Uncurable Bookworm

Daily Gifts of Grace

2011-12-27T16:50:00.000-08:00

Daily Gifts of Grace: Devotions for Each Day of Your Year is a new daily devotional by Women of Faith. The hardcover book is beautifully covered with a springy green cover enhanced by Asian style sketches with a magnetic closure. The sketches continue to the pages of the book. with pale green floral drawings and a plae yellow ribbon bookmark subtly enhancing the devotionals.

The devotional readings are written by Lisa Welchel, Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll, Sandi Patti, and others from the Women of Faith team. The reading for each day begins with a verse or two of Scripture followed by a short application. The authors cover many topics from grace to prayer to self-image, to friendships, and many others. The stories are as real as a conversation over coffee with a good friend.

This would make a great gift as the beautiful presentation and quality readings combine to make an excellent book. However, once you see this devotional, you just might prefer to keep it for yourself as an uplifting and sometimes challenging start to your days.

i received this book from the thomas nelson book review blogger program. all opinions are my own.

Close Enough to Hear God Breathe

2011-11-15T09:57:00.000-08:00

Close Enough to Hear God Breathe is a book I really wanted to like. Author greg Paul seeks to draw the reader to a more intimate relationship with a loving heavenly Father. There are some nice personal illustrations that attempt to do that. However, the book feels choppy and hard to follow. At times I was unsure of the point the author was trying to make and flet that in some places he was trying to feminize God. This just wasn't a book I could stay with.

Disclosure of material: I received this book from the BookSneeze book review blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. all opinions are my own.

Rumors of God

2011-09-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

"Lord, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Renew them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy".
This prayer from Habakkuk is the basis of Rumors of God by Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson. This challengin book urges the reader to show God to the world. The authors believe that although many feel the best days of the church are over, that God still has great things He wants to do in and through the church.

The chapters cover themes of generosity, love, grace, freedom, commitment, community, hope. and justice. Each chapter contains stories of individuals who are living out their faith in radical ways. The authors show how there can be more than just rumors of the greatness of God, but living examples in our time. This is a meaty yet accessable book that is worth reading more than once. It is a great call to action for the church and for individual believers who are ready to be used in new and exciting ways. n

The Dog Who Came in From the Cold

2011-07-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading The Dog Who Came in From the Cold by Alexander McCall Smith. This is the second book in his Corduroy Mansions series. Once again I finish another book by this prolific author with a smile on my face. This newest series is set in London and is full of wonderfully eccentric characters whose lives bump into each other. This series reminds me of The 22 Scotland Street series which is also by Alexander McCall Smith. The Dog Who Came in from the cold even ended with a poem reflecting on the place much like the Scotland Street books do. The title characterfor this Corduroy Mansions book is Freddie de la Hay, a Pimlico terrier who gets the opportunity to serve his country. Despite a few moments of uncertainty as to Freddie's fate, all turns out well, not only for Freddie, but for the other characters as well. There are still several loose ends left hanging at the end of the book which makes me eager to read the next one in this delightful series. I will be keeping a close eye on the shelves of our local libraries watching for the next installment of The Corduroy Mansions books.

No Place Like Holmes

2011-07-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

A smart boy, an eccentric uncle whose inventions are ahead of their time, Sherlock Holmes, and a mystery involving a great criminal mastermind all combine to make an excellent page turner for middle grade students. This is the first novel in a promising series by Jason Lethcoe. Griffen Sharpe goes to England to spend a summer with an uncle he has never met and finds an adventure he could not have expected. Griffen's observation skills and faith combine with his uncle's inventions to solve a mystery that leads them all over London. This is a fast paced book that my own two boys really enjoyed. In addition to the story of Griffen Sharpe, there are two mini mysteries at the end of the book for the readers to solve. My boys and I are looking forward to reading the next of the Sharpe mysteries.

The Reading Promise

2011-06-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma is the perfect memoir for avid readers. it is especially great for those who (like me) enjoy childrens' literature. When Alice was 9 years old she and her father made a promise to read together for at least 10 minutes per night for at least 100 nights in a row. When that first challenge was met, they decided to read for 1000 nights and then just kept going until Alice left home for college. This book tells the story of a father and daughter navigating the uncertain waters of adolescence while reading all sorts of things from Judy Blume to Harry Potter.
The chapters each begin with a quote from a book that was read as a part of their reading promise. each chapter amso tells in loving. honest detail, of different aspects of Ozma's life with a single father who also happens to be an elementary school librarian. Many of the books are very familiar ones, especially to those of us who were children in the 1970s and 80s. Seeing them in the pages of this memoir are like being reminded of very dear old friends. As I read I found myself making mental notes of books I plan to share with my two boys. This is a good book for anyone who enjoys childrens' books or true stories of the lives of ordinary (meaning unfamous) people.

I Am His

2011-06-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

I am His: Experiencing the Comfort of Abba's Love is an 8 week Bible study for women. The chapters for each week explore different aspects of the love of our heavenly Father and our identity as "Abba's girls". The author explores what it means to see God as our Father even if we do not have a good relationship woth our biological fathers. She also gently guides the reader toward an understanding of what it means to be loved by God and to see ourselves truly as His. Each chapter includes Scripture to look up and space to write answers to questions posed by the author and responses to the Scripture passages read. This is a good study that can be done individually or as part of a small group. I enjoyed reading through this study and now plan to back through it slowly so that I can better take in each lesson. This time I will be reading with a highlighter in hand because there is much in this book that i want to remember.

Dust Bunnies!

2011-06-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

Rhyming Dust Bunnies and Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny by Jan Thomas are wonderfully funny rhyming picture books featuring dust bunnies. In both books we meet Ed. Ned, Ted, and Bob who rhyme all the time (except when Bob doesn't). As the dust bunnies rhyme away Bob tries to alert them to potential dangers such as a "big scary monster with a broom", but the others just don't listen with hilarious results.
In The Big Mean Dust Bunny the smaller dust bunnies must contend with a bully but all works out well in the end.
I have used these books with my kindergarten and 1st grade reading students and both books became instant favorites. The bold, bright pictures, simple rhymes, and humorous plots make these books that I am asked to read over and over again. My young readers also like the books because they can read much of them on their own.
I sincerely hope we have not seen the last of Ed, Ned, Ted, and Bob and that Jan Thomas will write another dust bunny book soon.

Hope Rising

2011-05-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

I heard Kim Meeder interviewed on Focus on the Family several months ago and was excited to recently find her book Hope Rising at our local library. Kim and her husband run the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Oregon where they rescue horses. nurse them back to health and then pair them with hurting kids and teens in their programs. Hope Rising compiles many stories of horses that were near death being restored and then going on to help break down the walls around the hearts of deeply hurting kids. Many stories are examples of God's provision for the needs of the ranch as well as the families they serve in their riding lesson and racing programs. The work being done at this ranch is truly amazing. Hope Rising is an inspiring peek into the lives being changed with the help of some very special horses.

Zoomer

2011-05-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

Zoomer by Ned Young is a wonderfully cute and imaginative picture book featuring a family of beagles. Mom is away and Dad is wondering how he is going to get his three pups (twins Hooper and Cooper and their brother Zoomer) ready for school. Hooper and Cooper eat their breakfast. take baths. and put on clean collars willingly. Zoomer decides he is not going to school as his schedule is way too full for the day. Zoomer's antics from the castle he builds with his food to the brontasaurus he makes in the sanbox. to the picture of the universe he draws on the house are colorfully illustrated in pictures that are fun to look at over and over again. The patience of Dad is amazing when Zoomer continues to find things to do instead of getting ready for school. For example, when Zoomer blows the world's largest bubble (with a tuba), Dad calmly takes a picture of it and sends the pups back in to continue getting ready for school. The surprise ending brings this fun book to a delightful conclusion while keeping this a story kids want to hear over and over again. I used this book with kindergarten and first grade students at school and it was a hit. This is definately a new addition to my list of favorite picture books.

The Chase

2011-04-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

The Chase: Pursuing Holiness in Your Everyday Life by Jerry Bridges with Jay and Jen Howver is taken from The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. The Chase uses contemporary illlustrations and Scripture from The Message translation of the Bible to bring the concept of holiness to teens. This book does a good job of explaining holiness and painting a picture of what a holy lifestyle looks like. The Chase points out that holiness is not about perfection but about the heart. the book challenges teens to get to know God so they can ubderstand what He wants for their lives. It also challenges teens to diligently seek God's will for their lives and to chase after holiness.

