A rare book about juggling the needs of two!
593864
Love, love, love this! When I had my second (mine were 3 years apart instead of Megan's 2-year spread) this book was a god-send! There are a wealth of great books about the transition to motherhood (including Megan's book MomWorks) but very few that talk about the new challenges of having two. The chapters are perfectly short too... just a few minutes is all it takes and I felt like I was connecting with a dear friend, laughing or crying at the trials of the day, and ultimately connecting back to God through scripture and prayer. Thanks, Megan, for a great book!
807019
How refreshing to pick up this book and find applications to my marriage of 20 years!  Within the first chapter, I was inspired.  So not only have my spouse and I started applying a financial idea for our finances from this book,  but I have been given some unique creative ideas for how to "date" my mate.  I feel that the perspective from this book is a unique one, and a good one at that!  It is relevant to this generation for teaching how to think outside the box while having fun and being successful doing it.
3968796
This collaborative writing between Mike Leavitt and Rich McKeown is an example of how complementary their work is - a common goal and interest to writing this book that shares the knowledge of how a team can work together to form a valued alliance.

The chapters and each section from the chapters allows the reader to understand the basis and qualities for the formation of a valued partnership.

For example, companies need to have a common ground or common pain for the partnership to exist, but within each alliance there must be value in them for instance, essential qualities such as a trusted brand, relevant reach etc and leaders who can fulfill roles such as technician, organizer or diplomat.

A fairly interesting read in this systematic and organized book.
204699
On the merit of the first, I picked up her recently released second book Spark Joy. Overall I gained a few useful nuggets from this book but I wouldnt categorize it as a must-read or must-own.

Spark Joy has a completely different focus and format than the first book. The subtitle, an illustrated master class on the art of organizing and tidying up, sums up the intent. The new book gives those who read the first book more of a how-to guide. You could read it on its own, but the author suggests you read the first book before Spark Joy and I agree.

My favorite part of the first book was the philosophy KonMari (as she is know by her disciples) offers regarding our attachment to stuff. Why we keep the things we do. How we end up feeling weighted down mentally and physically by these possessions. These were fascinating. I was so inspired I told anyone who was willing to listen for the next several months.

KonMaris concept of items sparking joy in your life was worth the price of the book in my opinion. This criteria for deciding whether or not to keep an object hit a chord with so many. Ive heard it applied to so many facets of life. I even find myself using it in regular conversation as if everyone should know this obvious way to live your life. It sparks joy. Case closed.

Spark Joy, KonMaris second book, was not as enjoyable to read cover to cover. Probably because Im the only dork who reads sections like Part II: The tidying encyclopedia word-for-word. Most of the book is meant to be used as a reference guide.

However, there are a few valuable new nuggets offered in this book. I found her research on the best way to organize your kitchen space intriguing. After observing chefs at a restaurant, she concludes organizing for a kitchen that is quick to clean should be prioritized over a kitchen in which all items are within reach.

I also bookmarked the chapter on tidying your photos. She shares her experience going through boxes of photos from her childhood her father recently discovered. They go thorough the photos as a family. Then, she and her sister decide to create an small album of photos as a gift for their mother.

This chapter is the first I can remember of KonMari addressing digital clutter, their most recent photos being stored digitally. My husband and I have the goal of figuring out a digital photo storage system this month. So Ill certainly come back to this chapter.

As with her first book, I found myself giggling at sentences like:

[Cutlery] works much longer hours than a toothbrush, and while working, it moves from plate to your mouth and back again countless times, which must make it quite dizzy.

KonMarie injects her usual charming personification of objects. However, I must say this book revealed more of the Japanese history behind the reverence of objects. I don't personally hold the belief that spirits reside within objects, but wasn't offended. Though Im sure this could be a bit off-putting to some.
2845413
Respect is becoming a much rarer commodity these days, unfortunately.  This book is concerned with the reintroduction of respect into our lives - the way we relate to others and ourselves.  With chapters on respect in business, in marriage, in parenting, and in schools it covers every angle.

Well-written and informative,(although perhaps a little "surface") with plenty of research to back it up, the book is a worthwhile read.  I did feel chagrined when reading the chapter on respect in schools.  That was because it is sad that the home life of so many children is so lacking in this basic life skill that it is left up to the schools to teach it.  While I salute the dedicated teachers who are striving to incorporate these things in their classrooms, it's too bad that so many families have abdicated in this regard.

I was inspired  by reading this book to bring the Power of Respect into greater play in my own life.  My teenaged daughter picked it up and started reading it too.  I think it will benefit us both.

I reviewed this book for the Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers Program.

[...].
764486
In Two are Better Than One, Greg and Julie Gorman will help you and your spouse identify your strengths, as well as obstacles that are keeping you both from experiencing unity and like mindedness in your marriage. With their coaching and helpful insights, you really can experience that two are better than one!

