Review: To Read or Not To Read - A Literary Journal for the Book Lover's Soul

I love reading, and I have written more than my share of reviews on my blog and given lots of verbal reviews to others. Sometimes, though I can't recall what book it was that held a specific quote or idea. I know that some people keep quote journals, but I haven't started one.

To Read or Not To Read: A literary journal for the book lover's soul has a solution for all of that. The journal has a standard format on two-page spreads throughout the book for recording each book that you read. You can list it's author, publishing date, the reason you read it, give it a star rating, include notes from the book, your review, and the main thing you learned from the book.  There is an index included at the beginning where you can list the book title and know what page to turn to for the review. 

 

 

Each two-page spread includes a literary quote, or a piece of trivia about literature, authors, or books in general. 

 

The cover of the book is elegant, with a soft-cover that has a thick, leather-like feel to it. The pages inside are lovely and beautifully designed.  In addition to the book review pages, there are additional lists and rankings  pages scattered throughout the book for you to record your opinions on genres and books. 

Overall, this is a wonderful gift idea for the bibliophile in your life. In our family, that would primarily be my 21 year old daughter. I wish I'd started a journal like this when I was younger. Besides being helpful for my own personal memory, it would also provide a record of my changing tastes and patterns. If you write book reviews online, this can be a starting place to pull your thoughts together before posting a finished review. If you only want to write reviews for your personal and family enjoyment, To Read or Not To Read is also perfect for that.

April E.

Review: NIV Beautiful Word Bible For Girls Gift Set

 

 

We were so excited to be chosen to review the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls gift set. My 14 year old daughter had recently been teaching her 10 year old sister to do Bible journaling, but the ten year old didn't have a journaling Bible of her own. Now she does!

The NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible has a hard cover with a leather-style feel to it. The turquoise color is my daughter's favorite color and the floral design on it is feminine without limiting the design to only young girls. The gift set includes four twistable colored pencils and a package of Scripture stickers that can be used to decorate the margins of the Bible or in other craft projects.

Almost every page has wide lined margins for note-taking or journaling. Periodically, one of the pages  has a coloring design in the margin. These usually highlight a key verse on that particular page and only need to be colored in. The pages have a nice thickness to them, though I still recommend using colored pencils rather than markers.

 

 

There are also a few pages with large full-page Bible verse designs on them. These are spaced throughout the Bible, and my daughter was quick to select one to color.

 

 

 

This Beautiful Word Bible For Girls Gift Set is perfect for the tweens and the teenage girls in your life. My 10 year old and 14 year old daughters were both impressed with the Bible. It's sturdy enough to carry to church, has a beautiful cover design, is well-made, with comfortable-sized font, and contains the easily understood New International Version text. My daughter was so proud to be able to use this in church last month!

I received a copy of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls Gift Set from Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian Publishing) for this review.  This post is sponsored by Zondervan. 

April E.

 

 

Book Review: Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs by Lisa Tawn Bergren

 We have been collecting Lisa Tawn Bergren's God Gave Us book series for several years. The messages are always so uplifting and point our children to God's loving care for them. Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs is just as meaningful and heart-warming as her other books. The characters are not animals this time, but a family. However, there are still animal references and adorable illustrations.

It's bedtime in this storybook, and one little boy thinks he's too big for Mama kisses and Papa hugs. His parents convince him that he's never too big for them and share ways that animals give hugs and kisses to their children. My favorite part of the book is when it talks about how God gives us hugs and kisses with daily reminders of His love and care for us. This book has more text than some of her earlier books, but it's perfect for my seven year old son, who (thankfully) doesn't think he's too big for kisses and hugs yet. We had fun teasing about giving him wet, slobbery licks and practicing horse nuzzles and turtle hugs.

This really is a perfect bedtime story that not only helps with parent/child bonding, but also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His loving care. We love it and definitely recommend it. It gets 6 thumbs-ups, two each from my husband, myself, and my son.

Book Review: The Complicated Heart by Sarah Mae

Loving like Jesus did is hard when someone continually hurts you. Where do you draw the line of maintaining a relationship, offering grace, and setting boundaries that allow you to heal and move forward? The Complicated Heart is one woman's story of learning to love her alcoholic mother while also learning to be emotionally healthy. Sarah Mae repeatedly took her pain to Jesus and let Him bring peace and healing, while still reaching out to her mother.

