book reviews 2014

It's been a long time since I've done any book reviews. We've read some good ones this year in my book club so I thought I'd review them.
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
I was surprised that I enjoyed this book so much. It's all about rowing, which frankly I know (knew) nothing about. The story focuses on a main character who led a hard knock life but eventually ended up on the 1936 olympic rowing team, representing America in Hitler's Olympics. An incredible story.

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures: Porn Proofing Today's Young Kids by Kristen A. Jensen & Gail A. Poyner
Being a mother with four boys, porn is something I worry about all the time. Somewhere on the internet a while ago I saw a reference to this book and how great it was, so I ordered it. We did a whole FHE on it and it is really excellent. The book presents a really hard subject in a way that makes sense and is understandable for kids (and adults too).

How to Talk So Your Kids Will Listen and Listen So Your Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
I am not a self help book fan. But someone chose this book last month and I will say I thought it was pretty good. I think the strategies it teaches are good and helpful and I've already used a few.

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard
Of all the books we've read this year, this is probably my favorite. A fascinating book about the life of James Garfield. I'd hardly even heard of him before reading this. He came from a poor family, eventually got involved in politics, then became the President of the United States, only to be murdered after a very short time in office. I highly recommend this book.