Hugh and Cindi McMenamin, 20-year veterans of pastoral ministry, and co-authors of When Couples Walk Together: 31 Days to a Closer Connection
1315432
A very well-written and incredibly useful book!
932021
This book shows you how to manuever the tricky waters of managing client/server projects in which multi-disciplinary skill sets are required to be successful.  Though it only hinted at the coming web revolution, its  precepts are valuable if applied judiciously in the management of  client/server development teams to bring a client/server projec in on time  and on budget.
And having had the privilege of working with both of the  authors, I can attest to ther excellence and passion in this challenging  profession.
Well done!  When will the second edition be ready?
649669
When I signed up to review Tying the Knot, I thought I'd read it, then pass it on to my son, then my daughter (both in their early to mid twenties, and each has a "significant other"), to read through. Well, that isn't how best to use this book!

It is meant to be read by a couple, individually. There are assignments at the end of each chapter, for each member of the couple to do on his/her own, then compare answers with each other, and then meet together with a mentor/counselor/pastor.

I like the book. I appreciate the information shared, and find it very useful.

Who knows? Maybe I will be going through this book with my young adult children, and their significant others, someday!
2866172
This is a truly wonderful book that melds two worldviews. For those of us who live one and have read everything they can find on the indigenous perspective, it is wonderful to see how someone living these two solitudes  grapples with the two very opposing sets of beliefs.
Write more Robin!
Looking forward to hearing you speak at EECOM in Nova Scotia!
Betsy Jardine
3057764
This is one of the most significant books I have read in recent years.  I have a small collection of home organization books, but none come close to inspiring me to the degree this book has.  Most overwhelm me with details of categorization, criteria for keeping/discarding, and cleaning/tidying schedules and calendars. This author takes a holistic approach to living, which is the appeal of the method -- a cluttered home is a manifestation of the uncertain state of mind, caught between over-attachment to the past and fear of the future.  Not to despair -- the author is extremely encouraging, urging the reader that *anyone* can learn how to discard possessions that are no longer serving a purpose for the owner, and *anyone* can learn to tidy, organize their things using simple materials and methods, not complicated systems.  The obstacle is a person's belief about themselves.  If you hold the view that you are disorganized, messy, deficient, that is how you will live.  Changing your thinking is a powerful notion that can bring renewing life change.  I have just finished reading the book and I feel energized and excited.  I want to clear my home of clutter and now I understand that I am in charge of giving myself permission to let things go.  I also understand for the first time that I have the complete freedom to decide what kinds of things are worthy of my attachment, that I don't have to keep things because of their functionality, or for reasons of frugality.  My unconscious thinking for my entire adult life has been influenced by a sense of obligation to gift givers, even if the gift has outlived its purpose or never had proper appreciation.  I want to be surrounded by people and things which give me joy and energy, and by "things," I mean much, much less.  This is clear to me now, and rather than fear and anxiety, I feel exhilaration and eager anticipation.

Many reviewers of this book mock the author's practice of addressing possessions and questioning the feelings of inanimate objects.  These readers lack an understanding of the deeply ingrained cultural effects of Japanese Shinto tradition.  In Shintoism, "kami" or god/spirit resides in all things. Those whose traditions are more western can think of this essence as energy.  It seems useful to me to recognize that we have a relationship with our possessions and we attach meaning to things, as in the case of sentimental belongings.  Sorting through possessions with this awareness makes it possible to use the action as a personal growth exercise rather than a simple physical clearing out of stuff.  This awareness is needed in order to access the "Life-Changing" part of this method.
2025098
This is a wonderful book! It's an easy way for a parent to begin the conversation of adoption, especially from a different race and culture, to their children. Your child will see some of the early struggles that their newly adoptive sibling may face and also, realize that they are just like them in so many ways. I especially enjoyed seeing the strong friendship the two sisters developed in spite of their completely different physical appearance. The author beautifully demonstrated the bond formed from the same love of fun shared by both of them.
3749294
Susan Katz Miller's book Being Both is a much needed work in this time of political correctness, different marriages and alternative couples/families.  It is written in a no nonsense, practical style and tells many stories.  She addresses her own family in her book, and her family of origin and their decision to remain interfaith. This writer knows what she is talking about Her Mother, a Catholic; married a Jewish man.  Katz Miller was raised herself in an interfaith family, and identified as Jewish when she married her Episcopalian husband.  Many examples of interfaith couples and families are given, in a format that is easy to understand and defend.  This author also addresses myths associated with being an interfaith family, such as the child being confused, interfaith marriages being doomed to fail, only people who don't care about religion want to raise their kids as both, etc.  In all honesty, I've heard of interfaith families, and I have met people who have dated who are not of the same religion, but my husband and I are not friends with any interfaith couples so I can't confirm on my own experience what is true and what is not true.  However, this book is fascinating to me in addressing the obstacles these couples face (finding someone to marry you if you are not of the same faith that's not a Judge is apparently always a challenge), and how they succeed despite these barriers.

