The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews

I realize Katie recently reviewed another Andy Andrews book, The Butterfly Effect, but they didn't have that one at my library, so I picked up his other one, The Traveler's Gift. Just to warn you, I was feeling particularly high-browed and literary when I read this...

I feel like a jerk giving this book two stars, because the advice given is pretty well thought out, and I think this is probably Andrews' compilation of all the advice he'd like to give to his children. However, if you want to write a novel, WRITE A NOVEL. If you want to give advice, just give it and call it self-help. I felt like I was gagging down horrendously presented motivational quotes intermingled with NO style.

That said, if you need advice, this might be a good place to go.

Talent Is Overrated by Geoff Colvin

My husband, oldest kid and I are doing a 52 books in 52 weeks challenge. This was my first book selection and it was a good start-up book.

Colvin effectively convinced me that I can be really, really, ridiculously good at something if I really want to be. He shares his research about deliberate practice and its effect on performance. He uses anecdotes from the lives of Chris Rock, Tiger Woods, violin virtuosos and champion chess players.

I particularly enjoyed the chapter about the age/performance ratio and the role of intelligence and memory.

That said, this is a very technical book. It isn't a story and doesn't read like one. It is meticulously written and if you're only mildly interested, you WILL get bored.

In A Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy

This book was a positive beacon in my book pile this week. I had 9 books checked out from the library that I had accumulated and only 1 week to read. So, I did what any red-blooded English major would do. I read the first 10 pages, and if the book didn't grab me, I took it back. Suffice it to say, by the time I closed this one, I had read 54 pages. And naptime was over.

I have been on a "finding more happiness" kick in my reading recently, and this book really caught the essence of how serving and helping and giving will teach you to be happy. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the authors of the book have an incredible legacy of giving (think The Blind Side...) and being recognized for it.

I loved the occasional snarky writing, loved the down-to-earth personality of the authors, and just loved the message that you can ALWAYS find someone who needs what you have to offer, whether it be money, time or love.

The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute

Is anyone else ADDICTED to self-help books? Because I sure am. And this was an AWESOME one.

It begins with a story of a dad and mom who have taken their son to a wilderness rehab program. The parents are required to go through a two-day seminar to prepare them to treat their child differently when the child completes the program.

The principles they are taught are what make up the meat of this book. I felt completely inspired to get "out of the box" and always try to see and treat people as people rather than objects.

I loved this book, which I read based on a suggestion by one of our ecclesiastical leaders. He recommended this book in conjunction with Leadership and Self-Deception, also by the Arbinger Institute. I read that one a few years ago with my family. The Anatomy of Peace was a perfect reminder and expander for me. Hopefully someday I'll be a better person after all this reading!

Lift: Becoming a Positive Force in Any Situation

This book, written by Robert E. Quinn (the dad) and Ryan W. Quinn (the son), has become a serious source of inspiration in our family.

Essentially, the book suggests a process to follow that allows you to be more aware of how your actions are either lifting others or bringing them down. Because there is so much technicality to the novel, and lots of step-by-step instructions, I won't try to summarize, but I would SURELY recommend this to anyone who is a parent or employer, or who has influence in any realm of their life.

This would be a great read for the New Year, as it has helped our family to be more conscious of how our actions are helping or hindering others.