One Word For Today

 

What a wonderful devotional book. This book gives one word as the heading, then there is a verse to think upon. The short reading is easy to fit into any busy day and it filled my heart with God's love. 

Along with each of these there is a question, a prayer and a step for action.

I could see this as an individual, family or small group devotion. It could open the door for sharing thoughts.

I loved this devotional and would recommend it to everyone.

I received this book from Chosen in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, 

Prepare Him Room by Susie Larson

 

This book is an Advent Devotional which spoke to my heart. While I was reading this book I felt the Spirit of God in my heart moving me. 

I look forward to sharing this book with my family this Advent,

I was given this book by Baker Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Catastrophes and Heroes by Jerry Borrowman

 

I found this book to be filled with events that I had never knew or knew little about. I admit I do like to read historical books and this one was well-written and kept me reading to the end. The author introduces the catastrophe and then builds up the anticipation to the event itself. Then, if there is help, it comes just as history tells it. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions stated are my own.

The Most Important Stories of the Bible

This thin book, only 185 pages, gives summaries of some of the most popular stories of the Bible. It does not include every story, but what the authors consider to be the most meaningful that tie the entire Bible together. There are six sections within the book:
Beginnings,
Patriarchs,
Israel's Family Becomes a Nation
Kings and Prophets
Stories of jesus
Stories of the Early Church

The summaries of the stories are only a few paragraphs long and it is easy to make it through each section at a sitting. There is also one sentence at the end that gives the main point.
I think this would be a good book to read as a family or to children to get them interested in reading the Bible. It does not go into theological study of the stories, which is what would make it ideal for families or new believers.
I received this book from Bethany House Publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions express are my own.

Evening With Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings

I feel like I have lived my Christian life growing with A.W. Tozer. I have read other books by him and they always leave me reflecting and refreshed. This book, Evenings With Tozer does the same.

This book includes a reading for each day of the year. Each entry is composed of an overall thought, a verse and reflection which work together. I come away from each reading feeling even closer to God and his creation. I see this as an individual or a family devotion, a way to help a family feel a connection to God together. They speak to my heart the way they always have. Each entry helps a person grow in their Bible time and is meant to enrich this time.

Tozer began as a street preacher who became a self-educated man who spent his life reaching others as a a pastor, teacher and as a writer.

I was given this book by Moody Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Find this book at Amazon, Christianbook.com, and at Barnes and Noble.

book Review: 67 Shots: Kent State and the End of American Innocence

In my house, we talked very little about Vietnam, or the violence with the IRA. I suppose that is why certain days live in my mind, this is one of them. I was only ten at the time but I remember this violence in my home state. Three days of protest, more students than I could count and then the National Guard. It was so hard to believe in 13 seconds, 67 shots could be issued and four lives killed.

The author, Howard Means, did a good job with the oral-history collection and interviewing to relay this story from those who were there. I feel he was able to describe the tension and the anger surrounding this time. Not only of those there but across the nation. From the President, the Governor, the Mayor and so on, each are examined to help us to reflect on that day and, hopefully, stop it from happening again.

Very good. I was given this book by NetGalley and Perseus Group Books, De Capo Press in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be purchased HERE! at Amazon

Book Review: Baking Powder Wars

This book is filled with the history of baking powder. I did not realize that there was such a war between different brands. This one little product changed the way that people around the world would bake fro 1856 to the present. Even though she focused on the top brands she did mention how there were over a hundred that were vying for the consumers' business.

This unique history book was fascinating to me, a history buff. I wasn't sure what to expect but I found it interesting. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and University of Illinois Press in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: The Curious Nature Guide

This book is a wonderful resource to help the reader open up their senses to the world around them. I feel this would be good as a homeschool resource or for those that need to have their love of nature renew, but in a new way. It could be used in the backyard, a park, or anywhere.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Storey Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: All Dogs Go To Kevin

I love stories written by veterinarians about their quirkier moments. Dr. Jessica Vogelsang delivered to this love beautifully. Jessica has had the love of three dogs who saw her through momentous times in her life. First was a Lhasa Apso named Taffy, then a Golden Retriever named Emmett and a Labrador, Kekoa. They taught her many important lessons and helped her with patience and tolerance, plus, as many dog owners know, they also help bring smiles to the lips.

This is the story of her love for these dogs and the adventures they have been through together. It is written with love that flows from each page.

As another dog lover, I found this book tugging at my heartstrings as I think about each of the dogs in my life and the comfort, joy and love I have found in each one.

I most highly recommend this book. It is wonderful.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Drummond Girls

I love the title of this book, The Drummond Girls: A Story of Fierce Friendship Beyond Time and Chance.  Having said that, I requested this book and then put off reading it, for one reason or another. As often happens, when I did pick it up, I loved the story within.

There are eight girls who first met, as waitresses, customers or bartenders, in Michigan at Peegeo's Food and Spirits. It then took off at an engagement celebration at Drummond Island. This trip formed a friendship stronger than they anticipated. Each year since they go to the same location, no matter what has happened in their lives. Now, one of their friends is beginning to loose her memories, so they plan on helping her remember.

This book makes me remember the friendships I had throughout my life and how, at the time, we thought we would always see each other or, at least stay in touch. I say Bravo to the Drummond Girls for staying with this commitment and not allowing anything to come between them.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Big Tiny

This is such an addicting book to read. I have been fascinated by the tiny house movement which seems to have taken over the scene and this book helped to fill my head with the ideas that this type of living could take on. Dee Williams turned to this life because of life circumstances. This caused her take on getting rid of the unneeded things in her life. She begins to build a tiny house to gain freedom. This freedom helped her to become more of the person who she wanted to be.

