book review – Page 9

52 Little Lessons From A Christmas Carol: A BookLook Blogger Review

October 21, 2015 Grace-Filled Writer

We all have things we love about Christmas and Charles Dickens gave us one more item to add to the list those many years ago. In many ways the culture of his day was much like our own even if apparel and technology have drastically changed. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol intending to bring to light many of the social ills of the day such as over indulgence of the rich, ignorance of poverty, and poor education. His tale is timeless and as much as it is tradition, it is, I also see it as a learning opportunity.

I was excited to read Bob Welch’s analysis of the this tale of Christmas in 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol. This is a new author for me and I always anticipate what will come when I read someone new. The layout of the book is simple. Each chapter has a very short quote along with an attribute to the character it refers to or who spoke it. Then proceeds several pages of discourse about the quote.

Each quote is enhanced with literary analysis, historical significance, and Scriptural reference. The reader is led on a thought-provoking journey through these 52 quotes, often left to think of how this relates to our present day lives.

I was a little disappointed that the quotes were so short. I prefer having the entire context. While I do have many copies of A Christmas Carol handy, I would have liked to have more context included in the quote. I believe the author presumes a familiarity with the story, whether by theater, a retelling, or the original text. If not, this book would feel a little empty. I have extensive experience with the novel as I have taught it repeatedly in my English classes for middle schoolers. I also have multiple versions on DVD and a few audio dramas. Still I felt there was a bit lacking as far as providing the text.

I also think I would like to have the chapters separated into Staves just as the original novel is. While the quotes do go in order, having further clarification of the stave in which it occurs would have been nice.

I did like this very much as it has given me more to think about for the next time I read the story.

The Carols of Christmas: A Booklook Blogger Review

October 15, 2015 Grace-Filled Writer

Christmastime is here…

Okay, so not really, but who is with me in looking forward to the Christmas season? One of my favorite things about the holiday is the music. I have several books which talk about the stories behind the hymns, but I had yet to come across one which focused on the Christmas Carols…until now!

What first struck me was the simplicity of the layout. I love that each of the 21 songs are categorized into themes. Topics range from specific dates, to Scripture, to aspects of the season. I do think I would have preferred the topics be more consistent, like all Scripture references or all aspects of the season. There are one or more songs included, both religious and secular. I was a little surprised to find the secular songs included, but found their stories just as interesting.

I was pleasantly surprised by the details in this book. Each of the songs is studied in depth to a degree I did not expect. The author delves into the backgrounds and lives of the lyricists and composers in much more detail than I thought. While it is interesting, in some ways it distracts from what I am most interested in, which is a concise understanding of the song’s story. There are also moments of explanation about the musical aspects, which as a musician I did find interesting, but I think it could be a little too much information for those who may not be musically inclined.

Perhaps it is because of my experience with other stories-behind-the-songs books, but this one did not keep my attention the way I had hoped. I would most likely use this as a reference book rather than just sit and read it through for pleasure. Still, the writing is high quality and well done and I think it would be very helpful tool for musicians and church leadership alike during the Christmas season.

More for Girls Only! Devotions: A Tyndale Blog Network Review

October 11, 2015 Grace-Filled Writer

One of my favorite things as a pre-teen and teenager was my Brio magazine. Did any of you read that? This sweet devotional reminds me a lot of that magazine and all the reasons I loved it. Within the pages of this 60-day devotional is encouragement which feels relevant for girls of this generation.

Each devotional in More for Girls Only! Devotions by Carolyn Larsen from Tyndale Publishers has a story and Scripture to engage young girls. I am having both my 8-year-old (Beth) and 10-year-old (Rose) use this book. While Beth does like it, I think she may be a little on the young end. There is nothing inappropriate at all but my girls are still very much little girls and not growing up as quickly as some of their peers are. I love that about my girls. Either way the content would be appropriate for all little girls considered preteens.