I think this book would be good material for a small group or Sunday School class of teens. It is one that will challenge Christian teens to go deeper in their walk with God rather than to remain satisfied with a surface relationship.

Material disclosure: i received this book from NavPress as a part of their book review blogger program. All opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR pt 255 "Guidelines concerning use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising".

Max on Life

2011-04-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

Max on Life: Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions by Max Lucado is the latest work by this prolific author. In this book Lucado provides clear and concise answers with a strong Biblical foundation to many life issues. There are a wide variety of subjects covered including marriage, salvation, fear, anger, finances, and many more. The addendum on writing is particularly well done. This is an excellent resource both for long time Lucado fans and anyone looking for good faith-based answers to current issues.

Material disclosure: I received this book from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Final Summit

2011-04-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews brings back David Ponder from The Traveler's Gift. This time Ponder is grieving the loss of his wife and contemplating his life. The archangel Gabriel appears and transports Ponder to a summit that will determine the course of life on Earth. Ponder along with others at the summit must correctly answer the question of what it would take to return humanity to a path of success. Many important historical figures are brought together at the Summit to help Ponder answer the question. He gets to speak with Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington Carver, King David, Joan of Arc. and many others as they work to right the course humanity is currently on. The historical research that went into this book is amazing. I was most captured by the story of Eric Ericson, the man responsible for the Allied victory in World War II. His story is one not found in history books, but as the author states in a letter at the end of the book, it is true. The Final Summit is worth reading just to learn of this incredible and brave man. I found The Final Summit to be a quick read, but this is a book I will be reading over and over again. It is not necessary to have read The Traveler's Gift to understand and enjoy The Final Summit. It is a timely and important book. Although it is a novel, there is much truth in it. I highly recommend this book.

Material Disclosure: I received this book from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Pujols More Than the Game

2011-04-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

Although I do not often read baseball books I found this biography of Albert Pujols to be an interesting read. The book is full of stats which I am sure die hard baseball fans will appreciate. I most enjoyed reading about the service work Pujols does off the field and about his personal faith in Jesus Christ. Because Pujols and his wife have a daughter with Down Syndrome they have set up a foundation to help people with Down Syndrome. This foundation does more than provide money, it has a series of annual events for people with Down Syndrome and their families. These events include: a prom, Buddy day at the baseball game, a tea party for moms and daughters, a baseball game for fathers and sons and more. In addition to his work for those with Down Syndrome. Pujols does much to support those in his native country The Dominican Republic. Pujols takes his role in the public eye seriously and is not ashamed to proclaim his faith, to serve others, or to share the Gospel with a teammate. This book is his testimony and a thorough look at his career in baseball through the 2010 season. Baseball fans and those who enjoy a look into the faith of one of today's superstars will enjoy this book.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson publishers as a part of their book review blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. all opinions expressed are my own.

A Curtain Falls

2011-03-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

A Curtain Falls is the second novel by Stefanie Pintoff featuring detective Simon Ziele. Both novels are set in New York in the early 1900s at a tine when fingerprinting was new technology in police work. As in her first book. In the Shadow of Gotham, Pintoff pairs detective Ziele with criminologist Alistair Sinclair to help him begin to understand the mind of a criminal and to unravel his thought processes before he kills again. A Curtain Falls is set in the theaters of New York City where actresses are being killed in intricate and elaborate settings that resemble theatrical productions. The novel quickly becomes a page turner as Detective Ziele must work against time to prevent another murder. The many plot twists are handled seamlessly and kept me guessing at the identity of the murderer right up to the end. I also enjoyed In the Shadow of Gotham and hope to soon see more mysteries featuring Ziele and Sinclair by this talented author.

Posers, Fakers, & Wannabees

2011-02-24T18:32:00.000-08:00

Posers. Fakers, & Wannabees (Unmasking the Real You) by Brennan Manning and Jim Hancock is taken from Brennan Manning's book Abba's Child and written for teens. The book focuses on the "Poser" that lives in all of us. There's a part of us that puts on a mask and hides the person God created us to be. The fact that we are children of God and that He invites us to call Him "Abba" (Daddy) should fill us with enough confidence to drown out the other voices that say we aren't enough. This book addresses who we are in Christ. It is also an encouragement to let go of the mask of the Poser and become all that God has planned for us. Althoug written for teens, this book has much to say to adults. In fact, I did not find it to be overly young in tone. This is a book that I will be rereading with notebook and highlighter in hand, to do more serious study. It is also definately one I will share.

Hotel at the corner of Bitter and Sweet

2011-02-12T18:49:00.000-08:00

Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford is a beautifully written story. It begins in 1986 when Henry Lee spots the belongings of some Japanese American families being brought up from the basement of Seattle's Panama Hotel where they had been stored for over 40 years. The families had been sent to internment camps during WW II and had never returned. Lee sees a parasol that he thinks may have belonged to a young girl who had been very special to him when they were young. The story travels back to the 1940s when Lee was growing up with his Chinese parents who so desperately wished for him to be American and who wanted him to have nothing to do with the japanese in the next neighborhood. The book seamlessly flows back and forth in time showing the war years and Lee as an adult widower and father searching for an elusive jazz record and for the belongings of his first love. I really liked this book and almost hated for it to end as I had gotten lost in the story.

Slave

2011-02-02T19:33:00.000-08:00

Slave by John MacArthur takes a look at a little used word in Christian circles. It isn't popular to think of ourselves as a slave, but in fact, the word that is usually translated in the Bible as servant when talking about Christians as servants of Christ. The original word was actually slave. MacArthur looks at the history of slavery in Roman times and what it means to be a slave of Christ. He shows how this is not a derogatory term, but in fact, a status to be treasured. The book is well researched as evidenced by the multiple footnotes. The subject matter is important and thoroughly covered. However, I found this book to be quite academic and very dry in places. The last third of the book is very Calvinist in tone, spending time on the doctrines of predestination and eternal security. Although this book was very thorough and well researched with some interesting sections, I had a hard time getting into it.
I received this book from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their BookSneeze bookk blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

The Roar

2011-01-29T16:58:00.000-08:00

My 4th grade son pulled The Roar off the shelf at our local library thinking it looked interesting. When we checked out, the librarian, who is a retired elementary teacher, said she had used this book in her classroom and it was excellent. My son was soon drawn into the story and was reading the book every chance he could. I was excited for him to finish so I could read it too. The story takes place in England in the future. Young Mika and his twin sister Ellie have grown up with horrible tales of The Animal Plague, a time when all animals went berserk and killed humans. In order to protect themselves all humans had moved behind giant concrete walls into cities of concrete, metal, and plastic towers. They were told that all the natural world had been destroyed, poisened to kill the marauding animals. Ellie is taken and her family is told that she died, but Mika is convinced that Ellie is still alive. When he is offered a chance to win a mysterious competition by playing a new Pod Fighter video game, he feels this may be a chance to find his sister and enters into the contest that soon turns much more serious than he could have imagined. Although the ending left me unsatisfied, wanting more, the story had me just as intrigued as mu son was. This is not just a wonderful book for upper elementary students, but a fascinating science fiction novel for adults as well. This is Emma Clayton's first book, I hope we will soon see more by this talented author.

God's Blogs

2011-01-16T12:31:00.000-08:00

When I saw this book at the library, I wasn't sure what to think but was intrigued enough to pick it up and look at the back cover. I saw the book was given positive reviews by Andy Stanly and James McDonald, among others and so decided to check it out. I'm glad I did. This book is written as a series of blog posts from God. Using Scripture and Scriptural truths along with a lot of creativity and humor, Lanny Donoho (of BigStuf Productions) shares the heart of God. This book is a very quick read and quite funny while being very thought provoking at the same time. This will definately be on my list of books to re-read and share.

Angry

2011-01-08T20:26:00.000-08:00

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Angry by Laura Smith is the story of Emma, a teenager whose parents are getting a divorce. The novel tells the story of a young woman struggling to balance holding things together for her younger siblings, preparing for an upcoming school musical, and dealing with the intese anger she feels toward her parents. Through it all, she begins to sense God speaking to her and has to decide whether or not to trust Him with her life nad all the problems.

