Braiding Sweetgrass

 

Braiding Sweetgrass By: Robin Wall Kimmerer

This was a recommendation by my husband. It was a very interesting and eye opening book to a whole new culture that I don't know much about. It was also interesting hearing about some of her tribes folklore, legends and religion and how it so closely aligns with some of the same stories and beliefs that I grew up with and believe in. I also learned a lot about various plants, trees, flowers, etc. and their varying attributes. Honestly it did make me a little sad that I am unable to have my garden anymore. Listening to her stories of spending time in her garden with her kids did make me homesick for my garden and for my families garden growing up as a kid. It is definitely something I am really hoping I can have again in the near future (5 year plan).

I really enjoyed her relation of the legend of the windigo to modern greed and discontentment. That was really very eye opening and made me reevaluate where I stand and if I am letting the windigo take over me and my family. This book was also a great reminder of gratitude and being thankful for what you have. I am very glad I read this book.

The Collapse of Parenting

The Collapse of Parenting By: Leonard Sax 

This book was AMAZING. It has helped open my eyes to some parenting concepts that either I was using or some I was questioning. He covered so many areas and answered a lot of my questions. One was  regarding how much freedoms that kids should get verses how much freedom that they are getting. He also talked about how much schools have changed over the last 20 years and the culture of disrespect among kids and teens today. I learned so much from this book and have started to put into practice what he teaches. Such as spending and enjoying more time with my kids. Turn off all devices and actually have sit down dinners and such. Its amazing the change I have seen in my kids in such a short amount of time by putting these and a few other of his suggestions in practice.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is a parent

Almost There

 Almost There By: Farrah Rochon

This was such an interesting take on The Princess and the Frog. I enjoyed seeing more of the dynamic of the friendship shared by Tianna and Charlotte. I also enjoyed the historical significance of life in the late 20s in New Orleans between both the varying classes and races. The character of Tianna seemed to remain fairly similar to that of the movie. But the book added more depth to the characters of Charlotte, Naveen, The Shadow man and even Luis. It also introduced a number of other characters that play an intricate role in Tianna and Naveen's story. This wasn't one of my favorite of the twisted tale series, but I still enjoyed it.

What once was Mine

 

What Once was Mine By Liz Braswell

I am excited to be listening to the twisted tale series again and this book was next. The way it started out was a little confusing at first. With a brother and sister in a hospital rom while she received her chemo treatment. But I thought it was endearing that the story of Rapunzel was told to the sister by the brother in his own version of the story. What a version it was too. Instead of being healed by the Sun drop flower, it was the moon drop flower that was found. This gave Rapunzel's hair a whole new form of magic that makes things more complicated. I don't want to reveal any spoilers so if you would like a different Rapunzel story I recommend this book.

It Happened in Utah

 

It Happened in Utah By: Gayen Wharton

I found this at my local library, I have been wanting to learn more about the history of Utah for awhile, I know a lot regarding rather large events and such. But there are a few small towns or ghost towns that I've always been interested in learning its history. I thought this book might be a good start. At first I will admit the author came a ross as unprofessional in regards to written as a history and even seemed rather biased at times for a historian. But the more I read it changed and I was able to learn a lot from towns that I either have lived in or live near by, and much more. 

Out of the Shadows

 

Out of the Shadows Understanding Sexual Addiction. By: Patrick Carnes, Ph.D.

I read this book as a request from my husband and his therapist. It was very insightful and helped me to understand a little more about sexual addiction and the stigma behind it. It also helped me to understand how this addiction can have an impact on the family and those that are associated with the addicted party. It was very difficult to read as most self help books are but very insightful.

The Hiding Place

 The Hiding Place By Corrie Ten Boom

When I first purchased this book I actually went off the cover and just assumed it was another memoir of a survivor of the Jewish faith from a concentration camp. However Corrie Ten Boom was a Christian woman who was involved in an underground effort in Holland to find safe places for persons of interest to the Nazi's. Not just jews but also young men who they take to put to work, people with a mental handicap, and more. She had a very specific and intricate system of coded communication with all the various people associated with the underground operations. Eventually her and her family was found out because of a mole associated with the gestapo. They were sent to a prison and then eventually ended up at a work camp. 

Her story was so impressive and inspirational to me because of the faith that her and her sister had, despite the horrible conditions they were subjected to. She is such a remarkable woman who always looked to Christ in every situation she faced. Her faith was so strong that she was able to witness and be apart of some amazing miracles. To go through what she went through and not only keep her faith intact but also have it strengthened because of her circumstances. After the war, she went on to tell her story and help spread the message of love and hope through Jesus Christ. As well as set up foundations to help anyone affected by the war.  I HIGHLY recommend reading this book.