I read a lot, but there are
very few books that actually change my world
view.
1. Fast Food Nation - Is an
incredibly fascinating read. Looks at
the fast food industry from all angels -
labor, crime, nutrition - and totally
changed how I view fast food. I was
never a huge fan of McDonalds or fast food,
but this book made me think twice. Now
if I want a burger, I will only eat at
In-N-Out, whose food and impact on the
community is far superior to McDonalds.
Super Size Me is a good
companion video and features an interview
with the author.
2.
Millionaire Next Door-
Radically changed how I view money, success,
and spending. The book is based on a
survey of millionaires and reveals how they
became millionaires and their spending
habits. I was shocked to learn that
most millionaires do not spend thousands of
dollars on a suit or hundreds on a purse.
I went from someone who was "big hat, no
cattle," to someone who measured my finances
by my net worth rather than the car I drive
or house I live in. Made me realize
that with the right planning, one does not
need to wait until late in life or
retirement to achieve
financial security. I became less
"stuff" oriented.
3. Smart Money - I was
curious about stocks, bonds, and mutual
funds since college, but didn't know much.
I received this book as a gift from a
coworker at my second job and it is a great
introduction to investing. Speaks in
very simple terms and explains everything.
What is a stock? What is a mutual
fund? Unfortunately, this book is now
out of print and I can't find it on-line.
I think The
Motely Fool is an excellent free
resource for the new or experienced
investor.
4.
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
by Ina May Gaskin - I did a ton of
reading while I was pregnant, but there are
very few books I would actually recommend
others read. This book completely
changed how I viewed childbirth. I was
always terrified of birth. This book
made me realized that our attitudes towards
childbirth are a cultural construct.
Attitudes are not truths. The other
thing this book, in conjunction with
Bradley, gave me is hope. In many
other countries, and especially in European
countries where midwives are still the norm,
childbirth is viewed as a normal, healthy,
manageable, non-scary part of a woman's life
rather than as a medical,
screaming-all-the-way-to-the-delivery-room
experience. The first half of this
book is birth stories by women who embrace
the "birth is normal" mentality. The
second half is the birth philosophy of Ina
May who is a midwife. I highly
recommend this book to any pregnant woman,
whether this is your first or fifth
pregnancy.
5.
The Hurried Childby David Elkind - Is so
timely in our over-scheduled society.
Discusses how "childhood" is quickly
becoming a thing of the past as we expect
more and more from our children sooner in
terms of educational milestones, organized
sports, "for fun" classes, among other
things. Demonstrates how this is
harmful for our children because as they
learn more sooner, we expect more from them
despite their actual emotional,
intellectual, and developmental readiness.
Again demonstrates the concept of "just
because you can doesn't mean you should."
Is fascinating and really made me be
conscious of the choices I make and classes
in which I consider enrolling Kathy.
Also made me question how one determines if
a child really enjoys an activity or simply
participates because to please their parent
as they can see how much their parent is
emotionally involved in their participation
and even success in a particular activity.
A must read for every parent.
6.
Organic Housekeeping: In Which the Non-Toxic Avenger Shows You How to Improve Your Health and That of Your Family, While You Save Time, Money, and, Perhaps, Your Sanity
by Ellen Sandbeck. Reviewed 6/25/07.
What an incredible book! Being
pregnant really makes me nervous about using
all my housecleaning products. If I
have to wear gloves and be in a
well-ventilated area to use them, I'm
thinking the chemicals absorbed
through my skin and lungs couldn't possibly
be good for my little babe. I just
happened upon this book at the library and
eagerly started to read. After about
50 pages, I realized my hand was shaking in
anticipation because there were so many
great ideas that necessitated underlining
and in-margin notes, but I couldn't because
it was the library's book. I quickly
ordered a copy and got my pen ready!
Who knew you could clean so much with
vinegar and baking soda? I was so
excited to clean my range with baking soda
and the eczema on my fingers really
appreciated not being stuffed in gloves or
irritated with chemicals. Plus, my
range was clean, sparkling, and I didn't
have to worry about scratches! Need to kill
to microbes? Pull out your hydrogen
peroxide which, after sizzling any little nasties, breaks down into oxygen and
water... brilliant! This is a
must-read. I'm sure it will change
your attitude towards cleaning and how every
product you clean with either ends up in the
trash via paper towels or in our water
system via being washed down the drain.
We all affect the environment.
Consuming Kids by Susan Linn -
Learn how our toddlers are being
targeted by advertisers and what you can
do about it. Changed how I viewed
every purchase I made. After I
read this book, it was time to buy Kathy
her first toothbrush and toothpaste.
