10% Happier by Dan Harris

Standalone
256p.
Available Now
Publisher: It Books
Source: From Edelweiss and publisher for review

After having a nationally televised panic attach on Good Morning America, Dan Harris knew he had to make some changes. After learning about research that suggests meditation can do everything from lower your blood pressure to essentially rewire your brain, Harris took a deep dive into the underreported world of CEOs, scientists, and even marines who are now using it for increased calm, focus, and happiness. "10% Happier" takes readers on a ride from the outer reaches of neuroscience to the inner sanctum of network news to the bizarre fringes of America's spiritual scene, and leaves them with a takeaway that could actually change their lives

My thoughts:
 I'm not a general fan of self-help books. Usually it is either a rehash of things you already know or at it's worse... it blames the victim for things they cannot possibly control. However, there are occasional gems that allow you to see the problem from a different angle. I wasn't sure about this one when I first heard about it and then I caught Dan Harris from ABC News talking about his book one night. Hm... he seemed down to earth and really sincere. I became curious.

I check out the titles of the chapters and I see "10. The Self-Interested Case for Not Being a Dick" and then in the preface I see... "I initially wanted to call this book The Voice in My Head Is and Asshole". Okay, this one might be right up my alley. :)

The book is more autobiographical in nature telling us how he came to figure out that meditation is his key to helping him deal with stress and his competitive nature. He didn't want to delete his drive or his sense of competition, but find a way to not allow that stress to overtake his life. He goes through several self-help gurus whom he mostly found ridiculous or hypocritical. He does find gems within some of them, but mostly he has many questions that go unanswered. Within his quest he starts to learn to separate the truth from fallacy and even found spiritual help from a devout atheist. All lead him to a retreat in which I could never complete. He does complete it and finds a small community willing to answer his questions and when he is ready to hear those answers he finds solace.

I give this book 4 stars. I think it is an honest look at what worked for one man and may work for others. Although this is pretty much an autobiographical book he does give the low-down to how he meditates in the appendix of the book if you need something quick to answer some of those general questions and how to do meditation. It is a book I would recommend those that are wanting to take up the practice but have not found a down to earth way of looking at it.

The Second Chance Dog: A Love Story by Jon Katz

288p.
Publisher: Ballentine Books
Available Now
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers for review

From New York Times bestselling author Jon Katz comes a wise, uplifting, and poignant memoir of finding love against all odds, and the power of second chances for both people and dogs. 

“I had no idea that Frieda would enter my life and alter it in the most profound way, but that’s one of the beautiful things about animals. They change you, and you almost never see it coming.” 

In 2007, a few years after purchasing Bedlam Farm in upstate New York, Jon Katz met Maria Wulf, a quiet, sensitive artist hoping to rekindle her creative spark. Jon, like her, was introspective yet restless, a writer struggling to find his purpose. He felt a connection with her immediately, but a formidable obstacle stood in the way: Maria’s dog, Frieda.

A rottweiler-shepherd mix who had been abandoned by her previous owner in the Adirondacks, where she lived in the wild for several years, Frieda was ferociously protective and barely tamed. She roared and charged at almost anyone who came near. But to Maria, Frieda was sweet and loyal, her beloved guard dog and devoted friend. And so Jon quickly realized that to win over Maria, he’d have to gain Frieda’s affection as well.

While he and Maria grew closer, Jon was having a tougher time charming Frieda to his side. Even after many days spent on Bedlam Farm, Frieda still lunged at the other animals, ran off into the woods, and would not let Jon come near her, even to hook on her leash. Yet armed with a singular determination, unlimited patience, and five hundred dollars’ worth of beef jerky, Jon refused to give up on Frieda—or on his chance with Maria. 

Written with stunning emotional clarity and full of warm yet practical wisdom, The Second-Chance Dog is a testament to how animals can make us better people, and how it’s never too late to find love.