This is an easy read, yet does not shy away from difficult issues. I look forward to reading more by this author and to sharing this book with some of the teen girls that I work with.

I received this book from NavPress as part of their blogger book review program. I was not rquired to write a positive review. All views expressed are my own.

110 in 2010 Update

2011-01-04T18:08:00.000-08:00

I had planned to read a total of 110 books (not counting picture books) in 2010. I didn't quite reach that goal due to a xouple of busy months in which I did little reading, but I did read many really good books. Here are the ones I read in November and December that did not appear in my post about the library challenge because they were not library books. The final total for this challenge was 96 books.
Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent
Broken by Tim Baker

I'm not setting any specific reading goals this year. I just plan to continue to read a wide variety and to review what I am reading a little more often on this blog.

2010 Library Challenge

2011-01-04T18:01:00.000-08:00

The first time I tried to post this it didn't work, so I'll try again. I had signed up on another blog to be part of a aupport your local library challenge for 2010. My goal was 100 books. Although my list is a littlev short of 100, I know there are a few childrens' books I forgot to record, so I will consider this goal to have been met. Here's what I read in November and December.
74 Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon
75 Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Pierce
76 The Charming Quirks of Others by Alexander McCall Smith
77 The Hundred Year Old Secret by Tracy Barrett
78 Guinea Dog by Patrick Jennings
79 K is for Keeping a Cool Kangaroo by Giles Anderson and Grey Parker Rees
80 Click Clack Quackity Quack by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewis
81 Fresh Grounded Faith by Jennifer Rothschild
82 Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith
83 The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exuperey
84 The Red Suit Diaries by Ed Butchart
85 School the Adventures at thr Harvey N Trouble Elementary School by Katie McMullan
86 How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
87 The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon
88 Crochet Me by Kim Werker
89 This Book is not Good for You by Psuedonymous Bosch
90 Christmas in Wales by Anne and Michael Maas
91 Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson
92 The Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas by Ace Collins
93 The Christmas Chronicles by Tim Slover
94 Zanna's Gift by Scott Richards
95 Fearless by Max Lucado
96 The Judge Who Stole Christmas by Randy Singer

2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge November and December (part 1)

2010-12-30T13:19:00.001-08:00

The Christmas Chronicles

2010-12-29T10:01:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Chronicles: the Legend of Santa Claus by Tim Slover is the sort of book that would make a great Christmas time tradition. I found it at the library and read it just after Christmas, but plan to get a copy of my own to begin reading to my family at Christmas time next year. In the book, Slover has imagined a wonderful version of the legend of Santa Claus. He explains how Santa gets his start and shows where the reindeer and many of the other things associated with Santa come from. The story is very well done and could almost cause one to believe in Santa again. It at least causes the reader to think about true Christmas spirit and the message of hope and joy. I really liked this book and add it to my list of favorites. This will definately be one that I read again.

The Red Suit Diaries

2010-12-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

If you are only going to read one Christmas book this year, read this one. Ed Butchart not only looks like the "real" Santa, but acts like him. He and his wife Annie have turned being Santa and Mrs. Claus into a ministry, sharing the love of Jesus with children and their parents while dressing up as a beloved symbol of Christmas. In this book Butchart shares about how he came to be Santa and to see it as a ministry. He also shares many stories of the children he has met over the years. One of my favorite humorous stories in the book involved a little boy who, when asked if he had been a good boy said, "I had a good August!".

This is such a heartwarming, fun, and sometimes, sad, read. It is so neat to see how one person has used something as seemingly simple as a Santa suit to point children and their parents to Christ.

Broken

2010-12-11T08:55:00.000-08:00

Broken: Making Sense of Life After Your Parents' Divorce

Broken is one man's search for significance and worth in the light of his parents' divorce. Baker takes a very honest look at the feelings and lasting repercussions this event had on his childhood. He looks at anger, self-hate, pain, loss of childhood memories, and other effects of his parents' divorce. He not only looks at the negative side effects,, he also looks for answers and healing and finds them in Christ. Without giving pat "Sunday School" answers to the things he faces, he fins his healing and significance in Jesus Christ. He also finds in God the only perfect parent. While Baker acknowledges that there are some things that will never make sense, he also realizes that God will walk with him through all things and is always ready to recieve him.

Though I have never had to go through a divorce myself, I work with many teens who have, and will be passing this book along to them and using passages from it when teaching them. I also found many sections of this book that could speak to any childhood pain, not just that of divorce. This was a very thought provoking book while still being a quick read. I recommend it to anyone who has experienced childhood or adolescent trauma and those who work with people who are recovering from such events.

I received this book from NavPress as part of their book reivew blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are my own.

Heaven is For Real

2010-12-01T15:10:00.000-08:00

Heaven is For Real is the amazing story of a little boy who at the age of 3 1/2 suffered a ruptured appendix and was very near death when he was taken into surgery. He recovered and over the next few months and years began telling his parents amazing things about visiting Heaven. Todd Burpo realized the stories his son was telling him matched what Scripture says about Heaven and depicted people and events that his son could not have known about including a grandfather who died before the little boy was born.

This story is told simply and honestly and yet is very profound. It has changed the way I look at prayer and the response it receives in Heaven. For anyone who doubts the reality of Heaven, this book should cause them to rethink their position. It is very well done and worth the read.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson book review blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR pt 255 "Guidelines Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".

October Reading

2010-11-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

This past month was crazy busy so not a lot of reading got done. The only things I can add to my lists are:
Bad Kitty vs Uncle Murray by Nick Bruel (a funny addtition to the Bad Kitty series, the boys and I are already looking forward to the next one)

The Unbearable Lightness of Scones by Alexander McCall Smith ( I am always amazed by the variety of characters and setting he comes up with and the fact that there are three series with very different people and places that he continues to add to nearly yearly. I am reading all three of them - The No. Ladies Detective Agency series, which are mysteries set in Botswana, The Isabel Dolhousie novels, which are philosophical character driven novels that also usually contain some elements of mystery and are set in Scotland, and The No.44 Scotland Street series which is also set in Scotland and full of a wonderful cast of misfit characters that interact in amusing ways.

I am currently reading Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon and The Charming Quirks of Others by Alexander McCall Smith. I am hoping November will have more room to read in it. I have several other books I'd love to get to.

The Treasure of God's Word

2010-10-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

The Treasure of God's Word is a beautifully done gift book that celebrates the King James Version of the Bible. With it's red leather like cover and gilt edged pages, it makes a very nice gift. There is an introduction that gives a brief history of the origins of the King James translation and throughout the book are short essays with details about each of the later reprintings. The rest of this book contains text from the Bible that is divided by category such as God's blessings, grace, and humility.

I received my copy as a part of the BookSneeze blogger program from Thomas Nelson publishers and although I am not required to give a positive review, I do recommend this one for anyone who appreciates the King James translation of the Bible.

Support Your Library September 2010 Reading List

2010-10-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

70 The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith
71 Scumble by Ingrid Law
72 If You're Reading This, It's Too Late by Psydonomous Bosch

110 in 2010 September Reads

2010-10-04T15:55:00.001-07:00

September was pretty busy, so this is a short list.
68 Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado
69 Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker
70 The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith
71 Scumble by Ingrid Law
72 If You're Reading This, It's Too Late Psydonomous Bosch

Your Money God's Way

2010-10-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

In Your Money God's Way Amie Streater gives a very honest, no nonsense look at the counterfeit convictions that keep many Christians in debt and away from a life of financial freedom. Through her own testimony and stories of those she counsels, Streater illustrates many misconceptions people have about money and faith. Some of those misconceptions are: God is an ATM, it is wrong to be wealthy, and it shows faith if I am living on the edge financially. Streater not only explains these counterfeit convictions, but also gives practical advice for overcoming them. This is a very blunt, yet grace-filled look at personal finance from God's perspective. I recommend it to all believers, whether your finances are healthy or not.

We Have a Winner!

2010-09-21T09:36:00.001-07:00

Sorry this is so late, but we do have a winner for the Immanuel's Veins t-shirt drawing. April! Yay!!! Congratulations!

