writes a blog... 

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book review // Blue Bistro

book review // Blue Bistro

8.21.2013

I love reading on the beach. But I'm easily distracted so I need something that's easy to pick up and put down.

I downloaded this book just before we left for our honeymoon and ended up finishing it in record time. 

The story is set in Nantucket, where my awesome sister works and lives! The characters are funny and relatable, but slightly predictable. I didn't mind that though. Sometimes it's just nice to zone out when I read. The book was also easy to read while simultaneously people watching at the pool. I enjoyed Elin's writing style and I would definitely consider reading another one of her books. She has a whole selection of "summer reads" to choose from so I would recommend picking up one of her books as the summer winds down. My guess it that they all have a similar flow and style to them but they won't disappoint.






PS. Totally unrelated but I just did my first Barre3 workout, just a quick 30 minute one, and my whole body is burning. So intense. I love it.

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book review // Lean In

book review // Lean In

4.30.2013

I love Sheryl Sandberg. I think she's brilliant and an inspiration. In fact, one time, I got the bright idea to just email her and ask for a job. It must have gone to her spam by accident. Bummer. But in all honesty, I'd love to work for her. So it's so surprise that when I heard about her new book, I immediately pre-ordered it on Amazon. 

I'm in a transitional period in my career right now. I still feel very "entry-level" and I'm not sure where I'm headed. I know what I'm passionate about and what I would want to do in a perfect world but I'm still trying to find the job that fits the bill. I've applied for a lot of different things at this point. In a way, this move is my chance to somewhat start over with my career. 

Lean In was the perfect read for this transition. Let me start off by pointing out that I was hired for my previous two jobs partly because I was a women...because that's what they were looking for. So that is both frustrating and encouraging. But anyway... 

Sheryl's book isn't too preachy and it isn't a "self-help" story. Yes, some of her stories are outrageous and will never happen to me - she was in the right place at the right time and knew the right people. But nonetheless, it's encouraging to hear someone of her stature fail, and then try again.

I enjoyed her writing style and all her personal anecdotes. She tells stories of defeat, failure, triumph and struggle. She's not super woman (though we all think she is) but I would call her lucky. 

No matter where you are in your career, this is a great read. It's not about feminism. It's not about tearing down "the man". It's not about asking for a raise or "sitting at the table". It's just a story about a woman advocating for other women in all areas of life. Read it. 

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on my reading list

on my reading list

4.12.2013

I love to read. I have a Nook and it has a permanent home in my purse. I love having it with me so that I can keep myself busy while waiting on a doctor's appointment, at the car shop, waiting for a movie to start, you get the point. 

When I moved, I sold almost all of my books (except my beloved Harry Potter hardcovers) to Half Price Books. I'd already read all of them and they were honestly just taking up space. I love a good, well-filled bookshelf, as much as the next girl but there's nothing I hate more than packing and unpacking boxes of books. 

However, there are some books that are better read on old-fashioned paper. These books might have recipes, pictures, great quotes and other things that I'm likely to refer back to. For this reason, I tend to prefer the paper version so that I can have the book on hand (lest I have something to decorate those bookshelves with!). 

There are a few books on my reading list that fall into the "must get my hands on the paper version" category. 

Bread & Wine // Relish // White Jacket Required // My Berlin Kitchen

These books all have a similar premise - they offer up a personal story/experience wrapped around great recipes and inspiration. I can't wait to spend some of my time off in May poolside with my nose buried in these books. I tend to favor a quick read, fiction book so it's always nice to slow down and really dive into a book that makes you read a little slower and think a little harder. So far, each of these books has received wonderful reviews and feedback. Jenna Weber writes the most amazing blog titled Eat, Live, Run. I feel like we're best friends from her adorable "virtual coffee date" series. Daphne Oz is the daughter of the infamous Dr. Oz made popular by Oprah, so we know her book has to be filled with tons of great stuff. The other two books have been widely publicized in the blogger world so I'm excited to see what all the buzz is about. 

What are you reading these days?

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