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I read One Second After by Forstchen several years ago, and when I read that VanDerSys was inspired (at least in part) by that book I had high hopes for this title. Unfortunately I didn't find it nearly as interesting, as well written or as well researched.
The premise is simple. a 16 year old girl has traveled several miles from home (a home she had recently moved to) to break up with her long distance boyfriend so she could pursue a guy where she now lived that she found attractive after seeing him a few times but didn't really know. While at a gathering with friends, where she chose to dump her boyfriend, an EMP goes off killing all electronics. She then decides to make the journey home alone and that is the story that is told.
While we do encounter the expected "bad" elements - they are all portrayed as being drug addicts, as if the people we consider law abiding citizens under normal circumstances would not possibly turn to a life of self-interest and bad behavior. The only other "bad" character is portrayed as a fat and creepy neighbor prior to the EMP. Everyone else was either someone willing to help, or they just locked themselves inside.
I also have a hard time believing that a 16 year old with very little experience, an old map and a gun that she had never shot before would have fared as well as this one did - surviving on granola bars, jerky, and a canteen with a water filter that was all given to her by adults that appear to have no issue with sending her off on her own.
I found myself skipping quite a bit of repetitive description (especially towards the end when the characters are retelling their story over and over to others) to get to the end only we never really get to the end. Yep, that is right. Our main character doesn't actually arrive home at the end of the book. We end with her on the road to her home after she was told that there was word of several break-ins and possible nefarious deeds in the area...
I will read the next book because I already own it and I hope the writing and story has improved in it....
The
Wanderer is a man shrouded in legend. Moving from place to place in the
land of Nod, he is known primarily for the curse that hangs over his
life. When that curse is invoked during the celebration of a murderous
rampage, The Wanderer is summoned to tell his story.
Few know the
truth of the tale encompassing life, death, love, hate, faith and
doubt, for it has been obscured by centuries of rumour. Now, it will be
told by the one who lived it—the man who became The Wanderer.
A
story you know as you've never heard it before, The Wanderer Series
presents the ancient tale of Cain and Abel from Genesis 4, reimagined in
gripping new fiction.
My Review:
Honestly, when the author sent out a request for advanced readers for The Wanderer Scorned, I knew I had to read this one. It has been quite a while since I have reviewed for a publisher or an author, but the story really intrigued me.
Woodcraft covers the events from the Fall of Man to shortly after Cain killing Abel and connects it all to Lamech's bold statement that, "If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold," after he killed a man. This statement brings about the telling of Cain's (or Kayin as it is spelled in the book) story to those who are present.
I'll say upfront, I had a difficult time at the beginning of this book. Woodcraft makes every effort to transliterate names from Hebrew to English, often choosing to use a phonetic spelling, which varies from spellings we are accustomed to: Chavah for Eve, Kayin for Cain, Havel for Abel etc. I appreciate that she explains this at the end of the book, but at the beginning it takes a bit to become accustomed to it.
It was also obvious that this is Woodcraft's first novel. It doesn't immediately draw the reader in, BUT hang in there because it is well worth sticking it out. She seems to find her writing "groove" a little later in the story, and when she does you will really begin to identify with Kayin.
As a work of Biblical fiction, this novel does a great job of filling in the blanks left by the sparse details of Kayin's life. You see family drama unfold, you recognize how hurts and misunderstandings can damage relationships, and how those can lead to a moment that can never be undone.
I love that we get a peek into the mind of Kayin throughout the book, and how relatable he is. He asks questions that many of us have asked ourselves, such as:
"He (Havel) said he had followed Yahweh's voice. What did he even mean by that? Had he heard the voice alone, or had others heard it? Had it een like the wind by the river or a voice inside his head? I longed to know what it felt like to hear the voice of Yahweh. Perhaps if He just spoke to me, I would get the answers I needed."
or
"Oh, I knew I could never have the same relationship with Yahweh that Havel had; I wasn't born with that easy connection to Him. Yet if I worked hard enough, kept my feelings in check - even prayed regularly- perhaps something might change."
If you have been a disciple of Christ for any length of time, one or the other ( or maybe even both!) of these thoughts have probably crossed your mind. Who hasn't longed for a closer relationship?
I won't spoil the story by telling you what caused Kayin to take the life of his brother, but I will say that by the time you get there, you will be able to relate to him.
One of the great things about this book is that it gives life to people other than Kayin and Havel. Woodcraft takes the time to create backstories and personalities for several siblings. And by the conclusion you too are going to be anticipating the next installment in what looks to be a great series!
One final thing, Woodcraft is not just a Biblical Fiction author, but a songwriter as well, and that gift appears several times throughout the book. Worship, including worship through song, is woven throughout the lives of the first family on Earth. And the lyrics that are included in the novel are beautiful. Don't believe me? Check this out!
