Each week, Ginny over at "Small Things" hosts the weekly yarn along - a place for all to post what they are knitting and what they are reading. Knitting and reading seem to go hand-in-hand, although I don't know why and it's fun to see what other people are working on and knitting.
This week, I haven't had much knitting time (and after this post, I plan on getting in some stitching!) I have begun the front of the tunic I am making for Pk and if I can get to work, I am hoping to have it done before the end of the summer. We shall see - so often, it feels like I either knit or blog, they don't seem to both happen.My reading this week has been really interesting. I mentioned here a while ago that I had heard a lot of talk in the media about Amy Chua's book, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" (I have to say, I know that book titles should be underlined and not put in quotations but I can't find how to do it). I was offended by a fair bit of what was reported and I wasn't going to go out of my way to read the book. I assumed that the book was designed to be controversial to generate sales.
This past week, I saw the book on the shelf at the library and decided that, since I had mentioned it here, I should read a bit. I have to say, I am truly captivated. It is not a "how-to" manual, as had been implied in the discussion of the book - it is a combination of a parenting memoir and an exploration of the dynamics of Chinese parenting. I have found it to be gripping. I can't decide whether I like Amy Chua or not - as a narrator, she often grabs my sympathy, in spite of myself, despite the fact that some of what she says is offensive and some of the things that she did with her children are horrible. As a teacher, I also find the book fascinating. I have dealt with many Asian parents who come across as being pushy, demanding and unwilling to accept the level of performance of their children. This book also has been asking myself questions about my own parenting and my most deeply held parenting beliefs.
I'm surprised at how much I am finding the book interesting and I would certainly suggest it as something that is worth a read.
I really enjoyed the book too. I'm still torn after reading it whether I love her or hate her. She makes some very harsh decisions when coming to parenting, but who am I to judge? I know a lot of things I do as a parent causes eye rolling and scoffing, but it works for me. Good for her for showing no shame in her choices. (Even if I think she's mean and scary. lol)
ReplyDeleteI finished the book last night and if anything, I think it's a story of her learning that every child is different and needs to be parented differently. It was a great read and that's all that matters to me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book review, if I see it at the library I might pick it up! Your knitting is lovely, I love the eyelet detail~ :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I really loved the book. I like a good controversy though. HA ha.
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