Jennifer

Hope lays ahead

Revisado: 08-28-24

As a domestic violence survivor, this spoke to the broken bits that will remain shattered and why, like Europe, post WWII those ruins must Need remain... the ruins... I once heard there was a conscious decision, made in rebuilding to leave the ruins as reminder... what it cost, everyone. Like war, toxic masculinity harms every one of us: those struck, those who attempt to turn a blind eye, yes, even the perpetrators. Until we see it for the horror it is, in all it's ugliness, we cannot change it. We, cannot prevent its recurrence - until we truly see it!

As a DV survivor with at least a decade ahead, rebuilding, I can say, yes - there's joyous things ahead, including truly better men. I can also say, books like this are and will always remain Critical to the right fight. The point of turning against the, "not every man," narrative is Not that there aren't better men, but that anyone who dismisses the ruins lays the foundation for the next atrocity. What's wrong must be seen.

This book is filled with wonder, glittering from amid pain. Fire in ruins to give light. There's joy, laughter, love, power, and beauty - all in an honest look at poetry from ashes

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Best Overall Book on Novel Writing, but...

Revisado: 02-22-23

the bi-line is a little misleading. This is, far and away, the best structure book I've ever read and the only one I'll ever read over and over again - key words: on structure. The bi-line that it's the Last book on novel writing you'll ever need though... that I disagree with, because while the book covers Everything you'll need in any book's plot/structure, you'll still need world building/scene setting and emotional craft advice that's specific to particular scenes. It's easy to give readers too much or too little of the background: think of Harry Potter, if all of the magical world's details were edited out. On the other hand, in the Eragon series and in the Outlander series both, there were numerous times I wanted them to get on with the story already: you can overdo the details. In contrast, there are books that almost read like beat-sheets w/o flesh, and the reader feels unanchored - these are books I've read for "bad book" reviews, but as an idea of how unsuccessful that is: I'm not naming them here because the likelihood anyone reading this has heard of them is very slim. I sometimes force myself to read books with bad reviews because of the advice that you can learn more from the painfully bad, when conscientious. So there are well loved series that at least some readers feel setting details are sometimes overdone (in Outlander the majority of the first book felt balanced - I wanted the details because the world was a contrast to our own, but by book 2 there were repeatedly times where I felt like I already got how different things were... and book 3 sometimes felt like a fauna and flora report). Even so, we come back. Whereas authors of books without any detail I may force myself to read over, dissect, etc., but I'll never read them again. Which, at least for me, illustrates that world building, scene setting, and emotional craft are their own subjects, not to be skipped. The Emotional Craft of Fiction and Writing Active Setting are books I enjoy on this, but there are some new books on setting and world building I'm still considering. I still love several other books and highly recommend still keeping an open mind to more, because each will resonate with you a little differently, but if you're looking for something to really get you moving and to return to over and over, this is absolutely one. One of my favorites on the subject of writing, ever.

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Concise while still covering a lot of ground

Revisado: 01-23-23

This is a great overview of what's known about the Minoans with the lines between evidence and speculation kept clear. I love teaching the Minoans as a contrast culture: we homeschool and many ancient civilizations have homogenous features that the Minoans succeeded without. They're fascinating. This book does a good job of staying concise while still giving an excellent overview of the available knowledge. This book also does an excellent job of stating the evidence and pointing out theory as just that. It's great, and we'll be listening to it again

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Possible helpful edit?

Revisado: 03-24-21

It would be helpful if what Fixie and Growie are saying were edited to tell the listeners who is speaking. There’s no “Fixie said, ____”, which in an audio book is a little confusing in the first listen. It’s a great message though, with helpful discussion starters. We’ll be listening again

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Good Characters, Good Themes - some loose ends

Revisado: 02-21-21

The story finishes with some loose ends, but they seem like the set up of future stories. One of those loose ends bugs me (won't give spoilers), but even so the characters and themes are wonderful. Great book

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Worth it

Revisado: 05-17-20

Pros:
Diddy has a remarkably calming voice.
Overall it was excellent. It's very positive.
Bottom line it helped me sleep (and a lot things don't). I will be using this again.

Cons: this may only be me, but the timing of the breathing count is off for me, and it's enough that I could fall asleep After the recording, but not during. I find when I'm falling asleep my breathing is shallower, so the count was actually waking me instead of helping. In addition about halfway through he says he's going to count in for 5 breaths and only counts in for 4. This is small - I think from now on it won't distract me - but this 1st time it confused me, and again brought me back to alertness.

I hope it doesn't dissuade anyone from trying this: it's well worth it. I will be listening again, and it did help me sleep

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A Family Classic

Revisado: 07-23-18

This book is loved by our whole family. These books are better than their movies, and Jim Dale definitely brings each character to life.

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listen the whole way through

Revisado: 04-27-17

There were times when the author seems to harp on a subject. For a while I was thinking, 'that's unrealistic'. But listen the whole way through. If you're struggling with mess and clutter you've found a friend for the path. You've found your people. She's flexible, but you have to hear her out. This approach will change how you do things.

Years ago I set out looking for The organizing book. You know the one - the one that will make it All make sense. Once you've read it, you won't have a single mess left to clean up.

But experience is the best teacher. This author takes that on with humor. Things get clean because we clean them. We learn what works for us by experience. There will be one or two of her methods you have to adjust to your own unique circumstances. For the most part, this is that book. But as much because she honors that experience will always be the best teacher. She has great methods. She has great advice. She also has the wisdom to give ideas for how her advice might need to be tweaked for unique needs. Good book. I highly recommend it.

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esto le resultó útil a 67 personas

Impressed with most stuff thus far... except...

Revisado: 01-26-14

Would you listen to Time Management Made Simple again? Why?

Yes- I'm actually listening to points over again, even as I go. Once for a good overview, and again to really dive into them and begin using them. His information is engaging, and the book already has me very pleased with what I'm learning.

Who was your favorite character and why?

NA

Which character – as performed by Brian Tracy – was your favorite?

No characters

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No- better in parts- so really put his points into action.

Any additional comments?

Ok, I apologize - I love the information. And this man obviously knows his stuff! But his voice is genuinely distracting. I'm sure he'd be great in conversation- but as a narrator, this is the most acutely I've ever realized why they pay people like Jim Dale so much money to narrate. I would enjoy a conversation with the author, but he is just not a narrator. I just finished the Neuroscience of Change and several reviewers complained about Kelly McGonigal's narration- but I was perfectly fine with it. This author sounds like he's trying to sell cough syrup to a toddler- it reminds me of how Rowling describes Umbridge talking to the students in the Great Hall the first night. It's way too sugary!! But- the material really, truly is worth it!!! I just think if I had it to do again- I would've just picked up the print version =/

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