Book Review: Living in the Pink

Living in the Pink by Sharon Tubbs

Living in the the Pink by Sharon Tubbs is a series of short stories that give insight into things that go on in women’s lives that they would prefer to hide or disguise.  The book addresses addiction, infidelity, jealousy, wayward children, divorce, and many other difficult topics in a unique way.  Each story is told from an honest point of view that comes off very genuine and believable.  It was very easy to relate to these stories in a personal way.  Any reader would find themselves in at least one of the stories in this book.

This is not a typical book of short stories because each story is woven together by common characters yet a different perspective and circumstance.   This gives the reader a chance to feel connected to the book as they follow different characters whose lives are intertwined in a close knit church community.

I thought the underlying message of the book came through very well.  Living in the Pink is similar to living halfway for God and halfway for yourself.  It challenges readers to look at themselves and examine what their true intentions are and shines light on the fact that we all have areas to work on.  Tubbs also gives thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter that would be great for a small group or book club.

You can find Living in the Pink in the MOPS Library at the next meeting.

I received a copy of this book from Lift Every Voice Books in exchange for my honest review.

Sarah L.

Book Review: You Can't Make Me

For Those Who Have A "Strong Willed Child"

You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded)

You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded) Book Review

Do you have a strong willed child?  I know we have at least one in our house. A few years ago when I was the mother of one compliant and obedient child I heard people talking about how their children were "Strong Willed" and I thought that this was possibly some kind of excuse parents use to justify their children's behavior.  Boy, was I wrong!

Now I am a mother of three wonderfully different children and I know from experience that there is most definitely such a thing as a Strong Willed Child! While this admission explains some behavior it does not in fact give anyone an excuse to diminish it.  It can, however, make raising theses children more challenging.

You Can't Make Me by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias not only gives many suggestions and guidelines on how to deal with a Strong Willed Child, the author gives practical tools on how to raise them to be great adults who use their strong will to get ahead in life.

Tobias points out that having a strong will is not a negative character trait.  Many successful adults are strong willed.  They have to be to change the world, introduce innovative ideas, and lead others.  A Strong Willed Child is not a burden but a gift entrusted to you as a parent.  With the right tools you can use the child's strong will in a positive rather than a negative way.

I recommend this book to any who are dealing with a child that is a little (or a lot) more difficult to deal with at times.  Tobias' book gives helpful strategies to make the relationship between parent and Strong Willed Child healthier while helping them work as a team to reach the goals that the child and parent set together.

I would recommend this book for parents of kids of any age.  You can read an expert from the book here.

You can also check this book out from our very own MOPS Library at the next meeting!

I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.  I am not under obligation to give a positive review.

Sarah L. 

The Fourth Fisherman Book Review

The Fourth Fisherman

The Fourth Fisherman is an enjoyable read with two stories intertwined.  I found myself getting involved in one of the stories and after turning the page to read on, I found the next exciting update on the other story, making it quite a page turner.

The first story is about the author, Joe Kissack, who has a successful career as a Hollywood executive.  This success brings all the things money can buy, a mansion, sports cars, and expensive clothes.  For Kissack, this success does not come without a cost.  He finds himself in a cycle of depression, alcoholism and stress, while his relationship with his wife and daughters suffer.

The second story follows a group of Mexican fishermen as they get lost at sea for months.  Their story of survival as they find themselves 5,500 miles from home in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is truly amazing.  They are forced to battle hunger, extreme heat, loss, and severe storms as their situation continues to look hopeless.  The only thing keeping them going is their blind faith.

I really enjoyed how the two stories took turns in The Fourth Fisherman and I felt myself turning the pages to find out what would happen next.  Throughout the book I wondered how the author would tie the two extremely different stories together but he pulled it off well.  I did find myself wanting more of a “happy ending” but as this is a true story it was real and believable.  

Joe Kissack manages to inspire readers by the faith of the fishermen and the lessons he learned about how to be a good father, husband, and a better man.  Most of all, both stories inspire readers to follow God on nothing but faith.

To find out more about The Fourth Fisherman and Joe Kissack please visit www.thefourthfisherman.com or click here to read the first chapter of the book.

I was provided with a free copy of The Fourth Fisherman by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review of this book.

