HappyMama

I was having a “mom’s night out” recently at a nearby coffee shop/bookstore.  I walked through all the aisles of books, and this one jumped out at me for some reason, I’d like to think a divine one:

I didn’t intend to buy it, (if I must have a book, I usually get it from Amazon,) but after sitting there skimming it for an hour, I decided I couldn’t go home without it.  You see, it’s a marriage book - one of a million out there - but with a unique message.  It’s entire thesis is that almost ALL problems in ALL marriages are caused by the HUSBAND - and can be solved by a husband willing to change his behaviour.  The nerve of this author (who is, get this, a MAN) cracked me up.  And here’s the kicker:  he’s exceedingly convincing.  My word of warning for those of you who are more particular about language than I am, it is written in a “man to man” style which includes some crudity.  But today a miracle happened, my husband actually read some of it, and he was laughing.  At a marriage book.  Very cool.

A post here regarding a book I’d like to read.  She quotes a list of ideals for the home life of children in the 6-9 age group.  Not that I have kids in that group, but just reading the list makes me want to read the book!  It’s called Children Who Are Not Yet Peaceful by Donna Goertz.

Well yesterday I read this book. I didn’t mean to, it just kind of happened. The day before we hosted a birthday party for twin 4-year-old girls, so the housework was done and every spare minute nursing, eating, or while the kids played in the park I read. More accurately, I skimmed. (The only book I really read is the bible. Everything else gets skimmed.)

Unfortunately the book was so disturbing it took me 2 hours to fall asleep last night. This is the author’s second book; his first was a best-seller about 2 men in Afghanistan, and this one is about 2 women. Although it is fiction, you know that what he describes has really happened to innumerable women in the past, and continues to this very day. To live as though you were less valuable than a dog, uneducated, unable to leave the house without a male escort, covered head to toe in black cloth, arranged in marriage at the age of 14 to men with other wives, beaten at will, without medical care… all in the name of various Islamic virtues. It was nauseating.

It was also a reminder of the absolute necessity of spreading the Gospel. In countries where such false ideas are lived and breathed, there can never be true political peace, no matter how hard our government and our military try to help it along. There just can’t be peace without respect for human life and the dignity of marriage and family. The Church has written volumes on the sanctity of life, marriage, and the proper role of government. For all of her wisdom, I am so deeply grateful. If only more people of the world could share in the freedom it brings.

The Dangerous Book for Boys

by Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden

Some day I’ll definitely have to get this book, if for no other reason than it’s just SO not PC!   Click here to read about it on Amazon.  Sorry if this is old news to anyone, I just heard about it recently.

“Going to the library” is something I’ve been doing for my kids, but today I realized how much I am enjoying it myself!  Today I found three books I’ve been wanting to read, and I had about 20 minutes to quietly read to myself today at the library while my youngest son crawled around, exploring, and the other two played on the computer.

Honey for a Child’s Heart, by Gladys Hunt.  I’ve browsed this one before, thanks to Ashleigh, but am enjoying it again.  Advice on books for different ages, and a strong emphasis on reading aloud as a family.

The Read-Aloud Handbook, by Jim Trelease.  I’ve been convinced of the importance of reading aloud to children of all ages for years now, but if you’re not convinced, just read the introduction to this book! 

Pocketful of Pinecones, by Karen Andreola.  Following Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy, a how-to of nature study.  Very good read so far.

Just today I was seriously lamenting the rows of pagan & pointless books on the shelves of our libraries.  I need to learn more about who chooses the books, who pays for them, and why there are so many crappy books on the shelves.

I do know that if you request a particular book, many libraries will purchase it for you.  Amy J shared this Yahoo chat group which emails you periodically with solid Catholic book suggestions, which you can then request from your local library (possibly on-line).  This is a great way to help Catholic publishing companies and evangelize the library-goers of our towns.  Thanks for sharing, Amy!

Occasionally I come across a book that makes me think, “if only I could get every [mom, dad, teen, etc.] to read this.”  If only. 

I recently read just such a book, this one for dads.  (Although mom’s benefit, too.)  It’s called Father, the Family Protector, by James Stenson.  It’s incredible.  Most dad’s I know would look at a book on fathering and think, “I don’t need anyone to tell me how to be a dad.”  And for the most part, that’s true.  But throughout human history, dads have usually been surrounded and supported by other men in their families and communities.  That’s not the case anymore.  Many dads are isolated from the wisdom of men who have gone before.

In this book, the author, who founded 2 high schools for boys, doesn’t preach his own opinions.  He spent 2 decades interviewing the parents of the boys in his schools.  He especially spoke to the parents of the students who exhibited the best character.  This book is  a compilation of all the good advice he heard from these succesful parents.  It isn’t a religiously-oriented book; it’s for all parents.  It’s chock-full of good advice.  I wish I could buy a copy for every dad I know.

A few years ago, I came across a booklet that I loved, and I bought something like 40 copies!  Let me know if you want one, or read about it here.

I’ve also been meaning to say that I love the book the Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands, by Dr. Laura.  It’s one of those books that every newly married woman should read!  I’m currently reading her new book on the Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage.