Nurtureshock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman

In a world of modern, involved, caring parents, why are so many kids aggressive and cruel? Where is intelligence hidden in the brain, and why does that matter? Why do cross-racial friendships decrease in schools that are more integrated? If 98% of kids think lying is morally wrong, then why do 98% of kids lie? What's the single most important thing that helps infants learn language?

NurtureShock is a groundbreaking collaboration between award-winning science journalists Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. They argue that when it comes to children, we've mistaken good intentions for good ideas. With impeccable storytelling and razor-sharp analysis, they demonstrate that many of modern society's strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring--because key twists in the science have been overlooked. Nothing like a parenting manual, the authors' work is an insightful exploration of themes and issues that transcend children's (and adults') lives.

I found this book fascinating. Rather than using the old cliches of parenting, the authors do a survey of the scientific studies that prove what really goes on in children's brains. One example is the self-esteem movement. Bronson and Merryman talk about how the ubitiquous "You're so smart" talk that children are innudated with actually tend to decrease rather than increase their self-esteem. It makes them anxious as if intelligence is just a matter of luck. What truly increases their self-esteem is specific praise for actions that are successful. This would include items such as "You really worked hard on that problem" or "I liked the way you went back and figured out where you went wrong" or "Studying that vocabulary list several nights resulted in you getting a good grade". This kind of specific praise lets the child know that they are, indeed, in control of their performance. It reinforces the feelings that I always had as a kindergarten teacher; children know quickly if praise is earned or just false words.

The authors talk about other scientific studies that help parents think outside the box on other issues. For example, lack of sleep is far more tied to obesity than watching TV or children raised in a diverse racial environment often do not become more accepting of others unless parents and teachers emphasize that their are differences and that these differences are to be celebrated.

I found this one of the most useful books I've read lately, and I definately will be sending a copy to my children to help them in raising the grandchildren. This book is recommended for all parents and teachers, or anyone interested in helping children improve their performance and reach their potential.

The Horse And His Boy by C.S. Lewis

In this third book of C.S. Lewis's series, The Chronicles Of Narnia, the reader learns about the backstory of Prince Caspian, who will play a large part in later books. Caspian is a fisherman's boy, raised in poverty and ignorance, maltreated and unsure of where to go in life. This all changes the night a visitor demands shelter from his father and Caspian is thrown out to provide room. He listens to the visitor's conversation and it becomes evident that he is not the fisherman's son, but an orphan the fisherman found, and further, that the fisherman plans to sell him as a slave.

Caspian escapes, and is aided by the visitor's horse. It turns out that the horse also has a backstory as he is a talking horse who was captured as a young colt in Narnia and forced to become a war-horse by his captors. Besides providing the means for Caspian to escape, he educates him about Narnia, the power structure, and everyday affairs of the various lands they ride through.

We meet cruel rulers trying to overtake Narnia, a brave girl who is also running away from a family that doesn't treasure her and is trying to marry her off for political gain, and a first glimpse of Aslan, the great lion of Narnia. We hear more of the kings and queens of Narnia, who up to this point the reader knows only as the children who discovered Narnia when they stumbled through the wardrobe into a miraculous land. The reader also discovers the amazing story of Caspian's true background, and the part he will play in future books in the series.

This book is recommended for readers of all ages, and is a great book for families to read together. It is slower than some of the other books in the series, as it spends a lot of time explaining some of the history and principles that the rest of the series is built around, but stands alone well as a tale of mystery and intrigue.

Damas, Dramas And Ana Ruiz by Belinda Acosta

Ana Ruiz's life is a mess. A college administrator, she is married with two teenage children, or at least that is how it appears to the outside world. But, reality is different. She and Estaban, her childhood sweetheart, have separated and it is unclear what will become of her marriage. Her daughter, Carmen, who is fourteen and a daddy's girl, blames Ana for the breakup and Ana allows her to think so, shielding her from reality. This creates a situation where Carmen is worse than most teenage girls, blaming Ana for everything and acting as if she hates her. Ana, searchinig for a way to reconnect with Carmen, decides to give her the quinceanera (a party marking a girl's transistion to womanhood) that she never got to have.

