I liked this better than many Self-Help books because having more fun is well, a lot more fun than a lot of other personal growth goals. After taking I liked this better than many Self-Help books because having more fun is well, a lot more fun than a lot of other personal growth goals. After taking some time to define true fun versus fake fun, the author then explains all the ways you can get more true fun into your life in doses from small to large.
I was able to start some of the suggestions and exercises while I was reading the book and I'm sold. Even just making a point to notice when you're having true fun and moments of delight help you to savor and appreciate them more than if you don't note them.
I recommend this book for all readers who feel that their days *could be* more filled with fun and delight, but aren't quite sure how to fit it in....more
My parish is not identical to the one described in the book, but I certainly recognize some common challenges.
I appreciate that the authors addressedMy parish is not identical to the one described in the book, but I certainly recognize some common challenges.
I appreciate that the authors addressed all the challenges, even the ones they are still struggling with themselves and have not found a solution for. It's a real gift that they share how they DID solve a number of problems, even if an identical solution is not applicable in other locations. It's a useful starting point for discussion, at least.
I recommend the book to anyone involved in parish leadership, or anyone who is critical of parish leadership. This book can illuminate some of the challenges facing today's church leaders....more
The author conveniently arranged this book into chapters that focus on foods to treat the symptoms of various mental conditions, in addition to a few The author conveniently arranged this book into chapters that focus on foods to treat the symptoms of various mental conditions, in addition to a few generally applicable chapters. I read seven out of the 11 chapters in the book, and found it useful.
No one should be surprised that the author instructs everyone to cut out sugar and junk food. But as far as choosing which healthy foods you eat, Some are more important to include depending on what mental condition you suffer from. There's also a lot of overlap, for example many conditions are helped by adding magnesium to your diet. I personally have several simultaneous conditions I'd like to address, and so I'll have to sit down with a spreadsheet and see which foods are listed for all my conditions so I can prioritize eating them everyday....more
The advice and designs featured in this book seem very accessible. A lot of the information is not groundbreaking stuff, But still a good reminder aboThe advice and designs featured in this book seem very accessible. A lot of the information is not groundbreaking stuff, But still a good reminder about how to make your rooms both functional and beautiful. This book goes into how to discern your feelings about various rooms in your home more than other design books, and use that information to make changes so that you can feel better in your own home.
I give it three star rating mostly because of the genre-- I enjoy a lot of home decorating books but it's difficult for any particular one to stand out in a fabulous way for me. Like most, this had a lot of information I already knew but also a few nuggets of new information that I found really useful.
I think someone who is a new homeowner or has a place or places in their home where they just don't feel quite right but don't know why could really benefit from using this book, it could be a 4- or 5-star book for them....more
It was easy to read and presented the information clearly. The author is a doctor who helps people come up with plans to live longer. I was hoping he It was easy to read and presented the information clearly. The author is a doctor who helps people come up with plans to live longer. I was hoping he had a plan to share with the world, but he explains everyone has to come up with their own individual plan. He thinks exercise is the cornerstone. The path he sets for his patients is so extreme I'm not sure I want to try it myself. But even if I do *some* of the recommended things I figure I'll age better than if I did zero. I'm not sure how useful the emotional health chapter at the end was, since it was just anecdotal about the author's own dismal emotional health....more
I like the author's approach of focusing on where evidence falls short for Darwinism (defined as the belief life began by chance from inert matter (noI like the author's approach of focusing on where evidence falls short for Darwinism (defined as the belief life began by chance from inert matter (not design) and all creatures evolved from that), and pointing out the reluctance of the scientific establishment to further examine it based on new evidence.
This book is assigned to my 8th grader, and while I think it's written at an adult level, with some moderate effort it can be understood by students, and is in fact directed to them and their teachers.
I appreciate in a way I didn't before how creationism and Darwinism are not fundamentally compatible because Darwinism relies upon a presumption of materiality (there is nothing but atoms and no supernatural forces that we don't understand in the universe). There are tons of things in the universe that scientists don't understand, so even religion aside, I'm now with the author on this point. Scientists don't know what they don't know, and who can predict the next scientific theory to fall? New theories emerge and old ones are abandoned throughout history. It might happen faster if scientists were more concerned with truth than their careers, but such is the nature of human progress.
