The Roald Dahl Omnibus, Roald Dahl

The Roald Dahl Omnibus, Roald Dahl

I have read quite a bit of Roald Dahl's work, many of his children's stories and a few of his anthologies of short stories similar to this one. Actually, a good majority of the stories in this book are contained in two other books I have read of his, so most of it I was familiar with. All of these stories have some kind of wicked or witty twist and many were enjoyable to read or reread. However, I really do not like his stories about sex. In these stories, they contain an act of sex or sexual behavior in which the woman has not given her consent and she has no real say in the matter. The woman is violated in some way, whether blatantly or unknowingly., such as when two neighboring men decide to sleep with each others' wives without the wives knowing they made the switch. And sometimes, there is the attitude where the author assumes that the woman, even if sexually assaulted by a stranger, secretly wanted it to happen all along. 

I know that was a common attitude for many men to have had during the time period where this was written, but it's no excuse. Sex without consent is NEVER okay. This book has given me a different view of Roald Dahl....I can't say I like him as much as I used to. I am disappointed.

 

Art Stories Book Two, William G. Whitford, Edna B. Liek, William S. Gray

Art Stories, Book Two

Whitford, Liek, Gray

I found this book at an estate sale, it belonged to a long-time local grade school teacher. Being an artist, I was interested. I grabbed it and put it in my pile of treasures and brought it home without even opening it up. It went into the TBR pile. When I picked it up to read it, I was amazed and the beautiful and vivid colors and graphics in this book--they are gorgeous!

This is not only a grade school reader, but every story has something to do with some aspect of art: color mixing, line drawing, architecture, galleries and museums with famous paintings, home decorating, fashion, and more. It's a beautiful little book, published in 1934 by the same people who brought us Dick and Jane. 

This one is going into my personal collection. I love it so much! I am going to have to look for book one, and see if there are any more in the series.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

EntreLeadership, Dave Ramsey

EntreLeadership, Dave Ramsey

I am into the way Dave Ramsey does things, I have gone through Financial Peace University which has really helped us get rid of a lot of debt, and we are still working on it. I love listening to podcasts on the Ramsey Network. So when I found this book at the thrift store, I just had to get it. It is full of insight on how to be a leader in business, especially your own business, how to treat your coworkers, and the outlooks and perspectives you should have in order to make your business run well and succeed. 

I am an entrepreneur. I left my job last year, not because I wanted to, but my boss put some unethical choices in my lap and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did what he wanted...and he retaliated when I objected, by taking away almost all of my hours unless I complied. So I took the weekend to think about it and pray for wisdom, and then wrote a long, respectful, but to the point resignation letter stating why I couldn't work for him anymore. And then I treated the side hustle I have had for the last 20 years like a full time job and I have done alright. Now, I don't have anyone working for me, but that doesn't mean I can't learn some wisdom from this book. I have been in some kind of leadership position most of my adult life, so I have always felt it was important to understand how to lead, whether you are taking the reigns or assisting someone else.

So many things in here, I kept saying, YES! This is so true! This is great! And others were situations I haven't had to be in, but I gained wisdom from learning about how Dave and others handled them.

This is truly a good one to read for anyone who might lead in some point, whether as a parent, a spouse, a Sunday School teacher, an entrepreneur, whatever. 

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck