Parenting A House United: Changing Children's Hearts by Teaching Self Government

We read this book by Nicholeen Peck as part of my book group a couple months ago. It outlines on of the best parenting plans I have seen. I have been teaching parenting workshops off and on for years, and this book has sent me back to the drawing board. It incorporates ideas that many parenting plans do not include, such as how to teach children important skills and values.

We have been slowly implementing many of the parenting ideas from this book in our home, and it has been great. This book advocates a very involved style of parenting, but the ultimate goal is allowing children to make informed choices about their behavior. And guess what? It works!

To find out more about this book and Nicholeen Peck, visit her website here.

I recommend this book to all parents, and to all those that work with children. This book is self-published, but the lack of professional editing should be overlooked because this is a great resource.

Servant of a Dark God

John Brown has created a unique fantasy world, and populated it with interesting characters. Much of the book is written from the perspective of Talen, a smart youth who is caught up in the swirl of dangerous events. This book is fantasy done right. It has many of the classic fantasy elements, but presents a new, complex way of looking at things. Characters are not clearly good or evil, and their motivations are multi-layered just as people in reality.

I have read this book twice in the last few months, because I enjoyed it immensely. The only let down is that the sequel isn't out yet. If you enjoy fantasy, especially when it is well-crafted, read this book.

You can read the first chapter of this amazing book at the author's website here.

Gone With the Wind

Most of my close friends and family know that I love Gone With the Wind. It is a book that I come back to year after year. In fact, I just finished reading it for the second time this year. I find that I see the book differently each time that I read it. I continue to re-experience some of my past insights, while also gaining new ones.

My opinion of Scarlett is complicated. I admire her brash ability to take on the world, even while I think she is being an idiot about the people around her. I have the same mixed opinions of Melanie. She is also naive about people, but in a completely opposite way from Scarlett. She is also a strong woman taking on the world, but she manages to do it within the rules of society. Rhett and Ashley offer the same kind of counterpoint, although they both seem to see people much more clearly.

I highly recommend Gone With the Wind. If you have only seen the movie, you don't know what you are missing. The book gives you more insight into Scarlett's character, trials, and motivations. Every character is more developed in the book. Yes, it is a long book. But what is contained in all those pages has made it an enduring classic. Don't miss out on this book great book just because it is long!

Author Highlight: Brandon Sanderson

I have recommended Brandon Sanderson's books more often in the past year than any other author's books. He is an amazing author of fantasy books. He has the ability to create unique magic systems and worlds with every series/book he writes. His first published book, Elantris, is a stand alone novel, which is great for a quick preview of his style and ideas. Warbreaker is another stand alone of his, and it was a great quick read as well.

When I read the Mistborn Trilogy I was subtly reminded of the game Magic: The Gathering, and was delighted to learn later that Brandon Sanderson had indeed drawn some of his inspiration from that game. The magic system reflects that inspiration, but the plot line is original and exciting.

Each new book of his that I read, I am excited to see the new and interesting way Brandon plays with magic systems. His characters seem real, and his story lines run smooth.

Most of Brandon's books are written for adults, but he also has a great series for middle readers. Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, the first of his youth series, is a hilarious story of a young boy with a special talent for breaking things.

Brandon Sanderson has a new book, which I just finished reading. It is called The Way of Kings, and is the first in a new series. I plan to review that book more in depth soon.

For a great read, check out anything by Brandon Sanderson. To learn more about this amazing author and his current projects, visit his website at www.brandonsanderson.com

Hold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers

Do you know a child who is more connected to their peers than parents? Do you want to feel the closeness with your child again? The authors of this book show how peer-oriented attachment interferes with healthy child development, and why attachment to parents and adults is important.

This book explains attachment in a very clear, understandable way. It shows how children may have lost their attachment to parents and other adults. Even better, the book outlines a plan and solutions for keeping children attached to parents or helping them find that attachment if it has been lost. The steps are not complicated, and are possible for any parent who is sincerely looking for the missing connection with their child.

The final paragraph in the text is worth the price of the book.

I think all parents should read this book. It describes succinctly and clearly concepts that are of vital importance to our parenting. It helps make obvious an underlying dynamic in parenting that many parenting books do not address. If you are a parent, or if you work closely with children or adolescents, you should definitely read this book.

Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs

This is my favorite marriage book. A couple years ago, I had the priviledge to hear the author speak at a conference. I enjoyed what he had to say, and it really struck home for me. This concept of respect being a more significant need for men makes a lot of sense when you stop and think about it. I like the way the author presents his material, and the fact that he doesn't just say "Respect your husband" or "Love your wife". He outlines a clear plan for how to show love and respect in meaningful ways. The author uses scripture to support his ideas, but even those people uncomfortable with applying scripture to their lives will find that the concepts ring true. This is a new way of thinking for most of us, because we typically consider respect as something that must be earned. The author addresses this concern for the reluctant. Don't miss this book if you want to make your marriage stronger!