Douglas W. Carnine

I started reading this quite a while back, and somehow misplaced it. I rediscovered it tonight and could not put it down. I've always been interested in the background of prisoners: what happened to them to make them go to prison, how were they before, etc. This book took those questions into account and so much more. The author gets to know several inmates over the course of many years, and the stories that he shares are both amazing and bittersweet. On the one hand, the inmates have made peace with their situation. On the other hand, you can't help but wonder how lonely and frustrating life inside those walls can be. This was an excellent read and I enjoyed reading the author's correspondence over the years.… (more)

What first impressed me about HOW LOVE WINS is the format of the book. It has a well delineated Table of Contents so I know specifically the content of the book with two chapters immediately catching my interest. Whenever I am going to read nonfiction I look at the end of the book and I recommend you know what's there: a Resources List, Glossary and blank pages. I started writing notes in the back but I'm going to have to dedicate a notebook for my notes instead. Why? Once you start reading the bullets and illustrations and charts are helpful, but the "your turn", "checking in" and "time for reflection" writing prompts will get you thinking and writing about your life and how to integrate kindness into it. You need to take your time in reading this book thus I have not finished yet, but the author, who kindly offered this book in LibraryThing's giveaway program for review, deserves to have this book reviewed as it is truly good.… (more)