Save Your Marriage in Five Minutes a Day by Bonnie Jacobson, PhD

This book is a self-help book stock full of strategies to save one's marriage.  Dr. Jacobson provides insight, examples and advice on how to pinpoint areas of weakness and slowly take action to make amends and work on one of the most precious relationships in our society...our marriage.

Throughout the book, one thing is made very clear...you cannot change your spouse, only yourself.  However, by communicating concerns and choosing to slowly address the problems...even at five minutes a day...positive change can be achieved.

What I Thought:
I would like to preface this by stating that my marriage is great!  Hubby and I are very happy and approaching our fifth wedding anniversary.  I know, I know...we're still practically newlyweds! 

I chose to review this book from the Thomas Nelson book review program because I figured it is never bad to read information and work on strengthening our marriage!  I've seen several friends divorce over the past few years, and it made me sad.  So, I considered this read as "proactive" and then figured it could be good to review every so many years just to keep that spark alive.

This book may not be the best for my intentions.   It really was more intended for couples who were looking to save their marriage, or at least their sanity.  Nothing hubby does drives me bonkers as to the point that I got the feeling of the examples in the book.  (I cannot speak for him though!)

However, it did provide several "aha" moments which got me thinking about things we could work on, so I was happy overall with the read.  I hope that we never get to the point where we need to use some of the strategies, but I have the resource in my pocket if needed. 

Now, I thought the book was well-written and laid out in a great way.  Each chapter included information about a potential trouble area in relationships and a story outlining an example of the problem and an effective way to communicate the issue with your spouse, along with five minute strategies on how to tackle the issue.  Extra credit snippets are also included to further work on the relationship!

(I do have to say that some of the example stories made me giggle...they seemed to resolve themselves a little too cleanly and properly.  Almost too perfect...too bad all conversations can't be that neat!)

If you are experiencing problems in your marriage and want to read a book about how to start working to fix them...even just a little at a time this is a wonderful book to read. 

Recommended. 

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon:  Save Your Marriage in Five Minutes a Day by Bonnie Jacobson, PhD.

Reviewed from a copy provided by the Thomas Nelson Publisher Book Review Bloggers program.

God and Football: Faith and Fanaticism in the SEC by Chad Gibbs

In the south, SEC football is an important part of life to many people.  Many of these same people claim to Christians, but where does their true passion lie?  With their beloved football team, or their religion?

Gibbs sets off on a journey to investigate just that: faith and fanaticism in the Southeastern Football Conference.  Is it possible to be a die-hard fan for you favorite football team and on fire for Jesus at the same time?  He commits to visiting every SEC stadium for a game visiting with various fanatics and school religious groups.  He caps off every trip by visiting a local church in each college town, each a different denomination.


What I Thought: 
I enjoy the occasional college football game, but I am no where near a fanatic like many of my friends are.  My husband picked up this book and when he told me what it was about and the premise, my interest was peaked so I decided to give it a try.

Chad, a die-hard Auburn fan (who was a die-hard Alabama fan as a child, then converted in college), does an amazing job exploring this issue in a matter that is entertaining and wildly humorous way as he recounts his travels to the many SEC schools.  You will become friends with the many of the people Gibbs meets along the football circuit.

You will laugh out loud at his thoughts.  Promise.

If you are a football fan, or a fanatic about anything really, you will think about your passions and priorities.  Promise.

Overall, this is a great lighthearted read that will leave you thinking!

Recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: God and Football: Faith and Fanaticism in the SEC by Chad Gibbs.

Reviewed from a copy checked out from my local library.

Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin

When Oogy was four months young, he was used as bait for a fight dog.  The outcome of that horrid event is evident on the cover of this book...a good portion of Oogy's face was ripped off including his left ear.  By a miracle, Oogy was found by police and taken to the Ardmore Animal Hospital where in a number of events, equally as miraculous, he ended up with the Levin family.

One would think that Oogy would be a damaged dog with lots of anger and resentment towards humans.  Just the opposite!  Oogy has nothing but love and adoration of not only his family, but every person he encounters.

Levin shares story after story of not how his family provided refuge for Oogy, but how Oogy provides so much love for his family.

What I Thought:
When I saw this book on the new shelf at my library, I couldn't bear to pass it up.  Oogy's sweet face was so intriguing and within the first pages I was entranced by his spirit.

This is a story of survival, acceptance, inspiration and unconditional love.   It will make you angry to hear about what Oogy was put through at such a young age.  You'll laugh at his antics.  You'll fall in love with his spirit, and with the Levin family! 

