Thursday, January 28, 2010

50 Ways to Feel Great Today

I did not think I was going to like this book, I'm not really into the the whole self-help scene when it comes to books and I really thought it was going to be a chore to get through this book. I was quite pleasantly surprised though to find myself enjoying it!
The book was really quite practical with some great idea's on how to lift your spirits and feel better. (As someone who loves art, i especially loved the suggestion about finding your inner artist, i always find myself feeling better after doing a painting or drawing!!)
I love that the advice given was practical, and not the whole New-age-ish type stuff that seems to be out there. There were none of the corny 'invite your inner child out to play' suggestions in that there make me roll my eyes. lol.
I can't say i'll read through the entire book again, but there are a few chapters (that i've marked!) that will get re-read anytime i need a pick me up! I think this would be a fantastic book for people who are dealing with the day to day stresses and anxieties.


"Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

The Silent Governess

This book by Julie Klassen was exceptionally well written and highly entertaining! Its one of those books where you loose all track of time, and find you've been reading it for hours, lol.
I love that her Characters in the book (Both Olivia Keene and Bradley Brightwell) really seemed to develop throughout the story, they were very multi-dimensional and seemed to grow as you were reading.
Without giving away too much of the story, the book starts off with the main character Olivia Keene, who is running away from an act she committed and ends up in the home of someone who fears her yet is drawn to her. Brightwell with his own secret forces Olivia into service in the manor house, where both Characters are at odds yet find themselves drawn to each other.
Really a great book, i had a hard time putting it down.



"available now at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

The Hidden Flame

I love Janette Oke books, I used to (before i read them) think that they would be super corny and mushy romantic stories. I've recently discovered that she is a fantastic writer, and one of my favourites now!
I truly loved the book "The Hidden Flame" by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke,  I was weary about being able to understand it after i found out it was a second book in a series. However, even without reading the first book, i LOVED the second in the series. This book really gave a new perspective on Biblical events, ones that we hadn't considered before. I love that they included actual people from the Bible like Ananias and Sapphira, (and writing the story based on the truth of what actually happened) plus Stephen (Who i hadn't really gave much consideration to until now, this book gave me a new appreciation for what he did for the Gospel!).
This is one book that I think is a must for anyone into Biblical based fiction, not only is it very well written and entertaining, its also insightful. I know that this will not be the last time i read this book!

"available now at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Monday, January 25, 2010

Plain Pursuit

I am absolutely in love with reading the Amish series books right now, and Beth Wiseman is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors within this genre. I was so excited to see her book among the titles to review, I could hardly wait to get the book!!!
Her book "Plain Pursuit" doesn't disappoint, it is full of the type of Characters that Wiseman is becoming known for (at least in my books, lol). Her characters are incredibly realistic, they have their own problems (such as Dr. Noah and Carlely) and situations to handle, and Wiseman doesn't give them the 'pat' answers to their problems.  I loved this book so much, that i read the entire thing in one sitting (which lasted well into the night, lol). Its one of those books that you just can't put down.
I love that she (Wiseman) is able to write about the Amish and their beliefs without coming across as preachy.
The book begins with a Character named Carley Marek after facing a forced vacation, decides  to visit her friend Lillian and her family in the Amish community. While there she witnesses and takes part in the struggle of a child's illness and the issues of faith and forgiveness.
I definitely recommend this book, This one will be re-read a number of times!

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Choice

I have to say,  I was a little weary about reading this book.  From some of my experiences, I've found the Amish themed books to be a little slow moving and very preachy about living that way of life. So i didn't really have great hopes for the book when i started reading. However that changed after the first few pages, the book was absolutely fantastic.
The book begins with a young Amish woman named Carrie who makes plans to run away to marry her 'boyfriend'. However tragedy strikes the family and Carrie is forced to choose between love for a guy and love for her family.
I loved the characters in this book, they were kind and faith-filled yet without that condescendingly proud tone you sometimes get when author's are trying to convey this. The author gave them real problems (not the corny silly problems that sometimes Christian authors seem to put in their books) and real heartache and showed how they dealt with it. All the characters were quite believable and easily likeable. I found this book easy to read and incredibly well written. I do believe Lancaster County has found a new fan!
"Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group"

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Selfless Gene

I was really curious when i saw the title of this book on Thomas Nelson last week. Darwin and Christianity are generally not all that compatible with each other, and I got to wondering how Charles Foster would attempt to bring them both together. I have to say after reading it, I have mixed feelings. In some ways I think he was right on the money, Foster had solid knowledge of both the Bible and his scientific data. There were times though that i felt he was really stretching in some area's, and while it gave me pause, it also caused me to really think hard on those topics.
All in all, while this isn't a light read by any stretch of the imagination, it does cause you to really look into what you believe. And it does provide common ground for the Christian and scientific community to build on.
A definite recommendation for those who are interested in more then just a light read!

Friday, January 01, 2010

The Sweet By and by

What a surprisingly great book, I hadn't had really all that high of hopes for this book. I hadn't read any previous books by the authors and really didn't know what the book would be like. I have to say i was pleasently surprised,  both Evans and Hauck provided an exceptionally well written and interesting book. The character in "The sweet by and by" were very realistic and well written. You really felt like you were getting to know them throughout the story. I really appreciated the insight they gave to previous instances in the character's lives. It really gave you an idea of each of the Characters and their unique struggles and hopes.
I highly recommend this book, a very good read!!

The Lightkeeper's Daughter

I just finished reading this book and it was Fantastic! Basically (but without giving the ending away) the book is about the lead character Addie who discovers she is not the person she grew up thinking she was. In her search to find out who she truly is, she encounters many dangerous situations.
I really did love this book, Coble did a fantastic job keeping the attention of the reader and really keeping the story moving. There was enough of a mystery to the story that it really kept the reader guessing until the very end. All in all it was a fantastic story, and very enjoyable!