Book Review: Refuge at Highland Hall

I liked this series at Highland Hall.  The characters are fun and interesting.  It's an easy and light read but kept my attention.  

I enjoyed the way that the characters tried to do right and have integrity in their various struggles and trials.  Always good to read a book with redemption and forgiveness.  

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: The Time Garden, A Magical Journey and Coloring Book

The Time Garden: A Magical Journey and Coloring Bookby Daria Song is an exquisite, beautiful, intricate coloring book that is also the story of a little girl and her encounter with a grandfather clock.

This is a stunning book.  The detail and imagination in each page provides rich fodder for a child or adult's mind and heart.  Combine this with the fact that the reader gets to color these pages to their likes and it's as if one has a custom book, partially created by yourself.  It really is lovely.  This would be an excellent gift to a child with the patience to color small, intricate pages or to an adult who enjoys the therapeutic value of coloring with pencils or markers.

The quality of manufacture of this book is excellent as well.  The paper is thick, the printed lines are crisp and clear and it's larger format makes it just right for working in.  I can recommend this book without hesitation!

Gorgeous!

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
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Book Review: Luther and Katharina

Luther and Katharina: A Novel of Love and Rebellionis a historical fiction novel about Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina.  She comes from a very different background than Martin and the resulting circumstances of their meeting and falling in love are quite incredible.  

This book caused me to search into "real" history a bit more to separate the fact from the fiction.  The portions that I thought had to be fiction were actually based more in fact than I ever could have imagined.  Unfortunately, this book had too much violence (which was a bit graphic) for my taste, especially coming from a Christian publisher.  Other than that, the book was enjoyable and kept me interested.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: Longing for Paris

Do you feel the gap between your daily life and your dreams?  Have you struggled with guilt as you long for something more than dishes and laundry and breaking up sibling squabbles?  Sarah Mae has wrestled with and now written about these very issues.

Longing for Paris: One Woman's Search for Joy, Beauty, and Adventure-Right Where She Isis written in much the same style as Sarah Mae's last book, Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe.  Filled with authentic stories and real life truths, it reads like you are sitting down with the author and having a conversation about life, mothering, dreams and hopes.

I was intrigued by this book.  From reading her blog, I knew that Sarah Mae had taken a full year off blogging and seriously scaled back her speaking engagements in order to be more fully connected with her family and her "regular" life.  She worked diligently on reaching her children's hearts while setting aside some of her own passions and desires.  This book was written during that time period.

Longing for Paris includes memoir-type writing about Sarah Mae's personal experience trying to reconcile the longings that God placed in her heart and the very real responsibilities and relationships that God placed in her life.  She also wrote some very simple suggestions for bringing the longings to bear into our daily lives with our families.

This book would be an encouragement to any woman who feels "stuck" in her daily life, unable to see forward to the place of her seemingly impossible dreams.  For me, it was an encouragement to continue to walk the path that the Lord has placed in front of me, being sure to include events, people, and recreation that speak to my own heart, bringing joy and rejuvenation through beauty and fun.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
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Book Review: The Little Paris Bookshop

The Little Paris Bookshop: A Novel by Nina George is a book about books.  Have I mentioned that I generally LOVE books about books?  Like The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry: A Novel and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Miss Buncle's Book and The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared. I love books about books.

I expected to love The Little Paris Bookshop: A Novel just as much.  Sadly, twas not to be so.  Now, to be fair, I did like this book.  But I didn't love it.

The Little Paris Bookshop: A Novel is about a man who is searching for peace and resolution related to a relationship that ended twenty years prior.  He also enjoys helping others find peace by choosing the perfect book to soothe his/her woes.  He takes off in his little book barge down the Seine River and encounters a variety of people and adventures on the way to his own healing.

I'm not exactly sure what it was about this book that didn't catch my fancy.  Maybe it's because the interactions of the two main characters on the boat were a bit odd and not believable.  Maybe it's because I wanted MORE book talk and less internal mish-mash of emotions and past memories.  Also- there's some PG-13 juicy bits that were distracting and unnecessary.  Overall, it was just okay.  If you want a great book about books, try one of the others listed above.  What's your favorite book about books?

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
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Book Review: A Warrior's Faith

A Warrior's Faith: Navy SEAL Ryan Job, a Life-Changing Firefight, and the Belief That Transformed His Life is a front-lines view of one man's experience in the Navy SEALs and what happens after tragedy strikes.  

Having lived in San Diego the majority of my life, I have had several friends who are/were Navy SEALs.  They are an incredible group of men- the ones I knew were honest, loyal, fun-loving, and dedicated to their jobs and fellow SEALs with lifelong devotion.  This book brings us inside some small pieces of that life- the training, struggles, devotion, and choices that SEALs face throughout their career.

Ryan Job was intense and dedicated before, during and after his stint in the military.  This book tells the story of the firefight that changed his life and about how he coped afterward.  It focuses on Ryan's faith and how he was able to accomplish amazing things with the Lord by his side.  It is a great story.

Unfortunately, the writing is a bit.... maybe too much like a newspaper story and less like a full-length book.  It feels a bit superficial and forced in places.  Held me back from fully engaging the story (which is incredible).  Still, the story of Ryan Job's life is one that will inspire many and calls us to greatness in our own lives and circumstances.  

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: Better Than Before

Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Liveswas a complete surprise.  I expected it to be a memoir of the author's experiences changing her own habits with some "helpful hints" thrown in.  While that is an accurate assessment in some ways, it is incomplete.

Ms. Rubin is a fantastic (maybe fanatical?) researcher who dove deeply into facets of habit formation that I didn't even know existed.  She thoroughly investigated those whose habit formation was the antithesis of hers, tried to formulate a "why" and offered solutions unique to the individual.

One realization for me is that I am an "obliger" (author's term), one who easily and completely fulfills outside expectations (I return library books, pay my bills, show up to events on time) but who struggles with fulfilling internal expectations (exercise, daily quiet time, limits on media).  The author reinforced how important it is for us obligers to place external accountability on personal habits (Buddy up for exercise, pay to attend a class, etc.)  This has been helpful as I look to grow in areas that will bring me toward maturity in my faith and personal life while limiting those things that are holding me back.  Sally Clarkson referred to this as dropping my nets.  What nets do I need to drop to fully follow Jesus like the fisherman disciples did?  I need external accountability to help me drop my nets.

Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Liveshas already been practical in my own life and I can see that it will be useful in helping my children to form their own lifelong habits.

Even if you are not looking to form or break a habit, this is a fascinating peek into one more way God created our minds to uniquely display His glory.  What works for one will not work for all.  Insightful, accurate, well-researched, I highly recommend this book.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
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Book Review: Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus

Shadow of the Mountain: Exodusby Cliff Graham is a warrior book by a warrior.  Exodus is a fictional account of what Caleb of the Bible's life might have been like before he appeared on the scene with Joshua in Numbers 13.

Mr. Graham succeeds in bringing to life the culture and times of Egypt before and during the Ten Plagues.  His descriptions of battle are realistic and intense, likely from drawing on his own experiences in the United States Army.  This book made me feel a little bit like watching an intense movie- wanting to know what happens, feeling a bit horrified at the experiences the people might have gone through and somewhat exhausted by the end.

All in all, this is a riveting book that brings to light possibilities of how things may have been.  The plagues are described in photographic detail.  The horrors and fascinations of living in a kingdom ruled by a god-king are realistic.  This book leaves us wanting to hate the bad guys (the Egyptians) and yet give them compassion as the author shows us how they were real people, living common lives who suffered atrocities because of the whims and stubbornness of their pharaoh.

This book in graphic in its detail, but would be enjoyed by many teenage boys and their fathers.  I also can't wait for the next one in the series.

"May it be written that my woman loved me, my children admired me, and the enemy feared me" -Caleb in Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.  
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Book Review: The Story for Kids

The Story for Kids: Discover the Bible from Beginning to End is the Bible written in story form.  It is written to be similar to the version for adults. (The Story, NIV: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People).


Description from the publisher:

" Now God’s great love story is told in a format for kids ages 9-12. The Story for Kids parallels the adult and teen edition of the book and can be used as part of The Story campaign or on its own.

The adventure, humor, and drama found in The Story for Kids compel kids to see the Bible as relevant and transformational. It’s the perfect resource for parents, grandparents, and teachers to use to introduce their children to the Bible as a complete story—one that tells about God’s great love for his people.

Features:
-Characters, events, and teachings of the Bible arranged chronologically
-Interior line art to engage the imagination
-Transitional paragraphs set off in italics guide you through the stories
-Discussion questions for small group or book clubs
-Includes Scripture portions from the easy-to-read text of the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)"

I love this concept.  We have several children's story Bibles that we adore.  (The Child's Story Bible and The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name are our very favorites.)  Having read the version of The Story written for adults, I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in this children's version.  Though this would make a nice silent reading book for a child, the language is mediocre and the sentences are so short as to make the paragraphs feel choppy.  I wish the quality of the writing were a bit more literary.  

To be fair, I understand that the intention was to make a Bible that a child really could read to himself.  That has been accomplished.  I will certainly make this available to my children to read to themselves.  

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
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Book Review: The World Needs More Love Letters

The World Needs More Love Letters All-in-One Stationery and Envelopesmight be the most fun book I've ever reviewed!  This cute little bundle of ready-to-mail stationery can be folded up into its own envelope and sent on its way.  I love this.  

I immediately sat down and wrote a note to someone who needed one.  Then I gave two pieces to my children to write each other a note.  (This may or may not have been after a long and drawn out fight between them.  My lips are sealed.)  I used this to encourage my book club to write love letters to someone they knew who needed one.  There are 40 pages included, so I felt more than free to share.  

It's a silly thing, but writing, folding, using the included white stickers to close the edges and grabbing a stamp (of my own) motivated me to write some letters!  Also included are lovely quotes about love and letter writing that could be copied into a note as well.  

This book/kit/stationery makes me happy.  Who do you know that needs a love letter?

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: A Plague of Unicorns

A Plague of Unicorns is a simple chapter book by Jane Yolen.  It tells the story of a young man with too many questions that is sent to Cranford Abbey to learn and mature.

Unfortunately, the Abbey is struggling against marauding unicorns that come to steal the special apples from the orchard.  Will James be able to help solve the crisis?  Will he learn to speak less and listen more in the process?

I have read the picture book Owl Moon also by Ms. Yolen and absolutely loved it.  A Plague of Unicorns just did not grab my imagination as well.  Even so, I think the character of James was very well developed.  I enjoyed wondering how he might grow given a chance and a challenge.

Sadly, I did not feel that the plot was as developed as the characters.  After a rather long build up in the problem of the unicorns, the resolution comes much too quickly and predictably.  It was like hiking up a beautiful mountain and taking a fast elevator to the bottom.  The ending was too quick and too simple.  That said, this would be an enjoyable book for middle grades, with interesting characters and the amusing problem of the unicorns.  Not "twaddle" (as Charlotte Mason would say), but there are certainly better books out there.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
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Book Review: Knitting Block by Block

Isn't winter the ideal time to settle in with some needles or a hook?  Here in Idaho, we haven't actually had much real winter, but east and south of us has gotten hammered recently.  Some of you will be home-bound for several days.  The perfect time to start or continue a handcraft.

Knitting Block by Block: 150 Blocks for Sweaters, Scarves, Bags, Toys, Afghans, and More is a great book to inspire you to new patterns and stitches.  Though knitting is technically one stitch (the "knit" stitch), there are infinite combinations and variations to bring beautiful patterns into your work.  This book is a fun way to learn some of these variations.

Knitting Block by Block is broken down into different types of blocks, with each of the 150 patterns clearly explained.  You can't help but be inspired to get out those needles!  Once you have created some blocks, there are then further projects to combine them into bigger items such as a sweater, quilt, even little animal friends (as we call stuffed animals in our home).

This would be a lovely gift book for a knitter that needs new inspiration or a beginning knitter that would like to learn many new patterns within the small scale of one block.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
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Review: From Tablet to Table

I fully expected to love this book.  I expected it to be about turning away from social media and screens (tablet) toward our families and traditions (table).  I was slightly off.

From Tablet to Table: Where Community Is Found and Identity Is Formedis about how the table is central to our faith and families.  It examined the table in different aspects of scripture:  Jesus' emphasis on eating with people, the communion table, the Last Supper, etc.  While I expected a full-length book, this was more of a gift book size: physically small and a quick read.  

Here's what drove me a bit crazy about this book:  it was so full of table analogies and metaphors that I got caught up in spotting them (and being annoyed) and completely lost the flow of the narrative.  The actual word "table" might have been in each and every paragraph of the book.  Oh my.  I exaggerate, of course, but that is what it felt like.

On the other hand, From Tablet to Table was a great encouragement to engage with culture and local community around your table (or at least around food of some kind.)  Mr. Sweet shared many examples of how hearts are open and personal stories are shared more freely around meals.  As someone who loves having people over for meals (even when the house is a mess!), I agree wholeheartedly that the table is a place where true friendship and community is found.  The message is good, the metaphors are too much.

This book was provided to me for free in exchange for my honest review.

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