book reviews
Reviews of books that explore the complexities of family throughout history and across cultures.
Self Esteem cultivated by bedtime stories
I grew up in the 1980's. My mom was a single mom trying to raise me in a very expensive part of southern California. She had to work very long hours to support us. The most cherished time of my childhood was story time before bed. It was a special time for more than just the time I got to spend with my mother and have her undivided attention. She hated to read.
By Wendy Sanders5 years ago in Families
I Don't Read... and That's OK
I am known as one of those “over-productive” people. SHOCKER I hear my friends say. A bit of background – I’m a meeting planner and work full-time as the Senior Manager of Meetings for the Society of American Military Engineers. This is my work bucket. My family bucket contains my husband and 3 kids – 7, 5, and 1, and of course, the cat. Then there is my creative bucket - a small one-woman operation of reupholstering furniture, creating amigurumi crochet creatures out of yarn, DIYing the house and anything artsy. My 3 buckets, all inter-connecting, sometimes overflowing, but always containing love and fond memories.
By Sara Stehle5 years ago in Families
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
Themes demonology, Hell, demonic hierarchy, witches, superstitions, occult/Christianity, contracts/bargains, soul stealing vendetta, murder mystery, serial killer, twins/sisters bonding, manipulation/coercion female heroine, female protagonist, turn of the century, period fiction, fantasy, betrothal
By Kayleigh Harrier5 years ago in Families
Mom's First Book Suggestion
It was somewhere around 1998. I was interested in sports and playing outside or watching superhero cartoons and playing games. Reading was always a requirement in school, and we had a decent library at school and at home. My mom was trying to get me to read a book that had recently come out in paperback. It was something about a Sorcerer’s Stone, but near teenage boys are hardly concerned with what their mother thinks, especially about books. Eventually I needed some “reading points” for reading class at school. So, I went back to that paperback sitting in my headboard bookcase. I was engrossed immediately, and luckily enough, a second book in the series had recently come out as well. My life has benefited greatly from that one book suggestion.
By Noah Glenn5 years ago in Families
The Bone Snatcher by Charlotte Salter
Themes Death, Trauma, Abandonment Gaining a confident sense of self, inner strength, embracing individuality Overcoming external obstacles, conquering fear Toxic environments, psychological illness Sea, monsters, storytellers
By Kayleigh Harrier5 years ago in Families
The Best Audible Children’s Books for Bedtime
How many times have you come home from a busy day at the office, prepared dinner for the night, cleaned the house, helped get the kids ready for bed, and then been asked to read a bedtime story or two to help the kids fall asleep? Too many times to count, I’m sure. We have a simple and free solution - audiobooks for kids on Youtube! It’s as easy as pulling up the app on your phone, finding a story, clicking play, and then closing your eyes for a little me time while trying not to fall asleep yourself.
By Jennifer Barnes5 years ago in Families
