On the Bookshelf

The local library is my best friend. Books, books, and more books. Here’s what I’ve been reading: (dates are when I read the book)

Children
Family Power: 5 Simple Rules for a Healthy-Weight Home, by Karen Miller-Kovach (March 2006)
This book, published by Weight Watchers, outlines 5 rules for having a healthy-weight home that will benefit both adults and children.
Rule #1: Focus on wholesome, nutritious foods.
Rule #2: Include treats.
Rule #3: Aim to keep nonhomework screen time at 2 hrs (or less) per day.
Rule #4: Try to be active an hour per day.
Rule #5: The Rules apply to everyone in the home.
There were many good points in this book on having a good balance in your home.
Boost Your Child’s Immune System, by Lucy Burney (Feb 2006)
The 7 Stages of Motherhood, by Ann Pleshette Murphy (Feb 2006)
This book had some useful thoughts, but I was disappointed to read in the teenage years to expect that your child will use drugs, drink, and have sex. I refuse to believe that it is impossible to raise a child to follow high moral standards.

Marriage
The Surrendered Wife, by Laura Doyle (March 2006)
This book on being a submissive wife is, surprisingly, not written from a religious perspective. There were some aspects to it that were helpful ~ just how much controlling some of us wives do and what the effect might be on our husbands. Other parts, however, suggested giving your husband full control of the finances, even if it meant that the power was turned off. One of the benefits? Supposedly your husband will give you more gifts. The concept of self-care is introduced ~ not a bad thing in itself, but then the writer seems to contradict the tone of the book when she suggests not asking permission to do things for yourself, but just telling your husband you’re going to do it.
The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman (Feb 2006)
Wow! This book was a great read, and gave me a lot of insight about how DH and I relate to each other. I came away knowing my love languages (Words of Affirmation, followed by Acts of Service) and DH’s (tie between Quality Time and Physical Touch). This will definitely help me to show my love in the way that he will best relate to.

Education
Elaine’s Circle, by Bob Katz (March 2006)
This account of how a 4th grade teacher and her class respond when one of their classmates is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor shows all the good in education. As a teacher, this was my goal (other than just the basics) ~ building a strong classroom community.
The Complete Guide to Homeschooling, by John and Kathy Perry (Feb 2006)
Good basic introduction.

Fiction
When Breaks the Dawn, by Janette Oke (March 2006)
This is the first Christian fiction book I’ve read, and it was interesting to see the little ways that it was different. Spouses treating one another with respect, references to prayer in tough (and not so tough) circumstances, characters attempts to live with positive attitudes.