Michelle McNamara, crime writer and blogger, spent her life searching for the identity of the Golden State Killer. She died before finishing the book, Michelle McNamara, crime writer and blogger, spent her life searching for the identity of the Golden State Killer. She died before finishing the book, but others inserted the missing details--making the flow not so smooth at times. However, the book was easy to listen to and very interesting. Sad that we have such horrible monsters among us, but good that some people dedicate their lives to stopping them. ...more
Given the title I didn't think I would like this audio-book. How could there be any upside to stress? I thought to myself, if there is an upside to stGiven the title I didn't think I would like this audio-book. How could there be any upside to stress? I thought to myself, if there is an upside to stress, I would like to know about it. I'm glad I decided to give it a chance! If you like the nonfiction book Mindset, you will like this book. I do not want to make light of the many challenges people face and neither does the author. However, if you do face challenges, why not make the most of them? It is through challenges and stress that we grow and as we overcome our difficulties, we can feel a great sense of success! I think this is a particularly timely book because so many people are disabled by the stress in their lives. This is also a great book for parents because parents can help their children by teaching them how to effectively deal with stress. This would be an excellent book for book club because people would enjoy discussing it. ...more
Not as good or as funny as Garlic and Sapphires, this book of Ruth Reichl's is very interesting. Tells the story of Reichl's time at Gourmet Magazine.Not as good or as funny as Garlic and Sapphires, this book of Ruth Reichl's is very interesting. Tells the story of Reichl's time at Gourmet Magazine....more
We all have something to be grateful for! Acknowledging the good will make us happier. You can have so much and not appreciate it, or maybe you live a We all have something to be grateful for! Acknowledging the good will make us happier. You can have so much and not appreciate it, or maybe you live a humble life and appreciate every little thing. Choose to be happy. Take a look at this book!...more
I liked the movie "The Theory of Everything" better than this book written by Stephen Hawking; both contain his theories. It's too deep for me. I'm notI liked the movie "The Theory of Everything" better than this book written by Stephen Hawking; both contain his theories. It's too deep for me. I'm not a fan of physics class. I prefer chemistry or biology. I'm trying to think of something good to say about this book. It was short....more
Wow, people really loved this book. Maybe I will give it a try some other time. It mostly seemed boring to me because of all the detail about stuff inWow, people really loved this book. Maybe I will give it a try some other time. It mostly seemed boring to me because of all the detail about stuff in the mansion. I'm more interested in people and ideas than in stuff....more
I liked listening to this audio book while working in the yard and felt motivated to listen to some Ted talks, but only listened to a few because lifeI liked listening to this audio book while working in the yard and felt motivated to listen to some Ted talks, but only listened to a few because life is busy!...more
Think back in your life when you have felt pulled in a certain direction, or even obsessed about completing a set of tasks. Remember how that goal wasThink back in your life when you have felt pulled in a certain direction, or even obsessed about completing a set of tasks. Remember how that goal was always before your eyes even if others didn't see it? Maybe it was what motivated you to get your education or start your own business. It may have been what attracted you to your spouse.
God has put that feeling into each of us to direct us to our destiny. Our destiny is not something given to us on a silver platter; we must work for it!
Before listening to TD Jakes' audiobook, I must admit that I never thought of those feelings I had in those terms. His words rang true to me! I thought of the times in my life I was completely immersed in my goals and in doing the things it would take to get to my destiny.
As I discussed this topic with my husband, I asked him what it made him think about. He agreed with Jakes' ideas and related it to all the major goals and changes in his life. He felt that pull of destiny calling him.
I told him I wasn't even thinking about him. Sorry! Although as he explained, I did see how he worked towards his destiny.
I told my husband to think about how we keep telling our college student son to slow down, don't take so many hours, take an easier schedule of classes, and have some fun. Yet, we cannot deter or slow him from his work; he will not be distracted.
This book offers good practical advice for living...for all! Even if you are not religious/spiritual, Jakes' counsel, if followed, will help you to live a complete and happier life.