Written in a journal format, alternating between Sarah's own memories and pages from her mother's journal, we see the hearts of two women, each broken by a parent's hurtful words and behavior, being drawn toward God. In her pain, Sarah Mae made choices that brought even more pain and shame to herself, but in the end, both women found redemption through God's grace.

I have to admit that it was hard to read her mother's journals written as prayers to God, knowing that at the time it was written she was an alcoholic who was verbally and emotionally abusive toward her daughter. But Sarah's own love and forgiveness for her mother helped me to see it as the plea of a hurting woman who was trying to ease her own pain and didn't know how to love others because of her pain. Sarah Mae helped me view her mother through Jesus' eyes and reminded me that God sees the hurt and the hearts of people, while we can only see their actions and the results of their choices.

I haven't had that complicated and painful relationship with a parent, but I still found lessons for myself within the book on how to forgive and be vulnerable and open. Sarah Mae's story is messy, and painful, as life often is, but it has been redeemed by Christ's love and she shares it so others can find hope for their own painful and messy relationships. I truly believe that anyone who struggles with the ugliness of their own past, or hurts they haven't faced, can learn something from this book. The Complicated Heart reminds us that no one's life is too ugly, too sinful, or too hurtful to be redeemed by Christ!

April E.

Review: Prayers for the Battlefield by Heidi St. John

Following on the heels of Becoming MomStrong, Heidi St. John has published a new book entitled Prayers for the Battlefield: Staying MomStrong in the Fight For Your Family and Faith. This little hardcover book is the perfect size to toss in your purse and read in those never-ending moments of waiting to pick your kids up at activities, on a lunch break, or any spare moment you have.

Prayers for the Battlefield is a mixture of a devotional book and a prayer guide. Each chapter is topical (i.e. A Prayer for the Mom Who Wants to Live Intentionally, A Prayer for the Worried Mom). The chapter begins with a Scripture passage, and then moves into a short, relatable lesson on the topic. A written prayer closes each chapter, as well as additional Scriptures you can read and add to your prayer arsenal.

I recommend beginning by reading Prayers for the Battlefield from start to finish, for lessons on prayer and motherhood. Once you've finished the book, you can return to topics as needed, by referring to the Table of Contents. You may not need to read the chapter each time you return to a topic, but you can use the accompanying Scriptures to pray Scripture for your family and yourself. This is how I plan to use this book now that I've finished reading it.

Heidi St. John speaks right to my heart. I have found myself re-reading chapters before moving forward, as well as high-lighting parts that were particularly poignant. Although Heidi St. John is a homeschool mom and her ministry began in the homeschool community, her MomStrong ministry is geared to all mothers. This book is no different. Prayers for the Battlefield will minister to moms of all ages and walks of life who feel a burden to pray for their families. Pick it up now for Mother's Day gifts, or just to encourage the mothers in your life.

April E.

Book Review - Beloved: 365 Devotions for Young Women

 Last year I reviewed Zondervan's devotional for young women, Adored. I loved it, and my twelve year old daughter has loved reading it this year, as well. So when I was offered the chance to review Beloved, I gladly said yes. These books are so well-written and generally well-made. Both books are hardcover books, about 5.25 x 7.5 inches in size. They're over an inch thick with colorful covers and page designs. Beloved includes a ribbon marker to mark your place in the book, which my daughter noticed right away and appreciates.



The devotions are short, each only a page long, but meaningful. They're not just fluff. They're not condescending, and they don't try to sound like teenagers talking. There is space to includes notes or a brief prayer of your own at the bottom of each page, though it's probably better to journal in a larger space than to try to respond in the inch or so of space provided in the book.

One thing I noticed as I was reading portions of Beloved, is that it starts in Genesis and moves forward! Other than a few readings from Psalms, Proverbs, and Hebrews, the book goes through the Bible in order. The majority of the devotions are actually from Old Testament passages, which is a nice change, since many books want to focus almost entirely on the New Testament.

