Week 30: The Road to Character

This week's book:
The Road to Character
By David Brooks

So I have said in the past I have taken over the book group at my church. The books aren't really religious normally, we just happen to be people that all go to the same church. This week's book has been the book I haven't wanted to read since all the way back to when we were picking the books for the upcoming year. I was so sure I didn't want to read it that I got my first library card since I was little. I know as a book lover, and bargain hunter I should have always had a card. Well our local library has been in the middle of a block of construction for the past forever and they don't have great parking. Taking two kiddos down streets in the middle of a college campus where college kids speed and don't look where they are going is kind of my nightmare.

Anyway, back to the book. I didn't want to read it at all. But I volunteered to bring snacks to book group that day to force myself to read the book. Normally my age difference doesn't seem to matter to the group, I can still find value in all the books. I may be younger than everyone at the meeting but I will be able to put my own spin on the book or find one little gem that I can take away from the story the book is trying to explain. Well this book was not this case. I literally read it as fast as I could so it would just be done. I broke my cardinal rule which is if you are not enjoying a book/movie/show/craft, quit. Life is too short to waste what small free time I have on something that doesn't bring me joy.

The author is apparently on NPR, which I will freely admit I don't listen to. That radio station puts me to sleep every time. The book is about how we are a “me” culture and how we youngins are all about social media and how everyone had more integrity fifty years ago. While this would be a book I wouldn't want to read in general if that was all the book was about, but it's not. The author goes on to every chapter discussing different people that had character. It was like he wanted to write eight or so biographies but didn't want to write more then about twenty or so pages per person.

The thing I found funny (being sarcastic) was once I started reading it, the book was everywhere. The hardback copies at the local bookstore we're on clearance (wonder why?). Both my mother in law and a random woman when I was talking on a live Facebook video thingy had heard of the book and seemed truly interested. I apparently don't know what all the cool people are reading.

I have been having a stressful week with a little boy who has been slowly driving me insane and some disappointing news have both sent me into a poopy mood. I truly don't know if I would have enjoyed the book if I was in a better mood. I don't recommend this book. If you want to read it, maybe if you could explain why, that would be great.