The references at the back of this book on Interfaith marriage, children, the relations and history of, and Interfaith family support should be useful for anyone who wants to pursue more about this subject.  I always like non-fiction books that provide references for support and additional understanding at the end of the book.

This book helps me as a parent understand these types of families, and also will help me as a continual parent in how to explain them to my children.  If either one of my children decides to date outside of their faith I will give them this book as a guide.
4089534
Mark Whyte and Katie Whyte are a husband and wife author team who has put together a remarkably fine book. They both come to this assignment with personal reasons. To share some biographical data about Mark, he states `As someone who is disabled and has been since breaking my neck at age 20 while wrestling in college, I understand many of the trials that disabled men, women and kids wrestle with. I am also the father of an autistic son and again...same understanding. The disabled are not any different than anyone else. We all dream of being big, strong and fast and of being smart and capable of great things. That is in a sense, our goal with Miss Quince and the Can-Do Crew, that is to give those who are disabled a chance to dream big and those who are not disabled to see that their fellow classmates and neighbors are pretty much just like everyone else.' Katie is a speech language pathologist. Now if anyone can resist an intro like that, better step back and check your values!

In the town of Windswept a young boy Nate is saying goodnight to his father who is in a wheelchair. Nate asks for an explanation and his father relates the story of a young boy named Marcus who was in a wheelchair following an accident. He still needed to attend school even if the bullies around him mocked him. Marcus enters the school and is assigned to Miss Quince who teaches in the Room with the Yellow Door. Afraid he can't compete in a wheelchair Miss Quince sends him on errands for her (`Marcus, what can you do?') - tasks that Marcus can do well. Marcus meets his fellow students, each with a disability: Ray has cerebral palsy, Joey is blind, Tim has autism, and Carrie has Downs Syndrome, but under the guidance of Miss Quince, Marcus becomes the super fast hero able to chase away an angry dog, Joey has heightened reflexes, Tim has a super memory, and Carrie is able to lift gloom and make everyone feel better. Together they become the Can Do Crew thanks to the guidance of Miss Quince - who wears a secret gold locket engraved with Philippians 4:13 (I can do all this through him who gives me strength).

Mark and Katie's story emphasizes that children (and adults!) with special needs also happen to have special gifts. It is a beautiful story, illustrated by Pawan Kumar of Anipix Illustrators. Buy this book, pass it around and give it as gifts to spread the wholesome heartwarming word it offers. Grady Harp, February 14
1431482
Sanders and Bullen show readers what it takes to ``have it all  but not all at once,'' including making the transition, letting go of outmoded ``happy housewife'' stereotypes and coping with the reactions of family, friends, co-workers and, of course, spouses.
The authors write with realism, presenting the negative aspects of staying at home as well as its advantages. They provide a wealth of information on finding support groups, influencing public policy, and earning money while remaining at home.
The book includes listings and short descriptions of relevant organizations, plus in-depth interviews with women who have successfully made the transition. A must for all mothers who are (or want to be) at home with their children.
2310587
Really insightful and helpful for both AC's of whatever dysfunction and their partners! I highlighted this book like crazy, especially when combined with The ACoA Trauma Syndrome by Tian Dayton, PhD.  If this book hits home for you, I also highly recommend you read that as well. Very complementary.
1784012
This book may have well been special ordered to help my family understand our lives and struggles.  Conley and I seem to share more then a few things, born in 1969, degrees in sociology, 2 school age children, and married to high achieving professional women.  We also seem to share a love for our work and a wonder about how the line between work and family has blurred (as I sit here Sunday evening with my laptop pecking out book reviews while my girls dance around me).  The premise of Elsewhere USA is that highly educated professionals (particularly those of us raising kids or taking care of dependents) are defined by gifts and obligations inherent in the tension between nurturing careers and nurturing our families.  We love our work, but since we deal in concepts, knowledge and persuasion it is not always clear if produce anything solid. Therefore, we are spurned to work more, in order to justify to others our value and to accrue the knowledge and social capital necessary to insure mobility in the knowledge economy.  Nights and weekends are spent one eye on the laptop, one-eye on the kids, never quite being totally focussed on either but keeping both going.  Separating work and family is increasingly unrealistic, as both spheres demand time and energy in bursts or at unpredictable times, and neither can be "put aside" to focus on any single demand.  Conley's recommendation is to give up worrying about role conflict, and embrace the duality and dynamism of a hybrid work/family life.  Once the laptop has been opened it cannot be shut (and really - who would want to as it brings such interesting information and networks).  Besides, this is the world our kids will live in as well....and it is through watching how we handle the juggle that they will learn to be flexible and hopefully find work that is their passion (as they will do so much of it in their lives).

Grade:  A-