This is a dog I'd love to meet!

Dog lover or no...you'll love this book! 

Recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half with America's Cheapest Family by Steve & Annette Economides

The Economides family shares their tips and procedures for saving money in the grocery department.  This family, dubbed as "America's Cheapest Family" has fed their family of seven on $350 a month for years.

Impossible?  This family lay out step by step plans proving that anyone can do the same!  The book covers topics such as how to plan your grocery shopping and tips for stretching that dollar at the store by seeking out the deals, organizing your kitchen, using coupons, cooking in bulk, planting a garden, recipes, and even a bonus section for singles and empty-nesters.


What I Thought:

My husband and I have recently started eating more at home and being conscious of our shopping habits, both for health and budgetary reasons.  This book peaked my interest, and I found it to be very helpful!

The authors are very aware that their lifestyle is not the norm in our society, and that it took them a long time to build up to the efficiency that they now enjoy.  In their book, they are nothing but encouraging and understanding that what they do may not be for everyone!  With that in mind, I especially appreciated the tips at the end of each chapter written specifically for people with various skill levels in mind:  tips for those just beginning, those who have been doing it for some time, and those who have been doing it for a long time and are ready for a further challenge.

I especially enjoyed the chapters about once a month shopping and cooking and kitchen organization.  These are concepts that I hope to incorporate into our lives, but perhaps and a smaller scale.  (Especially since we don't have children!)

This is a great book for those who are looking to save both time and money in the kitchen!

Recommended. 

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half with America's Cheapest Family by Steve & Annette Economides

Reviewed from a copy provided by the Thomas Nelson Publisher Book Review Bloggers program.  This book will make the rounds among family and friends and kept in my personal library for future reference.

God's Promises for Boys by Jack Countryman and Amy Parker

This book compiles short lists of Bible verses applicable for a variety of situations boys may encounter.  For instance, if  he feels sad and need comfort, the lad can flip write to a list of verses of God's promises for this situation.


What I Thought:
I think this is a great little guide that any child could use!  It's a great resource for anyone as we could all use a reminder of God's promises to us.

Each topic can be easily found using the table of contents which is organized by subheadings such as "God's Promises When..." and "God Wants You To..." and "God's Promises for You."

Each topic is opened with a short poem, then followed with several verses and a cute illustration.

Overall, I think this would be a wonderful gift to a boy.  Be sure to check out the book designed for girls by the same authors.  

Recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: God's Promises for Boys by Jack Countryman and Amy Parker.

Reviewed from a copy provided by the Thomas Nelson Publisher Book Review Bloggers program.

Alligtors and Crocodiles by Gail Gibbons

Learn all about alligators and crocodiles in this informational picture book.

What I Thought:
I am a fan of Gail Gibbons!  Anything she writes is great, and this is no exception!

In this book, Gibbons delves into the world of alligators and crocodiles.  Readers of the book will discover the differences of an alligator and a crocodile, learn where and how they live, what they eat, about alligator babies, and dangers they face.

The book is full of informational text, both through short paragraphs and illustration captions.  Illustrations are well done and well-detailed.

This book is perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about alligator & crocodiles.

Highly recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Alligators and Crocodiles by Gail Gibbons.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Rick and Bubba's Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage by Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey

The famous duo from the wildly popular Rick and Bubba radio show has written a book giving practical marriage advice using Biblical standards while mixing in stories from their own marriages and family lives, and of course lots of laughs!

What I Thought:
I'll be honest. I didn't have high expectations for this book--and I was pleasantly surprised! I don't get to listen to Rick & Bubba's show, I don't even know much about them except that they are funny and popular.

I think they did a perfect job blending the serious topics such as dealing with the death of a child with the seeming trivial issues while making the entertaining.

This book will make you look at your marriage and you will find something you could be doing better for your spouse, laughing all the way!

Recommended for all married couples.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Rick and Bubba's Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage by Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey .

The Wackiest Wildest Weirdest Animals in the World by Jack Hanna

"Jungle" Jack Hanna shares a number of wacky animals in this book. Each animal is given it's own individual page with a large picture accompanied by several smaller pictures, a short written description of the animal, a box of "quick facts" including a physical description of the animal, where they live and what they eat, and another blurb of information from Jack, ranging from his experience with the animal or an especially odd fact.

What I thought:
I think kids will clamor after this very kid friendly book! Jack Hanna does a great job presenting each animal and giving wacky facts on each one, no matter if it's an animal kids may be familiar with (such as a lion or great white shark) or one that they may not be as familiar with (such as a naked mole rat or a sloth).

