non-fiction – LDS Women's Book Review

Table Talk by John and Tina Bushman – Blog Tour

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Feb 052013

Table Talk

Authors: John and Tina Bushman

Publisher: Plain Sight Publishing/Cedar Fort, Inc.

Published Date: February 12, 2013

Softcover; 210 pages

Genre: Nonfiction

ISBN# 978-1-4621-1146-6

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a free review PDF in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Nothing has a greater or more lasting impact on children than their parents, yet our society tries to weaken that influence. Talking and teaching are two things best done at home. Using hundreds of fun questions and quotes from this book, watch as your family comes together to discuss the most important issues of life—patriotism, values, fun, faith, and more.

Review

Dinnertime in my family often includes passing around the “conversation jar,” an old glass peanut butter jar full of strips of paper with questions and trivia designed to start family discussion. When the opportunity came to review Table Talk, I jumped at the chance, curious to see how the questions compared to our usual verbal dinnertime fare.

I was delighted to find a wide variety of subjects covered, from civil issues and practical matters (like emergency preparedness) to more personal and spiritual questions designed to explore deeper issues. I like the related quotes on each page, some of which are humorous. The day I received the review PDF I presented some of the new material to my family. The second question in the book (“Have you ever had someone close to you die?”) as well as the follow-up questions (“What were your feelings at the time? What do you believe happens to a person’s soul when they die?”) gave my husband and I the opportunity to check in with our children and discuss how they were feeling about Grandma passing away now that some time has gone by. We had a great conversation with our older daughters that went beyond the scope of those initial three questions.

The next night’s question (“My most embarrassing moment was when _______.”) provided a welcome change from the heavy discussion of the night before. My older kids had a good laugh at my expense. And, no, I’m not going to share my most embarrassing moment in this post. Let’s just say both my pride and my hands and knees were bruised that night.

I appreciate the open-ended format, especially about topics that I hadn’t considered asking my kids. “What responsibilities do individual states have?” and “If you could ask God one question, what would your question be?” are just two examples. With some questions I will have to do some research online beforehand, especially in regard to the more political and academic subjects. (Hey, it’s been a while since high school AP Government class. I’m a little rusty.)

I am excited to continue our nightly dinnertime conversations with Table Talk. I highly recommend it to families of all shapes and sizes.

Find Table Talk: AMAZON | BARNS & NOBLE | DESERET BOOK | GOODREADS

Finished Being Fat by Betsy Schow – Blog Tour

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Jan 072013

Finished Being Fat: An Accidental Adventure in Losing Weight and Learning to Finish

Author: Betsy Schow

Publisher: Cedar Fort Books

Published: January 2013

Softcover; 144 pages

Genre: Health & Lifestyle

ISBN# 978-1462111251

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a free PDF review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Not everyone can win the race, but everyone can finish it. In her quest to wish away an extra 75 pounds, Betsy changed her life for good. Using her Philosophy of Finishing, she snowballed her efforts from weight loss into a bucket list of seemingly impossible dreams. This inspiring account of one woman’s journey will help you find the strength to conquer your most daunting goals and unfinished projects.

Review

I don’t know Betsy but after reading her book I can tell we would get along famously. I wasn’t sure quite what to expect when I picked up Finished Being Fat. As I read I realized that this was a motivating story about one woman’s journey to finish what she started and not a “diet” book.

I love Betsy’s casual, honest voice. I laughed several times and read many paragraphs to my husband. I related to so much that Betsy wrote, from initial fear of joining a class at the gym and discovering incredible support from my classmates to realizing as I looked at childhood photos of myself that things weren’t as bad as I thought they were at the time.

While I have never aspired to complete a marathon (a 12-minute mile would make me deliriously happy at this point), I admire Betsy for following through with her goal to do just that. Through examples she shares and her lessons learned, I know I don’t have to complete something like a marathon or do something better or faster than someone else for what I finish to be of value, that it’s my attitude and the follow through that makes all the difference.

Every year I choose one little word (via Ali Edwards) to be my motivation for the year. Ironically, my one little word for last year was FINISH. Only I didn’t actually finish anything that I initially set out to do. As the new year approached and I considered what word to choose for 2013 I thought long and hard about why I failed to finish any of what I had planned to complete in 2012.

When Betsy mentioned “starter’s high” I knew exactly what she was talking about. I love the excitement of starting something new but boredom, fear, insecurity, or life always got in the way. I soon realized that I was letting perfectionism and fear hold me back. So I chose COURAGE as my one little word for 2013. Courage to be imperfect. Courage to recognize insecurity and overcome it. Courage to leave behind things that really don’t matter. Courage to FINISH.

I enjoyed every minute I spent reading Finished Being Fat. It’s a quick read full of honesty and humor. I highly recommend it to everyone whether you have struggled with weight issues or not. The subject matter goes beyond health and fitness, encouraging readers to experience the sense of accomplishment and self-worth that comes with finishing what you start.

Visit Betsy: BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOOGLE+

Find Finished Being Fat: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | GOODREADS

From Pampered to Productive by Debbie Bowen

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Oct 012012

From Pampered to Productive: Raising Children Who Know How to Work

Author: Debbie Bowen

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published Date: March 2012

Paperback; 144 pages

Genre: Nonfiction/Parenting

ISBN# 978-1-4621-1019-3

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: checked out from my local library

Summary

From television to iphones and automatic dishwashers, we’ve got it all—except each other. But there’s a simple solution. Turn forgotten to-dos into family fun with Debbie Bowen’s ten proven formulas for success. With new skills, added closeness, and a real sense of accomplishment, your whole family will soon cherish chore time. Raising responsible, hard-working kids has never been so rewarding!

Review

Hi, my name is Shanda, and I used to be a nagging mom.

When I would ask or remind my kids to do their jobs I would start with a request, then a firm reminder, than a curt demand, which would then turn into pleading, yelling, and finally threatening with no guarantee that the threats would work, even when I followed through.

After reading From Pampered to Productive, I now say just one word to get action and effort from previously reluctant kids: Consequences.

With four kids ages 15 (almost), 11, 5 and 3, I experienced a wide range of struggles in getting the kids to help, often hearing “I don’t know how,” or “I need help,” to “Do I HAVE to?” and “I ALWAYS have to do that!”

I was tired of always seeming like the mean mom and feeling guilty for asking my kids to help out.

From Pampered to Productive inspired me to make a few small changes, mostly in my attitude and perception about asking and involving my kids in the FAMILY’S work, and yet the results are impressive in our house. It’s not a miracle or fairy-godmother magic, but sometimes it feels that way. If I had to choose one thing that helped me the most, it was recognizing the housework and yard work as FAMILY work, since we all live here and all benefit from using the house and yard.

As the mom of ten kids, the author knows her stuff. I thought four kids was difficult to manage, but my hat comes off to her. I like how she involves the children in everything from assigning jobs to letting them work out their issues in family council with just a bit of guidance from Mom and Dad. She explains how our “excuses” for not involving the kids in the chores they capable of doing are cheating them out of gaining experience, learning responsibility and how to be self-starters, as well as experiencing that feeling of accomplishment after a job well-done. I love the author’s focus on actions and consequences.

There are four sections, each offering instruction, encouragement and personal stories of both success and struggle from the author. These sections are as follows:

Changing Your Mind-Set
Delegation – Your Key to Sanity
Eliminating Stumbling Blocks to Your Success
Rewards of Delegation

At 144 pages, the book is not a long read, but the information could be life-changing if you are one of us who struggle with getting kids (and maybe other family members) to do their share.

I highly recommend this book to all parents, including those with little ones who are eager to help. Now is the time to lay the groundwork so that you can hopefully avoid major struggles when your kids get older.

Find From Pampered to Productive:

Cobble Stones by Sandra Tayler

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Jun 252012

Cobble Stones: A Sampling from One Cobble at a Time

Author: Sandra Tayler

Publisher: Hypernode Press

Published Date: May 2012

Softcover; 74 pages

Genre: Non-fiction

ISBN# 978-0-9835746-3-7

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review

Summary

This sampler book is a compilation of essays from the blog “One Cobble at a Time” by Sandra Tayler. Sandra writes her blog with literary quality ranging from short posts to essays that run long. This sampler pulls some of the most interesting blog posts from 2011 into one volume. They discuss family, divine inspiration, financial management, parenting, peace, and finding self-worth.

My Review

I don’t have as much time to read blogs as I would like, however I make time for those blogs that consistently post content that is intelligent, honest and highly-relatable to my life and situation. After reading Cobble Stones, I’ve added Sandra’s blog (www.onecobble.com) to that list.

I enjoyed each chapter/essay and discovered several gems of wisdom. I appreciated Sandra’s sense of humor, especially in “Notes to Things I Feel Grouchy About.” In other chapters she shares lessons learned as well as doubts in parenting, something all parents can relate to at one time or another. She also shares her thoughts about simple experiences and memories, like summer rains and sitting on the neighbor’s porch steps watching the kids play.

If you enjoy well-written blog posts and are looking for a good quick read for the summer, pick up Cobble Stones on Kindle or Nook for only $2.99 (which I think is a great price) or a print copy HERE.

300 Questions LDS Couples Should Ask for a More Vibrant Marriage by Shannon Alder

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Sep 172011

300 Questions LDS Couples Should Ask for a More Vibrant Marriage

Author: Shannon Alder

Publisher: Horizon Publishers/Cedar Fort

Published Date: January 2011

Softcover; 133 pages

Genre: Religious Non-fiction

ISBN# 978-0-88290-976-9

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free review copy in exchange for an honest review

I wanted to publish this review for my usual Monday post, but I was waiting in an incredibly long security line at the airport. My hubby and I were flying down to Long Beach, CA, for a few days to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. We made it onto the plane (just barely) and spent the rest of that day visiting The Aquarium of the Pacific, taking pictures of the Queen Mary, and eating dinner at Medieval Times, feeling only slightly silly wearing paper crowns and cheering on the cheesy yet highly entertaining antics of knights on horseback.

We spent the entirety of our anniversary on Tuesday at Disneyland sans kiddos. Going midweek in September was awesome–riding the rides WE wanted to ride, short lines, not too crowded, and the weather was perfect. I highly recommend it. Hubby was able to ride the new Star Tours seven times (four was my limit). We hit our favorite rides at least twice: Indiana Jones, Matterhorn, and Big Thunder (Pirates was closed, darn it).

We even made it onto the Finding Nemo subs (new ride for us) and the AstroBlasters (where hubby kicked my hiney–seriously, check out that score). After a full day at Disneyland, we drove down to Outback Steakhouse, got a couple of steaks to go, and ate our dinner in the hotel room without the TV because the satellite in the area was down. We ate and we talked. It was great.

Did you know?

82 percent of all married couples will reach their fifth wedding anniversary, but only 52 percent will celebrate fifteen years of marriage. (page 2)

My parents were married 19 years before divorcing and are each on their 3rd marriages. My husband’s parents divorced after 19 years of marriage as well. My father-in-law had just divorced his 3rd wife when I met my husband. With divorce so fresh in our minds (my parents’ divorce finalized just after I met my hubby) we had several discussions about divorce during our engagement. We gave each other a lot of “outs,” chances to leave the relationship if we had any doubts. We decided early in our relationship that if we married, it was with the understanding that we were going to do everything possible to stay together. We spent our 9 month engagement talking about everything we could think of: our children’s education, how we felt about abortion, political views, toothpaste squeezing procedures, money, expectations, fears, worries, science, religion, TV shows–everything–and yet we only scratched the surface of getting to know each other.

Those who have met my hubby know he is a quiet man. Getting details from him is like a game of 20 (or 50) questions. He’s not being intentionally obtuse. He’s just very easy going. Luckily we’ve reached a place where I can say “Tell me what you know I want to know” and he’ll make a point to be more specific with details. :)

A book like 300 Questions LDS Couples Should Ask is perfect for jump-starting important conversation in marriage. I wish this book had been around early on in our relationship. We’ve answered several of the questions and have realized that we don’t go out on dates nearly enough, we both want to go on a couples’ mission when we get older, I have a lot more close friends than he does, and my hubby is interested in the Chinese culture (I never knew that before this book).

300 Questions LDS Couples Should Ask is divided into sections:

Rekindling the Romance and Intimacy in Your Marriage

Reexamining Your Views and Beliefs in Your Marriage

Strengthening Your Spiritual Path

Reaquainting Yourself with Your Spouse

Reconnecting with Your Spouse during Tough Times

Planning Your Goals and Future Together

My husband and I agree that open, honest and sincere communication is what has made our marriage work. Having a common goal and testimonies of Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of the gospel are also a huge part of marital success for us. We are not perfect and neither is our marriage, but respect for each other and focusing on the eternal aspect of our relationship has brought us closer together and made our marriage stronger.

I give 300 Questions LDS Couples Should Ask for a More Vibrant Marriage a solid 4 stars for encouraging couples to talk about the things that really matter in their relationship.

Learn more about Shannon Alder and her other 300 Questions books here: www.shannonalder.com

300 Questions LDS Couples Should Ask for a More Vibrant Marriage is available for purchase on Amazon.

What has helped you in your marriage?

Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon by Dennis Gaunt – Combined Review

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Combined Reviews

Sep 012011

Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon

Author: Dennis Gaunt

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published Date: August 2011

Softcover; 251 pages

ISBN# 978-1-60908-058-7

Genre: Religious Non-Fiction

FTC FYI: LDSWBR received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Shanda’s Review

Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon swept me off my feet. It is entertaining, funny, honest, understandable, applicable and inspiring.

I passed our review copy on for Mindy and Sheila to read and then purchased my own copy of Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon so I could go back and highlight the sections that inspired me the most.

Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon is clearly written for the youth but in a direct and intelligent voice that both teens and adults will appreciate. The author presents this study of Book of Mormon bad guys with a secret agent “gathering intelligence” approach–we can learn about Satan’s tricks and deceptions in the latter days, and thus outsmart him, by studying how he tricked and deceived people in the past.

…we have many advantages over Satan. One of the greatest of these is the Book of Mormon. In its pages we have access, in a sense, to some of the greatest spy work ever done. (page 5)

The summaries at the end of each chapter include “Lessons Not Learned” and “Lessons to Learn,” asking questions that would be great discussion starters and lesson material for Family Home Evenings.

A continuing theme, mentioned several times by the author through scripture references and examples, is the message of repentance. These bad guys could have received blessings on earth as well as eternal life, if only they had learned the lessons Heavenly Father was trying to teach them. Some of the bad guys did repent and there is an entire chapter discussing those who turned back to the Savior.

I give Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon an enthusiastic 5 stars. I recommend it to all Latter-Day Saints. Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon has added new depth to my understanding of the scriptures. I plan to purchase another copy for my teenage daughter so she can read and mark the sections that are meaningful to her as she studies the Book of Mormon.

Sheila’s Review

Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon turned out to be something I wasn’t expecting. This book is full of humor and teaches young adults, as well as adults, gospel lessons in a way that you will not forget. I also truly loved the way that Dennis Gaunt presented each “bad guy” found in The Book of Mormon.

It is so easy to dismiss all of these bad guys as just that, they were bad and didn’t live the gospel. Though that statement could be proven true, he also reminds the reader that all of the bad guys were also human. These people were more than the one dimensional wicked bad guy, there was so much more to them. Many had trials in their lives where they also had to make a choice of good or evil.