Immanuel's Veins

2010-09-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker is an amazing story of loalty, faith, the supernatural, and sarificial love. Using unforgettable characters and setting in long ago Moldavia, Dekker weaves a spellbinding tale. The warriors Toma and Alek are sworn to protect the sisters Natasha and Lucine but find themselves up against an evil they could not have predicted or imagined. Dekker takes a theme that is prevalent in pop culture and puts a different spiritual spin on it. The result is a beautifully written allegory.

What is sacrificial love? How far would you go to redeem one you loved? Would you die for someone else? All are questions that this work causes the reader to consider.

I was very excited to obtain a complimentary copy of this latest novel by Ted Dekker from the Book Sneeze book review blogger program (www.booksneeze.com). Thomas Nelson publishers has offered to send one of my readers a "spread the love" t-shirt to mark the relase of Immanuel's Veins. All you have to do to have a chance to win is leave a comment on this post. Be sure to include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win.

Out Live Your Life

2010-09-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado is a call to action. It is a plea for Christians to live out their faith as depicted in the book of Acts and in the life of Christ. Lucado uses Scripture, stories, and prayers to urge believers to live in such a way that they leave a mark that lasts long after they are gone. He reminds us that God makes no distinctions between people and in His eyes we are all equally loved by Him. Lucado paints a beautiful and stirring word picture of what could happen if we saw all people as God sees them and then acted on what we see.
The book includes questions for personal sutdy of small group discussion and ideas for action that can serve as a starting point for living out their faith as described in this book.
I always enjoy a book by Max Lucado and was excited to get the chance to recieve a copy of this one to review for Book Sneeze. Out Live Your LIfe now can be included in my list of favorite Lucado works. It is well worth reading, rereading, and sharing.

Predator

2010-09-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

This suspense novel is about a predator that uses the social networking pages of young women to find and kill them. The story follows the older sister of one of the victims as she searches for her sister's killer. It also introduces the reader to the creator of the website that the predator is using to stalk his victims and his involvement with the case. This is a page turner that will make you think about how much personal information you share on the internet and how it could be used. I always enjoy books by Terri Blackstock and this one did not disappoint.

Support Your Local Library Challenge August Book List

2010-09-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

61 The Miracle at Speedy Motors - Alexander McCall Smith
62 Tea Time for the Traditionally Built - AMS
63 The Magician's Elephant - Kate DiCamillo
64 The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Alan Bradey
65 Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School - Andrew Clements
66 The Name of This Book is Secret - Psydonomous Bosch
67 The Cheapskate Next Door - Jeff Yeager
68 The Power to Prosper - Michelle Singletary
69 Predator - Terri Blackstock

110 in 2010 August Book List

2010-09-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

54 The Miracle at Speedy Motors - Alexander McCall Smith
55 Tea Time for the Traditionally Built - AMS
56 Extreme Argentina - Pat Stockett Johnston
57 The Tower of Babel Was a Bad Idea - Amy Crofford
58 The Magician's Elephant - Kate DiCamillo
59 The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Alan Bradey
60 Contagious Compassion - Neil Wiseman
61 First a Flicker, Then a Blaze - Richard Gammil
62 Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of teh School - We the Children - Andrew Clements
63 The Name of This Book is Secret - Psydonomous Bosch
64 The Cheapskate Next Door - Jeff Yeager
65 The Power to Prosper - Michelle Singletary
66 Love, Charleston - Beth Webb Hart
67 Predator - Terri Blackstock

Love, Charleston

2010-08-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

Love, Charleston by Beth Webb Hart is the story of a widower country priest called to pastor a large Episcopal church in Charleston. It is also the story of three women (two sisters and a cousin) who live in Charleston. The women struggle with issues from postpartum depression to the temptation of infidelity. The two stories run parallel and then intersect beautifully. This book had much more depth than I thought it would when it first arrived in my mailbox as a review copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers. It wasn't long after starting to read that I was drawn in to the characters and their stories. The author handles the subject of postpartum depression honestly and sensitively. I look forward to reading more by this author.

The Name of This Book Is Secret

2010-08-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

This book was on my 4th grader's reading list for the year. He brought home a copy from school and was so engrossed in it that I was glad we found another copy at the library so I could also read it. I was soon just as in to the book as my son. The book tells the tale of two children who head out on an adventure to discover the secret of a missing magician and to rescue a boy from their school out of the clutches of a pair of villans. The book involves messages in code, narrow escapes, and a really good story. Since this is the first of a series, my son and I are looking forward to the next book and are waiting (impatiently) for it to be in a the library. :)

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

2010-08-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

This was such a fun read! Eleven year old Flavia DeLuce solves a the mystery of the murdered man in her family's cucumber patch thanks to her knowlege of chemistry and poisons and her refusal to give up. The setting is the English countryside in the 1950s which gives the book a nice old fashioned feel. There are many literary references (to Shakespeare and other works) and a wonderful cast of characters which also add to the charm of the book. I was glad to see that there is another book featuring Flavia already out and am keeping an eye on the library's new book shelf, eager to read it too.

The Portable Patriot

2010-08-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

The latest book I have recieved to review from BookSneeze.com is The Portable Patriot: Documents, Speeches, and Sermons that compose the American Soul. True to the title, this is a very compact, portable book full of writings from our nation's history from the Mayflower Compact through the inauguration address of Thomas Jefferson. The book holds a good combination of writings that are familiar, such as The Declaration of Independance and writings that were new to me such as the sermons from some of the leading ministers of the time. I especially liked the inclusion of writings from Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac. Many of his views on economics seem appropriate for today. This would make a nice gift for a student or history buff. It is also good to read the documents from our history and to see the role faith played.

The Magician's Elephant

2010-08-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo is a beautifully done book that should appeal to fairy tale lovers of all ages. The story of a magician accidentally producing an elephant instead of a bouquet of lilies, and the little boy who believes the fortune teller's prediction that an elephant will lead him to his little sister is truly magical. The cast of characters who surround the little boy and the way he brings them all to the elpehant, and to what they need most drew me in to the story in a way no other story has in a long while. The shadowy pencil illustrations by Yoko Tanaka perfectly enhance the tale. I highly recommend this one.

110 in 2010 June/July Reading List

2010-07-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

45) The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday by Alexander McCall Smith
46) The Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith
47) The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith
48) How to Be A Mystery Shopper by Elaine Moran
49) The Help by Kathryn Stockett
50) Take Three by Karen Kingsbury
51) Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith
52) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
53)The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith

Once again my list for the Support Your Library Challenge and this list are the same, so I will not duplicate them. There are now 60 books on my Support Your Local Library Challenge list.

Good Summer Reads

2010-06-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

As usual at our house summer break is a misnomer as things have been crazy busy lately leaving little time to blog. However, I am still reading, just not reviewing as often. Here are some recent great reads to add to your summer (or whenever life slows down enough to read) list.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - I just finished this one and could not put it down! It is so good!

La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith - a bit different in tone than his series books. This one made me smile.

Take Three by Karen Kingsbury - Book 3 in the Above the Line Series, book 4 is also out. The entire series is worth a read

Happy Reading!

Support Your Local Library Challenge May List

2010-06-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

Since all of the books I read in May were library books. The library challenge list for this month is the same as my 110 in 2010 list bringing my new total in the library challenge to 56 books read.

110 in 2010 May Reading List

2010-06-03T11:42:00.000-07:00

32. The Full Cupboard of Life - Alexander McCall Smith
33. The Careful Use of Compliments - Alexander McCall Smith
34. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
35. Big Nate in a Class by Himself - Lincoln Pierce
36. Matchless - Gregory Maguire
37. In the Company of Cheerful Ladies - Alexander McCall Smith
38. Crafty Superstar - Grace Dobush
39. Savvy - Ingrid Law
40. Sparky, the Life and Art of Charles Schulz - Beverly Gherman
41. The Walk - Richard Paul Evans
42. Making Money from Home - Donna Partow
43. La's Orchestra Saves the World - Alexander McCall Smith
44. I'm Not Wonder Woman, but God Made Me Wonderful - Sheila Walsh

The Walk

2010-05-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors, so when I saw The Walk on the new book shelf in the library, I checked it out before I even looked to see what it was about. I was definately not disappointed. The Walk is the story of a man who loses everything and begins walking from his home in Washington to the farthest point away that he can get while staying on this continent. He decides that his destination is the Florida Keys and begins walking, taking everything he needs in a pack on his back. The Walk is the first book in a series about his journey and the people he meets on the way. This is the best book I have read in a while. I am looking forward to the next book in the series (due out in April 2011).

