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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Loving Someone with Attention Deficit Disorder by Susan Tshudi

Your partner’s attention deficit disorder (ADD) may not seem like a big deal at first, but eventually, the dynamics surrounding his or her impulsivity, forgetfulness, distractibility, and restlessness can really strain your relationship. You don’t want to act like a parent, yet you may feel like you can’t rely on your partner to get things done. Loving Someone with Attention Deficit Disorder is your guide to navigating a relationship with someone with ADD so you can create healthy boundaries while remaining sympathetic to your partner’s symptoms.
An essential resource for every couple affected by ADD, this book will help you:
• Understand medication and other treatments
• Recover quickly when your partner’s symptoms frustrate you
• Establish personal boundaries to avoid excessive caretaking
• Identify and take care of your own needs so you can feel more relaxed


First line:
"The problem with ADHD as a disorder is that no one can "see" it." 


An interesting book. If you think you have someone in your life who has ADHD, this book will help you understand them better. And in turn, you will understand where your boundaries and needs are and how to take care of yourself.


4 STARS

I Believe in Jesus Too by Mark Nielson, Craig Stapely

All around the world, Latter-day Saint children go to church, sing songs, pray, read scriptures, participate in family home evening, and get baptized. We may meet in different types of buildings or speak different languages, but we have a lot in common. Why? Because no matter where we live, we all love and believe in Jesus, and He loves each one of us just the same. Are you like Pablo, Dimitri, Bayani, Junpei, and Shamara? Do you believe in Jesus too?

"All around the world, Latter-Day children go to church..." 
So begins the adventure.
 Beautiful illustrations and engaging story of children all over the world, any child will love to read this book and learn how other Primary children get to church and where they worship.
Great for any LDS book collection.




5 STARS 

 

Friday, June 15, 2012

FRINDLE by Andrew Clements

Nicholas Allen has plenty of ideas. Who can forget the time he turned his third-grade classroom into a tropical island, or the times he fooled his teacher by chirping like a blackbird? But now Nick's in fifth grade, and it looks like his days as a troublemaker are over. Everyone knows that Mrs. Granger, the language arts teacher, has X-ray vision, and nobody gets away with anything in her classroom. To make matters worse, she's also a fanatic about the dictionary, which is hopelessly boring to Nick. But when Nick learns an interesting tidbit about words and where they come from, it inspires his greatest plan yet: to invent a new word. From now on, a pen is no longer a pen -- it's a frindle. It doesn't take long for frindle to take root, and soon the excitement spreads well beyond his school and town. His parents and Mrs. Granger would like Nick to put an end to all this nonsense. But frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. All he can do now is sit back and watch what happens.
This quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words will have readers inventing their own words. Brian Selznick's black-and-white illustrations enhance the humor in this unforgettable story.


I LOVE Andrew Clements books! As my younger child states,"all of his books are genius!" and I would agree.

Nick is a bright fifth grader. His teacher is all about finding the answers on your own so you learn them better. She loves dictionaries which gives Nick the idea to come with a new word: frindle. You and I know call the same object a pen.
The rest of the story is what happens when students get excited about something and a teacher helps them, without them knowing.
I loved the ending! Brought tears to my eyes.


Rated: E (for everyone!)

 5 STARS

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

A Need so Beautiful by Suzanne Young

We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten...

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences.


First line:
"I sit on the front steps of St. Vincent's Cathedral and pick at the moss nestled in the cracks of the concrete."

I really like the concept of this story. Charlotte is forced to help others but in the process will be forgotten by those she loves. What a terrible burden! When she fights against the "need," as she calls it, it leaves gray on her soul. 
She has a boyfriend too and I wondered what was up with him. He was a little too intense for me but later on (almost the end) the reader finds out why. 
Charlotte also has help with a Seer. He won't forget her. He doesn't forget any of the Forgotten.
It's heart wrenching to read the last few chapters as Charlotte's family and friends forget her. 
I just might read the next book to find out more!



 Rating: PG 14
L: No
V: No
S: Kissing; implied sex; naughty word 

Liked:
The concept
The main character

Disliked:
Implied sex
The last page (really? It's a trilogy??)

3 STARS

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Life's Lesson Learned: Personal Reflections by Dallin H. Oaks

Dallin H. Oaks shares stories and personal reflections from his life. Plus, many instances where his testimony was strengthened.  President Oaks tells of his hardships as well as the good times. I learned much about this amazing man from the book. I had no idea he was a Utah Supreme Court Judge!

The chapters are fairly short so the book is a quicker read but a delightful one.

4 STARS

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Daisy by Josi Kilpack

Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. And no one knows that better than Daisy. Raising two kids as a divorced, single mom, Daisy has faced each and every one of the obstacles in her life with courage and determination.
Now with her oldest daughter ready to have a baby of her own, her youngest daughter ready to graduate from high school, and her new husband, Paul, ready to embrace the life of an empty-nester, Daisy feels like she might finally be able to check "motherhood" off her list of things to do.
Except life often has a mind of its own. When, at age of forty-six, Daisy suddenly finds herself facing a very different future than the one she had planned--and an uncomfortable evaluation of the past she thought she understood--she realizes that there is still some growing up she needs to do.
Looking for a distraction to escape the growing tension at home, Daisy joins the Newport Ladies Book Club, where she meets Paige, Athena, and Olivia--unlikely friends who offer encouragement and support when Daisy's perfectly crafted life is turned upside-down.


First line:
"Would it kill you to take a day off, Daisy?" Paul asked over the phone.
Another addition to the Newport Ladies Book Club series. I love reading this series from different character's view point. This one is written by Josi Kilpack and I enjoy her writing.  
Daisy has had a rough life, starting off as a young, single mother who has a limited support system. She marries again, divorces and remarries a third time. She is looking forward to having the kids grown and out on their own so she can have time for herself. Through the story, Daisy alienates her daughter, offends her newer husband and sees nothing wrong with what she's doing or thinking. Then something happens that turns her world upside-down and she has to make another life-changing decision. Will her family and friends support her?
I never really connected with Daisy. I didn't care for her third husband either. I thought he was using her from the beginning. I wanted her to step up. I wanted better closure from her daughter and husband. The strange thing is I liked the ex and wanted to read more about him!
I enjoyed reading the same time setting as in Olivia but from Daisy's point of view. I admit, I did skim the book club discussions but I liked Daisy's thoughts on the other club members. She tried to be kind and gave compliments. She tried to think outside of herself and she felt better about herself.




Rating: PG
V: No
S: No
L: No

3 1/2 STARS 

Friday, June 1, 2012

Daughters of Jared by H.B. Moore

From the Book of Ether comes a haunting story of two royal sisters. The elder sister, Ash, will do anything to bring her father, King Jared II, back to the throne. The younger sister, Naiva, only wants to save her family from destruction. The bond of sisterhood becomes precariously fragile when one man . . . named Akish . . . falls in love with the younger sister, Naiva. Yet he chooses to marry the elder sister.

The sisters’ hearts are divided. And when Ash becomes queen, seduced by the promise of power and wealth, Naiva watches her world crumble away. She sees only one way out. But it will require forsaking all that she holds dear.


First line:
"What have I done?" my sister asks me.

H.B. Moore has beautifully written another great Book of Mormon story. Inspired by the Book of Ether, the author takes us on a whirlwind ride of politics, deceit and love.
Naiva is the main character and we learn much from her point of view about the palace and royal intrigue. Her life is changed forever by a greedy king, a selfish princess and dark oaths as old as Cain himself.
Naiva is the second daughter, the one who gives everything to help the first daughter, Ash. Ash has plotted to help her father, the king, resume his throne.  She makes a plan to dance for Akish and when he asks for her hand in marriage, the king will ask for one thing-the head of his father, Omer, reigning king. Akish agrees.
Ash's choice to get her father back on the throne throws them all into a twisted life that no one could predict the outcome.
 As the story progresses, Naiva questions her life as a princess, daughter and sister in the sinister game of royalty.  She also learns more about the gods her family worships and the one true God her grandfather worships. Which one will help her and her family?
Naiva also wonders when is the right time to lead your own life and not the one dictated by others selfish or abusive desires?
Many times through the story I wanted to hug then slap Ash. What kind of person turns on her sister? And I kept wishing Naiva would run away. 
H.B. Moore does an excellent job of weaving scripture, description and fiction. Everything from the food to the clothing to the stone to Naiva's paintings added to the story.
I know there are many who shy away from "Mormon fiction" and I understand that thought process. H.B. Moore is one author I have no problem recommending to any reader because of her writing style and deep research.
After reading DAUGHTERS OF JARED, I turned to The Book Ether (in the Book of Mormon) and read the account of Akish and Jared. I wanted to read the scripture account of Akish and Omer.
Keep 'em coming, Ms. Moore!


Rating: PG 13
S: No
L: No
V: No

Liked:
Naiva
Plot
Levi

Disliked:
Akish
Ash
Not enough Levi! :)

5 STARS