Leadership and Self-Deception (by the Arbinger Institute)

This book discusses our relationships (work and home) and how we perceive people. We are "in the box" when we see people as objects instead of as people. When someone appears to be an object to us, we aren't reacting/acting toward them in the way we should or really want. The book teaches us what 'in the box' behavior is and how to get 'out of the box'.

Even though the book mentions leadership in the title, the concept is not just for leaders or the workplace. It can be applicable to anyone open to change.

This is an easy read that makes lots of sense as the topics are reiterated and explained to the point that you CAN'T misunderstand.

I read this book for my work's independent study program. My new director (6 months or so) wanted us to all read it because when she first came to our Head Start she saw that we were "in the box" as an organization and needed help! I read it for my quiz for the independent study, but I want to read it again without the need to look for answers and get more out of it.

Perfect timing for this blog, btw. I wanted to do a blog post about this book for you guys since I really liked it and think it'll be good for everyone to read (and apply).

Sex Has a Price Tag

Pam Stenzel is a name you'd recognize if you were going to teach health. Since I'm the only one in the family planning to do that, I'll just tell you about this book that she wrote. I read it for a class, and I chose it from the list of book options because it was a quick read. Basically the book talks all about why people shouldn't have sex before marriage. Great morals. The parts I didn't like included the fact that there seemed to be a bajillion typos (maybe just my edition of the book), when she would throw in scriptures and not really tie them in to her train of thought, and the fact that she is basically only writing toward people who believe (and fear) in God. Hopefully, all in this family still agree with the LDS doctrine, and we all know how much it is ordained of God to wait until marriage to have sex. So, in the future if you think your children should be reminded/taught about chastity from a source other than the church (as a back-up plan maybe?), have them read this book. You can't take everything she says at face-value, but it's generally a pretty good and what I thought to be convincing argument about staying morally clean. FYI, she also has a movie out with pretty much the same message. I've heard the movie is a little bit more applicable to all because it's not as much about God. In fact, the movie is often shown in health classes at junior highs and high schools here in Utah.

Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships

So, I am only on page 145 out of 380 pages, but even then, this book is FASCINATING! It explains some ways to learn and teach unwritten social rules to children AND adults with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Both of these authors have overcome their autism to have functioning relationships. It is quite fascinating because each author has a marked difference in the way they interpret the world. It illustrates two ways (of many) that autistic people think that are different from the way we think.

I'm really enjoying it and it's a fairly easy read even though it's long. I'd love to talk about it with anyone who reads it!

Running with Angels

After being bored for a while while Mom finished her mission responsibilities, I finally asked her if she had any books to read. Surprisingly, she did. Well, her apartment did. A previous senior (or maybe middle-aged) sister missionary who had lived in that apartment had left several sacks of novels in the closet, and Mom suggested that I search through them to find one that I'd like. Most of them were suspense novels such as Mary Higgins Clark. After reading the back of two or three of them, they all seemed the same to me, and I decided I probably wouldn't enjoy reading them.
Then I came across a thinner one called Running With Angels by Pamela H. Hansen. On it was a post-it note that said "Very inspiring and made me cry." It's a story of a lady who triumphs over personal and family tragedy to be able to lose weight and even run a marathon. I really enjoyed the book, because as the post-it said . . .it was very inspiring. Granted, I haven't ever been (nor hope to be!) obese like she was, but I certainly learned alot about how to accomplish larger goals by starting . . .one step at a time. Quite literally sometimes. It can be done.
We all have bad habits in our lives that sometimes get out of control. So if you're really feeling like for once and for all you'd like to change something, I suggest reading this book. It's very inspiring . . .and it might make you cry.
(p.s. Seeing as how the original owner of the book left it behind, I now have the book in my possession.)