I couldn't believe my eyes as I search
for a toothbrush, and even toothpaste,
that didn't have licensed characters on
it. I found one of each.
I was shocked to think that even
toothbrushes are used to create and
reinforce affection towards a television
character.
Protecting the Gift by Gavin de
Becker - Learn how to protect your
children from sexual predators. A
must read for every parent.
The High Price of Materialism by
Tim Kasser - Features study after study
that found people who strive for more
stuff are less happy.
Mothering Magazine - Yeah, yeah,
it's a magazine, not a book, but this
magazine is so filled with fascinating,
research based articles, it reads more
like a book than a fluff-filled rag.
(I get all my fluff, shamelessly, from
People Magazine.) You can't
find anything like it anywhere else.
There are so many books I
want to read. I have a running list.
This year, I'm going to read two books a
month. Below is my list. And
with the help of my local
library I won't spend a cent!
2/18/06 - Finished
Predator a couple weeks ago - was great!
Am always sad when I finish one of her
books - they are so well written!
I always learn something about forensic
anthropology as well as a few other
interesting facts. Am almost done
with Goodnight Nobody. Different
than Predator, but still a great read.
Funny. However, it makes me sad
when the main character is a lonely,
intellectually challenged, bored,
unsatisfied stay-at-home mom stereotype.
I know there are SAHMs who are like
that, but would it be so unrealistic to
have a SAHM character who was happy she
was home, proud of how she spends her
days, and is NOT counting the days until
she goes back to work fulltime?
There are many of us, who don't see
ourselves as "out of a job" when our
kids turn 5 and go into Kindergarten.
I think the big secret is, there are
many SAHMs who love being home with
their kids, who love being SAHMs.
I know, because I am one and I know many
more.
There are so many books
available on childbirth and labor.
Some great, many mediocre. I read
them all. Here
are the three best. If you read
these three, you will know everything
you need to know:
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
by Ina May Gaskin - This book is half
birth stories and have childbirth
philosophy. The birth stories are
varied, fascinating, and gives the
reader the confidence that they CAN
birth drug free if they wish.
"Born in the USA: How a Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed to Put Women and Children First"
by Dr. Marsden Wagner which should be required reading
for all women of childbearing age. As a medical doctor
with experience working for WHO, he had
the unique opportunity to compare
maternity systems by country, thereby
acquiring a new perspective on health
care and the role of midwives. He
admits of being unfamiliar with midwives
until WHO and then learned that they are
the preferred health care provider for
low-risk women in the nations with the
lowest infant and maternal mortality
rates.
Again, there are so many, to
many, books on the subject. I read
many more that the books listed below.
The books I recommend have all the
information you need.
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of
Answers by Jack Newman, MD -
An incredible resource on breastfeeding,
complications, and a discussion of the
marketing and shortcomings of formula.
Adventures in Tandem Nursing
by Hilary Flower - Interested in
learning more about nursing your toddler
and newborn? This book is for you.
How Weaning Happens by Diane
Bengson - Explores the various ways of
weaning while providing the pros and
cons of each.
by Ellen Sandbeck. Reviewed 6/25/07.
What an incredible book! Being
pregnant really makes me nervous about using
all my housecleaning products. If I
have to wear gloves and be in a
well-ventilated area to use them, I'm
thinking the chemicals absorbed
through my skin and lungs couldn't possibly
be good for my little babe. I just
happened upon this book at the library and
eagerly started to read. After about
50 pages, I realized my hand was shaking in
anticipation because there were so many
great ideas that necessitated underlining
and in-margin notes, but I couldn't because
it was the library's book. I quickly
ordered a copy and got my pen ready!
Who knew you could clean so much with
vinegar and baking soda? I was so
excited to clean my range with baking soda
and the eczema on my fingers really
appreciated not being stuffed in gloves or
irritated with chemicals. Plus, my
range was clean, sparkling, and I didn't
have to worry about scratches! Need to kill
to microbes? Pull out your hydrogen
peroxide which, after sizzling any little nasties, breaks down into oxygen and
water... brilliant! This is a
must-read. I'm sure it will change
your attitude towards cleaning and how every
product you clean with either ends up in the
trash via paper towels or in our water
system via being washed down the drain.
We all affect the environment. 
"
by Dr. Marsden Wagner which should be required reading
for all women of childbearing age. As a medical doctor
with experience working for WHO, he had
the unique opportunity to compare
maternity systems by country, thereby
acquiring a new perspective on health
care and the role of midwives. He
admits of being unfamiliar with midwives
until WHO and then learned that they are
the preferred health care provider for
low-risk women in the nations with the
lowest infant and maternal mortality
rates.