I want to be free of you... the way you, obviously, are free of me.*

I'm going to try and stay on top of the monthly book reviews.  I apologize for the first half of 2012 - but as you can see - 8 books in 6 months - it's okay to build it up (I guess I just got used to having at least 5 a month).  But here are the books I finished off in July.

Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D

Every review you'll find on this book says that everyone should it.  I'm now going to echo that - everyone should read this!  Especially those who work with mini-people (teachers, parents, etc.).  The book makes you look at yourself too and see if you are limiting yourself because you are afraid to fail.  Failure hurts - but it's nothing to be afraid of, it's an excellent learning opportunity

This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I bought this book because I enjoyed The Great Gatsby (warning: The Great Gatsby is depressing - Christian did not realize this).  I really struggled through this book - I had high hopes and then I felt like I was reading some strange, pieced together autobiography.  More like when you sit down with you grandma (or adopted grandma) and they randomly share stories that don't seem connected.  Except that Fitzgerald at least went chronologically.  There were moments when the writing pulled me in and then moments when I had no clue what he was talking about because he kept referencing things and sayings from the 1920's - NO CLUE what those meant and therefore didn't follow very well.  The book picked up near the end and I was reading through, unable to put it down (we're talking last 50 pages or so) and then I closed the book and was super depressed for a few days.  I can't decide it I liked it or not (cause remember -depressing doesn't deter me, it pulls me in).  If I ever come to a final conclusion, I'll let you know.

Matched by Ally Condie
I had high expectations for this book.  I thought it would be one of those that I couldn't put down.  I don't know if it's because I had just come out of the richness of Fitzgerald or what, but I struggled.  I could easily put this book down and leave it down.  I kept telling myself that the character was supposed to be shallow (in terms of character development) and all around wholesome without any problems...but even her problems didn't get any sympathy from me.  Luckily, the book did pick up and I'm actually excited to read the next book in the series. 

Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
I joined a book club in July and this is the first book we decided to read. I've heard nothing but good reviews about it. Over the course of three weeks we met and discussed the parts of the book that stood out to us.  It was a great experience being able to discuss in a group setting, to hear other's thoughts on what I liked, and to hear which parts stood out to others.  I'm excited for the next one!