This third term of the year I have done a LOT of listening to books.
Friends, if you haven't already downloaded the CloudLibrary app, or Audible, or something, YOU ARE MISSING OUT!!! So much of this quarter has been spent painting, cleaning, and driving, which made it such a gift for me to have so many books (many read by the authors!), available. #booksaremylovelanguage
These books will be out of order, but I am going to begin today with all of the audible books I listened to...I hope you are encouraged to listen more.
http://flakymn.blogspot.com/2018/09/lifesteading.html
About three years ago, I read AND LOVED! Rory's first book, This Life I Live : One Man's Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who Changed It Forever.
It.
Was.
Incredible.
Having NO IDEA who Rory was prior, the book captured my attention when I saw it on an end cap at Walmart and I thought, sure, why not?
Surprise, surprise, Rory is an excellent writer and I enjoyed the book so much.
Farm is a little different.
There isn't so much passion written through these pages, more of an update on Rory and his girls. The chapters keep you engaged as they flash back and forth through time, and he is purposeful to include chapters with hightlights of each of his daughters.
SPOTLIGHT: My biggest takeaway and something I find too rare and too "politically incorrect" in today's, American society: Rory shares the struggles he has over particular realities in his life. For instance, he believes gay marriage to be wrong, and he shares this, like a confessional, in light of how close it is to his home and heart. He doesn't hide his convictions, or glide past them for the sake of sales or trying to be someone he is not. He has disappointments, heartaches, and misunderstandings and he invites the reader to see his struggles.
I can appreciate that, Rory. Thank you so much.
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I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness- Austin Channing Brown
https://sojo.net/magazine/july-2018/understand-and-be-understood
This was the first of Brown's books I have read/listened to. I confess, her name jumped out at me because she is kind of a BIG DEAL right now. Many of the authors I already know are name-dropping and recommending Brown as essential reading for this current life state.
Written as a memoir sharing specifics from over the course of her life, Brown shares her disappointments in humanity. (Everyone assumes she is a boy because of her first name, plus, she is black and a woman, so she seems to have been fighting an uphill battle the majority of her life.)
There are stories woven through here which are, indeed, disappointing. Disheartening, even. There is also some redemption, some women-power/black-power ethos, and lots of well-executed points written within these pages.
Example of a quote I loved:
“It’s work to be the only person of color in an organization,
bearing the weight of all your white co-workers’ questions about Blackness.”
There is a caveat to all the praise I hope to offer here, however, and I am going to highlight it with a quote I do not love. (A little background, Dr. Simms was one of Brown's first black professors. [A fact I think I remember her sharing.] He would quote this last line OVER AND OVER and she would take it as a mantra to speak through the course of her life OVER AND OVER.
Brown BELIEVES this.
She sees this as FREEING and EMPOWERING and I kept hearing this and could not stop asking myself how this isn't entirely contradictory to the rest of her book and how on earth this man's words gained so much power.
THIS was my biggest takeaway, and it left a terrible taste in my mouth.)
The quote:
“Dr. Simms wanted us to be emotionally connected to our learning,
to sit in the pain, the horror, the absurdity of America’s racist history,
and to humanize those who dared stand against the system.
Dr. Simms made us believe that we could follow that legacy of resistance,
but one piece of his advice stood out to me more than all the others.
“Ain’t no friends here.”
"Ain't no friends here."
What in the world, Brown? What in the actual world?
It is like you are confessing that there are prejudices in this world and you want to shed light on and exploit them all because they are wrong and sinful and people be crazy...yet, this. How is this not a contradictory statement?
I had a really hard time with this one, friends. Anyone care to help me make sense of this?
I had a really hard time with this one, friends. Anyone care to help me make sense of this?
*Quotes were found on Goodreads, where I googled, "What was that phrase Austin Channing Brown's professor kept repeating over and over?"
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https://padmoreculture.com/products/all-the-light-we-cannot-see?variant=33458012174
This was painstakingly well-written. Plus, it takes place during World War II, so you can bet I was already really interested in it's subject manner.
Similar to Gentleman, I was caught up in the main characters and enjoyed learning about how they lived, thought, and how the span of some time deepened their personalities.
This story highlights two protagonists and how their lives intertwine under such interesting and unfortunate circumstances: A World War and a Personal Handicap.
I particularly appreciated the redemption in this story. It is long-coming, but if you make it to the end (and don't skip ahead, it won't do the book justice!), it will be well worth it!
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The Polygamist's Daughter: A Memoir- Anna LeBaron and Leslie Wilson
https://www.interabangbooks.com/event/polygamists-daughter
This book has been on my radar for awhile now. I first heard Anna (pronounced "On-na") share about her life and story on Jen Hatmaker's For The Love podcast. Both Anna and Ruth (whom we will come back around to) share so much about a world I knew absolutely nothing about: a polygamist colony where people follow their "chosen leaders" to the death...and the death of others as well.
Anna's storytelling is engaging and sadly beautiful. Within the pages, there is redemption (apparently this is a theme I gravitate towards), and there is utter heartbrokenness.
Her father (the famous Ervil LeBaron) utters, like, two sentences to her- in her entire life, and the people she loves the most in this world, those who are good and kind and somehow escaped from the evils within the colony, both die such horrific deaths that I felt the ripple-effect of that heartbreak so far it felt personal.
Anna, I am so sorry for that hurt.
On a personal note, I *kind of* got to know Anna awhile back when she launched Rachel Hollis' book, Girl, Stop Apologizing, and I was on the launch team. This is something Anna loves to do and *hey girl, hey* SO DO I!! #givemeallthebooks
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https://boundlessblissblog.com/2018/11/04/whiskey-in-a-teacup/
Reese's book about life in the south during her childhood, and how so much of it is still very particular in her everyday, Hollywood, adult life, is a quick read. The stories Reese shares are short and often whimsical...you'll for sure giggle. She offers slang and southern etiquette as well as tons of delicious recipes! I confess, I have a difficult time thinking that anyone who has the ability to pay someone else to cook for them would not absolutely jump on that, but Reese makes it seem as though she genuinely enjoys cooking...plus her southern upbringing.
Side Note: In a culture where it seems like anyone who grew up white, semi-privileged, and happy is a culture taboo (how dare she??), I was happy to hear Reese share stories which felt like, you know, people are allowed to be grateful without feeling bad. Whether that was the intention or not, I appreciated it.
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![]({"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41s3I9v32fL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg":[235,346],"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41s3I9v32fL._SX336_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg":[338,499]})
Confession, I LOVED Rob during his NOOMA phase, and then I wasn't sure if I was SUPPOSED to like him when he became so...well...out there. I remember reading Love Wins: At the Heart of Life's Big Questions and thinking, "he actually believe every single person is going to die and go to Heaven- this is the gospel he is preaching!", and, of course, it felt all sorts of blasphemous.
It's a great idea, Rob, better, maybe, than God's idea
that man can come to Him only through Jesus,
but it is not what the Bible says, dude!
So I think that Talk is a well-written, eye-opening, what-if kind of book. A really good description can be found, not by me stringing some words together, but by watching Rob talk about his book, himself. (You can see that video, here.)
Rob is clearly very intelligent and affluent. I am a fan of his "throw-out-the-cookie-cutter, this-has-always-been-but-let's-see-if-it-still-stands" personality. Also, he can tell a story about a rock and will finds 17 separate layers to share about said rock. (One of the commenters on another one of his videos put it really well stating, "I love how Rob can talk on and on about nothing at all.")
As with many books, and ALL of Rob's, I suggest reading this and dissecting it for yourself.
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Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life -Carrie Underwood
https://countryfancast.com/carrie-underwood-find-your-path/
If you just love Carrie and all things Carrie, sure, read this.
If you want an idea of how to be physically fit and maybe try the accountability of Fit52, read this book.
But if you are hoping for anything deep, you will not find it here.
Path is a "filler" book. My guess is that Carrie needed something to put out there for her fans, but this comes across as generic to me.
There is nothing revolutionary here, and, to be honest, I almost returned the book to CloudLibrary before it ended because I was all, "yeah...I really don't need to hear you and your assistant read every time you move your left leg, right leg". It's a little boring. A little bland.
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https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/books/info-2020/loretta-lynn-and-patsy-cline-excerpt.html
Oh, Leretty...I just think you are special.
Growing up, Coal Miner's Daughter would be heard from my momma's cd player, or seen on our family tv from time to time and it always struck me as innocent and wonderful.
In the summertime, we didn't have shoes to wear
But in the wintertime we all get a brand new pair...
In Dust, Loretta shares all kinds of fun stories about she and Patsy, ranging from their initial meeting in Patsy's hospital room, to the time Patsy taught her how to shave her legs, right beside her, on the edge of a tub.
