Well after reading it for myself it didn’t seem as demonic as some people made it out to be. However, I also felt like I wasn’t missing out on much myWell after reading it for myself it didn’t seem as demonic as some people made it out to be. However, I also felt like I wasn’t missing out on much my entire life. I was a little underwhelmed to be honest. ...more
I’m sure that Esther and I aren’t aligned on everything theologically, and I’m not about to say that everything in this book was something that I 100%I’m sure that Esther and I aren’t aligned on everything theologically, and I’m not about to say that everything in this book was something that I 100% agreed with. However it gets 5 stars because it spoke to my soul in a way that no other book on singleness ever has. It was filled with messages I really needed to hear. I felt my heart ache in many of the same ways. I felt like I could have written half of these pages. Sometimes I think that we look at singleness as a disease where if we can just find the cure it will all be better. It leaves those who are single wondering what we are doing wrong. However, maybe it’s less about the destination and the specific milestones in life and the steps we need to take to get there. Maybe it’s more about learning to daily love the life God has given us here and now (whatever that looks like) while being intentional about pursuing personal growth. Maybe that’s where we find true joy, even in the midst of the deepest heartbreaks. Here’s to remembering that I can’t mess up God’s plan for my life! He’s with me each step of the way, and he’ll gently drag me back if I wander. I don’t have to make each decision of my life in fear that I’m going to mess up (as if I were powerful enough to mess up the plans of almighty God). I can live my life in confidence knowing he will always love me, simply because I’m his child. I’ll make mistakes along the way…but somehow, I’m far less afraid of them. I’m far less afraid of my singleness as well. Wonderful book. I highly recommend it to any other longing single souls out there wondering where you may have took a wrong turn in life...more
A lot of interesting topics about God and what doing right is. It didn’t offer a lot of concrete answers and was post-modernistic and confusing at besA lot of interesting topics about God and what doing right is. It didn’t offer a lot of concrete answers and was post-modernistic and confusing at best. Which is slightly concerning for a children’s book. I personally just don’t see the point in possibly confusing kids by bringing up some of these topics when they don’t necessarily need to be. Ideology aside, it would bother me less if it was actually a good story. However, it was hard to get into and felt poorly written. I also was confused on how it fit it with the series as a whole. The only part that connected it to the rest was a random “oh and when she grew up…” at the end. ...more
Shrier makes several good points. I think that we can’t just blame therapy for making kids miserable, though. It’s only one piece of a much larger puzShrier makes several good points. I think that we can’t just blame therapy for making kids miserable, though. It’s only one piece of a much larger puzzle in my opinion. There are so many components from smartphones (which she touched on briefly), to our diets (high sugar and Red dye 40 anyone?), medical interventions (causing poor gut microbiomes) , etc. However, I do agree that in our current mental health epidemic, I think it’s safe to say our solutions don’t seem to be helping. At least they’re just not solving the root problems, at worst they may be making things worse. As she says, there may be unique circumstances that need special care, but for the most part we aren’t doing the coming generations any good by constantly coddling them. I much preferred “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt on this topic. I thought it was better thought out and organized. I think he hits on many points Shrier doesn’t with more presentable data. However, she does touch on possible dangers of therapy for everyone and over-diagnosing of some of these issues....more
Really good read. I appreciated all of her principles and I think it’s a very timely book. I did have some questions/concerns with some of her practicReally good read. I appreciated all of her principles and I think it’s a very timely book. I did have some questions/concerns with some of her practical application of things, but overall it was great!...more
A good conversation starter book to talk through with unbelieving friends who may want to know more of what you believe. Also what I like to call a “hA good conversation starter book to talk through with unbelieving friends who may want to know more of what you believe. Also what I like to call a “high school graduation book.” A lot of good very basic apologetics. Explained in a way easy to understand with interesting concepts and stories. ...more
Solid analysis of the modern trend to villainize historical figures. History is complicated, we shouldn’t idolize historical figures and put them on aSolid analysis of the modern trend to villainize historical figures. History is complicated, we shouldn’t idolize historical figures and put them on a pedestal. However, we must keep history in its context and not disregard the great things people (though fallen like everyone else) have contributed to our society and who we are today. ...more
This was a book a read as a child and it was fun to revisit. Lots of antics the children get themselves into with a magic ring. Heavy on the magic theThis was a book a read as a child and it was fun to revisit. Lots of antics the children get themselves into with a magic ring. Heavy on the magic themes, but it was more along the lines of fairytale magic so I didn’t mind so much. ...more
