It’s been a long time since I’ve done a book review. Probably because I’ve spent the entire summer plowing through The Value of Money: Uncover the Hidden Wisdom of Money by Susan McCarthy.

Let me just clarify that I am not the fastest book reader. I spend most of my reading time online, reading blogs, news, e-mail, etc. It usually takes me some time to finish a book. (Just ask anyone who has ever loaned me a book!)

But I finally finished The Value of Money and thought I’d share my thoughts with you.

I almost stopped reading this book at the beginning. McCarthy has kind of a super-sweet syrupy tone to her writing which kind of bored me. She was a little sentimental for my tastes.

But there were some definite redeeming qualities to the book. First off, I really enjoyed her description of money as a tool, and how we can use that tool to express our values. I also appreciated her descriptions of the seven different types of relationships people have with their money. (Turns out I always live like there’s a wolf at the door… which there was one in my neighborhood recently!)

The most useful and meaningful parts of the book dealt with how to handle a parent’s estate when they are incapacitated and after they have passed on. This was an important message filled with useful tips for handling the emotional side of these heavy financial decisions.

If you’re interested in your relationship with money, and how it can affect you even after you’ve passed away, this book is a good read.