Sense and Sensibility

2010-05-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

I am reading Sense and Sensibilty by Jane Austen in the Insight edition by Bethany House publishers. This edition includes side notes that make the reading of this classic even more fun. There are notes that shed some light on the historical or cultural things that are going on in the novel. Other notes list instances of the novel appearing in movies or other pop culture. Some notes give parallels to the novel from Jane Austen's life or show her faith at work in the novel. Others are just fun notes that are opinions from the editors. These are marked with a smiley face for things that made the editors smile or a frowny face for characters they feel are particularly mean (or just annoying, such as at the end of chapter 16 when the frowny note warns that Marianne's bad mood is going to last another 36 chapters).

All of the extra notes add to the reading of the novel and make it more enjoyable. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is also available in an Insight edition and I hope that there will be more titles added soon.

Buried Alive

2010-05-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Buried Alive by Roy Hallums is the story of his kidnapping by Iraqis in 2004. He was one of many hostages taken in kidnappings for ransoms to support the Iraqi terror efforts. This book is the story of the 311 days he spent as a hostage and his rescue by American Special Forces. The book also describes the feelings and activities of his family while he was gone. This is not usually the sort of book I read but I found myself drawn in to his story. The descriptions of life as a hostage and of the others imprisoned with Mr. Hallums are vivid. Pictures in the book help when trying to imagine what it must have been like. The hope and optimism that Mr. Hallums was able to hang on to even as his imprisonment continued is inspiring.

110 in 2010 Reading List - April

2010-05-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

I am trying to read at least 110 books in 2010. This list includes the adult books (or books not read to my kids) from my library challenge list as well as other books I read that are not from the library. I am not including any books read to my boys on this list although there are some good ones that we are reading that do not appear on the library challenge list.

22. The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith
23. Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs
24. Thirsty by Tracey Bateman
25. Listen by Renee Gutteridge
26. Be Centsable by Chrissy Pate and Kristen McKee
27. Love Over Scotland by Alexander McCall Smith
28. The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half
29. The Kingdom of Ohio by Matthew Flaming
30. Dairy of a Wimpy Kid - The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney

Support Your Local Library April Reading List

2010-05-03T11:06:00.001-07:00

I am taking part in a challenge to support the local library by checking out and reading at least 100 books this year. This list includes books I read to or with my children.

35. The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith
36. Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs
37. Thirsty by Tracey Bateman
38. Listen by Renee Gutteridge
39. Be Centsable by Chrissy Pate and Kristen McKee
40. Love Over Scotland by Alexander McCall Smith
41. The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half by Stephanie Nelson
42. The Kingdom of Ohio by Matthew Flaming

Thirsty

2010-04-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

I must admit I was skeptical when I first saw reviews of this one. I wasn't sure how a vampire theme could be worked into a Christian novel, but I was intrigued enough to pick up the book when it arrived at a local library. Tracey Bateman did an excellent job of taking a very popular theme in mainstream culture and weaving it into a novel without watering down or compromising the message of faith. Besides including vampires in the story she uses vampires to represent addictive personalities in general and tackles the subject of alcoholism honestly and sensitively. This was a very good story of the effects of alcholism on a family with a good mystery and vampire story woven in.

Support Your Local Library Challenge - Books Read in March

2010-04-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

20 Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
21 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith
22 Knit Two by Kate Jacobs
23 The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend
24 Too Many Toys by David Shannon
25 Dirty Joe the Pirate by Bill Harley
26 The 108th Sheep by Arjano Imai
27 Nothing to Do by Douglas Wood
28 Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
29 Katie Loves the Kittens by John Himmelman
30 The Right Attitude to Rain by Alexander McCall Smith
31 The Power of Half by Kevin Salwen and Hannah Salwen
32 Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury
33 Espresso Tales by Alexander McCall Smith
34 Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith

110 in 2010 Books Read in March

2010-04-07T08:37:00.000-07:00

14 Tears of the giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
15 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith
16 Knit Two by Kate Jacobs
17 The Right Attitude to Rain by Alexander McCall Smith
18 The Power of Half by Kevin Salwen and Hannah Salwen
19 Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury
20 Mrality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith

How to Choose?

2010-03-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

We are leaving tomorrow with Jim's high school band to go to Florida. That means 14 hours on the bus. That also means I need to choose a few books to take along. My two boys have narrowed down their choices and we have The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Charlotte's Web, Presidential Pets, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and a few others already packed. My husband isn't a big reader so all he needs are the books he is using to teach our youth group and his Sunday School class. My choices are more difficult. Once again I have checked out of the library way more books than I can possibly read; therefore, I have too many choices. I am in the middle of both Espresso Tales by Alexander McCall Smith and Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury, so those two will go in my bag, I'm just not sure yet what will join them. Since I do not usually sleep much on busses I need at least two or three more books to get me through the night. I'll be back on here next week and will post about what finally made it into my bag.

Nothing To Do

2010-03-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

In Nothing to Do by Douglas Wood (illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin) the story is simple, yet profound. It is a little boy telling the reader how wonderful it can be to have empty space on the calendar, unscheduled time, nothing to do. The illustrations make this book brilliant. Using shapes found in nature such as the helix, spiral, and sphere, Halperin is able to fit an amazing amount on each page filling all avaliable space. Even with the incredible amount of illustration on each page, the pictures don't feel busy. The muted colors and calmness of the illustrations of children coloring, playing, daydreaming, and doing nothing keep the feel of the book serene. This is beautiful book - not to be missed.

John 3:16

2010-03-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

I was excited when our library got this one in. Nancy Moser is one of my favorite authors, and after seeing reviews of John 3:16 I really wanted to read it. I was not disappointed. This book weaves together the stories of several different characters including a star football player, college students, an orphaned boy, a young couple desperate for a baby, a businessman, a pastor, and a concessions stand manager. Even though there are many characters, it is not hard to follow the story as all of their lives move around each other and eventually connect when one of them does something very bold that touches them all. The theme of John 3:16 is woven throughout the book as the key to what each person is searching for.

This is an excellent book by a very good author. I look forward to reading more of her works.

110 in 2010 Reading List - February

2010-03-01T10:01:00.000-08:00

7. The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs by Alezander McCall Smith
8. Schulz's Youth by Charles Schulz
9. Friends, Lovers, Chocolate by Kate Jacob
10. John 3:16 by Nancy Moser
11. At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances by Alexander McCall Smith
12. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
13. The Crafter's Companion edited by Anna Torborg

Support Your Local Library Books read in February

2010-03-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

Here's what I checked out from the library and read in February:
10. The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs by Alexander McCall Smith
11. Schulz's Youth by Charles Schulz
12. Friends, Lovers, Chocolates by Alexander McCall Smith
13. John 3:16 by Nancy Moser
14. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
15. At The Villa of Reduced Circumstances by Alexander McCall Smith
16. The Scrambled States of America Talent Show by Laurie Keller
17. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
18. Backpack Stories by Kevin O'Malley
19. The Crafter's Companion edited by Anna Torborg

The Scrambled States of America Talent Show

2010-02-19T11:16:00.000-08:00

The Scrambled States of America Talent Show by Laurie Keller is a great picture book for elementary aged kids. It casts the 50 states as participants of a talent show. The story is complete with jokes, humorous illustrations, facts about the states, and a little stage fright. The list of the States' abbreviations and the chart of when each one became a state that are included inside the covers of the book are an added benefit to a really fun book. My two boys enjoyed this one.

What I'm Reading This Week

2010-02-08T15:41:00.001-08:00

Here's what I am reading this week:
John 3:16 by Nancy Moser
Go Green Save Green
Careless in Red by Elizabeth George

I am also listening to 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith

What are you reading?

