7 of 100-"Loving Yourself: Four Steps to a Happier You" by Daphne Rose Kingma
Finished July 2010
A therapist who has made frequent guest appearances on Oprah and whose previous three books have sold over 200,000 copies each, Kingma (The Future of Love) believes that "loving yourself is the greatest work you will do in this life." For Kingma, self-love not only contributes to better relationships and personal achievements, but enhances the ability to be compassionate and generous toward others. Negative childhood experiences, such as abandonment or abuse, that one had no control over contribute to persistent self-defeating feelings of low self-esteem that follow one into adulthood. All of this will be familiar to most readers, as will the four steps Kingma recommends for overcoming patterns of self-criticism and moving toward self-acceptance: mastering the ability to speak out honestly; taking actions that lead to growth; carving out one's own emotional space without others' interference; and "setting out" or focusing on a path beyond the self, via spiritual or other pursuits. What sets Kingma's work apart is that she almost unerringly gets the tone of affirmation right: she encourages without condescension, shares anecdotes without self-aggrandizement or sentimentality, and composes her sentences with care. The results make readers feel as if Kingma has anticipated their needs-exactly what one wants when receiving advice, especially when one has heard much of it before.My Thoughts
While the four steps to a happier you make a sense and are not too challenging to complete it is just the act of starting the steps that I find difficult. I really couldn't get into the spiritual side of this book. Towards the end of the book it took a religious spin as well as discussing the chance of having a past life and reincarnation. I think she should have just stuck with the four steps to help improve their self esteem and self perception. I think the book could have still been a success without the spiritual/religious aspect. I am planning to read the book for a second time to really soak in the steps and the different theories on how childhood or other previous relationships can affect my current perception so I can then stop the patterns of my behavior.Scale of 1 to 5: 4
6 of 100-"Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" by Steve HarveyFinished July 2010
Steve Harvey, the host of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, can't count the number of impressive women he's met over the years, whether it's through the "Strawberry Letters" segment of his program or while on tour for his comedy shows. These are women who can run a small business, keep a household with three kids in tiptop shape, and chair a church group all at the same time. Yet when it comes to relationships, they can't figure out what makes men tick. Why? According to Steve it's because they're asking other women for advice when no one but another man can tell them how to find and keep a man. In Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Steve lets women inside the mindset of a man and sheds lights on concepts and questions such as:
– The Ninety Day Rule: Ford requires it of its employees. Should you require it of your man?
– How to spot a mama's boy and what if anything you can do about it.
– When to introduce the kids. And what to read into the first interaction between your date and your kids.
– The five questions every woman should ask a man to determine how serious he is.
– And more...
Sometimes funny, sometimes direct, but always truthful, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man is a book you must read if you want to understand how men think when it comes to relationships.
My Thoughts
While this book is not my usual cup of tea it was lent to me by a friend who said I just had to read it. There were some things he said that seemed to be very true. The chapters I loved the most were "What Drives Men", "Our Love Isn't Like Your Love", "Three Things Every Man Needs: Support, Loyalty and the Cookie" and “’We Need to Talk’ and other Words that Make Men Run for Cover". In "What Drives Men" it really made sense to me that men are just much simpler creatures. Steve Harvey explains what really drives men is who they are, what they do and how much they make. Men must feel like they have satisfied these requirements to feel like they have finally become a MAN. In "Our Love Isn't Like Your Love" I could see the similarities of what he was saying with my own personal experiences. The three ways men love are they profess, provide and protect. If he is doing those things then he really does care about you and this is his way of showing it. He may not do it by doing a bunch of other crap. "Three Things Every Man Needs: Support, Loyalty and the Cookie". As you can guess “the cookie” is sex, a man’s way of being intimate with a woman. The other things they need are support and loyalty. Support in the form of appreciation for their profession, protection and providing for you and loyalty to stand by them when things get tough. I now know “We Need to Talk" and other Words that Make Men Run for Cover" but I had a pretty good idea that was the case.
Scale of 1 to 5: 4
5 of 100-"The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged!: Lasting Fat Loss That's Better Than Ever!" by Tosca Reno
Finished May 2010
The Eat-Clean Diet helped readers understand how to stay healthy and lean forever. Three years later, hundreds of thousands of superstars, personal trainers and regular everyday people have overcome their weight and health problems by following The Eat-Clean Diet. This larger, revised and fully updated edition offers in-depth information on: non-threatening exercise o extending and improving your life o getting - and staying - motivated o getting rid of cellulite o tightening your skin o combating the harsh effects of menopause Plus! Nearly 100 new pages; Total redesign; 50 new recipes; Information on eating disorders; Menu plans for different diets; The Quick Eat-Clean Diet at a glance. My Thoughts
This book is great and I really would recommend anyone to read it. Her theory makes complete sense. However, caring it out is much easier said than done. I have been trying one of her cooler plans but with my schedule it is very hard to stick with. I know I am just coming up with an excuse but it is true.
