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National Security Mom
Meghan Says:
When I was first approached about reviewing National Security Mom I was a bit skeptical. Truthfully, I REALLY didn’t feel like reviewing another book. Who has time to read? But then I read what the book was about and it sounded pretty interesting. Plus, I was going to be able to give one away, and I LOVE to be able to give stuff away!
The book is written by Gina M. Bennett who has 20 years experience in National Intelligence and 15 years experience in the world of parenting. She’s pretty impressively qualified, if you ask me. Her theory, based on her many years of counter terrorist work, is that “going soft” will make America strong. You’re going to have to read the book to find out why, but I’ll share a sneak peek with you now.
In Chapter Two, Time Outs Do Not Solve Everything, she writes:
Our policy choices about how to intervene in the world are not going to be easy, but we can start by understanding the complete picture. Like parents, our leaders should not allow America to be boxed into a reactive mode because of the actions of a handful of violent people. If we do, we are allowing the terrorists to diminish our freedom of choice. It is equivalent to “throwing the baby out with the bath water”. If acknowledging root causes is dismissed as being “soft on terror” or excusing terrorism, then we lose our ability to decide for ourselves whose grievances are legitimate. And if we do so, we miss potential opportunities for breaking the cycle of violence. Given a nonviolent, viable alternative, people usually choose to reject violence. When they do, they deal the deadliest blow to the terrorists.
This book is an incredibly refreshing way to look at National Security. And seeing as how we’re ushering a new President into the Oval Office, and (hopefully) a new way of dealing with these issues, Gina gives us an insider’s view into what might be the new direction for America’s counterterrorist initiatives.
Giveaway:
I have a copy of National Security Mom for one lucky winner! Simply head over to the book’s website, look around, and come back here and leave a comment letting us know what you think looks interesting about it!
Contest remains open until 12pm Wednesday, January 28th. A winner will be selected by random number draw from all comments. I will email the winner and they will have until 12pm, Friday, January 30th to email me with their shipping address. Only one entry per person, please.
Good luck!
Cole Family Christmas
Meghan’s Take:
When I was first offered the opportunity to review Cole Family Christmas, I was intrigued by the back story. As the original email said:
The book began as a small family project when Jennifer Liu Bryan, sat down with her 88-year-old grandmother-in-law Hazel Cole Kendle to write a family Christmas memory that had been passed down for generations and shared at family gatherings.
The book is based on a Christmas story passed on to Hazel by her 8 older siblings about their favorite Christmas when they didn’t receive what they wanted from Santa. Instead they found joy in what their parents crafted for them.
But then I read that it was about a coal miner and his family, and my curiosity was peaked a bit more. My grandfather came from a coal mining family in Eastern Pennsylvania. As a child, we would often visit my Great Uncle and Aunt who lived in the house in which my Grandfather and his siblings grew up. I used to love visiting and being able to peer at all the family heirlooms scattered about. Venturing into the basement was a real treat. Tucked away into the dark, damp corners were bits and pieces of a life gone by. I imagined my Great Grandmother, whom I’d never met, doing the wash or putting away the vegetables she’d canned from her garden. I imagined her, hair pinned up in a bun, wearing a worn apron…
Oh, wait. This is supposed to be about Cole Family Christmas. So, my point is that I was hoping it would give me an extra peek into what life was like for my Grandfather and his family. And you know what? It did. It’s a sweet book with beautiful illustrations. The writing is easy, the characters are real, and the message is clear. It’s a bit long, in that it’s not something I could sit down and read to my kids until they’re older. At 3 1/2 and 1, it certainly wouldn’t hold their attention for long. But it’s something that I will definitely keep in my collection and when they are bigger (if I can get them to sit still long enough!), I’ll share the Cole Family’s story with them. It’s a beautiful tale of America’s past, and it brought a little Christmas spirit to the Central Coast.
Rating: 
Giveaway!
We have a copy of Cole Family Christmas for one lucky winner! Simply leave us a comment telling us what your favorite Holiday Tradition is. We’ll pick the winner using Random.org on Friday, December 19th at 6pm. Only one entry per person. Open only to US Resident’s. Please leave a valid email address with your comment, as that is how we will notify the winner. The winner will have until Sunday, December 21st to email us their shipping information, or we will pick another winner.
Good luck and Happy Holidays!
The Secret Mountain Books
Meghan’s Take:
We’re all about books around here lately. Dylan is CONSTANTLY asking us to read him a book, and even little Zach can keep himself occupied for a while if he finds a good book. Preferably it’s of the board variety and contains pictures of his new obsession, trucks. But, whenever he sees Dylan bring one of us a book, he comes right over and inserts himself into our lap.
So I was pleased to have the opportunity to review three of the books from The Secret Mountain publishing group. Many of their titles have won awards, and any excuse to not have to read about Thomas & the mean Diesel Engine again is a good one, as far as I’m concerned.
The three books we received were “Down at the Sea Hotel”, “Dream Songs Night Songs: From Belgium to Brazil” and “A Duck in New York City”. The books have GORGEOUS illustrations and each one comes with a CD of music that accompanies the story. My personal favorite of the three is “A Duck in New York City”. And not simply because it’s about a duck traveling to my favorite city, but because it’s a sweet story with a nice message. The duck’s refrain is “Yes I Can” which reminds me of a certain Presidential Candidate’s refrain every time I read it. The music on it’s CD is also my favorite.
Dylan likes the duck one, but I’d have to say his favorite is “Down at the Sea Hotel”. He LOVES to read about and see all the creatures that make an appearance. And any book that rhymes gets a few extra points in his book.
I really enjoy the fact that these aren’t your “typical” children’s books. The illustrations, while kid friendly, are a bit more “mature” (but not in an XXX kinda way!) and the songs on the CD’s are definitely NOT akin to The Wiggles. Which is a DEFINITE positive, in my opinion!
If you have a young book lover that you need a few gifts for, check out what The Secret Mountain has to offer…you won’t be disappointed!
These books get a: Rating:
Sleep Is For The Weak
Heather Says:
When I got the opportunity to read and review Sleep is for the Weak
Luckily, I remembered that the book is a collection of blog entries – perfect for my short attention span. And the best part is all the blog entries have been pre-screened for quality. Awesome.
The first thing I thought was how impressive it is to have an actual published book of mommy bloggers. I hate that, to some, the term “mommy blogger” has a negative connotation. It’s my hope that this excellent anthology helps to lift all us mommy bloggers up in esteem. The second thing I thought was, 199 pages is TOTALLY doable. Then I procrastinated a bit, because it’s what I do. Just ask any of my former teachers. But I digress.
My favorite part about this book is that you don’t have to be a blogger to enjoy it. Any mother or mom-to-be can relate to the trials of potty-training, juggling the 800 things we have to accomplish in our waking hours, and the hopes and dreams we have for our children. These women bloggers are just like the rest of us – they just express themselves through the written word in a most elegant or hilarious way.
The fact that it’s made up of bite-size essays is a plus – as a mom, there were times I knew I’d have only about two minutes to read my book, so I’d skip ahead to a short post. That’s a huge plus for a busy mom like me. Or a mom with a short attention, which I also happen to be. And SHUT UP MEGHAN I know you’re reading this and muttering, “or a lazy mom.” I’ll GET to that other book review, Pushy.
So, I give Sleep is for the Weak
Rating: – Hotter Than Burning Loins!!!