"On the twins’ first birthday, we were sitting together outside the
hut. In a rare moment, Havel was not in my mother’s arms but was
crawling on the floor with Avan. They had invented a new game, climbing
over the top of each other and then giggling furiously when one of them
tumbled. I shifted my weight to my hands and knees and crawled towards
them. Havel looked at me wide-eyed, but Avan chortled and came crawling
forward. I swept my arm under her belly and tickled her until she rolled
over on to her back, legs in the air and holding her toes.
Havel decided to join in. When he crawled forward, I tickled him in
the same way. However, he resisted rolling over and continued towards
me, grabbing hold of my arm. I swung him up and around onto my shoulder,
where he grasped my ear and started chewing it. I laughed aloud as he’d
found my single ticklish spot. Then, he fell into my arms and I blew on
his stomach, reducing him to fits of giggles. When I looked up, Ima was
watching us, her face radiant.
Then Abba began to sing, his low voice rumbling through the valley:
Give to Elohim all praise,
He is our source; by His breath, we were made.
Formed from the dust to subdue the land,
Taken from my side, she was placed at my hand.
*
Then blessed to procreate, producing more
Offspring to fill the earth and adore
Yahveh, for in His name is might,
All power and goodness are His right.
*
We fell, alas we listened
To the lying tongue that glistened,
In the light of the fading day.
Only darkness evermore would reign.
*
Or so we thought.
*
Yet Yahweh has blessed us again,
For we followed His command, when
We multiplied! And blessed we have been
With three to bring glory to Elohim.
*
Yahweh – my rock – forgive our iniquity;
Set us free, provide sanctuary.
Cleanse us, make us new once more.
May we fulfil all you have designed us for.
*
We sat silently afterwards for many moments.
Even the babies were still. Then a gentle wind whipped around us and
caressed our hearts. "
Even better, Woodcraft created a video of the song as well!
All that to say, this book is well worth the read! You can pre-order it on Amazon here.
Let's start with what I liked. The main character is a middle aged, happily married stay at home mom. She isn't some SUPER mom that has perfect hair and make up, making gourmet meals for her kids while working at a high powered job and still keeping it sexy for her hubby. She wears sweatpants, is concerned about the mega sexy young lawyer her husband works with, occasionally gets side tracked and forgets to do something for her kids and has real life struggles. I love that about this book.
What I didn't like was all of the "I" statements throughout the book. It is written in first person, so there are repeated sentences that include:
"I sat...", "I took...", "I pulled...", "I thought...", I passed...", "I went...", "I think...", "I've still...", "I need...", "I hadn't...", "I decided...", "I'd lost....", "I'd deal...", "I concentrated...", "I still....", "I haven't...", "I think....", "I had....", "I realized...", "I managed...", "I really...", "I haven't...", "I guess..."
All of those are from ONE page (273) of the book. I like Shelby (the main character) but I didn't like reading "I" ALL THE TIME!
The story is interesting, if a bit far fetched for me. Shelby witnesses a bank robbery at her local grocery store and receives a head injury during the robbery. As a result she suddenly is able to hear the thoughts of the people around her. This inadvertently leads to her becoming involved with a local crime boss. Not a bad summer read, but I was able to read it through Amazon's Prime lending library. I didn't like it enough to purchase the next book in the series.
Lots of quotes from this book were added to my commonplace book. Lots of poignant thoughts and meaningful paragraphs. However, the flowery writing and (overly) poetic sentences made it difficult to fall into every time I picked it up. It would take several pages to adjust to Ann's writing style before the words could penetrate my soul and speak to me. Once I fell into the language, though, it was nourishment and a reminder of God's love for each of us. Voskamp issues a call to return His love through gratitude and shows us how doing so inevitably draws us into a deeper, fuller relationship with Him.
What do an ex-con, a former drug addict, a real estate broker, a college student and a married mother of two have in common?
Nothing,
or so I thought. Who would have imagined that God would make a prayer
group as mismatched as ours the closest of friends? I almost didn’t even
go to the Chicago Women’s Conference—after all, being thrown together
with five hundred strangers wasn’t exactly my “comfort zone.” But
something happened that weekend to make us realize we had to hang
together, and the Yada Yada Prayer Group” was born! When I faced the
biggest crisis of my life, God used my newfound Sisters to show me what
it means to be just a sinner saved by grace.
My Review:
Why has no one told me about this book yet?!?! Originally published eight years ago and reprinted in 2013, I would have thought someone I know would have read this and shared it with me by now. Since it wasn't shared with me, let me share it with you....
Jodi is the middle class, middle aged, married mom of teens. Avis is her boss and church acquaintance that convinces her to attend a local women's conference. While there, they are grouped with 10 other women for a breakout prayer session. Before the conference is over their faith in the power of prayer is challenged and they decide to rise to the occasion and continue the prayer group.
I won't give away too much of the plot, but I will say that you will probably identify with aspects of at least one of the Yada Prayer sisters. Whether you find yourself facing what appear to be impossible odds, fighting to recover from past mistakes, trying to decide if the whole "God thing" is real, dealing with the pain of lost relationships, or struggling with feeling far from God this story helps you to realize that you are not alone.
There are those that have reviewed this book as being too "preachy" or "churchy". I say they missed the point. For me the point was that we are all in a different place on our journey to know Jesus, but that doesn't mean we don't each have something to offer those around us, and that we don't each have something still to learn. Were parts of the book "churchy" or "preachy"? Maybe, but couldn't we all use a reminder that life is more than just our circumstances? Or that life was not meant to be walked alone? I think so!
The Yada Yada Prayer Group is an easy read, it is well written and moves along at a decent pace. I did feel that it wrapped up a little too quickly and a little too neatly, but I hope that the second book, The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down, continues where this one left off and delves into things a little deeper. Still, this was well worth the few hours invested in reading it and I have already begun book 2.
A mother's love for her unborn child and a struggle to save what remains of her love for her husband is our introduction to this fascinating book. To the emotional appeal add a dash of science fiction and you have The Dream Daughter.
This is a well-written page-turner that I couldn't put down! So glad I had the opportunity to review it thanks to #SheSpeaks and #StMartinsPress. My heart broke for Carly when she received the news that her unborn baby suffered from a heart defect that meant certain death. And yet it is that tragic news that began an adventure that Carly, nor the reader, could ever have expected. Chamberlain does a phenomenal job weaving the storylines together and drawing us into the characters lives. I recommend you #ReadTheDream and see how it turns out! You won't regret it.
Publisher's Description of The Lying King:Can warthogs fly? Do tigers eat broccoli?
For answers, follow along as Warthog lies his way to the throne in this timeless, yet most timely, Tale from the Watering Hole.
Will the Truth catch up with the king?
Find
out as Alex Beard’s whimsical animals come to life to illuminate real
world truths for children of all ages. With a nod to Aesop and Kipling,
this funny and pointed parable has lessons for everyone, from the
playground to the boardroom and beyond!
My Review: Politics and children's books, not two things that I would expect to go together. Yet Alex Beard, in The Lying King, weaves a story of a warthog that rises to power through a series lies and the (supposed) inevitable outcome of such actions.
While this tales is definitely a nod to Aesop and/or Kipling in its style, I found it a bit disturbing. While I can't lay my finger on what exactly unnerves me about the story, I can say that the plot seems to be written more for adults than children. While the illustrations are engaging and the rhyming prose keeps us turning the pages, the story just feels off to me.
I will say that Beard's tale is a cautionary tale of choosing to look the other way when faced with overt lies. Children may be able to glean the notion that lying is bad from this fable, but in the end, it isn't one I would put on our bookshelf.
A girl with a deadly lung disease . . .
A boy with a tragic past . . .
A land where the sun never sets but darkness still creeps in . . .
A bargain that brings life, but may cost more than anyone can imagine . . .
Madeline
Oliver has never wanted for anything, but now she would give anything
just to breathe. Jason Wu skates through life on jokes, but when a
tragedy leaves him guilt-stricken, he promises to tell only the truth,
no matter the price. When a mysterious stranger name Hanali appears to
Madeline and offers to heal her in exchange for one year of service to
his people, Madeline and Jason are swept into a strange land where they
don’t know the rules and where their decisions carry consequences that
reach farther than they could ever guess.
The Crescent Stone is the first it what looks to be an interesting series entitled The Sunlit Lands. Imagine a world divided. One portion lives in beauty and sunlight and wealth. And yet they are plagued with a second group that lives in darkness and crudeness and ugliness. A war rages and this is where Madeline and her friends enter the story.
What would you do when someone offers you life in exchange for a year of service? Madeline barely hesitates to accept and is quickly swept into a world so different than her own along with her new friend Jason Wu. Madeline is spellbound by the beauty that greets her, while Jason is skeptical.
Mikalatos, in this fantasy world, brings up some very interesting real world questions. Is it ok to do something that harms someone in order to save someone else? Is it ok to allow someone else to volunteer take on pain and hardship that should rightfully be yours? Is your enemy necessarily your enemy, or is it a matter of perspective?
I really enjoyed the characters and the world that Mikalatos has created in this story, and I look forward to seeing what happens next!
Book Desciption:In today’s world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and even paralyzed by
the constant flow of parenting advice. We’re flooded with so much
practical information that we wonder if we’re choosing the right way.
And we may be missing the one thing God really wants us to give to our
children: His life. God doesn’t include a divine methodology for
parenting in the Bible, but He does provide principles that can enable
any faithful parent to bring His life into the life of their home.
In The Lifegiving Parent, respected authors and parents Clay and Sally Clarkson explore eight key
principles—heartbeats of lifegiving parenting—to shed light on what it
means to create a home where your children will experience the living
God in your family. Now parents of four grown children—each with their
own unique personality and gifts—Sally and Clay have learned (sometimes
the hard way!) that the key to shaping a heart begins at home as you
foster a deep and thoughtful God-infused relationship with each child.
Filled with biblical insight and classic Clarkson stories, The Lifegiving Parent
will equip you with the tools and wisdom you need to give your children
much more than just a good Christian life. You’ll give them the life of
Christ.
My Review:I have been a fan of Sally Clarkson since Desperate: Hope for the Mom who Needs to Breathe. So when I had the opportunity to review this book, I quickly downloaded and began reading. In 10 short chapters, Sally and Clay Clarkson share some great pointers on how to not only create a home where children feel loved, but where they experience God's love as well.
I love that this book is written to parents in general, rather than just moms. So many parenting books direct all their advice to moms who already feel the pressure of parenting on their shoulders. There is a woeful lack of parenting books directed towards fathers. While this isn't specific for dads, Clay Clarkson's input definitely makes this a book that stresses the truth that it takes BOTH parents to create a home that gives children a view of the Biblical concept of an abundant life.
This book is a reminder that, "Lifegiving parenting is not about changing the culture we live in but about being a counter-culture to it." It isn't our responsibility to shelter our children from the world and isolate them, but to prepare them to live a spiritually abundant life in the culture in which we live, without compromising God's truths. Clay and Sally lay out the wisdom they have gained from raising their 4 children in the hopes that it will help you and I to accomplish this.
Book Description
What does a transformed life actually look like?
In his follow-up to the critically acclaimed Imaginary Jesus,
Matt Mikalatos tackles this question in an entertaining and
thought-provoking way—with MONSTERS!!! While Christians claim to
experience Christ’s resurrection power, we sometimes act like werewolves
who can’t control our base desires. Or zombies, experiencing a
resurrection that is 90 percent shambling death and 10 percent life. Or
vampires, satiating ourselves at the expense of others. But through it
all we long to stop being monsters and become truly human—the way Christ
intended. We just can’t seem to figure out how. Night of the Living Dead Christian
is the story of Luther, a werewolf on the run, whose inner beast has
driven him dangerously close to losing everything that matters.
Desperate to conquer his dark side, Luther joins forces with Matt to
find someone who can help. Yet their time is running out. A powerful and
mysterious man is on their trail, determined to kill the wolf at all
costs . . .
By turns hilarious and heartbreaking,Night of the Living Dead Christian
is a spiritual allegory that boldly explores the monstrous
underpinnings of our nature and tackles head-on the question of how we
can ever hope to become truly transformed.
My Review
Honestly, the first 2 chapters of this book were hard to get through. They didn't make sense and seemed REALLY out there. But I kept with it, and I am glad I did!
Zombies, vampires, mad scientists, robots and werewolves in a story about coming to Christ? I never would have thought that such an odd combination would touch my heart and cause me to do some serious self-reflection, and yet it strangely did.
I highly recommend this to anyone struggling with the idea of what it means to be a "real" follower of Christ, you might find yourself to be one of the monsters. Fortunately, "when human beings became sinful, or depraved, or whatever happened there--they never lost, somehow, being in the image of God. Which means that even at our worst, there's some piece of us that still reflects his image...and that's not something we can ever completely eradicate."
*I did not receive this book for review purposes. I actually sought this one out to read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Knitters of all skill levels will rejoice in this colorful collection
of 15 original shawl patterns. These stylish, versatile designs will
complement any outfit, formal or casual, while offering the warmth and
comfort of a cloak. Perfect for any season, the patterns include varying
yarn weights and textures that provide the pleasures of year-round
knitting. Their unique designs, rendered in bold colors as well as in
neutral shades, offer a rich assortment of knitting choices.
Author
Laura Zukaite was inspired in the creation of these shawls by the
vibrant handicraft traditions she observed during her South American
travels. Beautiful full-color photographs illustrate the patterns, which
feature herringbone and cable stitches, ruffles, stripes, geometrics,
and other eye-catching motifs in an array of gorgeous, hand-dyed yarns.
The diversity and abundance of designs guarantee that this book is one
that knitters will turn to time and time again for an inspiring range of
patterns.
My Review:There are some absolutely gorgeous patterns in this book. Many of the shawls include interesting textures created by combining different weight yarns in the same pattern, use of cables, embroidery, and open lacework. The instructions appear to be well written and several of the patterns include charts as well. The photography is BEE-YOU-TIFUL! with many of the patterns including multiple photographs.
My only disappointment was the costs of the suggested yarns. For example this pattern:
The Amazonia,calls for $70 worth of yarn to create. Another pattern suggested a yarn that was $58 for a skein of 330 yards, and that pattern used 3 skeins of the yarn! And while I realize that these are items that can last for generations, especially if you use quality materials, and that you CAN substitute less expensive yarns, it was disheartening to realize that it was going to be so costly to reproduce the beauty on the pages.
So, is it worth the $20 (physical copy) or $10 (digital copy) price tag for Inspired Shawls? If you are willing to put in the time finding comparable yarns in beautiful colorways, or able to invest in some of the fabulous yarns suggested, then absolutely. The patterns are gorgeous.
Book Description:
Everyone knows that war romances never last . . .
After a
whirlwind romance and wedding, Helen Eberhart Daley, an army nurse, and
Lieutenant Frank Daley, M.D. are sent to the front lines of Europe with
only letters to connect them for months at a time.
Surrounded by
danger and desperately wounded patients, they soon find that only the
war seems real—and their marriage more and more like a distant dream. If
they make it through the war, will their marriage survive?
Based on the incredible true love story, With Love, Wherever You Are is an adult novel from beloved children’s author Dandi Daley Mackall.
My Review:
I am a sucker for a love story. Everyone knows that. And I am a sucker for books set in true history. So when I had an opportunity to review a love story that is TRUE and set in history. well, let's just say I couldn't say no.
This is a wonderful story of perseverance. Despite everything that was thrown at them, despite the atrocities they witnessed, despite the depression, the anxiety, the doubt, the loneliness, Helen and Frank CHOSE to not give up on each other. That's a great story. Only this is more than a story. It's the life that the author's parents led.
I thank Mackall for sharing her parent's story and reminding us that love is a choice, and when we chose love nothing can separate us.
What will my life be like? Who will I be? Whether girls put these
concerns into words or struggle anxiously with these thoughts, during
this season of change, girls have questions. Sometimes these questions
also come with fears and they need a safe place to process these fears.
From Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and blogger, Lynn Cowell, comes
Faithgirlz Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You. For girls 8-12, Brave Beauty
brings tweens 100 courage-building moments to reflect on Scripture and
find confidence in God, rather than in someone, some place, or some
thing, as culture will all-too-soon tell them to. Lynn will also prepare
girls to:
Overcome confidence-defeating thoughts and stand on who Jesus says she is.
Shape her self-worth on Christ and overcome the temptation base it on environmental factors.
Build a strong foundation to face the fickle and flippant opinions of others.
Find approval of herself even when she lacks the acceptance of others.
Find security by turning to Christ as she steps through the exciting, yet scary world of growing up
Formatted
as theme-based mini chapters, these moments can be read as one-a-days,
one-a-weeks, or at the reader’s own pace. Simple and empowering, Lynn’s
voice is relatable and conversational, making it easy for girls to feel
like they’re spending time with a friend.
My Review: When I was given the opportunity to review this book I expected that it would appeal my 9 year old daughter. What I didn't expect was for it to appeal to all of us!
While this is definitely written as a conversation with younger girls - simple language, examples that connect with preteen experiences etc - the topics are such that apply to all of us. Who doesn't need to be told they are loved (section 1)? Or that they can be brave (section 2)? Or that they can be confident (section 3)?
Admittedly, some of the sections are more applicable to prepubescent girls (it actually talks about pimples!) but it opened the door to some great discussion between myself, my 17 year old and 9 year old about our experiences. I don't know that these discussions would have come about without a starter story like this book offers.
I love the "Becoming Brave" sections at the end of most chapters. They are simple, little sections that encourage the reader reflect on what has been read, on God's truth about the situation and apply it to their own life, to internalize the truth of Scripture. We use these as journal starters for personal prayer journals. But not all sections have these. Some have "Getting to Know You" sections with short little surveys. These encourage the girls to examine themselves and see where they are in that particular area of discussion.
And most importantly, I see my daughter not only drawing closer to God, but finding who she is as well. That alone makes this a book that I would recommend to others, and that I wholeheartedly recommend to you.
I have the privilege of revealing the cover of the first book a very dear friend of mine has been writing for several years. I remember sending texts and emails back and forth about "them", the nights that my friend just couldn't sleep because "they" kept her up all night. And I remember the first time she entrusted me with the manuscript.....I fell in love with "them" too! Now here we are, their story has finally gone to print to share with all of you. So let me introduce you to "them" and the beginning of their story....Anticipation....
Book Description:
When it comes to
happiness, most of us have the same questions. Why can’t I be
consistently happy? Is it wrong to be happy when there’s so much pain
and suffering in the world? And perhaps the biggest one: How can I be
happier? Some Christians make an artificial contrast between joy and
happiness, while others claim God wants us to be holy, but not happy. In
fact, he wants us to be both, and the two go hand in hand!
In 60 Days of Happiness, noted theologian and New York Times
bestselling author Randy Alcorn shares sixty timeless devotions
demonstrating that God not only wants us to be happy in him and enjoy
his gifts, he commands and empowers us to do so.
My Review:
Ok, so I struggle with this one. I come from a long line of women that battle depression so consistent happiness seems like an oxymoron to me. Therefore, when the opportunity arose for me to review this book for Tyndale House Publishers I thought, "Why not?"
The book is broken into 60 daily devotionals. Each begins with a Bible verse and a quote from people such as Anselm, James Houston, A.W. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon and Isaac Watts. Each day has a specific topic, such as, "Can happiness be consistent and enduring," "how does seeing God accurately promote lasting happiness," and "what role do our attitudes play in our happiness". And each day ends with a prayer.
While you will get the typical Christian responses in some of the readings, ("God wants us to seek real happiness in Him.....""Only (Jesus) could have granted them...the deep and lasting happiness they sought") Alcorn urges us to move beyond the surface answers. He even addresses it on Day 9 when he discusses many that sought surface happiness and yet failed to find true, enduring happiness.
All in all I would say that this is a good, daily refresher that happiness is found only in God. When we focus on that we find that everything else may give fleeting happiness, but we won't lose our joy when the world falls apart if we rest in God's love.
Let His Truth Find a Home in Your Heart Here are the words of
hope you’re looking for when your faith needs a boost or a friend needs
encouragement. Chosen by more than a thousand women as their favorite
verses in the Bible, each one is worth learning, worth sharing, worth
remembering,
You’ll find verses you already know and love: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Others
may be less familiar but are no less powerful: “Fear of man will prove
to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (Proverbs
29:25). All of them capture the truth of God’s goodness, mercy, and love
for His own.
Best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs invites you to experience— * a deeper, richer understanding of thirty-one treasured verses. * a fresh look at how these timeless truths can impact your life. * a new passion for memorizing Scripture, verse by verse. * thirty-one creative ways to keep them in your heart forever.
With a study guide included, 31 Verses to Write on Your Heart is a daily devotional and a small-group Bible study, wrapped in a lovely gift book overflowing with joy!
My Review:
I admit I am a Liz Curtis Higgs fan. She hooked me with Bad Girls of
the Bible, then More Bad Girls of the Bible. So of course I agreed to
review 31 Verses to Write on Your Heart. And I wasn't disappointed!
Higgs
chose 31 different verses (that's 1 a day for a month if you chose to
use this as a devotional) to delve into and share with us in this book.
It is more than just "here is the verse and this is why it is
important". Rather it is more along the lines of a word study in which
we examine the verse word by word, phrase by phrase and look for the meaning, the purpose behind it.
I
love that she uses many different translations when breaking things
down, as it helps to clarify the meaning. and I love that she even
stops to look at the smallest details. (Really! She even includes the
word "is" in part of the breakdown! As in, "why is the word 'is'
important here?".) I also enjoyed the tips for study that she includes
with each verse to help you really settle the verse in your heart.
This
is a great gift for someone just starting to memorize or study His
word. But it is also a nice refresher for those of us that have been in
the word for a while.
As an added bonus, Higgs has shared gorgeous images for each verse on her Pinterest board here for those of us that like to see them around the house.
The NIV Holy Bible for Girls, Journal Editionis
the perfect way to apply Scripture to your everyday life. Designed with
the thoughtful writer in mind, a whimsical cover and journaling lines
inspire reflection in God’s Word. This Bible contains the full text of
the bestselling New International Version (NIV) translation.
Features include:
Lines on each page for journaling and notes
Thick paper perfect for any writing utensil
A presentation page for gift giving
A “How to Use This Bible” page to get started on the right foot
Ribbon marker
The complete text of the bestselling New International Version (NIV)
My Review:
I have an artistic inclined 8 year old. She has begun to notice that sometimes I write notes in the margins of my bible, illustrate my personal study journal and has requested to do so in her own Bible. Honestly, I was hesitant to allow her to do so in her regular Bible for fear that her notes and doodles would make it difficult for her to read the text. This solves that problem for me.
While I have looked at (ok drooled over) several different journaling and coloring Bibles, this is the first one that I have owned, and I now think I might invest in one for me as well. There is ample room for notes or doodling on each page.
This is the NIV edition, which I believe is the only translation this Bible is available in. I won't use this review to discuss the translation, as that is personal preference. What I will say is that the text size was easy to read for both my 8 year old and myself. Although smaller than many children's Bibles that I have encountered, it appeared slightly larger than most compact Bibles I own.
Despite the fact that the margins are extra wide to allow you space to record your thoughts, this Bible isn't that much wider than your typical hardback Bible, although it is thicker. And while this will not be the Bible my daughter carries to and from church (we use the NIrV in our children's church program) its size and weight wouldn't make it difficult to transport. Although I think many would chose to keep it for more of a personal reflection Bible.
It doesn't include any study notes or footnotes, sticking only to the actual text. For us that allows us to let the Spirit speak to us as we read rather than getting lost in the thoughts and opinions of others as to what a passage means. We do have and use study Bibles, but it is nice to be able to sit down and just meditate on His word, without distractions.
And while there is currently only the NIV translation available from Zondervan, the cover is beautiful and attractive and you have a choice of 4 different designs:
purple
Turquoise
Pink
Mint
Aren't they pretty?!?! I also love that they include an elastic band attached to the Bible to keep it closed when not in use as well as a ribbon bookmark to save your spot while reading.
And when I found these coloring sheets that you can cut out and they fit perfectly in the journal section my daughter absolutely fell in love! This is now her favorite Bible.
This isn’t about me. This story, I mean. So already you got a
reason to hang it up. At least that’s what Mrs. Smith, our English
teacher, says.
But the story is about ten-year-old
Laney Grafton and the new girl in her class—Lara Phelps, whom everyone
bullies from the minute she shows up. Laney is just relieved to have
someone else as a target of bullying. But instead of acting the way a
bullied kid normally acts, this new girl returns kindness for a meanness
that intensifies . . . until nobody remains unchanged, not even the
reader.
In a unique and multi-layered story, with equal parts
humor and angst, Laney communicates the art of storytelling as it
happens, with chapter headings, such as: Character, Setting, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax.
And she weaves an unforgettable tale of a new girl who transforms an
entire class and, in the process, reveals the best and worst in all of
us.
My Review
Let me start by being totally upfront, this book is now required reading in my homeschool. As a matter of fact, I am using it in a Creative Writing class that I teach in my local co-op as well. It is THAT good!
Let me start with what I love. Chapter titles like: Character, The Beginning, Villain, Setting, Dialogue, Conflict, Twist, Rising Action, Climax, and Resolution. Not only is this a great, character building story, but it walks the reader through all of the key elements of a story and explains them from the point of view of a ten year old. Not only that, it includes great examples of active learning as well. For example, when Laney's teacher had them look up "suspense," she didn't understand the definition so she looked up the word "apprehension" that was in the definition, which made her look up another word until she finally understood the definition. Way to go, Laney!
I like that this story addresses bullying without glossing it over. Lara never makes a friend in this book. Even Laney stays a few steps back, afraid of how others will react should she befriend Lara, despite the help Lara provides her in the story and Laney's growing respect for her. Children this age can be very cruel and unthinking when a peer is different-especially different in a way that isn't socially acceptable. Mackall makes sure that comes through. It conjured up memories of my own childhood, and experiences my children shared with me during their elementary public school years.
There is a LOT of good in this story, but admittedly, there are things I did not like as well. First was Lara's character. This is a 300 pound 10 year old that somehow manages to keep a smile on her face and rather than respond in anger or display her hurt feelings when she is bullied or done wrong, she responds in verse. Yep, poetry. For example, when a boy in class passes a note to her comparing her to a pig (with the pig coming out the better of the two in his opinion), not only does Lara choose to keep the note from the teacher, who knows it is an unkind note, but she breaks out in verse.
Hey, Joey Gilbert, thanks for the note. In a class clown election, you'd get my vote. I watched you pitch, and I think you're great. But you'll get more power if you arm is straight.
I have a hard time imagining a 10 year old being mature enough to not only compose herself enough to thank someone for a cruel not, but to also offer constructive advice on his baseball pitching! While I understand the purpose, teaching children to rise above bullying and be the better person, I just don't think it is realistic.
My final point contains a spoiler, so stop here if you are planning to read the book and hate spoilers.
The bullying gets so bad that Lara's parents decide to pull her out of school. The class planned and/or participated in a horrible "joke" along the lines of Carriewithout the blood. And as bad as it was, Lara still refuses to name her tormentors. On the day she arrives to collect her things, as she is leaving, the class children suddenly come to an epiphany that Lara is a wonderful person for covering for them and create rhyming signs to hold up as she drives away proclaiming their repentance.
DOING THAT WAS A MEAN ATTACK.
IF I COULD I'D TAKE IT BACK.
WE WERE STUPID AND WE WERE MEAN.
YOU WERE THE NICEST PERSON THAT WE HAVE EVER SEEN.
And so on. While it would be wonderful if a bully actually did repent of his/her misdeeds, this scene is so very unlikely. Lara sees the signs, she smiles and drives off. The End.
And while I may not have liked the end, or how Lara was portrayed, it opens up a door for communication, provides an opportunity to talk about how to respond to bullying and whether bullies are still "good" people. And that makes this a good book in my opinion. And THAT is why it is now required reading in my house....
For a long time, Edie thought she had escaped. It started in an
Appalachian trailer park, where a young girl dreamed of becoming a
doctor. But every day, Edie woke up to her reality: a poverty-stricken
world where getting out seemed impossible. Where, at twelve years old,
she taught herself to drive a truck so she could get her drunk daddy
home from the bar. Where the grownups ate while the children went
hungry. Where, when the family trailer burned down, she couldn’t be
caught squawlin’ over losing her things—she just had to be grateful
anyone had remembered to save her at all.
And at the center of it
all, there was her daddy. She never knew when he would show up; she
learned the hard way that she couldn’t count on him to protect her. But
it didn’t matter: All she wanted was to make him proud. Against all
odds, Edie “made doctor,” achieving everything that had once seemed
beyond her reach. But her past caught up with her—and it would take her
whole life burning down once again for Edie to be finally able to face
the truth about herself, her family, and her relationship with God.
My Review:
Every little girl longs for her Daddy's love. The girl from the broken home. The girl with a broken father. And Edie was no exception. And while this story doesn't focus entirely on her desire to feel loved by her father, it is there and it will resonate within the reader.
While I didn't do most of my growing up years in Appalachia, I have been in the region since I was 12 (no, I won't tell you how long "since" has been!) and Wadsworth does a wonderful job of capturing what rural, poor Appalachia looks like,
The guardrails provided somewhat of a barrier and peace of mind from the hundred-foot drop-off to the valley below-the valley that had become a dumping ground for everything from empty milk cartons to beer cans to old worn-out couches, and even the ocassional rusted-out car. The switchbacks were so narrow that if another car approached, you either had to hug the embankment to the right and pray you didn't puncture your tires from broken glass or hope one of you would be able to back up to where the road widened enough for both vehicles.
Wadsworth does a wonderful job of capturing the angst and longing of growing up in this environment. This story has it all: a struggle to overcome the past, a desire to achieve more, success, failures, trials, hurt, angst, and self-realization.
As with many Appalachian families, faith is interwoven throughout the story. For me this was the most "true" aspect. Wadsworth doesn't gloss over her trials. She doesn't spout off easy cliches about how she always knew God was going to make everything better. Instead she shares her doubts, her uncertainties about her salvation and her walk, and her journey to coming to really know her Creator.
So I will close my review with Edie's own words after her realization that so much of life is out of our control:
Whether we work or don't, whether we homeschool or not, whether we've had nurturing marriages or not, we walk in humility-knowing that we are dependent on God to use mostly our failures to teach us something of what it means to be a parent, to be a human being.
After all, isn't that truly what life is about, recognizing that God is in control?
It wasn’t the end of the world. It was just the end of Emma Jameson’s
world. Fresh off the heels of a devastating breakup and floundering in
her career, Emma is struggling to come to grips with why God allows so
much pain in our lives, why He seems so absent when she needs Him most,
and why the Gospel accounts—our supposed guide for how to lead a
contented Christian life—feel so completely irrelevant.
Then one day, a mysterious envelope arrives in Emma’s mailbox with the word Open
written on the outside. Inside the envelope is a card bearing the
following message: “For a real adventure with Jesus, go through the
nearest open door.”
Skeptical, but having absolutely nothing to
lose, Emma steps through the pantry door, only to find herself instantly
transported back to the first century, where she is taken on a personal
tour of various Gospel accounts by none other than Jesus himself—an
experience that radically challenges Emma’s perception of the Gospels
and what it really means to be a Christian.
My Review:
Another simple and yet very meaningful story from Gregory. Once again he manages to share a side of Jesus with us in a way that enables us to connect and really get it in about 150 pages, making this a book that can easily be read in a day. The language is easy to understand. Gregory helps us to see the stories of Jesus life in a way that we can apply to our own life.
Emma is the girl that struggles with her faith. She knows that Jesus is supposed to satisfy her, who goes to church, participates in groups, listens to Christian music, and does all the "right" things. And yet, she doesn't feel like she is "getting anything at all from the Bible....none (of the stories) has anything to do with what I'm dealing with right now....reading stories...that (she'd) read a thousand times didn't provide the answers (she) needed. Jesus wasn't enough." She had begun to doubt her faith and then a mysterious letter arrived that would help her to connect with Jesus in a whole new way.
Together Emma and Jesus walk through several key events to help Emma see that faith isn't about religion, but about a person...and when we surrender completely to Him, our whole life changes.
I loved this book so much that I passed it on to a friend who was struggling with similar faith issues. Like Gregory's other books, this is a great way to open a door for discussion and dialogue on topics that we tend to hide from our brothers in sister in Christ so that we can appear to be good Christians.
75 MILES by Robyn VanDerSys
Publisher's Description of 
Book Description:
Book Description:
Publisher's Information:
Larger-Thank-Life Lara
