#108 ~ Shrink Rap

October 13, 2008 at 4:11 pm | Posted in Books, LIfe, My Life with Books, Reading | 5 Comments
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Shrink Rap: An Irreverent Take on Child Psychiatry by Robin A. Altman, MD

Shrink Rap is a book that tackles parenting and childhood issues with humor and compassion.  It’s written by Robin A. Altman, a wife and mother who uses her own person experiences to illustrate topics from those more common like childcare, school, travel, and bullies, to those more severe like anxiety, eating disorders, psychosis, and drugs and alcohol.  The fact that Robin is also an amateur comic came in handy to her while she wrote this book.  While her take is irreverent, she is genuine and there is a warmth to her voice and to her writing that I really appreciated.

There are sometimes when I tear myself down as a parent and there are others times when I lift myself up more than I should.  This book encouraged me in areas I felt lacking and humbled me in areas where I might have otherwise boasted.  I think it’s always good to get a reality check, especially if it is delivered with a delightful spoonful of laughter.  I highly recommend this book for any parent.  When there are times where you just have to laugh or you’ll cry, this is the book to pick up.

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To buy this book, click here.

Behind… My September Wrap-Up

October 1, 2008 at 11:30 am | Posted in Books, Historical Fiction, LIfe, My Life with Books, Philippa Gregory, Reading | 12 Comments
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My grandfather worked in tool and die.  When he retired, he had his machines in his shed.  One of the things he loved to make the most were cribbage and euchre boards.  He gave this lovely euchre board to me quite some time ago.  Although I’m not sure how to take that on a personal level ;), it really does represent the state of my blog as the month of September has drawn to a close and October is finally underway.  Grandpa will be 91 on the 15th, so happy early birthday from your favorite granddaughter in Virginia!

September really was quite a month.  I participated in two wonderful book tours, I read 11 books (!!!!), the Literate Housewives Book Club officially started (thanks to everyone who has signed up on the forum!), we all celebrated Book Blogger Appreciation Week, and I took a road trip to see one of my favorite authors, Philippa Gregory.  While this will be a month to remember, it has left me behind on my reviews and my comments.  Hopefully October will be a good catch up month.  With my birthday, the girls’ birthdays (Ally – 22nd, Emma – 23rd), our 11th anniversary, a visit from my parents and Uncle Ryan, and a business trip to Boston, it’s sure to be eventful if nothing else.

I read 11 books this month, but I only wrote 7 reviews (including The Seamstress that I owed from August).  That leaves me 5 reviews in the hole.  I’m hoping to have those all written and published by Monday.  Here’s how my reading broke down by category:

General Fiction

House and Home by Kathleen McCleary
Will I Ever Know by Charles Henry
First Daughter by Eric Van Lustbader
The Torn Skirt by Rebecca Godfrey – review forthcoming

Historical Fiction

The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner
Immortal by Traci Slatton – review forthcoming

Young Adult Fiction

Sisters of Misery by Megan Kelly Hall – review forthcoming

Short Fiction

Months and Seasons by Christopher Meeks

Non-Fiction

One Can Make a Difference edited by Ingrid E. Newkirk
Good Person Guidebook by Richard Bayer, PhD – review forthcoming
Shrink Rap by Robin A. Altman – review forthcoming

Best Read of the Month:

Honorable Mentions:

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I hope that you all had a happy and prosperous September and will be enjoying the changing of this colors in October.

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