I'll read the notes to see what further reading to do, this short book just skims the surface of the issue, but is a good introduction....more
I read it cover to cover since I need all the tips I can get, but if you're naturally organized you could probably just use it to look at the picturesI read it cover to cover since I need all the tips I can get, but if you're naturally organized you could probably just use it to look at the pictures and get ideas for different "looks" for whatever areas of your home you need organized.
One takeaway I got from reading this is that like so many things in life, there is no "one perfect answer."
Just like different schools are a good fit for different children, different organizational strategies are going to be needed for different lifestyles. I don't remember the authors talking about this much, but it's clear from the variety in their featured projects. Every pantry and closet has different stuff, so you just have to organize what you have. Or have *left*, after you've gone through the obligatory purge.
I appreciate that they use real people's homes for their photos, because they hold a realistic number of items. I'm always annoyed when custom closet ads show how beautiful your closet can look, but then you count and they only have 2 dresses, 3 blouses in graduated shades of white, and 2 pair of pants. Who has that little in their closet? The four women on earth with the discipline to stick to a capsule wardrobe? This book is a good reference for realistically, how much stuff can you have for your space. It can always look good with less (and there are some examples of this), but many of these photos show the maximum amount you can keep and have it look good without giving off a "crammed in there" vibe.
I recommend this book for anyone who would rather see all this on paper than on Instagram....more
Take my stars with a grain of salt, I don't know enough about construction to know if this book merits 3, 4, or 5 stars. After reading it, I still donTake my stars with a grain of salt, I don't know enough about construction to know if this book merits 3, 4, or 5 stars. After reading it, I still don't know enough about frame carpentry to frame out a renovation I'm contemplating, but I know a little more about the terms used to discuss framing, and a few of the newer techniques that use less wood to create a sturdier frame. This book might be very useful to someone who is just starting out in the trade, but it presupposes more experience than I have (which is absolutely zero). If I ever decided to frame something myself I would either need to take a class, or find a book better geared to an absolute beginner. For my current purposes, it has convinced me to hire out the job, but now I have a somewhat better understanding of what parts are typically load-bearing, different approaches to framing headers, etc. If I were building a home from scratch I'd have studied it all a bit more, there is a lot more to consider when you're starting from nothing than when you just want to move a few walls in a renovation....more
This was very much in the typical style of business books, where the lessons are taught in story form with the "student" executive and house wise mentThis was very much in the typical style of business books, where the lessons are taught in story form with the "student" executive and house wise mentor with the valuable lessons.
I think it boils down to advice that you should treat other people with kindness and respect and compassion, even when you need to correct their behavior. I thought one of the more useful bits was how to recognize when you are putting your own needs first, and the thoughts that go through your head to justify your attitude/actions when you're subconscious knows you're being too self-centered....more
I finished it just a few days ago, and already I’ve forgotten his main points. No worries, I *do* remember he’s got a cheat-sheet in the back of the bI finished it just a few days ago, and already I’ve forgotten his main points. No worries, I *do* remember he’s got a cheat-sheet in the back of the book with them all. Wait, some if it is coming back to me as I write. Get rid of everything you don’t really need, display the things that make you happy (but don’t put them all out at once, rotate them in and out of storage), and keep the utilitarian things handy but in closed storage— drawers, cabinets, closets, or pretty boxes.
The photos of his/clients’ homes strike a balance between minimalism and coziness. I got some ideas for how to approach my next room renovations, so I’m satisfied with the book. Things can be a bit bland for my taste, but they do evoke a sense if calm and order, and his whole “vacation at home” premise is that people like hotel rooms for their calm and order. So evoke the bland calm and order look into your own home, but personalize it with your special art and mementos instead of corporate art prints....more
I read the book cover to cover, despite much of it being very reference-book-y. I generally like the author’s design style, and found plenty of inspirI read the book cover to cover, despite much of it being very reference-book-y. I generally like the author’s design style, and found plenty of inspiration in the photos. I’ll be sure to use all his furniture placement guidelines when planning out my upcoming home renovation. It’s not the only decorating book you’ll need, but it’s a worthy addition for the technical details about placing furniture, rugs, and lighting....more
I think this book is about average for the genre. I more-or-less liked the order the author suggested for redecorating a room, I’ll try it next time. I think this book is about average for the genre. I more-or-less liked the order the author suggested for redecorating a room, I’ll try it next time. It’s pretty close to what I do already, but I can see how first completely emptying the room as much as possible will make it easier to envision new possibilities.
