Book Review: Please Stop Laughing at Me

Book Description:

While other children were daydreaming about dances, first kisses, and college, Jodee Blanco was trying to figure out how to go from homeroom to study hall without being taunted or spit upon as she walked through the halls.
This powerful, unforgettable memoir chronicles how one child was shunned--and even physically abused--by her classmates from elementary school through high school. It is an unflinching look at what it means to be the outcast, how even the most loving parents can get it all wrong, why schools are often unable to prevent disaster, and how bullying has been misunderstood and mishandled by the mental health community.
You will be shocked, moved, and ultimately inspired by this harrowing tale of survival against insurmountable odds. This vivid story will open your eyes to the harsh realities and long-term consequences of bullying--and how all of us can make a difference in the lives of teens today.
**Please note that this book is not explicitly Christian in content. If you are looking for a Christian Living titles featuring a large amount of faith-centered content, this titles may not be the best selection for you.

My Review

I requested to review this book because I work with teens and youth in my current profession. Many new anti-bullying laws have been passed recently and I wanted to see into the life of a bullied teen now adult and how the behaviors of youth around her affected her long term.

Author Jodee Blanco, so eloquently describes her experiences it left me haunted. She talks about the most intimate, painful things that bullies did to her and their long lasting effects. This book was moving and thought provoking. I found pieces of myself in the author as she describes situations where her ethics did not match up with those of her peers and that is what started the exclusion and violent behaviors of her once close friends. Even adults do this.

I would recommend this book to any one working in a school or with a child. It really is eye opening.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Happily Ever After Book Review

Happily Ever Laughter is a compilation of real life stories from real couples. I loved reading this book! It was an awesome reminder to take ourselves lightly and to find humor in marriage. I really enjoyed that the book is broken up into smaller stories and is very easy to read. This would be a wonderful book to keep around and read after a disagreement and reminder that things aren’t as bad as they seem. I found myself laughing out loud on several occaisions, especially at the toothpaste story. My husband and I had just had a conversation about the same toothpaste issue!

I would recommend this gift as an anniversary or wedding gift and will probably be passing it on to some friends soon!

Thank you to Tyndale House publishers for a complimentary copy of this book!

Book Review: Couples who Pray by By Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt

Book Desciption
In this entertaining, highly readable book, couples learn that a fabulous marriage can be the outcome of learning to pray together, causing a 20 to 30% increase in romance, conversation and happiness.
Best-selling author SQuire Rushnell and his wife, entertainer and talk show host, Louise DuArt take readers step by step through The 40 Day Prayer Challenge™ in which couples commit to praying together five minutes a day for forty days. Backed by compelling research from Baylor University and Gallup Poll, the true-life experiences of 24 test couples, including Denzel and Pauletta Washington, Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford, Donna Summer and Bruce Sudano, Scott and Tracie Hamilton, reveal that daily prayer is a "life changing experience" in which most couples report positive outcomes in less than two weeks.
Couples Who Pray includes an easy questionnaire prepared by Baylor University to help couples to chart their own progress during The 40 Day Prayer Challenge™.
(Description provided by Booksneeze.com)

Review

The theory behind this book is good. I think praying is important. Praying together as a couple is equally important. The book suggests a 40 day prayer challenge where a husband and wife pray together at least 5 minutes a day (meals don't count). I think it is an awesome thing that this married couple is pursuing (encouraging prayer in marriage), but the book did seem to push the challenge to be a "cure all" and that if you do this you will never have any more problems in marriage. There was a lot of "name dropping" in the book and it made it seem more comercial than authentic. All in all though, good principle and maybe something most couples have never thought about. I'm glad someone did write a book on it. God does answer prayers and like I said before prayer with your spouse is very important, but that doesn't mean your prayers will be answered exactly the way you want and praying with your spouse does not guarantee that you will have a perfect, pain-free life.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Review: Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge

Description

What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating is doing for women. Setting their hearts free. This groundbreaking book shows readers the glorious design of women before the fall, describes how the feminine heart can be restored, and casts a vision for the power, freedom, and beauty of a woman released to be all she was meant to be.

Review

This book is beautifully written and really captures the heart of a woman. With Biblical explanations regarding why we are the way we are, women can stop making excuses for their behaviors and see that God made you beautiful! Women are "the way they are" due to a loving creator carefully sculpting their hearts to to exactly what it does! I would recommend this book to all women and even to men so they can get a glimpse of what God sees when he looks at a woman. I enjoyed the personal stories and the writing styles and would easily agree to read another book by the authors if given the chance.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.