Carmen grudgingly agrees to the party. As party plans go on, Ana meets a visiting artist at the college. He is charsmatic and exciting, and seems interested in Ana. This interest starts to awaken Ana from the dull deadness of what her life has become. This new interest and the resolution of several plotlines comes at the time the party occurs.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I did a blog tour of it several weeks ago, but didn't have time to read it before the tour. Ana is a great heroine; smart, caring and starting to realise that no one gives you a great life; you have to go out and create it for yourself. I could definately relate to her difficulties with her teenage daughter, as that time is approaching for me as my daughter gets closer to those dramatic years. This book is recommended for readers of female literature as well as those interested in reading about how the Hispanic culture handles everyday life issues.

GIVEAWAY!!!!! NURTURESHOCK BY PO BRONSON & ASHLEY MERRYMAN

In a world of modern, involved, caring parents, why are so many kids aggressive and cruel? Where is intelligence hidden in the brain, and why does that matter? Why do cross-racial friendships decrease in schools that are more integrated? If 98% of kids think lying is morally wrong, then why do 98% of kids lie? What's the single most important thing that helps infants learn language?

NurtureShock is a groundbreaking collaboration between award-winning science journalists Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. They argue that when it comes to children, we've mistaken good intentions for good ideas. With impeccable storytelling and razor-sharp analysis, they demonstrate that many of modern society's strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring--because key twists in the science have been overlooked. Nothing like a parenting manual, the authors' work is an insightful exploration of themes and issues that transcend children's (and adults') lives.

Giveaway Rules

1. The giveaway starts Saturday, August 22nd and ends on Wednesday, September 2nd at midnight.

2. There will be five winners, who will be chosen with a random number generator.

3. For one entry, leave a comment. Your email MUST be in the comment to be included. Comments without emails will not be used in the giveaway.

4. You can get another entry by doing any or all of the following; follow this blog, twitter about this giveaway and post the twitter in your comment, or link to the giveaway on your blog.

5. Winners will have three days to respond with mailing addresses after email notification. After three days, another winner will be chosen to take the place of anyone not responding.

6. Winners must live in the U.S. or Canada, and have a street address. Hachette doesn't mail to P.O. boxes, sorry.

Good luck! This book sounds fantastic!

The Holy Bullet by Luis Miguel Rocha

In May of 1981, the world was shocked when a Muslim terrorist attempted to assassinate the beloved Pope, John Paul II. Although greviously wounded, he survived and lived to fulfill God's mission for him. Even more shocking to many, Pope John Paul met with his attempted assassin, Mehmet Ali Ağca after the attempt, and fully forgave him. Luis Miguel Rocha's new novel, The Holy Bullet, is written around this shocking event.

John Paul II came to the office after the short tenure of John Paul I. His short time in office led to rumours that his death was not natural. The attempted assassination of John Paul II so quickly after his ascension to Pope reinforced the belief that there were powers plotting against the papacy. Now, warring factions form alliances and opposing forces to try to either discover or hide the truth of this event, depending on which side they are aligned with.

The reader is faced with a dizzying array of characters. There is Sarah Montiero, a journalist who is editor of international affairs at a prestigious magazine in London. Her father, Raul, is a Portugese military officer, and was involved earlier with Sarah when they looked into the death of John Paul I. Another returning character is Father Rafael Santini; caught up in religious politics and secretive about the things he knows. There are representatives from the CIA, the Masons, the Opus Dei, the police forces of several countries, and the Catholic church. There are plots, counterplots, betrayals and surprising facts that are revealed. Over all looms the question of whether Sarah and Rafael can discover what lies behind the plot against the papacy, and whether they can use that knowledge to save the Pope.

Fans of Miguel Luis Rocha's first novel, The Last Pope, or those who enjoyed The DaVinci Code, will enjoy The Holy Bullet. The author insists that not only is the book based on true facts, but that some of these facts were given to him only years after the attempt on John Paul's life by a man who claimed to have been involved in the death of the first John Paul. The plotlines are tight and intersect compellingly, and the reader is pulled along, afraid to read what comes next but afraid also not to. The characters are interesting, and their motivations twine and twist until none of them is predictable. This book is recommended for suspense readers.