The pictures are excellent and the presentation of the material is very friendly for leisurely browsing or reading for information. This book does have a slight religious undertone as Hannah mentions God's animals or His sense of humor.

Book includes a glossary of terms in the back and a DVD of bloopers from Hanna's TV Show, Jack Hanna's Into the Wild. The pages are incredibly sturdy, a definite plus when giving the book to small children!

Give this book to anyone who loves to read about animals (and what kid doesn't like to read about animals?). You take a peek too, it's an enjoyable book for all.

Highly recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Wackiest Wildest Weirdest Animals in the World by Jack Hanna.

Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

In January 1988 a small defenseless kitten was dropped in the bookdrop at the Spencer Public Library in Spencer, Iowa. Outside, it was bitterly cold, and while one may think that this act was inhumane, it saved the life of this small kitten.

This kitten was later named "Dewey Readmore Books" and lived at the Spencer Public Library. This book chronicles his life as a library cat and how he changed the lives of many people and had a hand in revitalizing a small farming town, in his own little way.

What I Thought:
This isn't a book I typically read, but as this book came in and out of the library and I stared into the face of this adorable cat I just couldn't resist. Plus, I love to read books about other libraries.

I found this memoir to be a delightful read. It was heartwarming to see how Dewey changed the face of that library and made a personal connection with just about every patron that entered the doors. He had a sense to see those who were sad and spent extra time with that person to brighten their day. He was just plain amazing!

It was especially touching to read about how the author made a special connection with Dewey (and vice versa) as she went through life's ups and downs.

If you are an animal fan (especially cats) or a library fan...this is a book for you.

What to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter.

I also recently learned that this book is set to be a movie. According to the January/February edition of American Libraries, the American Library Association's bi-monthly publication, New line Cinema has purchased the film rights and it is rumored that Meryl Streep will be playing Vicki Myron's role. Very cool!

Knucklehead: Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories About Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka

Scieszka recounts parts of childhood in this memoir. In each short chapter a story is revealed, such as games he and his five brothers made up and played and antics he pulled while in Catholic school. He also describes what life is like with so many brothers, like hand me downs, sharing a room, and babysitting younger siblings.

What I Thought:
I laughed out loud in this book. It is a wonderful book that kids will eat up. Adults will love it too as they look back on their own childhood with fondness.

This is a book that should not be missed...it's just golden. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Knucklehead: Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories About Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka.

How to Talk to Girls by Alec Greven

Do you need help with the ladies? Well, you are in luck-this is the book for you! When Alec Greven was eight years old, he wrote a book that instructed males on how to deal with girls.

His advice ranges from information about crushes-"To get a girl to like you, talk to her and get to know her." Also, once a girl does start to talk to you Alec gives advice about What to Say to Girls--"Be friendly. Be calm and don't be nervous. Don't say anything mean. Ask her a question and you are off!"

With Alec's advice and encouragement, boys of all ages will find the courage they need.

What I Thought:
What a great book! I love the advice Alec gives his readers, it is so neat to see how a second grader sees how one should treat girls. There is a certain sense of innocence that I wish could be bottled up and saved.

I also loved how Alec gave tips for scoring points with mom--"Your mom likes you to always be clean, and she's a girl."

The illustrations are cute and overall, a very sweet book.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: How to Talk to Girls by Alec Greven.

We The People: The Story of the Constitution by Lynne Cheney, paintings by Greg Harlin

Cheney tells the story of how the Constitution of the United States came to be when it looked like the young country was about to fail shortly after the victory over England in the Revolutionary War. The states simply cannot agree on a set of rules to abide by, so a set of delegates from each state meet together to figure out a better way for everyone to work together.

For over a year, the delegates debated and argued for what they thought the Constitution should look like. Several committees were formed to flesh out the main frame that was finally decided on. Finally, a final draft was signed and was ready to be ratified by the individual states and its citizens.

On July 4, 1788 enough states had ratified and accepted the document and the Constitution was made law, and much celebration followed.

The book also includes a foreword by Lynne Cheney and a list of sources.

What I Thought:
This story of our constitution is a solid historical lesson that I enjoyed very much and learned a lot from! Harlin did an amazing job with the illustrations for this book, the paintings are full of detail and add much to the story.

This is a long book, and probably not appropriate for a group read aloud with young children. However, this would be a wonderful read aloud to a class who are studying the Constitution in class, or reading aloud to an individual or small group. A definite must have for social studies/history teachers and those who are interested in the history of this time.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: We The People: The Story of the Constitution by Lynne Cheney, paintings by Greg Harlin.

Spiders by Nic Bishop

This is an amazing information picture book about...spiders! It has anything and everything one could want to know about spiders including size, physical parts, hunting and feeding, web spinning, molting, life span, its predators, ways it protects itself, mating habits, procreation, and spiderlings. Bishop highlights an important sentence on each page through larger font and color. An index of topics, spiders, and photographs is included, as well as a glossary or terms.

But what is more than the words in this book are the astonishing photographs. They show extreme details of the spiders-fur, eyes, eggs, spiderlings, mating habits, webs, and more! Many of the photos show some very interesting perspective. Pictures are the main attraction of each page, but the text is placed over a colored block or the picture itself. Each illustration has a caption that identifies the type of spider and what it is doing. An impressive double foldout shows a jumping spider in various stages of leaping. Bishop includes summary of how he found the spiders and photographed them for this book.

What I Thought:
I’m not such a fan of spiders, but this book was mesmerizing. The pictures drew me into the work; I loved exploring each photo to see the difference in each spider. I would imagine this book would be a huge a hit with any kid who likes to read about spiders, they will be attracted to the pictures then fascinated by the text. The photos definitely make this book.

This book was a 2008 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book, a 2008 ALA Notable book, along with other awards.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Spiders by Nic Bishop.

(And if you like this one, be sure to check out Frogs (available now) and Butterflies and Moths (to be released Spring 2009).

The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval

In this book, Thaler and Koval give example after example of how simply being nice can provide numerous benefits. While most of the examples were based around the business world, it is very applicable in other settings. The authors show time and time again how simply showing consideration and kindness to others will provide rewards in ways that one never expects-from landing business accounts to getting that perfect job!

Each chapter ends with exercises to increase your "niceness" entitled "Nice Cubes."

What I Thought:While this book was for a class project, I enjoyed it very much! I think the principles were great and applicable for everyone, no matter the career track. Couldn't the world use a little more nice? I sure think so!

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval.

The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss

This is the story of a Dutch-Jewish family in Holland during World War II, specifically the story of Annie, the family's youngest daughter. Through Annie's eyes, the audience lives the harsh reality of having the Nazi Army invade their country. The family has heard the news of what is happening Jews throughout Europe, and realizes that they are in grave danger.

As the Germans begin to implement more and more restrictions on the Jews in their city and begins to take the Jews to "work camps," Annie's father arranges to have the family sent away and into hiding. Unfortunately, Annie's mother is very sick and must stay in the hospital during this time. Annie's father goes to one part of Holland while Annie and one of her older sisters (Sini) head to a different area to stay with another family. The oldest sister, Rachel, opts to stay behind with her mother and eventually finds safety with yet another family.

The first family that is hiding Annie and Rachel must move them for their own safety, so the girls move in with the Oosterveld family for two weeks. Two years later, the Germans are defeated in Holland and the girls are freed and allowed to safely return home and are reunited with their family.

This book is Annie’s description of what life is like living basically like a prisoner in a stranger’s home as she is not allowed to be seen by anyone. She cannot go outside, she rarely gets to visit other children her age, and her life is put in danger often. However, she makes some lifelong friends in the Oosterveld family, for without them, Annie’s story may have been much different.

What I Thought:
What a powerful story! I could not imagine being a young girl and trapped in a small house for years, not to mention rarely getting to go outside or socialize with my peers.

While my favorite kids book about this time period is Lois Lowry's Number the Stars, I think this book is another excellent addition to literature dealing with WWII, the Holocaust, and those who lived through the nightmare.

This book is a Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Children's Book.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss.

Dirty Little Secrets from Otherwise Perfect Moms by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile

This book reveals the confessions of moms from all over in this short book that was born from the research the authors conducted for their first book, I Was a Really Good Mom Before I had Kids.

This book is super short, each page holds one confession, but it is very sweet and very humorous.

I am not a mom myself, but can am very sure that the confessions are the thoughts of many moms worldwide.

What I thought:

This book is super cute and a very fun read. It won't take long, I read it in about 20 minutes and just had to share some of the quotes with my husband. I think any mom, anyone who wants to be a mom, or even anyone who works with children would enjoy this book. (And dads would probably get a kick out of it as well!)

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Dirty Little Secrets from Otherwise Perfect Moms by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile.