Book Review: The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children by: Ross W. Greene

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Behaviorally challenging kids are challenging because they’re lacking the skills to not be challenging.

The Explosive Child – Ross W. Greene

Initial Thoughts: And… I am back with another book on parenting! As I’ve said before, I am not a parent and not expecting any children. I feel a bit like Michael Scott from The Office during the episode with the gift baskets. He tries to make small talk with a client about his children and says awkwardly that he has a few of his own that he wants someday. I know there is no such thing as a perfect parent. After all, we are all imperfect humans with our own baggage and problems. However, I believe that it is important to try to become the best person possible to give our children the best possible chance at life. For me, that means reading parenting books in preparation for the future. For the record, I do not believe I will be a better parent than someone else who hasn’t read parenting books.

Summary

An experienced therapist offers groundbreaking and compassionate techniques for helping chronically inflexible children, who suffer from excessively immoderate tempers, showing how brain-based deficits contribute to these problems and offering positive and constructive ways to calm things down.

The Review

As a huge disclaimer… I don’t have children and probably won’t have children for a while. This book simply interested me because I am weirdly curious about parenting techniques and hope to have children someday. This book is for parents who are at their wits end. Parents with a child who is unruly and out of control.

The author uses case studies to illustrate parenting techniques. He tells the story of a family with two children. The eldest, Jennifer, age 11, constantly has melt downs over things as simple as waffles. Her parents are terrified of her and find themselves discouraged at every turn.

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Book Review: Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue: The Untold Story of English by: John McWhorter

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Did you ever notice that when you learn a foreign language, one of the first things you have to unlearn as an English speaker is the way we use do in questions and in negative statements? Take Did you ever notice . . . ? for example. Or I did not notice. We’re used to this do business, of course. But it’s kind of strange if you think about it. In this usage, do has no meaning whatsoever. It’s just there, but you have to use it. One cannot, speaking English, walk around saying things like Noticed you ever? or I not notice. English has something we will call meaningless do.

Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue – John McWhorter

Initial Thoughts: Although I studied English in university, there is a lot I do not know in terms of the evolution of the English language. I know virtually nothing of linguistics. Instead, I majored in literature. I learned how to apply the rules of language without really knowing the creation or evolution of these rules. While it is not at all necessary to be an expert in linguistics to utilize English, it can be helpful to learn several principles. For instance, the above quote explains that native English speakers have to “unlearn” to use “do,” something that I have never took notice of before, but it makes full sense when I think of French or German. This book was very helpful to making me aware of the quirks of the English language.

Summary

A survey of the quirks and quandaries of the English language, focusing on our strange and wonderful grammar

Why do we say “I am reading a catalog” instead of “I read a catalog”? Why do we say “do” at all? Is the way we speak a reflection of our cultural values? Delving into these provocative topics and more, Our Magnificent Bastard Language distills hundreds of years of fascinating lore into one lively history.

Covering such turning points as the little-known Celtic and Welsh influences on English, the impact of the Viking raids and the Norman Conquest, and the Germanic invasions that started it all during the fifth century ad, John McWhorter narrates this colorful evolution with vigor. Drawing on revolutionary genetic and linguistic research as well as a cache of remarkable trivia about the origins of English words and syntax patterns, Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue ultimately demonstrates the arbitrary, maddening nature of English–and its ironic simplicity due to its role as a streamlined lingua franca during the early formation of Britain. This is the book that language aficionados worldwide have been waiting for (and no, it’s not a sin to end a sentence with a preposition).

The Review

English is a strange language, even stranger than a native speaker may realize.

John McWhorter’s Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue examines a few features of the English language and traces its origins from the Welsh influence, to the Norman Conquest to the Celtic influence. For instance, did you know that the way that we use the word “do” in questions or in negation is essentially useless? The phrase “noticed you ever?” is considered meaningless until you change it to be “Did you ever notice?” If you analyse this sentence, you’ll realize that the “Did” does not actually do any work to enhance meaning. However, we are so use to seeing “do” pop up everywhere that it becomes highly unnatural to phrase things any other way.

Book Review: Flowers for Algernon by: Daniel Keyes

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I don’t know what’s worse: to not know what you are and be happy, or to become what you’ve always wanted to be, and feel alone.