Pandora Gets Vain by Carolyn Hennesy

Carolyn Hennesy has created a book series that combines adventure and fun with an introduction to mythology in a format that entertains and educates young readers. Pandora, a thirteen year old girl has through curiosity, unleashed the evils contained in a box entrusted to her family by the gods. Regardless of her intent, the result was setting free evil in the world. Now she is tasked with recapturing all these evils so that the world is safe and her family is not eternally punished. Her friends, Alcie and Iole, accompany her on her mission.


In this second book of the series, Pandora Gets Vain, the girls are on the trail of Vanity which they have determined is in Egypt. The book opens with a terrific storm at sea, which has been sent by Hera. Hera is jealous of Pandora and tries to thwart her mission at every turn. Homer, the young poet, has been sent by his father to guard them. They soon are involved in spine-tingling adventures such as combatting ancient guardians of pyramids and tombs, traveling with a group of magicians and carnival folks, and being rescued by dolphins from a watery grave. They wend their way to Egypt, where Vanity, in the form of a mirror, is in the possession of Cleopatra, the most beautiful Egyptian ruler. The unfolding of the capture of Vanity forms the backbone of the book. Gods encountered along the way include Poseidon, Apollo, Osiris, Hera and Athena. There are mummies, villians and heroes and the rewards and wonders of friendship which helps one overcome obstacles.


Hennesy has a hit series on her hands. Along with the excitement of the various adventures, young readers are introduced to mythological characters. Pandora and her friends are typical tweens and share the characteristics of young teenagers while also being tasked with an overwhelming responsibility. Consequences of actions are made plain as is the message of taking responsibility for one's actions. The various gods and historical figures introduced in the book give readers an interesting introduction to these characters. The series will continue as the rest of the evils unleashed on the world are recaptured by Pandora and her friends. This book is highly recommended for young teenage readers.

Damas, Dramas And Ana Ruiz by Belinda Acosta

All Ana Ruiz wanted was to have a traditional quinceañera for her daughter, Carmen. She wanted a nice way to mark this milestone year in her daughter's life. But Carmen was not interested in celebrating. Hurt and bitter over her father Esteban's departure, she blamed Ana for destroying their happy family, as did everyone else. A good man is hard to find, especially at your age Ana was told. Why not forgive his one indiscretion? Despite everything, Ana didn't want to tarnish Carmen's childlike devotion to her beloved father. But Ana knows that growing up sometimes means facing hard truths. In the end, Ana discovers that if she's going to teach Carmen anything about what it means to be a woman, it will take more than simply a fancy party to do it...

"Belinda Acosta's Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz delivers all its title promises and more: it's a book about damas of all ages, from teenage girls to the struggling mothers of those teenage girls; it's packed with drama so you don't want to stop reading; it's a novel that deeply and honestly tells the story of Ana Ruiz, her own coming of age as a woman and as a mother. Belinda Acosta is up to all of the challenges of such a rich panorama of characters and events. She's sassy, she's smart, she makes it look easy! But it takes a lot of hard work and a pile of talent to write such an engaging, touching book. A wonderful quinceañera of a novel!"--- Julia Alvarez, author of Once Upon a Quinceañera: Coming of Age in the USA and Return to Sender

GIVEAWAY!!!! THE BLUE STAR BY TONY EARLEY

Seven years ago, readers everywhere fell in love with Jim Glass, the precocious ten-year-old at the heart of Tony Earley's bestseller Jim the Boy.

Now a teenager, Jim returns in another tender and wise story of young love on the eve of World War Two. Jim Glass has fallen in love, as only a teenage boy can fall in love, with his classmate Chrissie Steppe. Unfortunately, Chrissie is Bucky Bucklaw's girlfriend, and Bucky has joined the Navy on the eve of war. Jim vows to win Chrissie's heart in his absence, but the war makes high school less than a safe haven, and gives a young man's emotions a grown man's gravity.

With the uncanny insight into the well-intentioned heart that made Jim the Boy a favorite novel for thousands of readers, Tony Earley has fashioned another nuanced and unforgettable portrait of America in another time--making it again even realer than our own day.This is a timeless and moving story of discovery, loss and growing up, proving why Tony Earley's writing "radiates with a largeness of heart" (Esquire).

Giveaway Rules

1. The giveaway starts Saturday, August 15th and ends on Wednesday, August 26th at midnight.

2. There will be five winners, who will be chosen with a random number generator.

3. For one entry, leave a comment. Your email MUST be in the comment to be included. Comments without emails will not be used in the giveaway.

4. You can get another entry by doing any or all of the following; follow this blog, twitter about this giveaway and post the twitter in your comment, or link to the giveaway on your blog.

5. Winners will have three days to respond with mailing addresses after email notification. After three days, another winner will be chosen to take the place of anyone not responding.

6. Winners must live in the U.S. or Canada, and have a street address. Hachette doesn't mail to P.O. boxes, sorry.

Good luck! This book sounds fantastic!

The Mulberry Empire by Philip Hensher

In 1839, fifty thousand British Army soldiers marched into Afghanistan, quickly capturing the capital of Kabul. Three years later, a solitary English soldier from that force rode out. The rest were killed by the Afghans, who used tactics that the British never saw coming.

Philip Hensher's The Mulberry Empire tells the story of this early encounter between the West and the Muslim forces of the region. But, there is much more. Along with detailing the intricate beliefs and dealings of the region, Hensher contracts his story overseas with the intricate beliefs and dealings of the "upper crust" of British society. The truths that the Upper Ten Thousand held as dogma were believed unfailingly, and it was with unbelief that they realised that there were other beliefs and other cultures in the world that could hold sway, and yes, even defeat their armies.

It is also the story of the men of this time, and the story of their loves. There is Alexander Burnes who spends so much time in the region that it is unimaginable to him to ever live again in England. There is Bella Garraway, the creme of the debutantes the year that he is the rage of "the season", and with whom he falls madly in love. There are Muslim rulers, who tempt the English to be involved in their territorial wars, and then turn savagely on them when they have served the rulers' purposes. There is the grand sweep of history and a light shone on a time and place that few readers have considered before.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Nominated for the Booker Prize in 2002, it shines a light on a period of history I didn't know much about, illuminating the reasons why the West is often in conflict with the peoples of the region. This book is recommended for lovers of historical fiction, for those who seek to understand the results actions can have decades later, and for those ready for a rip-roaring trip into the past.

The Calling by David Mack

Tom Nash has a unique talent. He discovered at sixteen that he can hear people's prayers, and he can help them wih their problems. Usually the prayers he hears are routine, but one night he is jolted awake by a frantic prayer from a little girl, "Please God, don't let them kill me". He is drawn to New York City, not sure who he is to save or how to go about it.

Phaedra is eleven years old, and walking home from a friend's house when she is kidnapped. Her mom is contacted and the kidnappers demand the inheritance she received when her husband was recently killed. Desparate to get Phaedra back, she agrees, and is told enough that it is obvious that the kidnappers are working with a corrupt cop, and that any help she asks for will be communicated back to the mob that has her child.

Into this situation, Tom Nash appears. He doesn't know what he will do, but he convinces the mother that he can be trusted, and will help her off the grid to recover her child. He starts his mission and is drawn to some clues, but soon encounters members of the Russian mob that are the kidnappers. About to be beaten beyond recognition, he is suddenly rescued by a gorgeous Hispanic woman, Erin, who has street smart survival and fighting skills. Even more astonishing, she reveals to Tom that she shares his talent, and that there is, in fact, many Seekers, along with Sages on the side of good, opposed by those on the side of evil, The Scorned.

Erin and Tom are soon involved in a fast-paced race against time to save Phaedra before the ransom deadline expires. There are fires, police arrests, dangerous traps set to harm them and strangers trying to stop them, but they push on. Escaping from the police who have arrested them at the scene of a suspicious arson, they make the ransom exchange just in time, only to have it go awry with a successful outcome seriously in doubt.

