Half Broke Horses, by Jeannette Walls

Another excellent story told by this woman. 

It says "a true life novel" on the cover because it's the stories of her grandmother, her mother's mother, as she remembers them and her own memories of her, told in first person point of view.  She said she wanted to do it this way so grandmother's personality could really be felt.  And it was. 

After reading this, I can see where her (the author) mother gets her "unique" way of looking at and living life.  The Glass Castle had me wanting to slap her (the author's mother).  Seeing how she was as a child and teenager kind of puts things into perspective.  This book starts with her grandmother as a little girl and continues up through her own (the author's) birth.  Her grandmother was a sensible woman with a strong personality, her mother was kind of a flake, in my opinion, but not wholly because of her upbringing.  I think she was just one of those apples that fell a little far from the tree.  The author brings sensibility back to the family because of her upbringing (in spite of, really), and I think she definitely has a lot of her grandmother in her.  They're both smart, strong women who had it in them to survive what life handed to them.

If you're going to read this or The Glass Castle, read this one, first.  It's not necessary, but the chronology would fit nicely.  And you might have more kindness in your heart towards the author's mother instead of the utter disbelief and pretty much disgust that I had for her. 

Definitely a book I would recommend.  It's a good one.  I love the way this author writes - I hope she puts out more stories as I've now read them all. 

Same Kind of Different As Me, by Ron Hall & Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent

If you liked Fireproof, Courageous, Flywheel or Facing the Giants, you'll love this book.  I saw the movie trailer and couldn't get through it without tearing up.  If the trailer was so touching, I imagined the book would be just as great or even better.

It was.  It didn't take me long to read it - it was hard to put down.  It was incredibly touching and made me want to be a better person, showing God's love to any and all I meet.

The two men who wrote this book are real and their story is real.  Their lives were changed by Ron's wife, Deborah, who not only blessed their lives but the lives of so many.

I'm not going to give any spoilers, but this is definitely worth the read.  But only if you like true life inspiring stories and own some tissues.  Tissues are surely needed when reading this book.

I'm excited to see the movie.  I consider myself blessed to have made this story a part of my life.  I'm grateful to the authors for sharing it.

Here's a sneak-peak.  ;)

The 5 Second Rule, by Mel Robbins

I read this book in one day.

I love her simple concept that could so profoundly change a person's life.  I don't buy books unless I'm going to read them more than once... I'm buying this book.  I consider it a wise investment.  Plus, I want my own copy so I can mark it up, make notes, and highlight sections for reference.

I've begun to implement the 5 Second Rule in my life and it has been cool to feel so empowered.  We all too often talk ourselves out of something great, simply because it lies outside of our comfort zone.  This book teaches you how to stop doing that.  It really is pretty great.  She provides the tools needed, the testimonials to back it up and examples of the many areas in your life that could benefit from using this powerful method of making lasting changes and accomplishing goals.  She even provides research to back up how and why it works.  And it's easy.

I would highly recommend adding this book to your virtual, literal, or mental collection.  It's just dang awesome.  I can't wait to read it, again, and this time fully digest it.  (The first time I practically devoured it - it was due that same day with no renewals.  How's that for motivation? Ha!)

Here's a sneak-peak.  ;)

I Feel Bad About My Neck, By Nora Ephron - March

I felt pretty excited about this book because the author is the screenwriter for a couple of my favorite flicks (Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail).  I thought, this should be perfect!

It was ok.

In fact, I didn't even finish it.  It was just a collection of short little blurbs from her life experiences with random things (like her neck or her purse).  They were slightly entertaining, but I wasn't drawn in.  I didn't find myself shirking my daily responsibilities to nab a few more minutes of reading time.  I was bummed.

It's a quick read.  I should've just persevered.  I feel like my goal for March wasn't quite met.  Though, to be fair to myself, it was the second book I attempted to read.  My next book (should I be able to finish this month - I haven't exactly started it, yet), will make mention of the second attempted book for last month.  I guess you'll just have to see.  😉

On Living, by Kerry Egan - January

I haven't posted in a while... (that's putting it lightly).

I have some goals, this year - one of them is to read at least one book per month.  I work 20 hrs a week, volunteer at preschool for 5 hrs per week, church for 3 hrs per week, sit through soccer practice for 2 hrs per week, at least one soccer game for 1-2 hrs per week, and try to get laundry done, groceries gotten, food prepped, house clean(ish), and, you know, shower on occasion.  There are times, as I'm typing this, that I find can do double duty, so I shall take advantage of that.  I hope.

Anyway, I have one book under my belt, so far.

I have a yen for the non-fiction, real-life stories of people.  I super love people.  I will sit and listen if you want to tell me about yourself.  I find it highly fascinating.  I love stories of love and survival and trials and triumph and heartache and living and happiness and suffering and conquering and lessons learned..... all of it.  I love it.

This was the perfect find, for me.  Kerry Egan is a chaplain for hospice patients.  She says a lot of patients don't always want to talk about God or religion or prayer or whatever.  Some do, yes, but what people want most, when they're in the final stages of their mortal existence, is to tell their stories.  To give voice to their regret; to give their memories life, again; to express their dark secrets and deepest wishes and dreams.  And she gets to hear it, all.

She has done a great service to these people and to her readers, by making some of these experiences accessible to the rest of the world.  Throughout the book, she even intertwines her own heartache and fears and life experiences, making this book even more personal.

It makes me want to become a chaplain for hospice care.  I would truly love that vocation.  I found it takes a great deal of schooling to become one, officially.  But, no one said I can't just listen to people.

So, I will.  :)