110 in 2010

2010-02-02T10:41:00.001-08:00

In addition to participating in the Support Your Local Library Challenge that many book review bloggers are undertaking this year, I have set some personal challenges. One of those is to read 110 books this year. This will include many of the books on my library list; however, I am not including books read to my children or picture books that I read for myself on this list. I will also include books read that were not checked out of the library. Here is the January list:
1. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
2. The Pact by Jodi Picoult
3. Portuguese Irregular Verbs by Alexander McCall Smith
4. The Noticer by Andy Andrews
5. The Salvage Sisters' Guide ..... by Kathleen Hackett and Mary Ann Young
6. Blogging for Fame and Fortune by Jason R. Rich

Support Your Local Library Challenge January Reading List

2010-02-02T10:36:00.001-08:00

For the Support Your Local Library Challenge I am attempting to read 100 books from our local libraries this year. This list will include books I read myself as well as books read to my children. Here's what we read in January:
1. The Magic Show Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
2. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
3. The Pact by Jodi Picoult
4. Comet's Nine Lives by Jan Brett
5. Portuguese Irregular Verbs by Alexander McCall Smith
6. The Noticer by Andy Andrews
7. The Salvage Sisters' Guide to Finding Style in the Streets and Inspiration in the Attic by Kathleen Hackett and Mary Ann Young
8. Hank Zipzer #8 Summer School : What Genius Thought That Up? by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
9. Blogging for Fame and Fortune by Jason R. Rich

Portuguese Irregular Verbs

2010-01-22T10:59:00.000-08:00

Portuguese Irregular Verbsby Alexander McCall Smith is the first in a series of 3 comic novels about Professor Dr. von Ingelfeld, a professor of Romance Philology (old languages). He is the author of a book called Portuguese Irregular Verbs that he feels should be much more popular than it is. He is also quite full of his own importance but goes about trying to earn the respect he feels he deserves in such comical misguided attempts that it is impossible not to like him.

From attempts to learn to play tennis by reading a book to getting a friend involved in a duel, to his failed attempts at romance, Professor von Ingelfeld is entertaining. This was a quick fun read and I look forward to the next 2 books in the series: The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs and At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances.

The Pact

2010-01-12T07:58:00.000-08:00

The Pact by Jodi Picoult is a modern day Romeo and juliet story with a twist. Instead of the families of the lovestuck teenagers being enemies, they are too close. The book travels back and forth in time showing the development of the relationship between the teens as well as the murder trial that results from what appears to be a suicide pact that leaves a survivor. Picoult does a remarkable job of getting into the heads of the teens as well as the adults close to them, painting characters that are very real. I found this book to be a page turner - hard to put down, and hard to forget when I wasn't reading it.

Comet's Nine Lives

2010-01-11T06:40:00.001-08:00

Last night I sat down and read Comet's Nine Lives by Jan Brett. Jan Brett is one of my favorite children's author/illustrators. Her illustrations are so detailed with extra illustrations at the edges of the pages that often give clues to what is coming up in the story or serve to tell a complete second story running parallel to the one being told in the text. The story of Comet, a cat looking for a home, but quickly running out of lives is wonderfully done. I love the expressions on Comet's face as he gets into one scrape after another. The setting of a seaside town lends itself to beautiful illustrations. I also love the fact that the other characters in the book are not people, but dogs in old fashioned clothing. This was a fun read and a good reminder of just why I love finding new books by Jan Brett.

The Language of Love And Respect

2010-01-07T13:06:00.001-08:00

My next book to review for the Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers program is The Language of Love and Respect by Emmerson Eggerich. In this book Eggerich continues the theme he began in his earlier book Love and Respect. It is not necessary to have read the first book to understand the second because the first section of The Language of Love and Respect summarizes the concepts taught in the first book. After the first section Eggerich goes on to show how to use a husband's need for respect, and a wife's need for love to communicate more effectively in marriage. He also gives instruction on the ways in which wives and husbands differ in how they communicate and interpret communication from their spouse. The end of the book gives a thorough guide to speaking as Jesus did. The concepts in this section would apply well to all communication, not just that between husband and wife. There are also appendices on special situations in marriage, such as when there has been abuse.

Overall this is a very informative and helpful book for anyone seeking to improve their marriage. Eggerich does a good job reminding us that men and women think diiferently and have different needs and that the differences are not bad, just, different. Recoginizing and honoring the husband's deep need for respect and the wife's need for love and learning to meet those needs in our spouses unconditionally will pay huge dividends in the quality of our marriages. The personal examples throughout the book illustrate this beautifully. I highly recommend this for all married couples.

The last of my 2009 Reading List

2010-01-02T10:41:00.000-08:00

Here are the final two entries in my 2009 reading list. I didn't make it to 100 this year, which is actually unusual for me. I had a couple of months where I only read two books (again highly unusual for me). I'll begin the 2010 lists soon.
89. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
90. The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith

The final two books were both good ones, and in the last one I found an author I had never tried before by thouroughly enjoyed. I am currently reading his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Library Challenge

2009-12-17T09:04:00.000-08:00

I just found a fun 2010 challenge to read books from your local library over at http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2009/11/2010-support-your-local-library-reading.html. This is a challenge to check out and read books from your local library. I am joining at the Super Size Me Level, intending to check out and read 100 books. This should be no problem since I have access to 4 local libraries and between the books I read to my two boys and the ones I read myself, there will be well over 100 library books in our house this year. There are smaller levels as well. Go over and check out the challenge and see how many you can read!

Frugal Christmas Gifts Part 2

2009-12-16T08:53:00.000-08:00

After I typed this post I realized that I was still in my bookworm blog and not my homekeeping blog as I had thought. Rather than retype the post over there I am leaving it on this blog realizing that it really has nothing to do with being an uncurablebookworm. For part one of my frugal Christmas gifts list head over to my other blog homekeeping-heather.blogspot.com

Here are a few more frugal Christmas gift ideas. Some are things I am doing this year, others are things I have done in the past. Some of these ideas would work as last minute gift ideas, others take a little more planning.

_ Hot Chocolate Mix- Mix 1 pd each pwdered sugar, instant chocolate drink mix powder, and powdered milk. Add 1 8oz container of powdered creamer (I like to use the french vanilla flavor) and mix well. Put scoops of the mix in food safe cellophane or plastic bags or in plastic storage containers, jars or plastic buckets. Add a tag with the following instructions: To use mix, put 1/2 cup in a mug and add hot water.

- Greeting Card Organizer - Decorate the front of a 3 ring binder with sticker letters and other stickers. Inside the binder place pocket pages (these can be found in the office supply section at Wal-Mart or Staples). Label the pocket pages with different categories of cards such as birthday, get well, thank you, etc. You could also make sure there are 12 pockets and label each one with a different month and a list of important days for each month. Decorate the pockets simply with scrapbooking stickers or drawings.

- Magnets - My kids made these for teachers last year. I found 4x6 sheets of magnets in the craft section at Wal-Mart. The sheets are sticky on one side. I had the boys draw small pictures with markers on plain paper then cut them out. I removed the paer from the sticky side of the magnet sheets and adhered the pictures to the magnet and cut around the pictures. These were cute and easy to slip inside Christmas cards for the teachers.

- Grandparents' Brag Book- I have made small scrapbooks using a pre-made (5x5) scrapbook and adding a few pictures with simple embellishments and journaling. I also have the boys draw pictures to put on some of the pages and trace their hands for one of the pages. This year for my grandparents I am doing a smaller version using a 4x6 photo album that I got for $1. (Wal-Mart and Dollar General both have these). I am putting a picture on one page and a journaling box with a few sentences about the picture or cute things the boys have said, or other stories about things the boys have done.

- Fun Pictures - One year at the county 4-H fair Jim climbed into one of the huge tires of a tractor that was part of a farm implement show there. I took his picture, then Seth and Caleb each wanted a turn, so I took their pictures in the tire too. When I printed off the pictures I realized they made a cute set. I found a frame with 3 4x6 openings stacked vertically and put the pictures in it. This made a good gift for Jim's dad (and I liked it so well I made myself one to hang in our living room). Pay attention to pictures that you take, you never know when one might make a good gift especially for grandparents.

