5 Book Suggestions for Women's History Month

It's Women's History Month and time to find some good reading material for the kids.  I have only read the first two below, but the others are on my list.

Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought)  (Author) Kathleen Krull

http://www.amazon.com/Lives-Extraordinary-Women-Neighbors-Hardcover/dp/B00EDZ15FM/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457225469&sr=1-2&keywords=lives+of+extraordinary+women+rulers+rebels+and+what+the+neighbors+thought

Lives of Extraordinary Women has short intervals describing the accomplishments and vices of top women throughout history.  From Cleopatra to Aung San Sun Kyi, there is a lot to learn from strong women leaders of the past.  Their stories are not perfect, but do highlight the power that some of these women were able to wield and maintain.  Although some of the details are inappropriate for young kids, I am adapting for bedtime stories for this month.

A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women 

by Lynne Cheney 

http://www.amazon.com/Abigail-Almanac-Amazing-American-Women/dp/0689858191/ref=pd_sim_14_13?ie=UTF8&dpID=61feSfoEcmL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR156%2C160_&refRID=0HKPFQ4Q34GC7GY48SP4

This book is an entertaining who's who of American women, organized by categories, including women in science and math. 

Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women

http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Think-Everything-Ingenious-Inventions/dp/0618195637/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457225201&sr=1-3&keywords=women%27s+history+for+kids

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World 

by Cynthia Chin-Lee 

http://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Zora-Twenty-Six-Women-Changed/dp/1570915237/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=61FSLDPl%2BrL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1A7BQ4G33F0Z1C9BSXQ5

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World

by Rachel Ignotofsky 

http://www.amazon.com/Women-Science-Fearless-Pioneers-Changed/dp/1607749769/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457225671&sr=1-5&keywords=women+scientists+childrens+books

What are your pics for Women's History Month?

Does your house "Spark Joy?"

I was recently introduced to Marie Kondo and her magic "tidying up" method through some organization articles.  After watching a couple videos, I ordered her book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and now I am hooked.

One of the statements that intrigued me, was that after following her "marathon" method, her clients never go back to untidy lifestyles.  Keep in mind, Marie Kondo mainly works with clients in Japan, where living spaces are small and keeping neat and tidy is a valued part of the culture.  So can her method work in America, land of the consumer?

There are several principles that the Kon-Mari method of decluttering is based on.

1.  You must do all the sorting at once (as nearly as possible).  Her marathon method recommends taking all of your items (by category) out at once, partly so you can see how much you have and recognize duplicates.

2.  You should follow the order of sorting she suggests (Clothes, Books, Paper, Misc., then Mementos).

3.  Rather than focusing on what you will discard, you should touch every item and decide if you want to keep it.  The criteria is whether it "sparks joy" when you hold it.

Being analytical, the "sparking joy" criteria seemed a little too variable for a disciplined criteria, but I was curious to try it.

After starting the book, I tried out the technique with my clothes.  I have been paring my closet down for a couple years now and actually have less clothes than my husband.  When I considered the "Does this spark joy?" question as I picked up shirts and pants, I started to understand the benefit.  It forces you to choose only the things that you are proud of and feel good wearing.  Why would you keep clothes that do not look good on you, just because it was a gift or you enjoyed it once?  Marie Kondo suggests you thank the discarded items for their service.  Even if it was something you never wore, it helped you know what did not look good on you.  Honestly, I was starting to feel more self confident because I truly liked the clothes that remained and had some ideas of what I needed the next time I went shopping.

There are a couple ways I would translate "spark joy" when you are considering whether to keep clothes.  

Do you like wearing it?

Do you feel good wearing it?

Does it look good on you?

I found some clothes that had got tucked away that I started wearing again.  I also found clothes that I do not feel good wearing, but got on sale.  They did not get returned to the closet, but went into the donation pile.  Now when I go in the closet, I feel good about every outfit.

I was afraid I would not have any clothes left after this round, but I have enough and it did highlight some deficiencies in my closet.  Now that I know what I need (ex. black pants), I can find some higher quality pants that I love.

Overall, I am still a little skeptical about how long before I start to notice clutter in my closets again, but I have a newly inspired respect for quality over quick and cheap.  I will continue to use the Kon-Mari method in the rest of my house and see how it goes.

For more info, Marie Kondo has a website:  http://tidyingup.com

What I am Reading Now

I have read several books that I would recommend recently.

Lean In:  Women, Work, and the Wll to Lead, Sheryl Sandberg;  ok, I read this awhile ago, but I refer back to it often.  If you are a working woman and have not read it yet, get it now.

Never Eat Alone:  And Other Secrets to Success, Keith Ferrazzi & Tahl Raz;  The author is a great salesman and master networker, but he has some good ideas and suggestions that can help all of us expand our sphere of influence.

Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office:  101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers, Lois P Frankel, Ph.D.;  A lot of good ideas about how to be perceived as a capable leader in the office.  There are enough suggestions you can pick and choose which are most relevant & important to you.

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, Gary Chapman;  Great relationship book that helps identify what methods of showing love are important to you.   Suggest reading with your partner to build communication and trust in the relationship.

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus:  The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex, John Gray, Ph.D.;  Although this book is a little dated and tends toward generalizations, there are some insightful observations about how women and men relate to each other.  Unfortunately, since we tend to be problem solvers, I think female engineers are from Neptune (a little of both).

Getting Things Done:  The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, David Allen;  I admit I love lists.  This methodology takes lists to another level and helps organize your action items for maximum productivity.  It sounds complicated at first, but once implemented, it can be rolled into your daily routine.

Rich Kid Smart Kid:  Giving Your Child a Financial Head Start, Robert T. Kiyosaki;  This book covers some of Mr. Kiyosaki's methods from Rich Dad Poor Dad, but also introduces ideas to help teach our kids to think like entrepeneurs and learn from failure.  

Others that are on my list, but I have not read yet:

Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, Susan Cain

The Richer Sex:  How the New Majority of Female Breadwinners is Transforming our Culture, Lisa Mundy

What suggestions do you have?