I was surprised to read that Loretta is so liberal and she even cursed a few times throughout the book, which always caught me off guard: like witnessing a nun smoking. (It is her daughter, Patsy, who reads the audio book.)
The book inspired me to want to listen to good ole songs like Coal Miner's Daughter, Walkin' After Midnight, and Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days).
It started a chain reaction, too.
My sons got to hear some of these classics as I suddenly began playing them while we would be driving.
Plus, I bought my grandma both Loretta and Patsy's Greatest Hits and we sat together and listened.
They made her emotional.
Patsy's death was real untimely, and I always get a sinking feeling in my gut when she is flying through the clouds in C.M.D., the movie.
Thank you for sharing, Loretta.
Your friendship with Patsy was special and I enjoyed reliving some of the "good ole' days" with you.
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Untamed- Glennon Doyle Melton
https://www.bookpassage.com/glennondoyle
But of course.
This is likely one of the most well-known on my list this quarter, if not this year. Three of my favorite book-friends, Shelly, Kelly, and Mindy, (holla!) and I were all reading it at the same time and sending -sometimes daily- text messages ala, "Did you get to this part yet?" and "What do you think about...?"
In Glennon-fashion, she shares her experiences and her feelings about all the things
NO HOLDS BARRED.
Glennon is blunt, she is compelling, and she is a great storyteller.
Case in point: the chapter about her friend's son possibly looking at porn and Glennon exclaiming something along the lines of, "Regardless of how uncomfortable you feel, go in there and get him! Save your son! Protect your baby!" The chapter was BEYOND.
A+, Glennon.
As with all very liberal views, I would ask,
Sure, don't we all want to be cheetahs? Don't we all want to be free?
Yes, with a resounding nod of the head, we do.
But we also want truth.
And if your truth is fluid -and mine as well- then we need something that is stable, something that is the MOST TRUTH from which to base all the rest- all of our fluidity.
I don't know if there was enough of that.
I enjoyed listening to Glennon tell her life's story, and it made for very interesting texts between my friends and I, but this one deserves more than an audio book, where I would listen whilst I worked.
This one requires sitting down.
Reading with my eyes.
SEEING THE WORDS.
This is the one and only book I read this year which I KNOW I will return to with every intention of dissecting it. Care to join me?
--------
The remainder of the books listed here are those I read, not listened to.
You'll notice a few themes:
-There are a handful of self-help books
-There are a handful of self-help books
-three of the eight books are written by Rachel Hollis
I suppose this is a good representation of what my life is like these days: self-improving- always, and light-hearted reading about silly girls, and what to make for dinner.
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Love Warrior -Glennon Doyle Melton
https://www.onwardspirit.com/love-warrior/
A few years ago I got on the Glennon-Train and read through both Love Warrior and Carry-On Warrior, really enjoying the former.
When I found Love Warrior for just a dollar (hey, hey!) I snatched it up because, with my own copy, I knew I could highlight all the parts of the book which "spoke to me" -which was a good half of the book.
Warrior takes us back to Glennon's childhood and the way she describes herself as "taking up too much space" and the beginnings of her eating disorder and the distorted way of looking at herself.
All of this struck me as SO REAL, honest, and true to my own experiences.
As she enters her teenage and adult years, her experiences of sex and how little she thinks of it continued to stick with me as such a brutally honest look at how the half of the world which isn't sex-crazy functions. She would make comments about sex just "happening to her" and I wanted to scream "Yes! Right!?!" This was so true-to-life that I felt I could not better describe my own thoughts. As if Glennon's truth was a liberating one, giving voice to the silenced.
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The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir- Ruth Wariner
https://www.bookofthemonth.com/blog/poverty-abuse-death-polygamy-behind-the-sound-of-gravel-36
Swinging back around to Ruth, she shares her account of living as a daughter of a polygamist who is killed by Ervil LeBaron (Anna's father) and how her life was shaped by the religion/lifestyle/stronghold of that culture. Ruth's story paints a picture of her mom as a hopelessly devoted wife to not one but two polygamist men and the horrible accounts of abuse she and her children endured, all while accepting this as "God's Way".
Ruth's story will have you rooting for this young girl and wishing desperately for her mom to see the situation for what it was. She will not, and the sound of gravel will be her untimely death.
What a heartbreaking story.