Carolyn Larsen is a new author for me and I appreciate her easy style of writing. As I read through some of the stories and devotionals I felt as if this was the kind of woman I would love to have in the girl’s life as a mentor. My daughters are so very blessed to have many women in their life who care about their spiritual growth. While I’ll probably never meet the author in person I have a feeling she is the kind who looks for opportunities to mentor young girls with whom she is in contact. Her stories and Scriptural application are both relevant and engaging.

Both of my daughters really like the layout of this devotional. In addition to the opening story and Scripture there is a quiz, extra verses, biblical application, and challenges. All of the topics are age appropriate. Even the topic on purity does not delve into the sexual aspects of purity but rather what it means to have a pure heart.

This is an excellent devotional that a young girl desiring to grow in her faith will enjoy!

Disclaimer: I received a paperback copy of More for Girls Only! Devotions from Tyndale Publishers as part of the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and did not receive any other compensation.

The Big Pig Stampede: A Tyndale Blog Network Review

October 10, 2015 Grace-Filled Writer

My kids love when packages show up in the mail, especially when I open it and it is a new book to read! Rose snatched this one up before I even had a chance to crack the cover. I was actually intending Beth to read it first, but since Rose was three chapters in before I realized she had it, I changed my plans!

The Big Pig Stampede by Bob Hartman from Tyndale Publishers is a retelling of the life an miracles of Jesus from the perspective of a young boy, Gideon, known as Goat Boy. This new perspective is a great way for kids to relive the biblical accounts of Christ’s life.

Rose loved the humor. Since she read this as part of her school assignment I gave her one or two chapters to read a day. While I intended for her to take two weeks to finish it, she was done in only one because she kept reading ahead. I certainly don’t mind when my girls get captivated with a book! I often heard her laughing as she read. She would also read me passages that she really enjoyed.

What I appreciated was even though it was from a different perspective, the author remained true to Scriptural and historical facts. I love when they get a new perspective, but not at the expense of Scriptural accuracy. This author is new to me, but I was very pleased with his storytelling because it was accurate as well as captivating.

Rose has already asked me to get the next book which isn’t even published yet! I’m sure this is a series which will remain a household favorite for years to come.

Disclaimer: I received a paperback copy of The Big Pig Sampede from Tyndale Publishers as part of the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and did not receive any other compensation.

Prayers that Changed History: A BookLook Blogger Review

September 11, 2015 Grace-Filled Writer

I have been learning much about prayer over the last year or so. God has been teaching me so much about how to pray and what to expect when I pray. I’ve been sharing some of this with my daughters along the way and I was excited to have a chance to review a book about prayers from history.

This book covers a wide range of well-known historical figures and will fit well with our history sequence as we study. Some of my favorite chapters were the ones with women because I have three daughters. I love showing them how God used women in history and how He wants to use them to further His Kingdom as well! I anticipate many wonderful conversations as we progress through this unique biographical collection together.

I love that each chapter highlights the life of the individual, including their spiritual life, as well as how they specifically prayed. The wonderful part is it doesn’t end there! After the historical information is presented we are brought back to Scripture to see God’s perspective. A variety of translation are used throughout which is not a problem for us, but I know some families prefer a single translation. It would be easy enough to use your own Bible to read the passages referenced.

After all of this, the reader is challenged to apply what they have learned from Scripture and history to their own life. The challenge includes teaching children how to pray. Most kids raised in Christian homes understand thanking and asking for things, but it is our job to train our children to pray God’s way. This is an excellent resource for that training.

Some may take issue with some of the individuals highlighted because the whole of their lives may not be what we want to set up as heroic, but I see it as a wonderful reminder that God uses us, no matter what our past or future mistakes may be, to further His plans. God is sovereign and must acknowledge this and realize His hand upon history.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook.com® <http://BookLook.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Curiosity Keeper: A Booklook Blogger Review

September 11, 2015 Grace-Filled Writer

Sarah E. Ladd is a new author for me and I’m always on the lookout for new authors. I’m also pretty picky about what I like when it comes to a novel. Characters should be well developed, realistic, and likable. The plot should grip me within the first few chapters. The setting is preferably historical, but not so overrun with history that factual information overwhelms the heart of the story. Ladd did an excellent job of combining all of these into a beautifully written novel. I was captivated from the start!