We've been so impressed with these devotions, that we've bought copies to give to other young ladies we know and care about. These books can definitely help a young woman grow in her understanding of God's Word and her place in His Kingdom. I hope that Zondervan continues to produce these yearly devotional books for young women. I highly recommend them.

April E.

Book Review: The Lifegiving Parent by Clay & Sally Clarkson

I started reading this book months ago. I've tossed it into tote bags and carried it to ball games, on car trips, and read it at home before bed. Unfortunately, my reading time was usually interrupted and it has been a slow process. By the time I finished the book, it had somehow picked up a pen mark on the cover. Oops!

The majority of this book is written by Clay Clarkson. Each chapter is written from his viewpoint, with a wrap-up at the end by Sally Clarkson. To be honest, I missed reading Sally's warm tone through the chapters. That may be part of why the book took me longer to read. Or maybe it's just that life has grown increasingly busy as a mom and grandma.

In this book, Clay and Sally address many aspects of Christian parenting, and guidelines for leading our children into relationships with Christ. The book begins with their call to number our children's days (teaching them to have goals and a structure to their day.) They then address nurturing their spirits and guarding their hearts through careful limits on what they view, what they read, and how they spend their time. The next chapters deal with renewing your child's mind by continually leading them to Scripture, strengthening your child's faith by living an active faith before them, and shaping your child's will by helping them desire to obey God. The chapters on building your child's character and forming their imaginations talk about the interactions of daily life where we correct and discipline our children and guide their free-time choices.

Clay and Sally wrap up the book by talking about the importance of a parent's role in their child's life. We only have one life to give, and our greatest ministry is the one within our own home. Overall, the book is a challenge to rise up and parent in a way that goes against the grain of our current culture. It's counter-cultural to have daily family time, to limit children's exposure to most worldly television, to have daily devotional time and encourage children to follow God's ways. Many would consider these methods to be sheltering children too much, indoctrinating them, and being too controlling. It's counter-cultural to live this way.

At times I felt as if I've failed as a Life-giving parent since television and other screens take up much more of my children's time than I'd like to admit. Daily family suppers with conversation starters don't happen here either. If you read the book and feel overwhelmed with areas that you are lacking, just take baby steps. What is one small thing you can improve on? Pick one small change you can make. The main heart of the book that I focused on was the ones that talk about letting the Bible and my faith be so important to me that my children can't help but see it. Talk about how God is working in my life so that  my kids see Him as an active and caring God. That's the main message and heartbeat I took from this book.

April E.

Review: Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

Gertrude appears ordinary to many people, but she is anything but ordinary. Her heart, her spirit, her fun attitude are all unique. Harrison sees that in her, just as she sees more than a handsome wealthy businessman with an unfortunate taste in clothing in him. Together they are able to resolve the problem of her employer's kleptomania and find a happy ending for everyone in the story.

I love Jen Turano's books. They're fun, light-hearted, and sometimes they even make me cry. A little. Until the happy ending. Which is important to me, because I don't pick up a book to immerse myself in someone else's sad endings and misery. I pick up a book to smile, relax, and lift my spirits.

Out of the Ordinary did all of those things. It made me smile. I relaxed ... until I made myself put the book away and then lay in bed trying to fall asleep, but still thinking about the book. The book caught my attention from the very beginning (as Turano books always do) and kept me up late for two nights in a row.  Once again, I highly recommend this fun book from Jen Turano.

April E.

Book Review: The LifeGiving Table by Sally Clarkson

I'm very late in posting this review of The Lifegiving Table by Sally Clarkson. I started reading the book months ago, but I was so wrapped up in survival mode with my family that I found the idea of trying to create a beautiful table experience with meaningful times of conversation completely overwhelming. I made it almost half-way through the book and just didn't pick it up again. Yesterday, I took it with me to read while waiting on my son at baseball practice. I'm just as overwhelmed with loving on my family these days, but I picked up the book again at just the right spot. If' I'd just kept reading one more chapter last time I would have come to the part where Sally pours grace all over the reader and tells us that even a snack meal can be life-giving if it's presented in the right way and your presence is given to your children.