Scale of 1 to 5: 5
4 of 100-"Poor Little Bitch Girl" by Jackie Collins
Finished April 2010
Denver Jones is a hotshot twenty-something attorney working in L.A. Carolyn Henderson is personal assistant to a powerful and very married Senator in Washington with whom she is having an affair. And Annabelle Maestro—daughter of two movie stars—has carved out a career for herself in New York as the madame of choice for discerning famous men. The three of them went to high school together in Beverly Hills—and although Denver and Carolyn have kept in touch, Annabelle is out on her own with her cocaine addicted boyfriend, Frankie.Then there is Bobby Santangelo Stanislopolous, the Kennedyesque son of Lucky Santangelo and deceased Greek shipping billionaire, Dimitri Stanislopolous. Bobby owns Mood, the hottest club in New York. Back in the day he went to high school with Denver, Carolyn and Annabelle. And he connected with all three of them. Frankie is his best friend.
When Annabelle’s beautiful movie star mother is found shot to death in the bedroom of her Beverly Hills mansion, the five of them find themselves thrown together . . . and secrets from the past have a way of coming back to haunt everyone. . . .
A new, sexy, and explosive novel from perennial bestseller Jackie Collins.
My Thoughts
After reading the previous book it was nice to read something that was light. The story line was a little to far fetched sometimes but who knows maybe people really do this this way. I was happy with the ending of Denver and Bobby getting together.
3 of 100-"A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey
Finished 3/9/10
Imagine waking up on a plane. You have no idea where you have been or where you are going. You have no memory of the preceding two weeks. Your front four teeth have been knocked out, your nose is broken, and there is a gash on your cheek.
Imagine that you have no wallet, no money, no job. Imagine that you have been an alcoholic for ten years and a crack addict for three. What would you do?
When he entered a residential treatment center at the age of 23, James Frey had destroyed his body and his mind almost beyond repair. Surrounded by patients as troubled as he and a droning dogma of How to Recover, Frey had to fight to find his own way to confront the consequences of the life he had lived so far, and to determine what future, if any, he held.
Um yeah....this book is intense, but a definite eye opener!! Some of the stories of his experiences were so crazy you wanted to close your eyes as if you were watching a horror movie. I really appreciated the way he looked at his addiction and how he took responsibilities for his actions.
Parts of this book were really tough because I could relate from the small time I was in an outpatient facility. While I was only in the unit for one weekend, it was the people I met that reminded me of the characters in this book.
I think the best thing to take away from this book is one accepting responsibility for your actions and remind yourself of just how strong you are and what you can overcome. Two, accepting other regardless of what happened in their past. Everyone goes through tough times; commend them on getting away from the negative and improving instead of holding it against them.
Scale of 1 to 5: 4
2 of 100-"Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks
Finished 2/12/2010
My Thoughts
I have read books by Nicholas Sparks before and this was not what I was expecting. The books of his I have read end in happy endings, this one not so much. It was really heartbreaking that Savannah broke up with John and it I could not imagine how hard it was for John to see Savannah later happy with someone else. The Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine described the book as "Beautifully moving...Has tremendous emotional depth, revealing the true meaning of unconditional love." John's heartless act at the end of the book truly was a selfless act. A true act of unconditional love. Maybe it is just the state of mind I am currently in, but for this story I really wanted them to live happily ever after.
Scale of 1 to 5: 3
1 of 100-"Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall
Finished 2/2/2010
Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tarahumara immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence. With the help of Caballo Blanco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a fifty-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultramarathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder.
With a sharp wit and wild exuberance, McDougall takes us from the high-tech science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultrarunners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to the climactic race in theCopper Canyons. Born to Run is that rare book that will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that the secret to happiness is right at your feet, and that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.
My Thoughts
I found it really incredible the distances not only the Tarahumara run but also American ultra runners. There were a lot of techniques I also was to try including running barefoot and "eating like a homeless person". This was a very inspiring book of what the human body is capable of. This book is not just for runners but for anyone.
Scale of 1 to 5: 5
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