This book will now be available to check out from the the Indian Creek MOPS library. Check out the October newsletter for details.

Sarah

Mom Connection Book Review and Giveaway!

The coordinators of Indian Creek MOPS were given the opportunity to review a brand new book by Tracey Bianchi, Mom Connection: creating vibrant relationships in the midst of motherhood.  The MOPS International theme for the 2012-13 year is Plunge: Love as if your life depended on it.  

We have both read the book and now you can read our reviews right here on the Indian Creek MOPS blog.  We will also be giving away two copies of the book to two of you! (See below for details!)

Photo courtesy of Amazon

To order Mom Connection click here

Motherhood can be a rewarding stage full of excitement, demands, milestones, exhaustion, and joy.  But, very often it can be an extremely lonely place in life.  Surrounded by children under foot or on a hip will most definitely keep you busy but it can get pretty isolating.  Ironically, in this stage we are generally surrounded by other mothers who we have a lot in common with from potty training to tantrums and even the loneliness.  We pass by each other or become casual acquaintances without developing the deeper relationships that we crave as women.

Since I became a mother nearly 7 years ago I have walked through times of loneliness.  Sometimes I would spend time around other moms all day long at the park, soccer games, or the store but I realized I had no friends that knew what was going on in my life.  No one who understood the place I was in and it felt very isolating.

For me, that isolation is what led me to my MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers).  Here I found other moms that were not only in the same stage of life as me but accepted me for who and what I am, as is.  Slowly, over time, I was able to develop relationships with other women in the MOPS group that have become my best friends.  I think that is why the MOPS theme is "No mom alone".  We don't have to be lonely in this stage of life, we can build relationships that support each other.

What does this have to do with a book review?  We just finished up the 2011-12 MOPS year and and we are already planning for next year's theme:  Plunge: Love as if your life depended on it.  Next year's theme is all about building strong relationships and the theme book for the year is Mom Connection: creating vibrant relationships in the midst of motherhood by Tracey Bianchi.  MOPS International  has given me the opportunity to review this great book and also give a copy away to one of you!

Tracey Bianchi, author of Mom Connection, truly understands the lonely place motherhood can be. Early in the book she describes how she felt at the park surrounded by other moms but not knowing how to connect with them.  This is something I could relate to, especially during my first few years as a mom.  In her book she describes the importance of relationships, how to create them, how to balance them, and it is all packaged in a fun, witty, insightful and honest book.  The short chapters make it hard to put down and easy to read during a mom's busy day.  I recommend this book to any fellow MOPS out there as well as moms of kids of all ages.

Sarah

Author Tracey Bianchi has a way with humor in Mom Connection: creating vibrant relationships in the midst of motherhood. She uses that humor to gently encourage moms who are stuck inside their comfort zone and unconnected, out of a rut. She gives practical tips on how to be intentional with relationships with other moms.

The way the book is written makes for both a quick and easy read. Being a mom of prechoolers, I was relieved that each chapter was short but had great input.

At the end of each chapter, the author gives what are called, 'FIVE Mom Tested Tips' which go deeper on being intentional with relationships. I found these tips to be easy enough that I can hold on to and reuse them even after I finished the book.

I think this book is a great resource for MOPS groups around the world, and dives into the theme for 2012-2013 of 'Plunge; Love as if Your Life Depended On It'. Being intentional with any relationship can be overwhelming. But relationships with other moms are often pushed aside due to demands involved elsewhere.

Thank you, Tracey, for writing a book that can bond moms together by giving us simple, stress free ideas for reaching out and getting connected.

~Jenni

Now you can enter to win your very own brand new copy of Mom Connection: creating vibrant relationships in the midst of motherhood by Tracey Bianchi!  To enter please:

1. "Like" Indian Creek MOPS on Facebook

2. Follow our blog at mopsatthecreek.blogspot.com

3. Comment on the Indian Creek MOPS Facebook page stating why you love your MOPS group or another community group you have been a part of.

Two winners will be selected at random!

Good luck!



FINE PRINT:
Unfortunately, at this time we are only open to entries in the surrounding states: Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma.  This contest will be open until May 25th.  The winner will be contacted no later than May 31st.  Thank you for your understanding.