- Art kits - My son Seth loves to draw and paint and make stuff. Last year I made him an art cart. I took a 2 drawer plastic organizer and labeled the front "Seth's Art Cart". In the bottom drawer I placed hanging files so he could store extra paper and his drawings. I put construction paper and patterned scrapbook paper in some of the folders. In the top drawer I recycled baby wipe containers and containers that mopping cloths come in to hold colored pencils, crayons, tape, pipe cleaners, and otehr supplies. That same year my brother (who works at Hobby Lobby) gave both my boys a storage box full of small wooden shapes, pom-poms, construction paper, glue sticks, etc. These two gifts are still in daily use at our house. This year when back to school shopping I stocked up on water colors, crayons, glue sticks, post-it notes, mini highlighters, mini pens and pencils, compasses, staplers, and other cure school supplies. Some of these will be in the boys' stockings to help replenish their supplies. Others will go into a school box for my brother who likes to make "projects" using lots of glue and paper. Other supplies will go into pencil puches and be paired with coloring books for Jim's neices. Sometimes a small set of paper, coloring books, crayons, etc are nice for younger kids at large family gatherings when they get tired of the excitement of a large crowd and loads of toys so they can sit and color or make pictures for the relatives and just take a break from the hoopla for a bit. CVS had some really cure mini compasses, pop-point pencils, pens, staplers, tape rolls, and little animal shaped paper clips this year. These are all finding their way into the gifts I am putting together.

- Band box - Jim is a high school band director and a percussionist. Our son Caleb often pretends that he is part of a marching band, marching around our living room with an Easter bucket on his head (for a band hat) and his Little Tykes drum in hand. He also likes to pretend that he is a band director or one of the judges at contest. He has all of my husband's and my spare drum sticks and practice pads in his room to jam on. Last year I took note of the fact that this was the sort of thing he played most often and made him a band box. I labeled a large storage box Caleb's band box and put an inexpensive plastic recorder, some plastic penny whistles (found in the party favor aisle) so he could put them in the paws of his stuffed animals and pretend that they were a band, pipe cleaners, construction paper, and pringles cans to make drums and other instruments with, and an old cymbal that I found at the Salvation Army. He has spent hours playing with the things in his box. He drew music notes on the construction paper and uses the pipe cleaners to fashion conductor's batons so he can look at his "music" and conduct his "band".
Like Seth's art cart, Caleb's band box was a way to notice the talents and interests my boys are already expressing and encourage them. Similar things could be done for a child who likes to cook, help in the garden, sew, create their own clothing designs, make jewelry, build things, and other interests. It's just a matter of paying attention to what the child is genuinely interested in and filling a container with the tools to encourage that interest.

Take Your Best Shot

2009-11-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

Before being sent Take Your Best Shot from Thomas Nelson publishers to review, I had not heard of this book by Austin Gutwein and Todd Hillard. I am very glad I got the chance to read this true story by Austin (now age 16) of how he began his organization Hoops of Hope. Austin tells how he was moved when seeing a World Vision child sponsorship commercial when he was nine years old to do something for children in Africa who are orphaned by AIDS. Austin started by obtaining sponsors and spending a day shooting free throws to benefit just one child in Zambia. Through the interest and help of other people and unexpected media attention he was able to start an organization that holds free throw shooting events around the country to help those in Africa who are affected by AIDS. Miracle after miracle occured and he was able to help raise the funds for both a school and a medical clinic.
Take Your Best Shot tells Austin's story in his voice, but also serves as a call to action. Each chapter ends with a portion of Scripture and questions for teens to consider and potential action steps to take. Austin encourages teens to dream big for God and to not wait until they are adults to make a difference.
Although this book is written to teens, it is applicable for adults as well. Austin's story is inspiring, and his enthusiasm contagious.
I plan to use this book with my teen Sunday School class to illustrate the power of obeying God and stepping out on faith in service to others.

Praise Habit

2009-10-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

I found Praise Habit by David Crowder at a bookstore that was going out of business a couple of years ago. Sadly, the book sat on my shelf until recently. After finishing it, I have a feeling this will be one I reread a few times. In the introduction to the book Crowder talks about making praise a habit, something we put on every day just as a nun puts on a habit. The rest of the book are devotionals based on some of the praise Psalms. Each chapter starts with the text of the Psalm (from the Message) and is followed by Crowder's observations. Some of his insights are touching, others humorous, most are quirky, but all have a good point. This has been a great morning devotional for me for the past few weeks, and I already look forward to rereading some of the chapters.

In Cheap We Trust

2009-10-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

In Cheap We Trust by Lauren Wagner gives the history of thrift in America and clears up the misconception that our country has ever been a voluntarily frugal nation. In Cheap We Trust shows the cycles of rampant consumerism and necessary frugality that characterize our country from its beginning. Learning that often our government has encouraged spending as a way to keep America running or to bring it out of a crisis explains much about how we as a nation have gotten into our current economic mess.

In Cheap We Trust also explores the psychology of thrift and tells the stories of many who choose to be frugal whether as a way to give more, to waste less, or to make a political statement. It also shows that some are just born cheapskates who take delight in living on less and who are genuinely happy doing so.

This is an entertaining and very informative look at frugla lives and the suspicion tigtwaddery is often regarded with. The resource list at the end of the book is also useful for anyone wanting to learn more on this subject.

What Difference Do It Make?

2009-10-08T07:16:00.000-07:00

In What Difference Do It Make? Stories of hope and Healing From the Authors of Same Kind of Different as Me authors Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent expand on the story of an unlikely friendship between an art dealer and a homeless man and the woman who brought them together that was begun in their first book. What Difference Do It Make? is told in the voices of Ron and Denver as they explain how their earlier book came to be and tell of their lives after the book came out. Passages from their first book are printed in italics and serve to open many of the chapters in What Difference Do it Make as the story of Ron and Denver is expanded. Sprinkled throughout the book are stories of people who read Same Kind of Different as Me and were inspired to make a difference. The stories include that of a child learning to give, a woman coming to terms with her cancer diagnosis, a lady with cystic fibrosis who finds a way to help children, a city with a terrible homeless shelter whose eyes are opened and of many others who were challenged to change the way they approach the world around them. Also central to this book is the story of Ron's forgiveness of his own father and the relationship he is able to build with his dad. Some of Denver's paintings are printed in full color and serve to further enhance this beautiful work.

What Difference Do It Make? is more than just a story of good things done by other people or a story of a friendship between two men. It is also a challenge to live as Jesus did, with eyes wide open to needs all around and with hands ready to serve. The people in the book were inspired to get their hands dirty for the sake of the homeless and other needy people. This book challenges its readers to do the same.

A Good Idea At the Time

2009-09-15T11:47:00.001-07:00

A Good Idea at the Time, the Rise, Fall, and Curious Aftermath of the Great Books by Alex BEam was a good follow up read to The Whole Five Feet since the Harvard Classics and The Great Books were comtemporaries, and at times, competitors. I remember the revival of the Great Books that occured when I was in high school in the 1990s and remember trying to read many of the books off the list at that time. After reading this book I could also see the roots of the honors humanities curriculum I studied at Ball State University in the mid 1990s. A Good Idea at the Time is a historical account of the origins of the great books and the men who started the popularizing of intellectual pursuits. Although dry in spots, the book was still an entertaining look at the characters that took part in this movement (particularly Mortimer Adler) and the fact that Great Books discussion books were hugely popular among "common folk" all over the country at one time. A Good Idea.... is more of a historical account than The Whole Five Feet but both should prove interesting reads for fellow book geeks.

The Food of a Younger Land

2009-09-02T06:55:00.001-07:00

The Food of a Younger Land by Mark Kurlansky is an interesting look at the way America ate in the 1940s before the proliferation of fast food restaurants and convenience foods. The book uses essays and recipes that were submitted as a part of a WPA project that was never finished. The variety of material makes for an entertaining read. The book is arranged in sections according to regions of America. This arrangement is a reminder that at one time food in our country was more regionalized than it is now. For example, tacos were only found on the West Coast. Other foods mentioned are not heard of today, and maybe that is a good thing; lamb fries, anyone? Some recipes are a reminder of good home cooking that our grandparents still remember, such as the recipes for mashed (not whipped) potatoes and cornbread. Other essays contain a look at the way Native Americans ate and the influence they had on English food as well as the influence the white man had on the Native in terms of what they ate. This book is very informative, but never dry or dull. It is a fun history of they way Americans used to eat and a look at the culture of the 1940s.

The Whole Five Feet by Christopher R. Beha

2009-09-01T15:44:00.000-07:00

At a time of crisis in his life, Beha decides to read throught the entire set of Harvard Classics in one year. This memoir chronicles his journey through the "five foot shelf" and his own personal illness and family grief. The book is part book review, part personal essay with the two elements woven together seamlessly. Through Beha's observations on the Classics, one gets a taste of the scope of knowledge included in the five foot shelf that the editor had believed could give anyone a liberal arts education at the time the books were printed. Beha also writes well of his struggles with illness and the death of his aunt with humor and sensitivity without being whiny. The Whole Five Feet is a worthwhile read both as an introduction to the Classics and as a set of personal essays and a commentary on the way the bookworms among us deal with life.