In this book Dennis brings forward to the readers that there are lessons to be learned from the mistakes that these sinners made. Every chapter is ended with 1) Lessons NOT Learned and 2) Lessons to Learn.

This book is a must read for youth. You can tell he wrote it with them in mind. This doesn’t detract at all from adults enjoying the way the messages are presented. Dennis relates so much of the gospel in language that teens of today can understand. There is a chapter about Nehor and Amlici called “Popular Like Me.” The chapter starts with what the being popular is like for teens today; sitting at the cool table, sitting with the football players and cheerleaders etc. Gaunt then goes on to tell how Nehor was very much like the “popular” person and became a celebrity with the Nephite people. With his humor he adds, “I wonder if he was on the cover of Nephite People magazine, topping their 25 Most Beautiful Nephites list”

My favorite chapter has to be chapter 11 about Alma and the Sons of Mosiah. It is the best story to show us how people can go from bad to good. The overall message is that there are many miraculous stories of repentance and change in the Book of Mormon. What a great message to share with the youth of our church. I look forward to reading more books by Dennis Gaunt.

Mindy’s Review

My LDSWBR gals and I ran into Lisa Mangum at the Book Bloggers Social and she told us about her brilliant brother who sat down to write a book about the bad guys of the Book of Mormon and it only took him a month. I was impressed that someone, first of all could do that, but also I was so intrigued by the title. How cool to write a book about Book of Mormon bad guys.

When I sat down to read it, I was already excited. Right at the beginning there was a reference to one of my favorite bad guys of all time, Darth Vader. I knew right away I was going to love this book, and anything Dennis was going to tell me. What the author did with the bad guys was explain their side of the story. He didn’t justify their actions, but related their lives in a different way. And explained some scriptures that I have just skipped over in my past readings of the Book of Mormon.

There were so many great quotes from prophets, members of the twelve, present and past, and from other officers of the church. Most of my favorite quotes were from the author himself. I can tell that Dennis is a very smart and clever guy. He shared many of his own personal experiences throughout the book, telling the reader that he too has had a life of ups and downs. Some of the downs were from his own making. He turned his life to the direction it needed and served a mission in New Zealand. (My dad also served there on the north island.)

I also loved the other movie references: Star Wars and even Mary Poppins. At the end of each chapter there is a lesson learned and lesson to be learned section, giving a brief and sometimes funny summary of what the bad guys needed to know then.

The “yearbook” chapter was one of my favorites. The biggest lesson was, how do others see you and how do you want to be seen by others. Around page 160, the author talks about CPR–church activity, daily prayer, and reading scriptures. The basics of our beliefs and religion. If we fail to do those small and simple things, we could be at the mercy of the baddest bad guy of all, Satan.

July was a really hard month for me personally and my family as well. I went through many health struggles and trials that seemed never ending. My dear husband kept reminding me to pray and read my scriptures. At times I was praying about 20 times a day, needing the Lord with me at all times. Now that I am better, I still need that spirit with me, and I remember that I need CPR everyday to keep me and my family strong.

During my reading of Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon I was blown away. This is one of the best books I’ve read all year. I couldn’t put it down. I kept quoting phrases to my husband and teenage daughter. They are reading too! I wrote down so many awesome references that touched me. However, the last five pages were mind-blowingly awesome. The author made me excited about the scriptures.

Dennis talked about Christ being the master artist:

The Lord does things a little differently. He views us as eminently designable. Changeable. Moldable. His vew of us is as one looking at something with limitless potential for greatness. There is no end to the beauty and perfection that He can make us into. And yet, the greatest of all artists, the Master Artist, begins His work on us by signing His name first, before He ever lays a single drop of paint on our canvas, before he ever picks up a tool.” (page 231)

Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, without His influence and love I would be lost.

5 stars out of 5.

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