We're still just as likely to eat at the couches, on paper plates, before my husband is home from late-hours at work most nights. But this new stage of life has me preparing Sunday afternoon meals for my family and our adult children, gathering together on a weekly basis. It means getting up a little earlier on Sunday morning, and prepping some meal items on Saturday night, but it has been worth the effort. We've pulled out the table cloths and made the effort to be sure our large dining room table (which also serves as our school area) is cleared off on Saturday night and all the non-food items set out ready to go after church.

Don't let the idea of family meals or creating a place of beauty for your family overwhelm you. Sally encourages us to make the most of what we have, and creating a respite and gathering place for our family no matter where we are. I may have a cluttered home, a dining room that doubles as a school room, and walls that desperately need to be repainted - but I can still set the table, fill it with good food, and pour love out on my family in the process.

"Learning to create beauty and peace in everyday moments was what kept me going in the middle of it all. Food, feasting, and traditions are not frivolous, but ways to make life work, to make it sustainable. Predictable peace, comfort, and fellowship are something every home should provide - at least most of the time."
          ~ Sally Clarkson, The Lifegiving Table

Each chapter in Sally's book ends with something to think about, something to try, and a few of their family's favorite recipes. The something to ponder is usually Scripture, a few devotional thoughts, and quotes. Something to try are practical steps you can take to apply the chapter's message. The recipes range from simple family recipes to delectable treats that the Clarkson's enjoy.  I'll be trying some of the recipes myself, though not all of them suit our personal style and food tastes, here.

If you're looking for encouragement in the task of caring for your family on a daily basis, or looking for ideas to create lasting family memories and traditions, The Lifegiving Table is a wonderful source of inspiration. I admit to feeling weary of cooking and kitchen chores on a regular basis. It helps to be reminded of WHY I feed my family and WHY I take time to cook family favorites instead of relying on easy frozen options. (Which we do use - too much during our current baseball season.)

April E.

Review: Adored Devotions for Young Women

Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women has an important message for young ladies. The message is simply that they are never alone. They are loved by their Creator God and He is always with them. He will never fail them, and His grace is always available. I've looked through this devotional and although it states that it is intended for teenage girls, I believe my 11.5 year old daughter is ready for it. The devotions are short, but meaningful - covering aspects of godly womanhood, grace, honesty, godly love, and so much more than just dealing with mean girls at school.

The book itself is small - a hardcover that's a little wider than most paperback books. The cover design and page edges are elegant and lovely, perfect for a maturing young lady. The daily devotions each begin with a Bible verse, the accompanying devotion varies from 2 - 3 paragraphs in length, never exceeding one page of the book. There are a few lines at the bottom of each page to add a prayer, notes on how the devotion applies to their life, or a Bible verse.

My daughter is just a few months from turning twelve and I'm going to put this devotional into her hands to begin on January 1. It's exactly what I would have needed at that age, and many of the messages in it are still the reminders I need today. Thank you Zondervan for publishing a meaningful devotional for pre-teen and teenage girls.

April E.

Review: Becoming MomStrong by Heidi St. John

 Heidi St. John's book, Becoming Mom Strong, is a call-to-arms for Christian Moms everywhere! The subtitle of the book is "How to fight with all that's in you for your family and your faith." Being a warrior isn't the first image that comes to mind when we picture motherhood. Motherhood usually invokes images of white ruffly gowns, baby snuggles, rocking chairs, and a soft glowing light.

Some moms find themselves invoking their warrior mom early, as babies born with serious health conditions find them fighting for their child's life immediately. Some are warrior moms as their battle with postpartum depression rears it head. Some of us find ourselves getting along just fine, managing to do things on our own strength for a long time, until we find ourselves exhausted, burned out and overwhelmed. At that point, we are discouraged as our children's misbehavior and the constant, everyday parenting struggles and monotonous mountain of chores start to seem pointless. We feel as if it's never going to end and we aren't making a difference. The devil has found our weak point, he's caught us relying on our own strength and not God's strength.

Eventually, our children grow up, and we are burdened to pray for them as they  make life-changing decisions and as they face the difficulties of life on their own. It's too late to undo our past parenting choices. They're on their own now, and all we can do is pray.

