Review: Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus by John Gray

In case you didn't realize... this is not the "normal" reading material for me. But lately, I've been lagging on what to read. Nothing sounds or looks good. The current books I've been attempting to read have been, well, meh. Then, in case you didn't know, I'm getting hitched in September. So the books that have been of the most interest to me lately are self-help/relationship books. hence, Men/Mars, Women/Venus. I just want to make sure that my #1 and I are fully prepared before we do this marriage thing.

So here's the first of many relationship/help books:

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus

by John Gray

HarperCollins

$14.99

Barnes and Noble:

Once upon a time, Martians and Venusians met, fell in love, and had happy relationships together because they respected and accepted their differences. Then they came to Earth and amnesia set in: they forgot they were from different planets.

Using this metaphor to illustrate the commonly occurring conflicts between men and women, Dr. John Gray explains how these differences can come between the sexes and prohibit mutually fulfilling, loving relationships. Based on years of successful counseling of couples and individuals, he gives advice on how to counteract these differences in communication styles, emotional needs and modes of behavior to promote a greater understanding between individual partners.

Now available in its complete, unabridged form, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus is an invaluable tool for developing deeper and more satisfying relationships.

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I had high hopes for this book. It's been referenced by all different types of people for all different types of reasons. I've heard many praises about it. Unfortunately, I found it extremely annoying.
 
It was repetitive. Like, extremely repetitive. He'd tell a story or make a point at the beginning of a chapter, and every paragraph afterwards would be saying the same thing over and over and over again. I understand that it's probably his way to really drive home the point, and open it up so that if you didn't understand it in any of the first 7 paragraphs, then you have a chance on the other 20. But I just got so annoyed, really fast. I tried to push my way through the rest of the book (by this point, I was on chapter 4). But I could only get to chapter 6... and I only read his highlighted points for chapter 5 and 6.
 
Another reason I didn't like it was because I couldn't relate to it. He explains early on that when he says men(martians)/women(Venusians), it may not refer directly to you. And that you may be more Martian than Venusian (girl), or more Venusian than Martian (guy). But most of the time, I didn't fit anywhere. And when I did, it was mostly Martian. Though, I know that I used to be Venusian before I started listening to my brain more than my crazy feelings.
 
Maybe he changed views after chapter 6 and I'm missing out, but he seemed to tell guys to change more than he told girls. I don't like that. It seemed like he was telling guys to just do what your girl says, otherwise, your life will be hell. And I don't agree... to do whatever the woman wants, and not ask her to change or compromise because that's just the way she is... is so dumb. And it vaginizes men, making them weak. And men are the ones that fight for us in wars. I'd prefer them not to be weakened by compromise.
 
So anyway, I didn't like the book. I didn't finish it. I'm returning it to the library as soon as I can to exchange it for some other relationship-help books... I don't think I really like the way that sounds, "relationship-help" books. Maybe I'll call them... "relationship-strengthening" books.. or something.
 
Ratings:



1. Cover +1
2. Hooked: +0
3. Finished the book: +0
4. Overall Feeling: ugggh +0
5. Re-readability: +0
6. Suggest to others: +0
7. Lost time: +0
8. Readability: +1

2 out of 10. Wow, I really didn't like this book! Did anyone else enjoy or get something good out of this book?

How do you read?

Last week sometime, I got my... erm... 2nd  library card!!! I used to have a library card back in my hometown, but my brother used it and ruined the books he check out... and I just never felt right about going back after that. Needless to say, it's been about.... 7 ish years since then, and if going by the time that bad luck or gum is digested, I thought it was time!

But! Being the bookstore snob that I am, I really don't like how they have the sections set up. It's so annoying and impossible to figure out. I guess it's just because I'm re-learning it. There's not even a quarter of the selection that bookstores have, in my library.Since it's fairly new, I'm giving it a pass p

Since they don't have a great selection, I've decided (and started practicing) that I will use my library for books I want to read, but don't want to buy. Because there are a lot. You know those types of books right? They can be books that won't ever make it to mass market (the small ones), therefore, too expensive (example: Self-help, Recommends, etc). Or they're books written by money hoarding people, but I want to see why people LOVE them (example: Glenn Beck, the bible and other religious studies... etc).

Then there's the e-books! I get the ones that are either cheap (the $1.99 ones!!) or they're  EROTICA books ;p. I just have a hard time walking around with a mostly naked man that may have just a leaf covering his fun parts on the cover... It doesn't make me as uncomfortable as it does other people who see it. I just can't wait until I get a Nook! I've been reading all my e-books on the Barnes and Noble desktop reader on my laptop or desktop. PLUS! There are some awesome decals for the Nook that makes me want it even more. hahaha.

I save buying real books for all the mass markets! AND all the books that are written by my favorite authors, or a series I really enjoy. I haven't been buying too many Y/A titles lately though. That's because my boss has been getting them from the publisher so I can say yay or nay to putting them in our stores.

So that's how I read! How do you read your books?

Your help please!!

Hey Everyone!!!


This weekend I'm going to my FIRST! really cheap book sale put on at UC Davis by the Friends of the Library. :D I've never gone to one before! Which means I don't know what they have or what to expect, but we're going on the $5-a-bag day. SO!! since it's so cheap, I was hoping I could get a few books to give away in some contests! But what I need from  you guys is:


Are there any authors you want me to look for?
Are there any genres you want me to look for?

I know these are all used books, but I'm only looking for the best for you awesome people! Otherwise, if I can't find the best, I'll buy the 2nd best, read it myself, review it, then request a copy from either the publisher or the author to give away... If that doesn't work... well than crap... (when I mean best... MAYBE a crease on the spine... though I enjoy used books a lot, so I can still use them if you REALLY want me too, but we'll stay away from that).


Thanks so much for your help everyone!!! I'm so excited I may have to put on a diaper to prevent wetting my pants ;p.