Flowers for Algernon – Daniel Keyes

Initial Thoughts: This book is a 20th century classic. I had no clue what it was about, and I didn’t know anyone in my friend circle who has read it. All I knew is that there was a mouse on the cover. Intuitively, I knew that the mouse was Algernon. Why do we need to buy flowers for Algernon? You’ll find out if you read the book.

Summary

The story of a mentally disabled man whose experimental quest for intelligence mirrors that of Algernon, an extraordinary lab mouse. In diary entries, Charlie tells how a brain operation increases his IQ and changes his life. As the experimental procedure takes effect, Charlie’s intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment seems to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance until Algernon begins his sudden, unexpected deterioration. Will the same happen to Charlie?

The Review

Are you looking for a book that will break your heart? If yes, then look no further than Flowers for Algernon.

I had seen this book featured on many lists and heard the title in passing. I figured that it must be the story of a little mouse (most of the book covers feature a mouse). I also knew that this book was supposed to be sad. So, I figured that Flowers for Algernon was the tragic tale of a little mouse.

Book Review: Daddy-Long-Legs by: Jean Webster

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It isn’t the big troubles in life that require character. Anybody can rise to a crisis and face a crushing tragedy with courage, but to meet the petty hazards of the day with a laugh – I really think that requires spirit.

It’s the kind of character that I am going to develop. I am going to pretend that all life is just a game which I must play as skilfully and fairly as I can. If I lose, I am going to shrug my shoulders and laugh – also if I win.

Daddy-Long-Legs by: Jean Webster

Initial Thoughts: Lately, I’ve been borrowing books instead of buying them. It is not just for financial reasons (after all, books do add up!) but also for space reasons. I am nearly out of room on my bookshelves. So, sometimes it is better to borrow books than to add them to the collection. As for this book, I NEED it for my collection. I loved it so much! It is one of my favourite books that I read this year, and I absolutely need a physical copy. The problem is, it is no longer as popular as it used to be. Where oh where am I going to find a copy!

Summary

Young Judy Abbott has been saved from life at the orphanage by a generous–and anonymous–guardian. He will pay for her education if she promises to write to him every month. Judy writes the most exuberant and lively letters–packed with laughs, and tales of friendship and college life. Judy’s having so much fun she can scarcely stop writing…

The Review

A sweet book and an absolute delight!

Jerusha “Judy” Abbott is an orphan who has spent the first 17 years of her life at an orphanage until a mysterious benefactor “Daddy-Long-Legs” offers to pay for her education. The only thing Judy knows about this mysterious man is that he is tall and rich. Judy isn’t expected to pay back the money for her education except to learn how to become a better writer and to write letters at least once a month to “Daddy-Long-Legs.”

Book Review: A Stitch in Time (A Stitch in Time #1) by: Kelley Armstrong

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My life is a train rushing past, and I am just standing there, acting as if I have no choice but to watch and grieve its passing.

A Stitch in Time by: Kelley Armstrong

Initial Thoughts: There are some books out there where I have to shake my head in disbelief. How are they not more popular?! Why is this book mostly unknown to people!? This book is one of those books that should’ve garnered more attention than it did. It has everything any romance lover would want. Time travel, a steamy romance with a brooding man and a mystery. This book should’ve been flying off the shelves!

Summary

Thorne Manor has always been haunted…and it has always haunted Bronwyn Dale. As a young girl, Bronwyn could pass through a time slip in her great-aunt’s house, where she visited William Thorne, a boy her own age, born two centuries earlier. After a family tragedy, the house was shuttered and Bronwyn was convinced that William existed only in her imagination.

Now, twenty years later Bronwyn inherits Thorne Manor. And when she returns, William is waiting.

William Thorne is no longer the boy she remembers. He’s a difficult and tempestuous man, his own life marred by tragedy and a scandal that had him retreating to self-imposed exile in his beloved moors. He’s also none too pleased with Bronwyn for abandoning him all those years ago.

As their friendship rekindles and sparks into something more, Bronwyn must also deal with ghosts in the present version of the house. Soon she realizes they are linked to William and the secret scandal that drove him back to Thorne Manor. To build a future, Bronwyn must confront the past.

The Review

At Thorne Manor, there is a time slip that allows the traveller to go back in time to the Victorian era. When she was very young, Bronwyn Dale slipped through time and met William Thorne, a boy her own age. Every summer until she was fifteen, Bronwyn visited William and eventually they fell in love. But after a tragic sequence of events occurs, Bronwyn is convinced by everyone around her that William does not actually exist.