In Becoming Mom Strong, Heidi St. John challenges us to always go to God's Word as our measuring stick for truth. She reminds us that we are fighting a battle against spiritual forces that lie to us, and to our children. We are fighting a culture that wants to distract us and destroy our faith in God, and wants to steal our children. This battle is so important and we can't let ourselves become discouraged and give up.

The majority of the book was a confirmation of the very things God has been laying on my heart. It was affirmation that what I'm doing is important and reminders to keep finding my strength in God's Word and to seek His presence daily.  

But when I got to chapter twelve, I broke out my highlighter. I cried. Because I have felt burned out. I have felt overwhelmed. With children ranging from preschool through young adulthood, I am facing a wide variety of spiritual needs and difficult behavior. It can be so tiring and I've found myself "checking out" at times. Heidi reminded me that I can not check out. This is a battle. I must be a warrior mom. Because nothing else is worth fighting for as much as the hearts and faith of my children.

I know this book can bless every mother, but I feel like it's essential for the moms whose children are ten and above. Once our children reach the age of ten, they're bombarded with so many more messages from society, and they're beginning to question things. They're making their faith their own, and wading through so many mixed messages.

But we can't give our children what we don't have. We have to be strong in our faith, sure of what we believe, if we are going to be able to pass that faith on to our children. They need to see us living it ourselves. They need to see us in God's Word, praying, turning to Him for answers. We have to be Mom Strong to lead them and to fight for them.

Becoming Mom Strong is inspiring, courage-building, and I'm looking forward to digging into the accompanying Bible Study now that I've finished the book. I recommend it for all Christian Moms.

April E.

Review: The Beautiful Word for Christmas by Zondervan

 The Beautiful Word for Christmas is a little, square hardcover book that is perfect for gift giving. The first fifty pages have beautiful calligraphy and illustrations depicting the Nativity story from Luke 1 and 2. The remaining 157 pages have 31 daily devotions with a follow-up activity to carry you through the Advent season.

I've been peeking into the devotions and the suggested activities, and I'm looking forward to reading these in November and December. We use a different devotion for our family during Advent, but I will enjoy these devotions and challenges myself. Each day's devotion starts with a short Scripture, then tells a story that ties in with the scripture and leads right into the day's activity. The activities include challenges to spend screen-free time with your family, send a letter or card to someone needing encouragement, reach out to immigrants in your community, bless others, and prepare yourself spiritually for Christmas and the New Year.

The devotions are more of a story to ponder than a deep expose of Scripture. The meat of this devotion lies more in the act of following through with the day's activity - taking the time to bless someone else or prepare your own heart for the upcoming season. This book isn't difficult to work through, but taking the time to do it can bring joy to you, and others this year. When you're done reading it, pass it on to someone else for next year. Or buy a copy for yourself, and a copy to give as a gift.


April E.

Review: Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker

Of Mess and Moxie is essentially a collection of essays by Jen Hatmaker. The overall theme of the book is that we are all a bit of a mess in one way or another, and we need moxie to get through our life and live free of shame and guilt and self-inflicted condemnation. At least that's the gist of it that I got.

The chapters stand alone fairly well - there isn't a particular flow from one chapter into the next - which is why I called them essays. This does lend itself well to short bursts of reading, just one chapter a night, or each day while waiting to pick up your children from a sports practice, or while hiding in the bathroom with the last ice cream sandwich.

Jen Hatmaker uses her usual brand of sarcasm and humor mixed with encouragement. Reading her books lets you say, "Ah, I'm not alone!" and "Me too!"  Of Mess And Moxie isn't any different - especially when you read her four "How To" sections, with sarcastic and ironic how-tos gleaned from other mothers on the internet. It's so good to know I'm not the only one whose kids do that stuff.

I do have to admit that I was expecting something different from this book. I'm not sure what. Maybe more structure and a flow that would outline well and build like a sermon with three points and 9 subpoints. I was encouraged. I smiled and I laughed. I marked a chapter and thought of someone who needed to hear that encouragement. I even marked a chapter to come back and re-read for myself. It just wasn't what I was expecting and I haven't yet figured out what I was expecting.


April E.

Review: A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White

As World War I is brewing in Europe, the mysterious Mr. V hires London thief, Rosemary Gresham, to prove the reclusive Peter Holstein is loyal to Germany, not England. Peter Holstein is eager to prove he's an English subject and loyal to England. The proof is buried somewhere in the family's disorganized and over-stuffed library, which every librarian or secretary he tries to hire refuses to tackle. Miss Gresham appears uninvited on his doorstep as a supposed answer to prayer. But is she? Or will she prove his enemies right instead?

As I read the first two chapters of this book, I initially thought there were just too many of Rosemary's "family members" to keep track of. The introduction to her adopted family of street urchins and thieves was overwhelming at first. However, the story quickly moved to Cornwall and the Holstein estate of Kensey Manor. Peter Holstein is a secret author, a confidant of the King and Prince of England, and friends with multiple authors across England. He prefers writing, due to a stutter and general social awkwardness. Rosemary has carefully practiced hiding behind a mask and fitting into society's upper levels so she can ploy her trade as a thief. But it's hard to hide her temper and her lack of education in her extended stay at Kensey Manor.

Despite the secrets they each hide, Rosemary and Peter form a friendship and growing attraction, mostly developed through the letters they begin to share each day. Rosemary becomes his advocate as vandalism and threats to Kensey Manor increase.  However, Mr. V brings a harsh reality-check when he arrives and reminds her of the job she was hired to do - threatening her and her adopted family with jail if she doesn't come through.

Will she turn in condemning information about Mr. Holstein? Will he still care for her if he knows she's a thief? How will she say goodbye to Mr. Holstein and her new friends in Cornwall? Does his God care about a street urchin and thief, and will He hear her prayers, too?

I thoroughly enjoyed A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White. I had never read any of her books before, but I'm eager to read the rest of the Shadows Over England series. This series will follow Rosemary's family as they are each called on to aid England through their unique skill set as thieves during World War I. It's a perfect blend of historical romance and intrigue.

April E.

Review: The Unreformed Martin Luther by Andreas Malessa

I'm not an expert on Martin Luther, but I have heard some of the myths about him that Andreas Malessa debunks in The Unreformed Martin Luther. I was actually very interested in reading it, since my teens have been learning about church history in Sunday School and had brought home some interesting Martin Luther tidbits recently. I just had to know, were they true?

This book was originally written in German, then translated to English. The translation is extremely well-done and the humor of the author, Andreas Malessa, is retained quite well. I honestly had no idea that Martin Luther himself was so "cheeky" and humorous either, until reading some of the excerpts from his own writings that are included in this book. 

The Unreformed Martin Luther isn't a traditional biography, but it is a very interesting and informative book to read about Luther. I doubt I'd pick up an actual biography about his life, but I have enjoyed getting to know more about him through this book. My 18 year old daughter is interested in reading it, as well, since her curiosity was peaked by the stories she heard in Sunday School. She too is wondering just what the truth about Martin Luther really is.

I have to admit that only one of these myths debunked disappointed me, only because it's the first thing I ever learned about Martin Luther, and it wasn't actually true. What was it? You'll have to read the book to find out. I am sure you will enjoy getting to know him better, and tossing out some myths, just as much as I have.

April E.

Book Review: Sacred Mundane by Kari Patterson

Kari Patterson's message in Sacred Mundane isn't exactly new to me. I've heard the message of worship in our everyday life and acts of service. I know that whatever we do, it should be "all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31) I've memorized Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  And yet, I needed the in-depth focus on this message in Sacred Mundane.

Most of us are living ordinary, mundane lives. We get wrapped up in bills, deadlines, piles of laundry, and fussing children, which can leave us wondering what we could possibly be doing for God's kingdom. Where is the great life purpose we were each told God has for us? Is it in the rush to get to work on time, the dirty dishes, and the grocery shopping? Kari Patterson says yes. Not that those things are sacred and holy, in themselves, but how we live out our lives in the midst of that is our sacrifice of praise to God. Our faithfulness each day gradually transforms us to be more like Him.

There were so many passages that touched my heart and challenged me in this book. It is exactly what I need right now, because I've been struggling with discouragement in the mundaneness of life. (Yes, that is a word - even if my computer doesn't think so.) Everyday life is just so ordinary and seemingly never-ending and I forget my purpose. I forget that my attitude and faithfulness are gifts of praise to Him. I forget that these moments of obedience in my home, where only my family sees it, are making me more like Him. If you're feeling worn down by life, and viewing your days as monotonous drudgery, there is hope in regaining your joy.  Sacred Mundane is refreshing and challenging. Kari Patterson asks some hard questions. The book includes the framework and questions for a ten week Bible study, day by day. I like that this doesn't require a second book to hold a group Bible Study. Only one book is required.  

April E.

Review: NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible by Zondervan

I love having a Study Bible. I enjoy reading the additional information that helps to bring a passage to life. It adds so much depth and understanding to the words. As soon as my children reach their teen years, I buy them a Student Study Bible. This NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible by Zondervan is the first Study Bible I've seen for children, and it's illustrated! There's a Bible dictionary/encyclopedia right in the Bible itself, which is great because my kids don't usually reach for the extra book to look those things up.

The Kids' Visual Study Bible is a hardcover Bible (because we all know kids tear up softcover books too fast) with helpful blurbs in the yellow column on each page. Many of those tidbits of information have photographs or illustrations to help children visualize the Scripture and its meaning.

Not every study Bible blurb includes an illustration; some of the pages simply have the information off to the side. Overall, the Bible is perfect for the visual learner or a child who needs context to understand the imagery in the Bible.
 

The text on the pages is small enough, that it would be better suited for an older student who is accustomed to reading chapter books with smaller font. An early reader would probably struggle to keep their location on the page, or be overwhelmed by the sheer number of words that is included on the page. I would recommend this Bible for 3rd grade and above. My almost 9 year old son could handle this Bible easily, but my almost 7 year old daughter would struggle with it.

In addition to the study Bible excerpts placed throughout the Bible, this Bible also has maps located at the back, as well as an index of the different infographics. If you want to find more information on the temple, you can check the index in the back of the Bible and find any information that's included in the Bible. The infographics are divided in lists by Old Testament and New Testament, so the temple may actually appear in both lists. You can also use the index to discover what isn't included in infographics, so you can seek out information elsewhere. For instance, you won't find an infographic on the Shroud of Turin or the Holy Grail.  (Yes, I'm being facetious there, as those are extra-Biblical legends.)


Each book of the Bible begins with a chart of information regarding the author of the book, the time it was written, the overall themes of the book, stories included in the book, and its geographic location. This information is so helpful for children becoming familiar with the Bible and beginning to read and study on their own.

I'm very impressed with the NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible. It has so much more depth than a themed Bible that has cute decorations on the cover and interior that aren't even Biblical. I like pretty and cute, but I appreciate the content of this Bible so much more than a floral design for girls or camouflage Bible for boys. Let's not underestimate what our children are capable of learning or the questions they might have as they're reading. This Bible gives them answers and respects their intelligence. It would make a wonderful back-to-school, baptism, birthday or Christmas gift for a middle to upper elementary student!

April E.

Review: Threads of Suspicion by Dee Henderson

I've been a Dee Henderson fan for YEARS, from her very first O'Malley series. Her books have changed over the years, gained depth and lost some of the constant danger that her earlier books usually entailed. Threads of Suspicion is the second book in her new Evie Blackwell Cold Case series. I've enjoyed both of the Evie Blackwell books. It's intriguing to see Evie dive into all the old files and start to find connections that were missed initially. In this book, she works with others to solve the crime of a missing college student, and each detective has a different method or style.

I read Threads of Suspicion on a car trip with my family. My husband kept complaining that I wasn't listening to him. I reminded him I was reading something very engrossing, and it was frustrating to be interrupted, again. (I later repeated that charge to him when he was tuning me out while reading messages on his phone. We laughed together.)

I like Evie. I like her methodical, puzzle-solving job. I like the other characters involved in the mystery, and I very much enjoyed Threads of Suspicion. There were a few things that I knew were coming, something would be introduced and I'd guess something significant was going to happen involving that. However, there were also other surprises I didn't expect. The book wasn't too predictable, and it wasn't too dark. This series isn't going to keep me from sleeping at night, unless I'm still in the middle of reading the book and can't put it down. I appreciate that, because I want to be engrossed in a book completely while reading it, but not be haunted by it when I have finished the book.

