I read about 1/4 way through it and decided I just couldn't finish it. I'm not one to not finish books but it was just too war heavy for me. Even if I don't really love a book, I always finish it. But with this book, there was no guilt, I just put it down knowing that I will read it at another time. But it did take courage to allow myself not to finish it. And for the record I loved her first book, Seabiscuit.
So in my quest to do something for me I went and saw The Help in the movie theaters last night. Once again, another first. I always read books before I see them in the movie theaters. Books are always better than the movies, right? (Well maybe Harry Potter can be the exception). Although reading the books before seeing the movies definitely makes the experience that much better. But this time I did not read the book! But, the movie was fabulous! And there is no doubt in my mind that the book was probably that much better.
So once again that leaves me back without reading anything for me, something for my adult mind. Something to make me think, or enjoy or experience. I read two parenting books this summer out of sheer frustration that I wasn't parenting my two children right. I just felt like everything I was doing was all wrong. On my nightstand I have two "must have" parenting books, Raising a Son by Don and Jeanne Elium and The Blessings of a B Minus by Wendy Mogul. Every once in awhile when I get really frustrated and feel like I'm doing everything wrong as a parent I reach out for a parenting book full of wisdom to help me through my insecurities. This was one of those summers where everything I did and say with my 11 year-old son caused a fight or a yelling match. So after some researching books in the public library and local bookstore I found the perfect "boy" book for me to read and help in raising my son. Boys pose special challenges, different than girls, and this book really talks about the different developmental changes that occur from infancy to young adulthood. It has actually been very helpful, I'm on the chapter The I'm-on-my-way-but-I-don't-know-where-I'm-going years: Eight to Twelve.
On top of my challenging summer with my son, my 14 year old daughter is heading off to high school and quite frankly I'm scared to death. Partly because I remember my high school years for good or for bad. So when I heard that one of my favorite authors, Wendy Mogul, had finally written a teen book (her first book was Blessings of a Skinned Knee) I pre-ordered the book, The Blessings of a B Minus. This book was published last year and once again is based on her own experiences with her children, or now young adults. Wendy Mogul is a child psychologist and lecturer that uses Jewish teachings in her books in raising children. But you don't have to be religious or even Jewish to enjoy and appreciate her philosophy on raising children. This book is geared towards raising teens in our world today and I highly recommend it. If you haven't read her first book for raising younger children, that is also a delightful and inspiring read.
So as I count the hours until I head back to the school library next week I realize, it isn't the end of the world that maybe I didn't read anything for myself. I saw some wonderful movies this summer, spent quality time with my children, family and friends and maybe that will just have to do for now.
