Working Mom Magic

When keeping it together is just an illusion

  • Home
  • About Me
  • parenthood
  • food & fitness
  • mom magic
  • Privacy

mom magic, Uncategorized •

January Book Review

I am so excited… I read two books in January! It is really amazing that the simple act of a setting a goal for yourself can be so effective! As part of my #MoreMEin2016 initiative, my reading challenge was just one of the ways I wanted to make more time to do the things I love.

I selected two books and simply made more of an effort to read. I’m actually embarrassed by how easy it was to carve out this time to myself. Here I am thinking, “I am SOOO busy.. NO time to myself… I just have SO much to do… I never have time to read.” Nope. There’s actually plenty of chances for me to read, once I decided to MAKE the time to do it. Laundry can wait sometimes. So can those emails. Now to the good part, book reviews!

Big Little Liesby Liane Moriarty
Summary from Amazon:
A murder… A tragic accident… Or just parents behaving badly? What’s indisputable is that someone is dead. Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.

My Thoughts:
This is my first Liane Moriarty book. I know everyone raves about her and this book. If you are one of those people you might want to stop reading my review. I was interested in the beginning, but then I just got kind of bored. I am all for a good mystery… however I want to enjoy the entire book. I got to the point with this story where I was like, “Just get me to the end, already!!” Also, I figured out the main story line when a MAJOR hint was dropped in the middle of the book. I was still surprised to find out who died at the end… but by that point I was just happy the book was over. I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads since I know this book didn’t suck, I am just impatient. (However, I am looking forward to the HBO version of this book, especially since it will star Reese Witherspoon & Nicole Kidman!)

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizingby Marie Kondo
Summary from Amazon:
This #1 New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing.

My Thoughts: 
As I write this, I am STILL on the waitlist for the freaking ebook edition of this book from the library. It is a popular read these days. Lucky for me, one of my good friends had copies of this book and was eager to send me one after I put the word out on social media that I was looking for it. I feel like there are 2 responses to this book, from what I have seen. It either changes your life or gives you a really good laugh. As for me, I think I may be right in the middle. I enjoyed the book and read it in just a few days. I have not started any of the methods outlined in the book, because frankly, I haven’t had a chance. I mean, taking every single item of clothing I own, placing it on the floor, and then touching each item while closing my eyes and thinking, “Does this bring me joy?” just isn’t feasible when you are a full-time working mom with 2 kids. However, this book was very motivating & while I may not do the program exactly how she suggests, I am definitely going to try a modified version that will work for me. After years of moving around and having kids, I know that I have TONS of things I don’t need. I am DONE with STUFF and ready to tidy my life. (& you know I can resist anything with the work “magic” in it!)

Did you guys read either of these? I would love to hear what you thought in the comments section! Be sure to check back here tomorrow for February’s books picks! Also, I would love for you to follow me on Goodreads.

**Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links 

If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

 

Share this Post
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on StumbleUpon
StumbleUpon
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Email to someone
email

Comments

  1. Laura @ Oh! The Things She Does says

    at

    I've been hearing so much about the Marie Kondo book in just the past few days. I put in a hold at my local library and I'm only #210 in the queue. (I guess it's pretty popular.) I think, from what I've read, that I'll fall somewhere in the middle as well. I'm hoping to take some new ideas that will work for me. And perhaps I'll end up talking more to my socks…

    Looking forward to your next picks.

    Reply
  2. Theresa says

    at

    I almost picked up the TLC book about tidying up but, decided even if I read it was it really going to help? I've been paring down and ready to do more spring cleaning. Really I'd love an organizer to come in & take over my teens room, lol. If I see the book for free I'd give it a quick read though.

    Reply
  3. Joanna Clute says

    at

    Good for you reading two books this month! Haha I read the title of a few… does that count?;)

    Reply
  4. Bev Feldman says

    at

    Well I absolutely loved Big Little Lies. I was definitely anxious to see who died, but I enjoyed the suspense. Totally not for everyone! As for Marie Kondo's book, I have yet to read it in it's entirety, though I did read the section on clothes and my husband and I spent several hours on Friday night when Eve was at my in-laws' for the night to actually do the process with our clothes (we really know how to live it up!). I actually really like how my clothes are organized now much better than they had been previously. We'll see if I ever follow through with the rest of it, though!

    Reply
  5. MAPLELEOPARD says

    at

    I love your book reviews..the 2nd one I have heard of on GMA…I usually don't have trouble with clutter, but acquiring too much stuff is definitely a problem sometimes!

    I need to make more time to read novels, I usually have my nose in fashion magazines!

    Valerie

    Reply
  6. Jules Ruud says

    at

    I love how honest you are. Probs not going to try and read that first book. I saw the word bored and thought, "okay, nah" but I do want to try and read the Tidy Up book. If nothing but for a good laugh. None of my maternity clothes give me joy so it's time for me to start from scratch. Again, thanks for being honest. This was fun to read!

    Reply
  7. Hil D says

    at

    I haven't read or heard of those books before. I don't get as much reading done as I would like though.

    Reply
  8. Cassandra says

    at

    The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is fantastic! I was right in the middle too. Some parts of the book are truly life-changing, but it still gave me a few laughs. Hope you enjoy it!

    Reply
  9. Traci Rhoades says

    at

    I've heard of both of these but not read them yet. I liked your reviews because they got right to the point and were obviously your opinion. I totally agree, we have more time to read than we realize if we look for it.

    Reply
  10. Becky Ginther says

    at

    So glad you made time to read! I've been really curious about the Tidying Up one and I will probably give it a read when I get the chance.

    Reply
  11. Julie S says

    at

    Big Little Lies sounds like a great book club selection – we just read a murder mystery type book earlier this month too. The second one, well, I'm right there with you. What full time working mom has time to touch every item and think about it? I just don't even want to look at the clutter, so I hide it, but I don't have time to actually go through everything and remove unnecessary stuff. I hope to make time for such a task someday, but that someday hasn't come yet. Glad you're making time for reading 🙂

    Reply
  12. Nicole McGregor says

    at

    i really am stunned that you have time to blog, parent, work and now READ TOO!? Do you ever sleep!? ;0

    Reply
  13. Chrystie Vachon says

    at

    I've read the Life Changing Magic of Tidying up and while I didn't think it was life-changing it was an interesting perspective on 'stuff' 🙂

    Reply
  14. CourtneyLynne says

    at

    Ummmm is it bad that oven ever heard of either of these books lol… Honesty they could be the number one books out right now and I would still be clueless since I live in "Courtney bubble land" lol…. Glad you are kicking your goals though!!! Feels so good to accomplish things!

    Reply
  15. livefromtheplayroom.com says

    at

    So proud of you for following through. I'm still not entirely sure I have time to read! Haha!

    I want to check out that second book though. I could use some STUFF-rehab

    Reply
  16. Deacon Elaine says

    at

    Liked "Big Little Lies" well enough; hated the Kondo book–I kept having images of this poor little OCD child who couldn't form relationships or even go out to play because she was so bothered by clutter. I think the popularity of this book says more about our culture of over-consumption and how sick everybody is of it.

    Reply
  17. Rose says

    at

    I haven’t read either of these books but read another Moriarty book so I will try another but, I actually put bothof these books on hold at my library.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email

I'm a working mom doing my best to keep it all together with the help of some fancy illusions and sleight of hand.

On Instagram

Subscribe to Working Mom Magic!

Daily Family Planner Printable

I promise to never spam or sell your email address

Blog Archive

Copyright © 2022 · Working Mom Magic · Design by Ready to Blog Designs

Copyright © 2022 · Working Mom Magic on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in