David Mack is a new talent in the fantasy genre and The Colling is an amazing book. The action is non-stop and heartpoundingly exciting, the characters are believable and appealing, and the premise behind the action is skillfully woven into the plotline. My first thought after finishing this book was that I hope a TV producer reads the book and creates a series. It would be wonderful to see Tom and Erin fighting evil and helping people on a weekly basis. This book is highly recommended for all fantasy readers, and for those who enjoy thrillers.

How Successful People Think by John C. Maxwell

In this self-help book, John Maxwell teaches the reader how to become a successful thinker. The key to successful thinking is making it a priority, setting time aside routinely in which to think, and to plan the thinking.

Maxwell talks about eleven categories of thinking. These are:

1. Big-Picture Thinking

2. Focused Thinking

3. Creative Thinking

4. Realistic Thinking

5. Strategic Thinking

6. Possibility Thinking

7. Reflective Thinking

8. Questioning Popular Thinking

9. Shared Thinking

10. Unselfish Thinking

11. Bottom-Line Thinking

For each category, he writes a chapter in which he defines the attributes of the kind of thinking, talks about it's importance, and outlines strategies to incorporate this type of thinking into the overall thinking plan.

I did a giveaway for this book a few weeks back. I'm glad to have read it now myself. I can see how it will be useful in my career, and how it can improve anyone's ability to improve their thinking and have it provide concrete results. This book is recommended for readers looking for career and business strategies, as well as for the general reader.

The Little Giant Of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker

Truly Plaice has been dealt a difficult hand in life. Born as the biggest baby ever seen in Aberdeen, her mother dies in childbirth. Truly is left with her father and her sister, Serena Jane, who is the town beauty. Truly definately is not the town beauty. She remains large and gets bigger all the time, well out of the normal scheme of growth. She is shunned by other children and mocked by most she meets. When Truly is eight, her father also dies. The children are separated. Serena James goes to live with a wealthy family, but Truly is sent to live with a poor farmer and his family.

This early start doesn't improve much as Truly becomes an adult. Serena Jane gets pregnant and marries the town doctor, a coldhearted man who treats all around him with contempt. After eight years of marriage, Serena runs off, leaving behind a note to find Truly to come watch her son, Bobbie. The husband, Dr. Robert Morgan, finds Truly and blackmails her into coming to live with the family as an unpaid housekeeper. This is her life for the next fifteen years.

But all is not bleak. Faced with overwhelming pain, Truly still finds a way to make life better for those around her. She becomes a substitute mother to Bobbie, and watching him grow is a wonderful gift. She has two friends. Amelia Dyerson is the daughter of the farm family where Truly grew up, and is like a sister to her. Marcus was the smartest boy in town, but after going to Vietnam, came back wounded physically and emotionally, and now contents himself with being a gardener. He has always loved Truly, and is at the periphery of her life still, giving her kindness. Truly continues to grow and grow, identifed by the doctor as having acromegaly, or giantism.

There is another gift waiting for Truly. The doctor's family can be traced back to the first Robert Morgan, a doctor who came to town and married the town "wisewoman", who had treated the ills and sicknesses of the townspeople with herbs and remedies. This woman, Tabitha Morgan, is still talked of as a local legend, with stories that her spell book was left behind, still to be found. That has never happened. All that is left of her is the marvelous quilt she embroidered and left behind. Truly falls in love with the quilt when she moves into the Morgan house, and takes it for her own. Over time, she comes to realise that the quilt is actually the missing spell book. Truly begins to experiment with the herbal remedies, and soon is helping the townspeople, both with common ailments, and when all hope is gone of a cure, with an early release from life.

This is one of the most original and definately one of the best books I've read this year. Truly, whose life seems one of unmitigated misery, instead finds a way to shine and inspire those around her. The book moves at a fast pace, and the reader falls in love with Truly and is drawn to find out what life has to offer this amazing woman next. I will remember Truly for a long time. This book is recommended for all readers.