As for Ruth, she will go on to raise her younger siblings and -quite literally- become the greatest thing to ever happen to her family.
Side note: Both Anna and Ruth will later meet one another and realize that they are cousins. Their memoirs were released around the same time, but they had no idea the other existed until they shared their stories.
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Filled with great-looking meals and happy family pictures, R.L.D. was a quick read, showcasing memories behind some of the Rachel's favorite meals.
I borrowed this book from the library and had hoped to make about half of the recipes.
I wish I could tell you I went through with it.
I wanted to!
I did not, however, because, you know, life.
Plus, remember Whisky above? Yeah, I still don't like to cook...find it fascinating that anyone does.
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Party Girl- Rachel Hollis
Party Girl- Rachel Hollis
https://www.facebook.com/TheChicSite/photos/party-girl-is-the-first-book-i-ever-wrote-and-i-honestly-never-imagined-it-would/10154122521796259/
Following the life of sweet and innocent Landon, Party Girl takes us behind the scenes of what, presumably, Rachel experienced as a Party Planner herself. Landon is likeable, if not quite realistic. Always so perfect, even when she's not, you know?
I did not love it, but I was curious about the Rachel before G.W.Y.F. fame.
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Smart Girl- Rachel Hollis
![Smart Girl (The Girls Book 3) by [Rachel Hollis]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51U+NMFuFwL._SY346_.jpg)
I realize that I read this one before reading Sweet Girl (which I have not yet got around to, but will), so the story line was a little spoiled, but it was similar to Party Girl- not quite amazing. Still, this one superseded P.G. because Miko wasn't a perfect protagonist but instead a self-destructing girl who just wanted to be loved. And I can get on board with that.
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Christy- Catherine Marshall
http://thestorysanctuary.com/review-christy-by-catherine-marshall/
The favorite book of my beloved Annie F. Downs, I jumped at the chance to read this one!
Following the life of Christy as she navigates a world unknown to her- one of poverty and superstition in Applelachia in the early 1900s, Catherine writes about the world seen through the eyes of a sweet, naive, young woman. As a newcomer, school teacher, and eventual love interest, Christy learns how to love these backwards people more than the spoils she had grown to know in the comforts of childhood home in Asheville, NC.
Following the life of Christy as she navigates a world unknown to her- one of poverty and superstition in Applelachia in the early 1900s, Catherine writes about the world seen through the eyes of a sweet, naive, young woman. As a newcomer, school teacher, and eventual love interest, Christy learns how to love these backwards people more than the spoils she had grown to know in the comforts of childhood home in Asheville, NC.
The read is engaging but I have to know...what the heck with the ending, man?
It was like the story just...ended. Just like that.
Plus, the doctor or the teacher/preacher? Which one???
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The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery- Ian Morgan Cron
https://bfguidetoeverything.com/road-back-to-you-enneagram-may-2019/
Ian's book has been on my "to read" list for over a year now. Since taking an interest in the Enneagram, and listening to Ian on his podcast, Typology, I knew this would serve as a deep-dive into the Enneagram ("the Gram") and why it is we do what we do with particular motivations, and what being "in health" looks like verses being "in unhealth".
The book received all kinds of accolades, every author-friend of mine who knows the Gram, knows Ian. For what it was, the book was interesting. I took about a dozen notes on my Number, (2) and all the intricacies surrounding being a 2.
If you are new to this conversation and have NO IDEA what the Gram is,
I will try to sum it up for you and even offer you a link to a free assessment online.
As opposed to a Personality Test, which informs you of "who" you are, the Enneagram teaches you the WHYS behind your motivations. Where the former may tell you that you are a "Helper", the latter goes on to explain that you are likely a "Helper" because you have a deep-seated desire to be needed.
Furthermore, it will help you to see if that desire to help others is healthy, as in, you gain personal satisfaction by doing so, or if it is done begrudgingly, perhaps with a constant narrative of "Well if I don't do it, no one will", or "No one evens notices me until there is laundry to put away.".
Maybe a personality test will inform you that you are a "Type-A" personality which is a strong trait bent towards perfectionism and dominance. The Enneagram will go on to explain that you are this way because...you have a lot of common sense and/or personal drive.
Further, it offers examples of what your Number may lean towards or come from when you are healthy and when you are not- each Number moves TOWARDS a Number when Stressed and AWAY FROM a Number when Secure, so when you see attributes of the OTHER Number, you can see if you are healthy or not. *Healthy can be substituted for Stressed. You can see if you are Stressed or not.
OK, is this confusing?
I imagine it is.
I imagine it is.
It is still confusing to me- also, fascinating.
Here is a test from Ian's site.
He is a world-renown leader in the Gram and his assessments are likely amongst the best in the world.
If you aren't interested in dropping some cash, here is a FREE alternative to get you started.
HEAD'S UP: The first time you see the insignia...well...it may look crazy. It may look wiccan. You may question if this is blasphemy or somehow evil.
I don't think so, and I don't type that nonchalantly.
As with anything, take it with a grain of salt. It is not Gospel.
As for all those lines in that circle...they are just the Numbers, all touching one another somehow. Nothing to crazy, mmmkay?
https://memegenerator.net/instance/55121787/office-space-that-would-be-great-yeaaahim-gonna-need-some-more-detailed-feedback-mmmkay
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The One Thing- Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan
https://www.atpeacewithmoney.com/2018/book-review-the-one-thing/
The One Thing was a recommended read, recommended to me by my Doctor of Functional Medicine. (If you are interested in a Holistic approach to health and medicine, you may want to consider Dr. Nair with Aura Integrative Medicine Clinic. It does not matter where you live, as she is conducting her meetings virtually. Dr. Nair is kind and informative. I am still new to her practice, but feel that she is thorough at offering an array of techniques to help aid in someone's situation. Case-in-point: in addition to food suggestions, she recommended meditation, supplements, gratitude practices and-because she knew I enjoyed doing so- reading.)
Surprisingly, this was a quick and interesting read. The concept was not the surprising part, but the content. Self-Help and Performance-Based information can all seem very long-winded and overwhelming, but One Thing was anything other than.
Gary and Jay are entertaining, humorous even. They share personal stories and they keep their message clear.
The cover, even, is intentionally precise.
Stay focused.
Find your daily One Thing and keep your eyes on it.
It's simple, really.
https://waymakerlearning.com/book-review-eat-that-frog-brian-tracy/
Also recommended to me by Dr. Nair (who accurately deciphered that I am stressed and disorganized), Frog is a practical book which is helpful.
It didn't rock my world, but it is practical, so....
Combing through different highlights for getting stuff done (More Stuff-Less Time), Tracy's Frog concept is simple: do the thing you want to do least (but needs done), FIRST, and then the remainder of the day or work-task is more pleasant by default. You overcome the biggest hurdle and they all get smaller from there.
Once you've mustered up the can-do/must-do/will-do spirit required to complete this, it is actually brilliant.
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The 5 Second Rule- Mel Robbins
https://www.themeritclub.com/new-blog-1/2017/10/5/mel-robbins-revolution-of-the-5-second-rule
Do you know Mel Robbins yet? OK, if not, you should. I think the lady is impressive on 100 different levels. The best part of her?
She's real...like, FOR REAL FOR REAL.
She will curse and complain and walk you through real crap in real time, not waiting for filters and time to paint a prettier picture.
Mel makes me believe that she is a real person, not "Perfection Personified".
There will be no, "I do ALL THIS, ALL THE TIME, all BY MYSELF because I am just SO MOTIVATED and PERFECT and you, too, can be perfect LIKE ME if you just WANT IT BAD ENOUGH."
Nope.
Instead, Mel will be the first to say, hey, this 5 Second Rule changed my life but...guess what? It's is actually really simple. Stupid, even. -That might actually be a lose quote from her book.
Here is a link which I listened to over and over as I painted one of my son's bedrooms recently. It has some curse words but -HOT DAMN!- it's SO GOOD!!!
As for The 5 Second Rule book... Blah.
I enjoy listening to Mel SO MUCH but the book read as boring to me and she inserted so many comments from readers which was nice, but also a total filler.
Given the book or the Ted Talk, I recommend the Talk. You can access it here.
And that's it, ya'll!
Have you read/listened to any of these books yet?
Are you familiar with any authors, or have you be inspired to look into any of the authors and books listed above?
Also, what are some of your recommendations? Do you have a favorite (or a few favorites) book you have read this year?
Are you familiar with any authors, or have you be inspired to look into any of the authors and books listed above?
Also, what are some of your recommendations? Do you have a favorite (or a few favorites) book you have read this year?
Please share! Let's inspire and share these gems with one another.
-always, gomommyblogger
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