I am naturally curious. That is one reason I like nonfiction; I enjoy learning! I find it fascinating to listen to the thoughts and ideas of someone wI am naturally curious. That is one reason I like nonfiction; I enjoy learning! I find it fascinating to listen to the thoughts and ideas of someone with enough gumption to actually write a book--all while I tend my garden.
Therefore when scanning through a list of audio books offered through the public library (free), I downloaded this one.
I knew nothing of big time Hollywood producer Brian Grazer who worked with director Ron Howard to make "A Beautiful Mind", "Apollo 13", "Splash", "24", and "Cinderella Man"--just to name a few.
Truthfully, I'm not generally impressed by Hollywood celebrities.
I do love finding out how an ordinary person creates an extraordinary life.
Grazer begins with the problems he had in elementary school. It must be tough to feel you are a failure in the 3rd grade. He recounts the encouragement he received from his grandmother and how he found strategies to be successful.
Grazer credits his curiosity for his success. It was fun listening to the various tactics used by Grazer to harness his curiosity and improve his situation.
Curiosity is what makes life interesting! Read this book!
Atul Gawande is a physician who has written 2 other nonfiction books dealing with some aspect of health care.
In Being Mortal, Atul Gawande has writteAtul Gawande is a physician who has written 2 other nonfiction books dealing with some aspect of health care.
In Being Mortal, Atul Gawande has written about end of life issues. As I read, I thought about the challenges my parents will face. Then I thought about how I will face those same challenges.
Because it is better to be prepared for these situations, I highly recommend this book to everyone!
I'm not sure why I downloaded this audiobook, other than Overdrive held it out to me to download right now without cost. It moved slowly, and I kept thI'm not sure why I downloaded this audiobook, other than Overdrive held it out to me to download right now without cost. It moved slowly, and I kept thinking, "I'm probably rich enough already; I've got all I need and this audiobook is boring." Well, you get what you pay for!...more
I enjoyed Bryson's book about backpacking the Appalachian Trail, but I couldn't get into this one. Moving on...I enjoyed Bryson's book about backpacking the Appalachian Trail, but I couldn't get into this one. Moving on......more
I saw the movie several years ago and thought the story was compelling. Recently I happened across the audiobook at the library, but somehow the life aI saw the movie several years ago and thought the story was compelling. Recently I happened across the audiobook at the library, but somehow the life and excitement have been sucked out of it. I did not finish this audiobook because there are plenty more good ones waiting for me!...more
This guide aims to help people build trusting relationships using stories, some of which are very cheesy. I think the ideas presented are important anThis guide aims to help people build trusting relationships using stories, some of which are very cheesy. I think the ideas presented are important and young people would especially benefit from reading this book; however, the cheesy-factor will be a big turn off. I would suggest parents read this book and find a way to pass the information on to their kids. As for adults with trust issues...this is probably not the book they will pick up (unfortunately).
Thinking like a freak has paid off for Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner in their first two wildly popular nonfiction Freakonomics books. In this book,Thinking like a freak has paid off for Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner in their first two wildly popular nonfiction Freakonomics books. In this book, the authors continue in the same vein by presenting counter-intuitive ideas illustrated by interesting stories that help the reader to understand why those ideas actually do make sense.
The authors go a little further this time by trying to help the reader make better decisions by thinking like a freak.
My husband and I listened to parts of this together on a car trip; we shared laughs and our ideas on what we heard. Later I finished listening on my MP3 player while working in the garden. Either way was very enjoyable and entertaining!
I am not sure my brain is fully freaked out yet--I am looking forward to the next Freakonomics book!
Haidt, a UVa professor, systematically explores what conditions make for a happy life. A little too wordy, especially at first, Haidt cites studies anHaidt, a UVa professor, systematically explores what conditions make for a happy life. A little too wordy, especially at first, Haidt cites studies and the research of others to back up his ideas. Most of Haidt's hypothesis rang true to me as I listened to his explanations, although some ideas seem counter intuitive at first. Overall interesting and worth reading! If you are in the depths of depression, this book may not be your lifesaver. However if you ponder the concepts listed, you may be able to make adjustments in your behavior that will make life better for you and those around you. I would strongly recommend reading this book with the thought of how you can change your behavior in such a way that will make life better for others--not just yourself....more