My thoughts:
I haven't read Jon Katz's other dog books, but have always wanted to read at least one. When I was given a chance to read this one I was happy to read a dog story that I knew did not have a unhappy ending. In other words, I knew this dog would always have a home and nothing tragic happened to her before I picked up this book. Those that shy away from dog books for this reason, rest easy. :)

This book was really half of what Jon and, his now wife, Maria went through to be together. One of Jon's biggest obstacles was gaining Frieda's, Maria's protective dog, trust. I have to admit, I wasn't involved in the story until Jon started unraveling Frieda's past and he gained insight into being a generous person to the people he loves. After this happened, I couldn't wait to read how things progressed with Frieda and Maria.

My one complaint is really a general one. Whenever someone, especially dog trainers, adamantly complain and decree that dogs should not ever be anthropomorphized, I usually scoff and then roll my eyes. Why? Because you can always catch them doing just that. In the book, yes, I did catch him several times putting human emotion or reasoning to an animal... and sometimes he even caught himself. I mean I do it all the time, but I don't tell people to "how dare you" not ever do it. I mean, they do have emotion, right? :) Anyhoo... at least this wasn't a major part of this book so it didn't get in the way too much.

I give this book 3 stars. For dog lovers you will really enjoy how he never gave up on a dog that seemed determined to never be a part of the farm's life. You will enjoy the dedication he gave to this dog and his, now wife, Maria.

http://www.bedlamfarm.com/

http://www.fullmoonfiberart.com/

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

 

352p.
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Available Now
Source: TBR pile

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. 

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she has become a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize. 

I AM MALALA is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons. 

I AM MALALA will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world.

My thoughts:
I had heard of the girl, Malala, fighting for girls education in a place where women often don't have many rights. I knew this made the girl brave, and her words were wise. I was horrified to hear that she was shot by the taliban and later glad to hear she was recovering. I have been interested in her story for some time. I also like learning about cultures in places I have never been. So, when I had a chance to get this book I jumped at it. :)

The title is the answer to the question the talib asked before he fired his gun. However, this is mostly a story about a girl. Sometimes an "ordinary" (if anyone can truly be ordinary) girl. She has a huge difference in her life, her father, Ziuddian, who praised and cherished her as much as he cherished her brothers. He found that she had a spirit like his own and encouraged learning and wisdom. Her father overcame his own obstacles and had his own mind about things happening in the world. He also took action where he could and spoke with wisdom and encouraged peace where ever possible. He also included his wife in his decisions and spoke out for women's rights. In a way it was his book as much as Malala. Her mother is not absent from the book either. Much praise goes to a strong and caring mother to help shape her views of the world as well. Her mother was often found caring for those around her and would open their door to anyone in need. The compassion from both her parents seemed never ending and you can see the influence within Malala.

I want to say so much about the thoughts I had while reading this book, but I think this is a book you should have your own experience. You can see how things are universal: corruption in government, how attitudes and actions through fear create chaos, why education is crucial. You also see what it was like for Malala to live in a war zone and how constant terror impacts her, her family and neighbors. You also see her family live through and rise above the terror which gave this girl a larger voice than she thought possible. You also get an epilogue and see how the fame and inability to go back home also affects the whole family. This is a girl who loves her valley.

I give this book 5 stars. I think the book brings a culture most would not otherwise experience. It also explains why education is so important to her. I think this book achieves those goals well. It is a book that should not be missed.

Quotes:

"He believed that lack of education was the root of all of Pakistan’s problems. Ignorance allowed politicians to fool people and bad administrators to be re-elected."

He hated the fact that most people would not speak up. In his pocket he kept a poem written by Martin Niemöller, who had lived in Nazi Germany. First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the socialists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak out because I was not a Catholic. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.

"I reassured my mother that it didn’t matter to me if my face was not symmetrical. Me, who had always cared about my appearance, how my hair looked! But when you see death, things change. “It doesn’t matter if I can’t smile or blink properly,” I told her. “I’m still me, Malala. The important thing is God has given me my life.""

"“Let us pick up our books and our pens,” I said. “They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.”"

The Malala Fund (for girls education)

The Daily Show with Malala

Diane Sawyer Sits Down with Malala