Book Review: You Carried Me

You Carried Me by Melissa Ohden is the amazing true story of her life discovering she was the product of a failed abortion.  At a young age Melissa always knew she was adopted but when we was in her early teens she discovered her life was the result of a failed abortion to a 19 year old college student.  From this she tried alcohol, parties, boys, and food disorders to control and numb the shame and guilt she felt.  Finally she fell on her faith and was able to accept her past.  In college she changed the direction of her life to advocacy of child and mother with work and school.  A she helped other families and children through social work and advocacy, she searched for her birth families to find answers of who and why.

This book I found intriguing by the title and summary so I accepted the offer to read and review it.  When I started the story seemed a bit slow talking so much about her childhood and then somewhere around page 50 I was hooked and couldn’t put it down.  I read this in one sitting. I kept reading as her life of triumphs and defeats kept unfolding.  I loved this book so much and the woman herself for her acceptance of the past and ability to let he self be vulnerable to encourage so many.  By being vocal on her story she has given a face to every child lost to an abortion.

Note: I did receive a copy of this book for free to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Book Review: Of Stillness and Storm

I was excited to get an advanced copy of Of Stillness and Storm by Michele Phoenix.  The back page summary sounded so good, I couldn’t wait to get it.  And this book did not disappoint.

It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dreams – reaching the primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal.  But while Sam trek into the Himalayas for weeks at a time, finding passion and purpose in his work among the needy.  Lauren and Ryan stay behind, their daily reality more taxing than inspiring.  For them, what started as a calling begins to feel like the family undoing.

At the peak of her isolation and disillusion, a friend from Lauren’s past enters her life again.  But as her communication with Aidan intensifies, so does the tensions of coping with the present while reengaging with the past.   It’s thirteen-year-old Ryan who mostly keenly bears the brunt of her distraction.

I really enjoyed this book.  The story starts quickly and does a good job with setting up the characters and their situation in the first few chapters instead of dragging on over most of the book (that drives me crazy!!!).  The story is very believable of what would happen to a family in that type of situation of isolation and insecurity. 

This is a book I am happy to have in my library and will keep and reread for years.

Note: I was given a copy of this book to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Book Review: Rest Assured

Rest Assured: A recovery plan for the weary soul by Vicki Courtney is a book that helps women look at their overstuffed, overcommitted, overstressed life’s and determine what is really important and rest assured that you are focusing on the real priorities in your life and not being overwhelmed by time filler and wasters.  This book boldly challenges women to rest and focus on what matters most; Faith, Family, Friends.

OH my goodness this book came to me at the perfect time. I felt overwhelmed, stressed, frazzled, and so self-conscious and unsure.  This book helped me to relax, prioritize, and breath.  The book is set up into two parts.  The first four chapters go through helping the reader make sense of where they are, why they are there, and where they really want to be.  She does such a good job of empathizing and not judging or accusing but simply asking questions along the way for the reader to find their own path to peace.  The last 5 chapters are steps forward on how to get where you want to be.  It’s not a “5 steps to succeed” kind of path but more of a guide with suggestions and freedoms.

I really enjoyed this book.  I followed bloggers who also really enjoyed this book.  It was fun to go through this together as a community and see the change in people. 

This book will sit on my shelf for a long time. I am sure I will need to pull this out and reread it over and over again in my life.

Note: I was given a copy of this book to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Book Review: Parables

Parables by John MacArthur “helps readers understand Jesus' parables and how they relate to the whole of His message. Jesus was a master storyteller, and the parables He told were ingeniously simple word pictures with profound spiritual lessons. Understanding the parables is a crucial matter for followers of Jesus. Jesus told parables so His people might comprehend His message about the kingdom of God clearly. Master expositor and Bible commentator John MacArthur has spent a lifetime explaining the Word of God in clear and comprehensible terms. In Parables he helps Christians understand the essential lessons contained in the most famous and influential short stories the world has ever known.”

I enjoyed this book a lot.  I love how he dissects the parables and pulls all the amazing messages out of them in a way that is easier to understand and read along for the reader. This helps believers and nonbelievers understand the meaning of Jesus’s most profound teachings.  This book helps the ready truly appreciate how amazing Jesus was as a story teller, and a messiah, and as a fulfiller of prophecy in so many ways.

Note: I was given a copy of this book to read and review.  The opinions above are my own an I was not compensated for a positive review.

Book Review: Andi Unstoppable

Andi Unstoppable; an Andi Boggs Series by Amanda Flower is the third book in the Andi Boggs series.  Andi is at it again with her best friend Colin.  Andi and Colin were teamed with Andi’s classroom rival, Ava, to get a picture of rare bird that was recently seen in the town.  As the class races to be the first group to find the bird, they all worry about the legend of the ghost that haunts the woods.

I really enjoyed this book.  I chose to read with my 9 year old daughter. I first read it to make sure it was appropriate.  What I got was a great age appropriate mystery novel we will all enjoy.  I had not heard of this series before but now we plan to start from the beginning and read all of them.

I plan on putting this book on my gift list for nieces and nephews for Christmas this year. 

Note: I was given a copy of this book to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.  For more information about the review program please visit www.booklookbloggers.com

Life is _____: 40 day devotional

I pre released received a copy of this book to review.  I love it.  The devotionals are insightful, funny, easy to read, and full of great messages.  This is meant for a quick devotional.  You will not spend hours translating from the original Greek or Hebrew.  You will read a story and how it relates to Jesus and our lives.  You will read scripture and see how it weaves into our lives and how we act.

I was looking for something like this.  Something I could read quickly in the morning or evening to help get my mind on the right path.  This is perfect.  I have enjoyed all the devotions and had the anecdotes or little phrases from them pop up in my mind all week.  This is a good sign of how the Spirit can use these words to impact your life.

I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for the same.  Again this is not digging into the bible something that will take hours.  Each devotional is about 3 pages to read and then followed by 3-5 questions that you can think about, journal, or spend time in if you choose.

Note: I was given a copy of this book to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Book Review: NIrV Faith Builders Bible

The Faith Builders Bible by Zondervan is a children's complete New International Reader's Version bible.  This book includes 24 full color photos of bible stories made out of Legos.  It also includes "brick building" verses it encourages the readers to read.

I have reviewed NIrV bibles in the past.  I enjoy the translation that makes it easier for moderate readers to understand.  This bible is no different.  What separates this bible from the others is the fun cover and included pictures.  In the front of the bible it also includes a Lego diagram of the books of the bible and how they are grouped.  This bible is great for any Lego loving kid out there.  The size is also nice so it can fit in a bag or easier carried with growing hands.

I do have to say I was a bit disappointed in this bible.  Maybe I didn't read the description closely enough but I was expecting a lot more Lego pictures then are included.  This is not a Bricks picture story book.  This is a bible with a few pictures.  That's not bad,  just not what I was expecting.

All in all I have many nephews and a son who will love this book.

Note: I was given a copy of this bible for free to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.