Don't Worry!

Hey Guys! I want to address my sudden change of reading preferences... don't worry, it's TEMPORARY! I just needed a "break" so I can re-love the romance/paranormal/ and young adult. I was getting bored because I kept reading the same thing over and over again.

I'm almost back! Don't worry! I did read a Jennifer Echol's book (young adult) that I LOVED! So I'll come back with a review on that :)

Thanks for hanging in there guys!

Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage by Dr. Laura Schlessinger

The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage
by Dr. Laura Schlessinger
9780061142826
$13.99

B&N Synopsis:

The long-awaited follow-up to her groundbreaking bestseller, now Dr. Laura focuses on how men and women need to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of masculinity and femininity; what the best ways to relate, caretake, and nurture each other are; and how to bring a marriage back from the brink of disaster.


Jumping off her million-copy bestseller The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, Dr. Laura asserts that in order to produce and sustain a wonderfully satisfying marriage, spouses must recognize and appreciate the polarity between masculine and feminine. Both husband and wife have power in the relationship, and each needs to realize this in order to ensure personal satisfaction. Using real-life examples from her call-in radio show, and giving real-life solutions, Dr. Laura focuses on the typical mistakes made by men and women in their relationships and shows how marriages can come back from the brink of disaster and divorce.

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If you haven't noticed, I kind of needed a break from the regular Romance and Paranormal and Young Adult books. I've also been needing to get some outside perspective on what a good marriage is... since I'll be getting hitched in... 45 days! eeek!

I've also been listening to Dr. Laura on the radio and I've heard great things about her book.

I enjoyed it. She's a straight forward, no bullshit kind of person and I admire that. Of course, with all radio personnel I get frustrated when she doesn't allow others to spit out everything, but I understand it and it's not always necessary. Anyway, she does have awesome points that I can agree with when I think logically.

She explains that the fundamental way to be happy in any relationship but  most importantly marriage is to make your other half happy. Give your all in to making them happy and feeling your love for them and you will most definitely get it in return. Unless they're a scumbag.

As elementary as that sounds, I was really shocked to read it. I didn't grow up in the super-feminist era of course, but I've definitely not been without the influence around me. The "I'm a woman, I can do it all!" mentality that creates more problems than solves them is absolutely prominent in school, home, and work. And without revealing too much, I noticed at home how awful that thought can be on the wrong people. It drives them to the edge of clinically insane and more insecure. Sure, women are meant to work, but where you work shouldn't matter. You can work in a boardroom or a home, and there's still an enrichment you can get from working at the one that most suits you. I personally would prefer to be a homemaker. Or as it's more commonly known (and said with disdain from others) a stay-at-home-mom. I have a while before I climb that mountain, but I know that's what I want to do without any doubt.

I'm not nervous about talking about this passionate subject, I just don't want to get in arguments over my "anti-feminist" views and whatnot... just because I want to be a homemaker... Which, btw.. I can't.. my fiance wants me to still bring in money, so I'm learning photography, wedding planning, and searching like a madwoman for a lot of acreage so I can start businesses at home (horse trails, camping sites, horse boarding, wedding --ceremony & reception--, etc etc).

Okay!!!! Dr. Laura's book has such great ideas. I recommend this book to absolutely everyone! I even gave it to my mom. I especially recommend it if you are about to get married and aren't going to go through pre-marital counseling. Another especially read is for those that are selfish with their own feelings, gone through infidelity, and/or thinking about getting a divorce (with kids).

It feels like pretty much everyone, huh?

Anyway. I give this book 10 stars. I've never been helped so much by a self-help book. Usually I look at it with my nose up and say "I'm better than that" and walk away. But I wanted to go into my marriage with a fantastic outlook and tools guaranteed to work. And I didn't have a good example at home. But I have the tools now. Make him my world, and I'll be his. Take care of him how he needs to be taken care of and he'll take care of me how I need it. Show how much I love him by doing things he can interpret as such, and open my eyes to see him showing how much he loves me in the best way he knows.

Read it with an open mind and heart and the intent to be your best and you'll get so much out of this book!

Have you heard of this?

This looks pretty cool. What do you guys think?

Blog2Print

I'm not sure which blog I'd do, maybe the one that has my photography on it. Just to see my progress and all. But I thought the idea was neat enough to share it with fellow bloggers :D

Bad Mother by Ayelet Waldman

Bad Mother by Ayelet Waldman

Nonfiction-Psychology/Psychotherapy

9-780767-930697

$14.95

Barnes and Noble Synopsis

In our mothers’ day there were good mothers, indifferent mothers, and occasionally, great mothers. Today we have only Bad Mothers: If you work, you’re neglectful; if you stay home, you’re smothering. If you discipline, you’re buying them a spot on the shrink’s couch; if you let them run wild, they will be into drugs by seventh grade. Is it any wonder so many women refer to themselves at one time or another as a “bad mother”?

Writing with remarkable candor, and dispensing much hilarious and helpful advice along the way—Is breast best? What should you do when your daughter dresses up as a “ho” for Halloween?—Ayelet Waldman says it's time for women to get over it and get on with it in this wry, unflinchingly honest, and always insightful memoir on modern motherhood.


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I actually really like this book! I didn't get to read it to its full potential (I needed to return it to the library and I tried to read the Men/Mars, Women/Venus book before hand and I ran out of time!!). But it was very enjoyable.


I found myself thinking the same things that she pointed out. Whether it be the things I think about when I see someone being a "bad mother" or about loving her husband more than her kids. Just yesterday, I caught myself thinking to myself, "wow, what a horrible mom".. then instantly tried looking at it from her point of view. And I understood. Sort of. It's a work in progress, but I think the situation in which I speak of could have actually physically harmed her daughter. And I can't imagine any mom wanting their kids hurt. Even if you love your husband more than you do your kids.


Aaalright, I'll tell you what happened. I was backing out of a parking space and was waiting for this mom and her 3 small children (I'd say 3, 5, 7) to cross past us, but they stopped to let me out. So I proceeded to back up and right as I started turning to decide which way of the "parking aisle" I was going, she started walking in between me and the car beside me. Her daughter was right next to my front left fender, squished in between me, and her mom that was pushing the cart through the impossibly small space. Of course I stopped, said "geeezus" and thought the "bad mom" thing. But JUST getting done reading Ayelet's book, I stopped, because that was an unfair assessment. I've never met this woman, I don't know what she's like. Just because of one incident where she may have been thinking about when dad was coming home, dinner, getting her kids and herself out of the heat, and whether or not she was going to get a shower tonight, it doesn't mean she deserved the title. So, I changed it from "bad mom" to "potential moron". haha, not much better, but at least it gives her a break on being the perfect being and allowing mistakes that remind her and us that she's human.


The other part I related to was the loving her spouse more than her kids. And I've gotta say, I INSTANTLY related to it. But, that might have been because I don't have any kids. But when I grudgingly fantasize it, for the sake of Ayelet's point, I realize that the love is completely different. Marriage is not an unconditional thing. Love for another with no biological relationship, is not an unconditional thing. You work at a marriage if you want to be successful. Or even just a relationship. You work at it like you would if they were your bf/gf. You have to keep it exciting and real and romantic. But with kids, there's the very biological connection. You made them, they carry some of your traits and attributes, their DNA is from you! So.. it's a majorly different feeling!

Anyway, she's witty and fun, I recommend it for those that need a break from our usual reading ;)