I have to admit that while I abide by the age-old adage to not judge a book by its cover, the cover of this particular novel drew me. I’ve read several books lately where the covers did not do justice to their written words, but this captivating painting perfectly captures the heroine, the setting, and the mood of the book.

The Curiosity Keeper is set in Regency England, a perfect spot for both mystery and romance alike to unfold! Two worlds collide when the son of a wealthy collector is compelled to rescue the daughter of a shopkeeper. Their fathers were essentially enemies and the search for a stolen gem cements the intertwining of their lives. As the story unfolds it becomes very clear that all is not as it seems.

Something else I appreciated as that I was genuinely surprised at many of the plot twists. All the while the storytelling was believable and enjoyable. Ladd is one of my favorite new authors I will continue to follow!

The Berenstain Bears Harvest Festival: A BookLook Blogger Review

August 19, 2015 Grace-Filled Writer

My favorite season is autumn! I cannot wait for the cooler temperatures and changing color each year. September 1 brings out the fall decor in our home and I always feel the coziness or this time keenly. Anticipation of the winter and brisk fall days delight my senses. We have lots of books about winter and Christmas, but I believe my latest review is our very first book about fall!

This sweet little story about the Berenstain Bears enjoying the Harvest Festival delighted my little Grace to pieces. She is a big fan of this Bear family and especially loves Honey Bear.

All the things I love about fall are included in this sweet book…leaves changing, enjoying the harvest of fall vegetables, observing the animals, and feasting with friends. Grace really liked the pumpkin Honey Bear picks out!

Grace said her favorite picture was the one of Honey Bear and the pumpkin pies. The illustrations in the Berenstain Bear books are always beautifully illustrated and this one is no exception. I love the nostalgia of simpler days represented in these stories!

Grace has begun to really appreciate the humor in various stories. She loves to talk about what she is reading while she reads it as well! Discussing books with her is such a joy! One discussion we had was about Mother Nature. We are used to this phrase and my girls know that we see Mother Nature as a pretend person that is okay to read about, but we need to acknowledge that God is the Creator and giver of all the beauty on the earth. It was a pleasant surprise to find this book affirm this belief. The Berenstain Bears are a great way to help point your little ones back to God.

Among the Fair Magnolias: A BookLook Blogger Review

August 19, 2015 Grace-Filled Writer

I’m always excited when I have the opportunity to review fiction titles! I read a lot throughout the day with the girls so I don’t always take the time to read just for pleasure.

Among the Fair Magnolias is a set of novels from four different authors set in the south. One of the four is set in the pre-Civil war years and the remaining three take place after the war. Each centers on very different characters in different life situations. It was fun to have the various viewpoints of so many individuals.

I’m typically not a fan of these types of books because the stories feel too short. I still wouldn’t say this is my favorite style, but I did enjoy it more than I expected at first. Each story had its own unique style which showed each author’s personality.

The characters in each story were quite believable, but I felt the romances were often too quick or forced in some ways. I love believable relationships and those that seem unrealistic leave me feeling a little blah at the end. I think this is all too often the nature of shorter novels. I am sure it must be a struggle for the authors to condense their stories in order for it to fit. This is why I typically prefer very long novels or series of books.

My favorite of the novels was An Outlaw’s Heart by Shelley Gray. I’m already a big fan of Shelley Gray’s other novels so I wasn’t surprised this one stole my heart. I really liked that the central character was a man and that the relationship had a past prior to their introduction to the reader. It definitely left a more believable feel to the story. I also really liked the journey the characters made spiritually and emotionally. This is very hard to convey in a shorter novel, but Ms. Gray did an excellent job.