As always, the book is clean. It doesn't have language, inappropriate relationships between adults, or unnecessarily violent descriptions. The characters' discussion of their faith and struggles flows naturally and doesn't seem to just be plopped into the book so it can be called Christian.

I will continue to recommend Dee Henderson books to other Christian readers who like mysteries. I still want a map, though. A character map that shows me every main character, how they connect, what books they reappear in (even just with a vague mention). Sometimes I feel like I should know who a character is but can't remember what book or series they're from. Other times I recognize a first name and assume it's someone I've read about in another Dee Henderson book, but am not 100% sure.

Still loving Dee Henderson books,
April E.

Review: Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano

I've become a big fan of Jen Turano's historical romantic-comedy adventures. Behind the Scenes was another fun story from Jen. I stayed up far too late reading it, and completely enjoyed it!

Miss Permilia Griswold is a wallflower. She has spent six years attending social functions and has yet to master the art of social conversation, dancing, or fitting in. Instead, she spends her time secretly taking notes, observing others, and writing the very discreet social gossip column Miss Quill. No one else is aware of her job, and she only refers to people by their initials, never their full names.

Unfortunately, all of that comes crashing down at a ball, as she finds herself repeatedly colliding with Mr. Asher Rutherford, a handsome bachelor and businessman. To top off her evening, she overhears a threat against Mr. Rutherford's life, makes a scene trying to tell him, and he doesn't believe her.

It's only a matter of time before Asher can no longer deny he's in danger, but that's not the only problem. Permilia loses her Miss Quill position at the newspaper as he refuses to write salacious pieces that do more than describe fashion and dances, her reputation is tarnished, and she's also in danger. Can they find out who's after them, and restore Permilia's reputation? Will they fall in love in the process?  Of course.

Behind the Scenes is full of Jen Turano's usual banter between the lead characters. Humorous escapades also abound. While her first series focused on New York's high society members, and her second series focused on the working class ladies lingering around high society, this series focuses on the wallflowers within society. Those who are outsiders in society, invited, but not welcomed.

I can completely relate to Permilia and her wallflower friends. I love that this series is going to focus on wallflowers. As usual per Miss Turano's style, they promise to be Cinderella stories as each wallflower finds love, and probably to a handsome and wealthy member of society. Jen Turano is still topping my summer reads list, and I'll be looking for the next installment!

April E.

Review: The Cover Story by Deb Richardson-Moore

The Cover Story is the first Branigan Powers mystery I've read. I missed the first installment in this interesting series. Branigan is a newspaper reporter, who uses her investigative skills to solve mysteries. Not because she's seeking them out, but because they enter her world and affect the community and people she loves.

I have to admit to being a bit confused at first. The story began with Charlie, who turns out to be a girl, then we're introduced to Branigan who is a girl, and her co-worker Jody, who is a guy. Confusing names aside, the plot is gripping from the very first chapter. Branigan has found an ally in an observant homeless man named Malachi. Malachi notices things, and he exploits the fact that people often ignore the presence of the homeless to investigate alongside Branigan.

The Cover Story begins with two college-age women being run off the road. One dies instantly, and the other is injured. The injured young woman, Charlie, is like family to Branigan. When Charlie tells them she was run off the road by a hearse, all clues point to the local college sororities and fraternities where loyalties, and secrets, run deep. Soon another ex-sorority sister is killed. Can Branigan unravel the secrets before anyone else is killed?

This is the second series I've read recently with a newspaper reporter as the amateur sleuth, although this one is set in current times and the other series isn't. I have to admit that I like this reporter/investigor correlation. It's more believable than the housewife or local shopkeeper continually stumbling over crimes and solving them. Branigan was enjoyable and believable as a character, and I really liked Malachi. I found myself worrying for him as he snooped around, afraid he'd be arrested and would end up treated unfairly since he's homeless.

I'm going to have to go back and read the first Branigan Powers mystery. This series will be added to my list of series to follow; I'll be looking forward to future mysteries.

April E.