Books I Love

      I am fighting the all too easy tendency to let my brain turn mushy as I chase kids and change diapers throughout my day.  And so I read!  I have developed an obsession as of late, with reading and learning. So many people share their expert knowledge in books.  I just want to absorb in everyone's experiences, thoughts, and expert advice.
      "I love books.  There is something wonderful about a book.  We can pick it up. We can heft it. We can read it. We can set it down. We can think of what we have read. It does something for us. We can share great minds, great actions, and great undertakings in the pages of a book," Gordon B. Hinckley.
      These are some books I have read in the last two or three months. . .

7 Miracles That Saved America Love! It is truly a miracle that our nation overcame all the obstacles before it.  From its discovery to creation of the government and constitution to now. . . God has had his hand in it.  He has inspired leaders at critical times and prepared them specifically for what they would encounter.  This is an incredible nation with an amazing history!
      This book talks about seven miracles, when America could have failed, a miracle pulled us through. 

Ultra Marathon Man Though I never aspire to run anything past a marathon, it is incredible to see the ability of the human body to perform in extreme conditions and distances.  Dean Karnanzes is an "adrenaline junkie".  In one summer he ran six ultra marathons totaling 788 miles.  He ran an Ultra in Death Valley in 120 degrees F and at the South Pole at -40 degrees.  I don't believe the human body is really made to do that, but his body seems to have adapted to the extreme.  He may be completely insane.
      Some of his best lines: "Pain is weakness leaving the body"; "If it doesn't hurt like [crazy] you're not running hard enough"; "There is magic in misery. Just ask any runner"; "To call running 'fun' would be a misuse of the word.  Running can be 'enjoyable.'  Running can be 'rejuvenating.'  But in a pure sense of the word, running is not fun."

Shift This was our book club book.  It's about two guys who bike across the country after graduating High School.  It was a fast read and kept me interested throughout.  It won't go on my favorite list but it was a fun one.

Crucial Conversations Love!  This book is so good for me and I think I ought to memorize it!  As I read I realized so many ways I could improve my communication skills.  It teaches how to address hot topics without anyone getting upset, and still saying everything that needs to be said. I love where it talks about our stories we create.  We see the facts and then draw a story up to meet the facts (which may or may not be true), then we confuse our story with fact and often draw conclusions about the persons character based on the story we told our self.  I know I have to be careful with this one.  Give others the benefit of the doubt!  They suggest asking yourself "Why would a reasonable, rational, and decent person do what this person is doing?"  This ought to be required reading for everyone!
Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood This is another book that I love and want to memorize.  I keep it in my bag so any time I am stuck in a waiting room, or somewhere similar I can pull it out and have renewed desire and skill set to be a better mom.  I've read it all the way through, and I just keep reading it. I believe in this book!  It is all about parenting without breaking a sweat and making it fun!  It outlines the techniques and skills. . . A lot about natural consequences and empowering your children by giving them many choices.  Four main points: 1- Build the self-concept, 2- Share the control, 3- Provide a strong dose of empathy before delivering consequences, 4- Share the thinking.  I highly, highly recommend it for anyone with young kids! (They have other versions of this book for older children as well).

Church related:
Mary, Martha, and Me Halfway through reading this book, I started putting a sticky not next to every good quote, and now my book has eight colorful tabs.  The focus of the book is on the scripture in Luke 10:
39 And [Martha] had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.   40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.   41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:   42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
      . . .It pointed out in the book that "Mary hath chosen that good part", it didn't say the "better" part.  Christ wasn't saying that what Martha was doing was bad and what Mary was doing was best. . .
      I love this thought, because it applies to me, "Those of us with more of Martha than of Mary in us have long felt that this rebuke is unjust.  While we do not doubt the overriding importance of listening to the Lord, does the listening have to be done during dinner preparations? Would it have hurt Mary to have joined us in serving, then we all could have sat down to hear the Lord together? . . ."
      The book pointed out that Martha was "cumbered about much serving".  It is possible that Martha was serving begrudgingly, more intently wishing Mary were in helping her than on serving with love and gratitude for the Lord.
      The "one needful thing" then, as I understood it, is accepting Christ's enabling power in our lives.

Standing for Something, Pres. Hinckley Love! I am so impressed with how well versed our prophets are.  President Monson always seems to be quoting his favorite book, play or poem.  In President Hinckley's book, he also speaks of influential men from all of history and draws beautiful quotes from classics and important figures.  He speaks of "The Ten Virtues" which are Love, Honesty, Morality, Civility, Learning, Forgiveness and Mercy, Thrift and Industry, Gratitude, Optimism, and Faith.  He has so many beautiful quotes, here is only one of my favorites, "No matter how old we become, we can acquire knowledge and use it. We can gather wisdom and profit from it. We can grow and progress and improve--and, in the process, strengthen the lives of those within our circle of influence. We can enrich our lives dramatically through the miracle of reading and exposure to the arts. . ."
      I love the idea he supports. . . Our goal should be to reach for EXCELLENCE!

Behind Every Good Man  This was a great read! I like everything John Bytheway writes. It is a small book, so it only took me three days to read.  It could also be titled "How To Become a Good Wife" or "How To Strengthen Your Marriage".  He says to: eliminate criticism, invite the Spirit of God and the Love of God into our marriage, and accentuate the positive.  Great advice!

What are your favorite books?  I'd love to add them to my list!