Haidt addresses our current mental health crisis and as a social scientist makes some shocking correlations. I think we all know social media and consHaidt addresses our current mental health crisis and as a social scientist makes some shocking correlations. I think we all know social media and constant access to it through phones is a problem, but he also lays out why it is damaging for mental and social development. I don’t agree with Haidt’s evolutionary leanings, but despite that, I agree with most everything else. We have a problem, we know what it is, we need to address it. Even much of his governmental legislation that he suggested I agree with as they would give more agency to the parents on what their kids are consuming (as opposed to many laws which give parents less control). ...more
To be honest, I doubted if the length was worth it. Even in the middle I wondered if it was worth it. After finishing it, though, I’ve absolutely loveTo be honest, I doubted if the length was worth it. Even in the middle I wondered if it was worth it. After finishing it, though, I’ve absolutely loved it and it was 1000% worth it. Such a beautiful story woven with wisdom and such rich themes of redemption. Honestly, I feel like I’m saying goodbye to dear friends now that I’m done. I’m a little sad I’ll never experience consuming it for the first time again. I don’t usually get so sentimental over books ...more
Liked the concept and it had a lot of good information. I liked how they separated actual deconstruction from the re-examining one’s beliefs to see ifLiked the concept and it had a lot of good information. I liked how they separated actual deconstruction from the re-examining one’s beliefs to see if they align with scripture and the doubt that all Christians have at times. It’s an important topic that needs addressing and I thought they did it adequately. I just felt like it didn’t really have any new or novel information that I haven’t received from most apologetics I’ve studied over the years. Which means this book could be a good thing for some that don’t have a lot of apologetics training and want it more tailored to this topic. I just found it a little slow at points. Would I recommend it if someone was looking for something specific about this? Probably. Is it a must read? No....more
Wow, that book was a roller coaster! I thought it was a little slow at the beginning. It definitely picked up, though. Lots of character development iWow, that book was a roller coaster! I thought it was a little slow at the beginning. It definitely picked up, though. Lots of character development in a soap opera kind of way ...more
I’m shocked I never heard of this book before. I couldn’t stop listening! Such a beautiful story of God’s redemption and grace. Encouraging to hear stI’m shocked I never heard of this book before. I couldn’t stop listening! Such a beautiful story of God’s redemption and grace. Encouraging to hear stories of other believers who stand up for their faith no matter what. The book had no crazy bad theology that glaring stood out. Just basic gospel and biblical truths. I really appreciated how much scripture that Virginia hid in her heart and how it strengthened her in the difficult times. Very convicting and inspiring. ...more
It’s common in today’s day and age to pay attention to what we are putting in and on our bodies, but what about what they wear? In “To Dye For” Alden It’s common in today’s day and age to pay attention to what we are putting in and on our bodies, but what about what they wear? In “To Dye For” Alden Wicker goes in depth behind the scenes to how our clothes are made. She peels back the curtain to reveal why what’s in our closet may be making us sick. It was well documented and well researched material presented in an engaging and compelling way. I appreciated how in the end Wicker gave some common tips on how to mitigate our exposure to toxins. She addressed simple things like washing our new clothes to more complex like the fabrics and colors to watch out for. I disagreed with Wicker in some of her solutions when it comes to government intervention. While I agree that those who do harm (especially intentionally) should be punished, I also believe that the government shouldn’t be the one that decides what is safe and what’s not. The more power we give to the government under the guise of keeping us safe, the more freedom we loose and the less safe we actually are (we saw that horrible situation happen in 2020 when they made us strap PFAS on our face among other things). I also didn’t appreciate some of her unfounded asides near the end that seemed to imply that the straight white male is the problem (which she provided no evidence for). Other than the last little bit and some of her more liberal leaning, I thought it was a good book. Definitely worth the read for the information. Just gotta sift through some irrelevant stuff in some places and perhaps agree to disagree with some of the solutions....more
Excellent book not just about a man but also about the commercialization of Christmas in New York City. Also a great reminder to people to be careful Excellent book not just about a man but also about the commercialization of Christmas in New York City. Also a great reminder to people to be careful about vetting the charities they choose to support. Well written in a way that captures attention. Highly recommend to history lovers!...more
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