I also picked up the idea that you should contrast some furnishings with the style of the house; for example, a rustic cabin paired with an elegant sofa, or a country farmhouse with a modern table, that sort of thing. I recognized this is what’s going on in rooms I like from magazines and such, but I hadn’t put my finger on just what was being juxtaposed.
After reading the book, I’m actually not sure I like the author’s version of “cozy minimalism” as much as I thought I would. There is plenty of advice I will be ignoring, but this is true of most decorating books I’ve read. Remember the parts you like, ignore the rest. I recommend this book to anyone who generally likes decorating books, but if you were only going to read *one* decorating book, it need not be this particular one, it will do as well as any other you randomly select....more
I’m a very beginner player, and found this book useful. It goes over not only the basic rules, but also includes detailed rules for unusual circumstanI’m a very beginner player, and found this book useful. It goes over not only the basic rules, but also includes detailed rules for unusual circumstances (the ball goes between the strings of the net, jewelry or accessories fly off during a rally, the ball has so much backspin it bounces back over the net toward the player that hit it after hitting the ground on the other side).
I most liked the sections where the author stepped through proper form for each type of hit including photographs, and the layouts showing various court positions of players for both singles and doubles and the best shot to take in each situation for best odds of winning the point.
I thought it was a nice touch that the author pointed out you might not want to use these winning strategies in every game— when playing a recreational game with friends they might not appreciate being confronted with difficult shots the entire game. In fact, in order to play with my sons I will probably want to do the exact *opposite* of many strategies in the book, in order to make it *easier* for the kids to return the ball. But that’s fine, if I can get good at intentional ball placement it is just a matter of switching up strategies if I ever land in a competitive game, if I can place my return to one side of a player, I ought to be able to place it to the other side, too....more
This book provides an overview of the many ways chalk art is used today. From fine oil pastels to street chalk, from store blackboards to festivals, IThis book provides an overview of the many ways chalk art is used today. From fine oil pastels to street chalk, from store blackboards to festivals, I appreciated the variety presented. The book has examples from many artists, often with photos of one work in various stages of its production so the reader can learn from the techniques used on the way to the final result. There are sections about the various tools and materials, and various methods. I read this book because I was curious specifically about street art, but I really appreciate the breadth of coverage of EVERYTHING artists are creating with chalk because it’s opened my mind to greater possibilities....more
While I am not really on board with all the ideas in this book, I found value in enough of them to give the book 4 stars. The beauty of homeschooling While I am not really on board with all the ideas in this book, I found value in enough of them to give the book 4 stars. The beauty of homeschooling is that each parent has the freedom to pick and choose what works for their individual children— or as the suthor points out, free to change it up when your first guess about what will work turns out to be wrong!
No matter the teaching method in your home (Classical, Unschooling, Project-based, etc.) this book has tips which can be applied to make your homeschool more fun and peaceful. Unlike some of the more academic books about the emotional connection between parent and child (usually written by psychologists), this one is really written from a homeschooling parent’s point-of-view. It is not filled with medical jargon or case studies, but full of practical suggestions (and anecdotes in lieu of case studies).
I’ve already started taking notes for ideas from this book as I plan for my next homeschool year. It remains to be seen how much will actually work out in the rhythm of our home and homeschool and schedule, but possibly I can incorporate quite a lot. With two boys and no girls, there are types of ideas that I don’t think will go over well here, but I can double-down on the half I think will keep the kids excited. I’m also going to keep the book on my shelf as a reference for when things start drifting, and use the ideas withing to kickstart a mid-year rejuvenation if needed....more
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