This book can motivate all to try to see what to change in their lives and the differences it can make in their lives. I recommend this book highly.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Penguin Group Blue Rider Press.

Book Review: Taste of Beirut

Taste of Beirut  is an interesting cookbook. In this part of the world food is a time to relax and enjoy. When preparing these foods the author requests that the cook should use fresh ingredients and those that are in season.

I love looking at recipes from different parts of the world, but I never really considered foods from Beirut. So when this cookbook came up I was excited to look through and see what I can try. The recipes throughout do not use ingredients that cannot be found in most areas and are so well-written that they can be prepared for any supper. 

There are hints throughout and the pictures give a good representation of what the foods should look like. Some of the recipes included are turnip pickles, Fava bean soup, lentil soup with swiss chard, red pepper hummus and so many more.

I was given this book by NetGalley and HCI books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Girl in the Green Sweater

The Girl in the Green Sweater: A Life in Holocaust's Shadow is a very well-written book. I did not want to put it down as the story was so intriguing.

The families, in this book, lived through communist Russia and then they went through the Polish invasion by the Nazis.

There are times when my heart wept for the suffering that was dealt onto the people by the Germans and the SS. Some of the things were loss of items, no food, hiding and so much more. Then they had to live in sewers to avoid capture, after they has escaped.

I feel like stories like this are needed to help people realize the horrendous times people have gone through in the past.

I recommend this book highly.

Book Review: Rescue Road

I have rescued two dogs and two cats so when I saw this book, my heart could not wait to get it. I believe that saving an animal is a two-way street. Usually the human is saving the animal as much as the animal is saving the human.

This story about rescue gets into the nitty gritty of saving animals. Including the heart break and the success.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves animals, especially those that have a desire to rescue them.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Sourcebooks in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: Elle and Coach

Elle and Coach is an inspirational love story. When I decided to open this book, I could not put it down until I finished it. It talks about living with a child with type 1 diabetes. True this in a heart-tugging topic but the topic is dealt with such inspiring insight. There were tears at parts but most of the time I was inspired by the author and her daughter.

I think this is a book that can be read by anyone and they would feel the way I did.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Hatchette Books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The God Who Walks Beside Us

I realize that books like this are not necessarily meant to be read in one sitting, but this one spoke to me. There are times when it feels like God is not with us, however, as demonstrated throughout the Bible as with Jacob, God loves us regardless of our flaws and our feelings. Even when we turn away from God, God does not give up on us, instead is beside us. 

David Roper wrote this book with a depth of knowledge that helped me to be reminded of the times that I had God beside me, whether I wanted him there or not. He reminds us that we need to begin each day with submission to God's plans for our day and our lives. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Discovery House in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: Cooking as Fast as I Can

Cat Cora has always been one of my favorite Iron Chefs, so when I saw that she was writing a book, I decided I needed to review it.

This book, Cooking as Fas as I Can, presents her in the same way she is on television...totally honest, and keeping our attention. She takes the reader back to her roots in Jackson, Mississippi where she first began to learn to cook. This background allowed her to build her repertoire of Greek and Southern cooking.

This book is more than her cooking background, however. It takes us into her life where she was sexually abused to today where she has to come face-to-face with her life as a lesbian and her life in the South. 

Those who pick up this book will discover how to hold on to dreams, in spite of what the past may have presented. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Scribners in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Motivate your Child

Motivate Your Child, by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, takes both a biblical and educational view on motivation.

I have been a parent and an educator, as well as a Christian. So to see this volume which combines all of these was refreshing. They advocate heart-parenting in this book where you look at the important values within your family. Then make these the foundation from which to raise the family. In addition, this book guides the reader to look at each child and discover ways to reach their hearts to motivate them.

No matter what the family dynamics are, the ages, behaviors, groups, this book helps to address them to show how to show love and motivation to the family. 

The authors also show different sources of parental stress and how they are expressed then introduces ways to respond that do not include raising the voice or demonstrating anger.

This is an excellent book and I would highly recommend it to any parents, or educators. I was given this book by bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Modular Crochet

This book, Modular Crochet, shows the reader how to help make their crocheting fresh and new. This is due to the techniques which makes all crocheting as easy as creating a dishcloth or a scarf. Using a basic shape, the crocheter can arrange them to make a number of different creations, no matter the dimensions.

This book would be ideal for the expert and the beginner as the directions are clear and the photographs help to see how the item could look.

I would recommend this book for any one that is looking for a fun and different way of crocheting.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Rooted in Design

Rooted in Design,  by Tara Heibel and Tassy de Give, is the book for the person who has space in their homes that could use some WOW!

Heibel has a gardening column and has made appearances on the morning news shows. De Give has appeared on radio shows and has had several publication where she has expressed her gardening expertise.

These two have put together a wonderful book, complete with photos, that helps the consumer think outside the box when it comes to decorating with plants. They have included ideas for walls, ledges, floors, hanging from the air, tabletop, terrariums and plants to use in the kitchen. In the back is an index of the plants they suggest along with a guide to help them flourish.

I feel like this is a complete guide for anyone and I would recommend it to friends and family.

I was given this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.