Now I know how to be a tiger mom...

Book: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom
Author: Amy Chua

I know I'm behind the trend; everyone else has read Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom by Amy Chua. My mother-in-law, Emily, lent it to me for our trip to Hawaii. Normally I stick to fiction, but this was an easy read. I finished most of the book on our 7 hour plane ride. It definitely kept me engaged. It was story-like enough that I did not get bored.

I enjoyed the book because it gave a glimpse at what being a tiger mom is like, but didn't say you were a bad parent if you don't choose that style. She pointed out weaknesses in the 'western' way of parenting, and the book also had an interesting conclusion about 'chinese' parenting.

She also does a great job of explaining her definition of 'western' and 'chinese' parents. She does not mean just parents in the United States or parents in China. Western parents are those who tend to let their child make decisions to choose their own happiness. Chinese parents are those who make choices for their children to ensure they have a successful future. Both parents can be any ethnicity; the terms just describe two extreme types of parenting.

Overall I thought she a great job of giving a look at both types of parenting without being overly judgmental. However, I will probably be considered a 'strict' parent when I have children, so I did not feel like either parenting style was an exact fit for me. I would encourage people to read it with an open mind, and to take away at least one good parenting tip from the book. Happy Reading!

A New Direction...

So I tried my hand at blogging, but that didn't last very long. My husband has suggested that my blog take a new direction...book reviews! I am a Christian, so my reviews will come from my viewpoint. I like to read all types of books, including Christian and non-Christian. I am open to suggestions if people know of good books to read. I can't guarantee that everyone will like my opinions, but that is ok with me. I'm not hear to have debates about books, just say what I thought about them. I may give away some details about the book, but I'll try not to ruin any crucial parts. Well here goes a new direction!

Book: Winter Garden
Author: Kristen Hannah

I really enjoyed this book because it is a mix of past and present. It combines the story of Stalin's rule in Russia with sisters living in present day. It is a powerful story of family, and how love and persistence breaks down all barriers. It deals with some very serious tragedy, and how it changes a person. It has an unpredictable ending, at least I didn't see it coming.

There is some language in the book including the 'f' word, but it does not appear very frequently. It has some brief, but not explicit sexual content.

I would recommend this book, especially if you enjoy historical fiction.

If you read it, let me know what you think!