This all started on trip to the mall yesterday. My friend and I did a little Christmas shopping and on the way out of the mall my friend had me run into a used book store so I could see how awesome it was {yes, a used book store can be awesome} I ran inside, looked around, confirmed the awesomness, and headed back to the car. On my way out of the store the coupon diva inside me had to look at the FREE book table, I mean they're free, I had to look. As I looked through this random pile of broken books and empty puzzle boxes I selected a book to entertain us for the day. My selection? The Making of an Unshakable Character By : an assortment of 12 people that have long names and I know you won't want this book so I'm not typing them all out. And side note : Shout out to Becca Langley, I have your book from 2002, why would you buy this?? Anyway, lets get started. The book begins with a quiz {clearly geared for younger readers, but we did it anyway} let's just say we didn't score all so well... Our results landed us in the "One Shaky Character" section {and for the record I did earn one more point than my friend, and by me pointing that out I am giving an example of my bad character...} In a nutshell the book is telling me that I think too much of what others think about me and my actions, and that I am not considering my daily life choices on a deeper level. Nicely played book, but I'm still not convinced my character is flawed, let's see what else you've got. Up next, if I continue down my path with this shaky character of mine I'm off on an "ignorant and uncaring journey" {harsh} Yet, if I decide to change {by reading this book of course} I will have "nothing to hide,nothing to prove, and walk with freedom and security" Well, personally I would call this being conceited. And if I have nothing to prove doesn't that mean I lack motivation in life? Maybe it is good to walk around not being completely secure with my surroundings, people can be crazy...And lets be honest, we all have something to hide, even if it is small and insignificant to others, no one wants their whole life "out there" right ??! Well the book now tells me that my character tune up will require "daily attention" I'll give them 20 minutes.. . after scanning the first pages I reach the next chapter "Is my integrity worth 32 cents" yes, okay, skip that chapter. I'm doing great. The next Chapter that catches my eye? "Wipe the Poop off your Face" wow, I seriously couldn't make this up... is this really a book? I need to write a book... back to the poop on my face, apparently I need to see my anger and regret as poop, this poop is on my face {gross} now why would I want to walk around with poop on my face all day long? No one would like me, and I'd be in a bad mood. This is true, if I did have poop on my face I would be in a bad mood, and it would be in my best interest to wipe it off, but still, should this really be Chapter 16 in my character changing book{and did I need a book to know I don't want poop on my face?}I think not. I decide to stop reading there. I am sad for poor Becca, I really hope she didn't let this book convince her she was a bad person, because trust me, that first chapter is brutal, they make us "shaky character" people sound like a bad bunch{ judging by the sudden hault in highlighting she gave up on day five, so that speaks highly of her}. I think even a "self help" book, or whatever you would call this nonsense should focus on the helping part, we all know our flaws, no need to point them out, or make them up, and make them a billion times more awful sounding, geez. So I'd say my free book is a fail, except I haven't yelled at a book this much, well, ever. It was that bad. I think I'll stick with my "shaky" character, I seem to be doing just fine, and somehow I have made it through life without "poop on my face", thank goodness. So next time you see some free books, grab one, maybe you'll find a good read, or maybe you'll find 12 people on a power trip who can't write, trying to tell you how to change your "shaky" life in for an unshakable fake one. You never know :)
Kelly Callahan
