No Kids: 40 Good Reasons Not To Have Children by Corinne Maier
Stars: ****
Summary: The shocking treatise that was a bestselling international media sensation upon its 2007 publication in France now makes its eagerly anticipated English-language debut. In forty to-the-point, impressively erudite chapters drawing on the realms of history, child psychology, politics, and the environment, Maier effortlessly skewers the idealized notion of parenthood as a natural and beautiful endeavour. Speaking to the still “child-free”, to fellow suffering parents, and to adamant procreationists alike, No Kids is a controversial, thought-provoking, and undeniably entertaining read. – from Amazon.ca
I have children but I just had to read this. I don’t regret having children at all but there are times of course that I feel overwhelmed and wish for a few moments of silence (although interestingly enough, when they are both gone I miss them and it’s too quiet.)
The reasons are quite convincing but personally I can’t imagine not having kids. I think this book may be more serious for those who don’t have and don’t want kids and more humourous for those of us who do.
My only real problem with the book is that the author has children and openly says she regrets having them. That’s sad, I feel sorry for her kids. I think either a woman with children should have written the book as humourous (which it’s NOT listed under) or a woman without children should have written it as is.
Links of Interest: No specific website but a search will result in many articles both agreeing and disagreeing with the author.
Other Reviews: Amy Reads,
Buy No Kids
When Ghosts Speak: Understanding the World of Earthbound Spirits by Mary Ann Winkowski
Stars: *****
Summary: Lights flicker on and off for no good reason. You feel drained and inexplicably irritable. Your four-year-old is scared to enter her bedroom. Tell these things to Mary Ann Winkowski, and she’ll tell you that you have a ghost. A happily married, devout Catholic, suburban mother and full-time paranormal investigator, Mary Ann Winkowski has been able to see earthbound spirits, spirits that are trapped on earth and haven’t “crossed over,” since she was a little girl. Mary Ann works with these spirits to help them make peace with what keeps them here – whether it be people they can’t let go of or homes they love. In WHEN GHOSTS SPEAK, Mary Ann will tell the amazing story of growing up with this gift, and will share tips on how to recognize when you’re not alone, and what to do if you are in the presence of a ghost. – from amazon.com
Books about ghosts always bring out the skeptics. I don’t think everyone who claims to talk to spirits really does but I do believe there are those out there who can. I believe Mary Ann really does talk to spirits and the fact that she is the consultant for the TV show Ghost Whisperer makes me believe a bit more too. That means a TV station has faith in her too doesn’t it?
I was intrigued throughout the whole book. There were a few parts that seemed a bit unbelievable but just like when you are talking to a live person and you can misunderstand what they say, I think it’s possible she misunderstood the ghosts sometimes. I will admit that there seem to be a lot of ghosts hanging around, at least in her book. However I think it just seems more common than it is because she’s only telling the stories of when ghosts are around.
It’s been a while or I’d have a more thorough review. I’d like to recommend you check out the reviews on Good Reads and the few linked below for more information.
Other Reviews: Darque Reviews, Yak Talk, The Reading Monk,
Buy When Ghosts Speak
A Girl’s Guide to Modern European Philosophy by Charlotte Greig
Stars: ***1/2
Summary: Susannah’s official boyfriend, Jason, is the perfect foil for her student lifestyle. He is ten years older, an antiques dealer, and owns a stylish apartment that prevents her from having to live in the seedy digs on campus. This way, she can take her philosophy major very seriously and dabble in the social and sexual freedom of 1970s university life. But circumstances become more complicated than Susannah would like when she begins to have an affair with her tutorial partner, Rob. Soon she is dating two men, missing her lectures, exploring independence and feminism with her girlfriends, and finding herself in a particularly impossible dilemma: she becomes pregnant. Forced to look beyond her friends and lovers for support, she finds help and inspiration from the lessons of Kierkegaard and other European philosophers. – from Other Press
If you are a regular visitor to this blog, you know I don’t read much adult fiction but I have always been intrigued by philosophy and figured a fictional book would be easier to understand. I’m glad I read this book. I’ve never been great at reviewing fiction and it’s been way too long for me to review in detail but I do remember the basics of the story and that I enjoyed it. It was a little slow in certain parts before she gets pregnant but after that, the story is captivating. References to philosophy are just enough to be interesting but not dry. It inspired me to look up philosophy a bit more although I haven’t found a good nonfiction book that I can understand on the subject.
Other Reviews: The Literate Housewife Reviews,
Buy A Girl’s Guide to Modern European Philosophy
*All books were received in exchange for a review if I finished them. All opinions are honest and are my own.
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