The Anatomy of Peace

by Arbinger Institute

{ 2006 | Berrett-Koehler Publishers | 231 pgs }

I was originally planning to take a class on campus this semester, titled Self & Society. It examines how we form our identities and how we interact with other people, among other things. This was one of the assigned texts, and I figured I might as well read something before I got busy with school and the Bwun and so on. It took me about an hour and a half – it isn’t a textbook, and on top of that, it’s fiction. Ea-sy read.

At a wilderness camp for out-of-control teenagers, parents are asked to stay two days with the camp’s leaders and learn how to resolve the conflict in their homes – not by fixing the teenagers’ behavior, but by adjusting their own attitudes and behaviors. The philosophy of the book is that when we act with our hearts at peace towards ourselves and those around us, harmony is possible; when we act otherwise, we invite conflict.

Definitely an interesting book, and I’d recommend it to those who feel angry, bitter, slighted, or resentful – so, to all of us, at times.

The Candy Shop War

by Brandon Mull

{ 2007 | Shadow Mountain | 358 pgs }

Mull, author of the Fablehaven series, has written a thoroughly delightful book about kids, candy, magic, bad guys, time travel, and more candy. I’m just going to tell you it was great, and leave it at that. Go find a copy! Now!

(Ok, if you have to know more, a candy shop opens in this little town, and the owner, a grandma-type woman, tells this group of four friends that she’ll give them magical candy if they do a favor for her. Foot-in-the-door, people. That’s really all you need to know.)

Princess Academy

by Shannon Hale

{ 2005 | Bloomsbury | 250 pgs }

What looked to be a dreadfully boring, sappy, girly book turned out to be one of the most enjoyable books I read last year. Surprise!

A long time ago, I read Hale’s Goose Girl, and loved it, although now I remember almost nothing about it. I was hesitant to read any of her other work, in case it ruined my opinion of Goose Girl (the same reason I won’t read anything besides the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander). But I wish I’d picked up Princess Academy earlier! It had a strong heroine, of course, and believable characters. Perhaps if Hale had chosen a different name for her book, it would draw more readers in. It sounded to me like that Disney movie where Cinderella has to learn how to be a princess. Dumb. Princess Academy is really nothing like that, and I enjoyed the plot twists, even if they were a little bit obvious.

This is another book I won a free copy of, but I’d probably spend money to buy it for myself. At the very least, you might check it out from the library. If you’re into that sort of thing.

P.S. My copy has a different cover – I wish it had this one! Check out the artwork.