The Adventuress by Audrey Niffenegger

The Adventuress is a graphic novel by Audrey Niffenegger. It tells the story of a girl created by an alchemist. She goes through many adventures. She is kidnapped by an older man, forced into marriage and escapes by burning down the house. Jailed for this crime, she weaves a cocoon and spends a winter in it, becoming a moth. She flies away and ends up with Napoleon Bonaparte. When he leaves to go to Russia, she finds she is pregnant. After having the child, she leaves when she finds out she has been betrayed in love. She ends up in a nunnery, where she dies.

This is an interesting book. I didn't realise that Niffenegger regards herself as a graphic artist. In fact, this was her first book, created during her college years when she studied graphic art. My only exposure to her before this was the wildly successful, The Time-Travelers Wife, which I enjoyed immensely.

The artwork is reminiscent of Gahan Wilson, who is one of my favorite cartoonists, and one of the reasons I subscribed to the The New Yorker magazine for many years. Niffenegger's scenes have the same spare style, that suggests much more going on behind the scenes. I enjoyed this look into her other talent. This book is recommended for fans of graphic novels.

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

In Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout has written interconnecting short stories that give us insight into the town of Crosby, Maine, and the people who make their homes and lives there. Olive is a retired math teacher. She is married to Henry, the local pharmacist, and they have one son, Christopher.

Each story delves into the life of one of the town's residents. Each has some connection to Olive, although sometimes it is tangential. We read of marriages, divorces, death, affairs, theft, children who bring joy and children who grow up and are not part of their parent's lives.

One of the book's themes is the changing nature of love throughout the years. Many of the characters portrayed have long term marriages and Strout writes of how these relationships change over the years. First blush love becomes a stronger relationship as the years go by. Sometimes the relationship falters and the spouses are tempted to look elsewhere for fulfillment. Yet many remain married and often find a renewed love in their later years.

Yet, Strout also writes of the sadness of love. Great love relationships usually mean one participant is left behind when the other dies. How does one regroup and go on, facing the lonliness that is often the result of old age? She also writes of the parental-child relationship and how hard it is to get that fine balance of raising an independant child right. Tip on one side of the balance and the child is left dependant and unable to function; tip on the other side and they are so independant that they often move away to live totally separate lives. This is another grief that many face as they age.

Olive Kitteridge won the Pulitzer Prize, and readers of the book won't be surprised. This book draws the reader into contemplation of how lives work out, and the importance of love and family. This book is recommended for all readers.

A Darkness Forged In Fire by Chris Evans

In A Darkness Forged In Fire, Chris Evans starts his Iron Elves series. The Iron Elves, a renowned battalion, has been disbanded when the leader kills the country's Viceroy. The assassin is banished to the forest, and the battalion is broken up and sent to various undesirable posts. As the story begins, the reader meets up with this assassin, Konowa, and learns that there was a reason for his actions. The Viceroy had stopped serving the rightful Queen and had become an agent of the Empire's enemy, The Shadow Monarch.

Now, an event foretold in ancient tales, is occurring. The Red Star, which heralds the return of ancient magic, has fallen. Various groups engage in battles and strategies to become the possessor of this heralded icon. There is the reunited Iron Elves battalion. The Queen's son, Prince Tykkin, has joined the battalion as it's titular commander, although he leaves the actual battle strategy to Konowa, who has been reinstated as the Iron Elves commander. There are the elfkynan, who see possession of the Red Star as the mechanism to throw off Empire rule. There is also the agents of The Shadow Monarch, who will stop at nothing to extend her rule. They bring back extinct beasts who were renowned for their evil, and have corrupted various Empire government agents as well.

The reader meets the main characters of the series. There are elves, dwarves, witches; all manner of magical folks. Each group is suspicious of the others, but learn to fight together for a common goal. Some of the main characters include Visyna who is a royal maiden but also a witch. Rallie is a journalist who seems to be unexpectedly involved in all action. There are gallent fighters such as the dwarf Yimt and the elf Alwyn. There are also elves of the forest such as Chayii Red Owl who come to help the Iron Elves.

Evans has created a magical land, populated with interesting characters and a plot that makes the reader determined to read more in the series. This book is recommended for fantasy lovers looking for a new series to transport them far away.