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Fostering the love of reading, here are several reviews from myself.
Looking for grade-level recommendations for your kiddo? Click here
The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
Star Rating: ★★★★★
#fhtogglels/Read Review →/Close Review ✕/ib
I read this in 2019 and it is still the book I tell everyone is a "must-read".
After seeing many dramatic changes in students on college campuses, the writers conducted a comprehensive analysis to answer "How did we get here?" What was uncovered are three Great Untruths that modern parenting since the 1980s has led to, which has ultimately come to a head as iGen arrived on college campuses.
This book is not a parenting book. It is for anyone who interacts with this latest generation as it is one that our society has never seen. It is a generation of Safe Spaces, Trigger Warnings, Callout Culture, and Vindictive Protectiveness. The book's title immediately drew me in. I'll share that, as a people manager, at times I felt like the word "coddling" was appropriate.
This book finally gave me data behind everything I have observed and experienced in the last 20 years in the workplace as younger people entered the office behind me. I have peace of mine with so many experiences now and have a perspective for why this youngest generation is how it is as well as how to parent in support of better ways to grow adults.
How to Raise Successful People by Esther Wojcicki
Star Rating: ★★★★
#fhtogglels/Read Review →/Close Review ✕/ib
The title really turned me off. This is written by the mother of two CEOs and 1 Doctor. So, is that our level for the definition of "successful people"?
But, I read the Time article first. And I realized I literally judged a book by its cover. Don't judge the book by the choice word "successful". Give it a shot. The idea of implementing the T.R.I.C.K. method is worth trying if you're a parent.
"No one has ever changed the world by doing what the world has told them to do."
- Eddy Zhong, CEO Leangap
"The people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do."
- Steve Jobs, Co-Founder Apple
Wild Things by Stephen James and David Thomas
Star Rating: ★★★★
#fhtogglels/Read Review →/Close Review ✕/ib
This is an older book that I discovered while reading the REI Blog.
It took me awhile to accept the idea of reading a book "just" about boys. I didn't understand the idea of a boys book vs. a parenting book. I read this initially when Buddy was 5 and I am SO glad I read it before puberty. WOW--I didn't know what I didn't know and I am glad to have insight to what is coming down the pike. There is so much good tween and teen stuff in here!
The end of the book has a chapter for mother and son and another chapter for father and son. I debated reading only the applicable chapter. But, I am happy that I read the father/son chapter. It gave me a little insight into the relationship they may have as well as insight into men in general. :)
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Star Rating: ★★★★
#fhtogglels/Read Review →/Close Review ✕/ib
It is not often that the physical book and the Libby audiobook become available at the same time. But, the stars aligned for this one right as I headed to Hilton Head, SC. Reading this while in the lowcountry was amazing. The book describes the scenery perfectly. The narrator wasn't my favorite but I did enjoy reading "along" with her in the book. I also felt that, while the story was overall amazing, the author could do a better job with specifics as she jumps to different points in time.