Maggie Bright: A Tyndale Blog Network Review

July 3, 2015 Grace-Filled Writer

The shatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; gird your loins; collect all your strength.

Nahum 2:1

There are times when a novel is entertaining and pleasurable. It allows an escape from reality into a world of happy endings. Other times a novel moves you deeply, speaks into your soul, and drives you. Maggie Bright is the latter. This novel of the evacuation of troops at Dunkirk is more than just historical fiction. It is a deeply moving encounter with characters endearing. I can’t remember the last time a story moved me to tears the way this one did.

Tracy Groot is a new author to me and I am very excited to read more from her. The setting is 1940, England. Hitler’s campaign to control all of Europe is in full swing and the English troops are in trouble, attempting to evacuate back to England. Back on the homefront rumors of retreat and disaster circulate although no formal announcement has been made. As these larger picture events unfold, a young woman is suddenly caught in the middle of a spy mission aimed at revealing the true horrors Hitler and his Nazi regime are spreading with the growth of their evil empire. America has yet to enter the war and hope is beginning to fade. If only the horrible truth can reach the shores of the United States there is hope that England will not be left alone as one-by-one the countries of Europe fall.

This beautifully written story of Dunkirk pulled me in with the first chapter. The dual story-line showing the embattled front-line action and the home-front of England gives a very unique picture of the all encompassing nature of World War II. This war was more than just the soldiers going away to a foreign land to keep them at bay from their own country. All of England was affected as Hitler’s troops edged closer and closer to the United Kingdom.

It did take some time for me to sort out who all the characters were within the first few chapters, but it was worth it. Each one progressed the story along in a different way. I love the 3rd Person point of view which allows us insights into a variety of characters’ thoughts. While spiritual themes run throughout this book, it never feels preachy and explores the way those who do not have a personal relationship with Christ react to God at times of crisis. Many of the characters began to seek God for the first time and I appreciated that this was not a fast journey, but genuine and realistic seeking.

Although I was left wanting to know more at the end, I was also left with an urgency towards prayer. Running throughout the book is the theme of searching to understand what prayer is, how prayer works, and why we do it. I loved the way this was handled as several characters sought to express their perspective on prayer. God’s answer to a nation who stopped to pray corporately is seen in the success of the Dunkirk evacuation. Though many lives were lost, thousands upon thousands more than were expected were saved. Many civilians showed unprecedented courage as they sought to bring their soldiers home. The verse quoted above expresses how those in England viewed this time during the war. They sought God and realized they needed divine intervention in order to overcome the evil one who sought to destroy.

I’m fascinated by this era in history as my own grandfather served in the army during World War II. I knew very little of what was happening prior to the entrance of the United States into the war and I am intrigued to study more about this now.

I highly recommend this book and I will personally am anxious to read more novels by Tracy Groot.

Disclaimer: I received a paperback copy of Maggie Bright from Tyndale Publishers as part of the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and did not receive any other compensation.

A Heart’s Obsession: A BookLook Blogger Review

June 3, 2015 Grace-Filled Writer

Colleen Coble is a newer author to me. I’ve read one of her other shorter novels and while enjoyable, it wasn’t one of my favorites. I was anxious to give her writing another try and this seemed like a great option. This series of short books are Coble’s first novel, republished into several novellas.

This extremely short novella focuses on a seemingly lost relationship between a heroine desperate to escape an arranged marriage and a career military man.

This book picks up from Book One and if you haven’t already read this, you will probably feel lost throughout as I did. I never felt connected to the characters and quite often the relationships and conversations felt forced.
Short novels aren’t usually something I’m excited about, but this was a nice diversion from what I normally read. I was able to finish in about one afternoon. I read this really quickly, but was left feeling unsatisfied at the end. I would much prefer reading this story as a continuous novel than simply what felt to be an excerpt of a novel. Perhaps one day I will have that opportunity.

Disclaimer: I received this book as part of the BookLook Blogger review program. These opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.