parenting from the inside out

How a deeper self-understanding can help you raise children who thrive

by Daniel J. Siegel and Mary Hartzell

Lots of neurobiology that I didn't understand. But some of what I did understand is pretty interesting, especially the parts about the types of attachment we had with our parents, and how this will affect our attachment with our children. Also found interesting the discussion about "ruptures" with our children and how to heal them.

lore of running

by Tim Noakes, MD

This is a huge (900 page) volume on running. It contains some detailed information about healing achilles tendinosis (not tendinitis, which in itself is helpful to know). Lots of technical information and scientific-looking graphs, as well as everything you need to know about beginning running, marathon training, shoes, etc.

the new rules of lifting for women

by Lou Schuler

Subtitle: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess

Okay, go ahead and laugh. But while I'm not running (achilles tendon problem) I'm going to look into this.

middlemarch revisited

I did in fact finish this, if you don't count the chunks I skipped over. The novel was a different animal in those days, more inclusive, you might say. I'm opposed to abridgments on principle, but I might reconsider for Middlemarch.

Somewhere around page 200 or 250 I began to care more about these people. Dorothea seems like a flake when she's introduced, but she, along with the other main characters, has depth, complexity, and even likeability. The author provides insight into long-term relationships and what makes them work, or not work. Eliot delves into the nuts and bolts of romantic love, marriage, and family relationships. I especially like the way she treats even her less admirable characters with a little empathy.

some catholic authors

Myles Connolly: Mr. Blue

Rumer Godden: In This House of Brede

Graham Greene: The Power and the Glory, Our Man in Havana, many others

Louis Hemon: Maria Chapdelaine

Bruce Marshall: The World, the Flesh, and Father Smith

Edwin O'Connor: The Edge of Sadness

Flannery O'Connor: various titles

Walker Percy: various titles

Sigrid Undset: Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy, Master of Hestviken series

Evelyn Waugh: Brideshead Revisited, The Sword of Honour Trilogy

middlemarch

by George Eliot

This is very slow going. I've slogged my way to p. 118. Only 500+ to go. Jane Austen it ain't.

hold on to your kids

Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers

by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate

A must-read for all parents.

Neufeld explains how and why our culture no longer supports the strong connection between parents and children, and why we must maintain a strong attachment to our children until they grow up. Without an attachment to us (think of it is a figurative umbilical cord between us), our children will not be able to receive the love and guidance they need from us.

Much discussion about peer orientation, which our culture sees as normal, but which is unnatural and a fairly recent phenomenon, historically. How peer-obsessed children will not get the parenting they need from each other, or from their parents. How to avoid this and communicate our unconditional love to our children, which we may take for granted, but many children will not.

curly girl

by Lorraine Massey

Find your inner curl!

This is a great how-to book for anyone with wavy, frizzy, or curly hair. Learn how to enhance your waves and curls instead of fighting with them.

more on ramage

Have read 4 Ramage books. The fourth was the worst, contained a treasure hunt worthy of Frank and Joe Hardy. (Not that there's anything wrong with The Hardy Boys.) I won't bother with any more of these for the time being, though I will probably read the rest of the series eventually. The series is a couple of notches below Hornblower, its obvious influence.

ramage

by Dudley Pope

Hard to avoid comparison to the Hornblower books. "That Hornblower fellow" is even mentioned twice as an acquaintance of Ramage.

I liked this. It's more like Hornblower than POB. I've only read the first book. So far, lots of action, the hero is not as flawed as HH, but perhaps a little bland. The romance is handled a bit awkwardly. But there are 17 more books - maybe they improve? They might be just right for summer, when I like to read a series, or lots of books by one author.

anna's book

by Ruth Rendell as Barbara Vine

I guess it's just a coincidence that this, like the Elizabeth Ironside books mentioned earlier, is a mystery that jumps back and forth between the past and the present. The modern characters learn of, and solve, a mystery that originated in the past. This was fairly compelling reading, but for some reason felt like a longer book than it was - not a plus. Maybe the tedium arose from the diary format that part of the book is written in. Again, I felt less than totally involved with the characters, but still it wasn't bad.

minette walters

I read the first 2 pages of The Ice House last night and am sure it's not for me. I have another Walters title in my stack which I might sample, but will be surprised if it's my cuppa tea. Two references, one merely vulgar and the other definitely over the line, lead me to believe I won't enjoy this author's perspective or warm up to her characters.