Book Reviews…well, sorta…

I started writing book reviews for a publishers group last year, as many of you know.  Well, the last book I picked off their website was “Kabul 24”.  I have the book right here next to me…on the shelf with 7 other books I want to read or have already started to read.   I still want to read it, but I just can’t get up the will power to pick up the book.  Of course there is also the fact that one of my 3 children or my husband will interrupt me within 2 minutes of me sitting down to dive into the book.  I just have the feeling that this book is one I need to read when no one else is around or I just won’t get into it.

And as another example, my book club read “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau for the month of May.  Notice I said “my book club” read it.  Not me!  I think I read 12 pages!  Sorry Mr. Thoreau!  It was one of those books that you have to be secluded to get into…and I am rarely secluded.  My life is full of children “issues” to put it mildly so to actually sit down and read a thinking book is a bit of a challenge.  My book club seemed to enjoy the book and I certainly enjoyed listening to them discuss it.  I just don’t think I will have the time (or the right attitude – if I’m honest here) to actually read it.  Good intentions really….honestly…somewhere in the bottom of my heart is the will to read “Kabul 24”  and “Walden”…I just haven’t found it yet!

Of course, I have found the time to read a few of Diana Gabaldon’s books (by a few I mean 5 of the 6) and a couple of “Real Simple” magazines in all my “spare” time.  I’m all about Scottish fiction/history/time travel and organizational magazines it seems.  Those are no-brainers for me.  They either take me away from my life for a few moments or help me simplify my life.  Who doesn’t enjoy that?!  Sheesh!

Anyway, I think I will enjoy the book club’s next book.  It’s fiction!  In fact I’m already half way through “The Grapes of Wrath.”  It’s pretty interesting and I’m ashamed of my public school upbringing that didn’t make me read it before now.  But I’m sad to say (well not really sad) that I probably won’t read that book publishers book or Mr. Thoreau’s book.  So let’s just count this as their book reviews and be done with it shall we?

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Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear

I have reviewed the new book by Max Lucado, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear,  for the Thomas Nelson Review group this month.  It was an easy read and readily enjoyable.  I must say that much of the book was a review course for me.  Since my son has anxiety issues, I have been introduced to many of the ways to conquer fear before reading this book.  However, I can say that “Fearless” is a good book for anyone struggling with worry or anxiety as it will help you identify what you are possibly worried about and how to overcome it.  The book is geared for the Christian reader but I think that the tools Lucado introduces can be used by non-Christians as well.

Lucado also addresses how “fear tactics” have infiltrated our daily lives and the effects it has had on our society.  Our fears are real and scary things, but as Christians, we have the hope of Christ to pull us through them.  Lucado reminds us that Christ is light and no darkness resides in Him; that even the demons tremble before him.  There is nothing to fear except fear itself.

As a mom of three children, and a son with anxiety issues, I found the chapter entitled “The Fear of Not Protecting Our Kids” the most helpful and comforting.  Lucado helped me remember that “my” children are also Christ’s children.  He loves them like He loves me.  This chapter encouraged me to “stubbornly pray” and petition the Lord on behalf of my children.  To literally flood the throne room of heaven with prayers for my children and let God command my “doubt to depart and permit only faith and hope to stay.”  Trusting the Lord with my children and my fears will calm my spirit and allow me to move past the fear.

If you or someone you love struggles with fear, small or large, you will find this book helpful in dispelling those fears and strengthening your faith in Christ in the process.

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God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible

I am reviewing “God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible” for Thomas Nelson Publishing this time.  I found this an eye catching and entertaining devotional.  While I have not completed this devotional with my 6 year old daughter, she has enjoyed looking through all the devotions.  The cover attracted her to the book right away…as any “little princess” would with bright pink letters and a sparkling crown on the front!  The devotions are written directly to my daughter and are easily understood.  In fact, I don’t need to do much outside explaining.  The activities initially scared me because I wasn’t sure if I would be able to accomplish them without planning ahead!  As  a mom of 3 kids, planning ahead would stop me from doing this devotional right away, there just isn’t much time at home.  Fortunately the activities are simple and easy…not to mention fun!  I can recommend this book to mom’s as a way to connect with their daughters on a spiritual level.

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The American Patriot’s Bible

I selected a themed bible to review for my next Thomas Nelson Book Publishers book review.  Interesting to pick a Bible I know…but I enjoyed it!

The American Patriot’s Bible is chock full of interesting facts on American history.  It is a New King James version, which is okay, but I personally would have preferred a New International Version or an English Standard Version.  The only other thing I would change with the Bible is to have thumb tabs…simply a personal preference of mine!  The texts are easy to read and I enjoyed the mini history lessons inserted in the beginning of sections and books in the bible.  This bible is certinaly set up to provide a family history in the begining and could easily become a family heirloom.   The bible includes pages to record births of children and grandchildren, the family tree, the family church record, special family history, ancestors of interest, Military service records,  and family deaths.  There is a comprehensive subject index dealing with outstanding characteristics of the American patriot, a decent sized concordance, and colorful bible maps to end the bible out.  I would certainly recommend this bible for homeschooling families.

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Higher Hope by Robert Whitlow

I recently became a book reviewer for Thomas Nelson Publishers.  My first book to review is Higher Hope by Robert Whitlow.

I read the first book in this series called, Deeper Water, with my church book club.  Higher Hope continues with Tami Taylor, a fledgling Christian lawyer, learning how to incorporate her faith, rooted in strong biblical character, into her life in the “real world.”  This series has progressively shown how Tami is struggling to be “in” the world, but not “of” the world.  She continues in Higher Hope to struggle with how to not be hypocritical to her beliefs while doing her job to the best of her ability.   Tami is challenged by her co-workers beliefs and the cases that her employer provide for her.  She faces prejudices and unbelief along the way.  All the while she clings to her faith and seeks the Lord to provide wisdom and direction.  Tami also struggles with the new ideas of “courting” and the dynamics of a potential boyfriend that is Christian but not as “strict” in the faith as she and her family.  It is a good and quick read with Christian truths and “real world” drama.

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