Books Read So Far, Update

2009-08-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

I haven't read much this summer, but here are the books I have read since my last listing. My goal is 100 books in 2009 (not counting the ones I read to my children).

35) Red, White, and Blue by Laura Hayden
36) Amish Grace by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolte, and David L. Weaver-Zuchre
37) The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyzyn
38) In Praise of Stay at Home Moms by Dr. Laura Schlessinger
39) Publishing a Blog With Blogger by Elizabeth Casteo
40) The Rough Guide to Blogging
41) Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker
42) I Love You, Miss Huddleston by Philip Gulley
43) My Bengal of Gold (Nazarene Missions Book)
44) Personality Plus by Florence Littauer
45) Strangers No More (Nazarene Missions Book)
46) Smoke That Thunders (Nazarene Missions Book)
47) The Girls From Ames by Jeffery Zaslow
48) Work in Progress by Kristen Armstrong
49) Main Street to Madagascar (Nazarene Missions Book)
50) The Duggars: 20 and Counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

Art For Kids

2009-06-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

Bob Racza's book The Vermeer Interviews is a great introduction to the work of the Dutch artist Jan Vemeer. The book is intended for children, but I found it fascinating and very informative as well. Racza imagines interviews with several of Vermeer's paintings of people, such as the artist, the lady with the letter, and the lady in the yellow jacket. Through the interviews details of the paintings that might otherwise be overlooked are brought out such as shadows in paintings where Vermeer painted over an element he decided to change, or the way light and shapes are used to give a sense of dimension and motion. There are also ineresting historical references sprinkled throughout the book. I look forward to reading other of Racza's art books for children and sharing them with my boys.

Boneman's Daughters

2009-05-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

I just finished Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker, and I must say, I was disappointed. Tis book was more drawn out and slower moving than any of his others that I have read. I think I understand the point he was trying to make or the analogy he was trying to draw by the end of the book, but I think this time, he was stretching quite a bit.

Pigeons and elephants and naked mole rats, oh my!

2009-05-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

My kids love books by Mo Willems. we have read (and own some of ) most of the Pigeon series. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus was the book that got us hooked. My 8 year old Seth read about Mo Willems in a Scholastic Weekly Reader at school. The article included directions for drawing pigeon. Since he could easily draw the character, he became even more interested in finding books by this author. My 5 year old, Caleb loves the Knuffle Bunny books and reads them over and over again. I find myself giggling through the Pig and Elephant Easy Reader series. Most recently we found Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed at the library and loved it! The craziness of the characters (who would have thought about writing stories about naked mole rats) and the message that difference isn't always bad, were terrific. I look forward to more Mo Willems books to laugh through with my boys.

Books Read So Far This Year

2009-05-08T05:44:00.000-07:00

Here is my reading list; things I've read so far this year:

1.Sarah:How a Hockey Mom Turned the Political Establishment Upside Down by Kaylene Johnson
2.This I Believe II by Jay Allison and Dan Gedeman
3.The Kite Runner by Khlaid Hosseini
4.The Edge of Recall by Kristen Heitzmaan
5.Skin by Ted Dekker
6.Sunset by Karen Kingsbury
7.Adam by Ted Dekker
8.The Great Santa Search by Jeff Guinn
9.Riven by Jerry Jenkins
10.Crossroads by Nancy Moser
11.Solemnly Swear by Nancy Moser
12.Mozart's Sister by Nancy Moser
13.Showdown by Ted Dekker
14.The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wrobloewski
15.A Woman's High Calling by Elizabeth George
16.Rich Like Them by Ryan D'Agostino
17.THe Shack by William Young
18.The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
19.Raising the Bar by Alvin Reid
20.Breakfast at Sally's by Richard LeMieux
21.Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be by Donna Partow
22.A Prarie Girl's Guide to Life by Jennifer Wolenieck
23.The Associate by John Grisham
24.The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright
25.The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra
26.Columbine by Dave Cullen
27.Angel of Wrath by Bill Myers
28.Real Solutions for Busy Moms by Kathy Ireland
29.Dana's Valley by Jannette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan
30.Only Nuns Can Change Habits Overnight by Karen Scaalf Linamen
31.The Book That Changed My LIfe
32.Who Let the Blogs Out by BIz Stone
33.Ruby's Slippers by Leanna Ellis
34.Katt's in the Cradle by Ginger Kolbaba and Christy Scannell

My Little Mystery Lover

2009-04-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Lately my 8 year old son has developed an interest in mysteries. He enjoys Bobbsey Twins and Happy Hollisters mysteries as well as Jigsaw Jones and Boxcar Children. Currently, he and I are reading a Wishboen mystery together. I have long loved to read mystery novels, so it is especially gratifying for me to be able to share this love with my son. It is fun to revisit some of my old favorites from childhood and to discover new books I did not have when I was younger.

Breakfast at Sally's

2009-03-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

Breakfast at Sally's is the story of Richard LeMieux, a man who had a very successful life as a journalist and owner of his own publishing company, only to lose everything when his business failed and he began a long struggle with depression. This is his story of the year he spent living in his van with his dog eating meals at churches and at "Sally's" (The Salvation Army). The book includes the stories of many interesting people he meets along the way. The ending is hopeful as he meets a pastor who restores his faith in God by letting him and his dog Willow live in the basement of the church for several months until the church is able to help him get an apartment. Despite some foul language used by a few of the characters in this book, I enjoyed it. LeMieux has a gift for describing the people he meets and the teetering between hope and despair that fill his days as a homeless man. The end of the book said he is working on a second book, this one the story of someone he met while homeless. I look forward to reading it.

Mrs. Piggle Wiggle

2009-03-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

My boys and I recently finished reading Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Birthday Party. It is the first Mrs. Piggle Wiggle book in 50 years - written by Betty MacDonald and her daughter Anne, based on notes left by her late mother. Having read the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books when I was young, I am glad my boys also enjoy these stories. In this new one, as in earlier books, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle cures a variety of childhood problems from "stuff and cram itis" to "never finishers" to picky eaters. My boys especially like the stories that include Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's pets. These stories are funny and just as entertaining as they were several years ago when I was first introduced to them.

The Shack

2009-03-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

I have joined the millions who are reading The Shack. I picked it up at the request of a library clerk who wanted to know what I thought about it. At first I was offended by the author's portrayal of God, but then came in the story the explaniation of whay the author chose to portray God in the way he had and I understood. I think I still would have like to story better if the author had not chosen female images to portray God. I do like the fact that the story raises many questions about why bad things happen when there is a good God in control. I appreciate the honesty and the fearlessness with which William Young attacked this subject. If readers keep in mind that the story is more allegorical than factual and will take it for what it is, one man's honest attempts to make sense of things that we may never understand, then those reading it will appreciate the book more. It is well written, and will cause many to ask questions and to seek God and for that, it is a good book to read and recommend.

RIch Like Them

2009-03-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading Rich Like Them by Ryan D'Agostino. This was the tale of his door to door search in some of the richest zip codes in America to find out how the people in those giant houses got to be where they are now. He met many interesting people along the way. The stories of the people he met were what made the book a compelling read for me as I always love the hear (read) people's stories. The secrets of the truly wealthy were in fact, not really secrets at all. Almost all of them told stories of working hard, keeping their eyes and ears open, and not being afraid to fail. This is a quick read, and very interesting, particularly in light of the times we are currently living in.

Sawtelle

2009-03-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. When I first checked it out of the library the clerk said she had not been able to get into the book and didn't finish it. I took it home and began quickly skimming the first few pages half expecting to return it to my library bag unread. However, I found myself quickly drawn into the story and settling in to read more carefully. This is a well written tale that encompasses many themes and covers the inner lives of some special dogs and their unusual caretaker very well. My only complaint about the book was the ending. I was left disappointed as the book seemed to just stop. The ending was so abrupt it was as if the author had tired of the characters and his tale and so just quit. The book is a lengthy one and a long drawn out ending would not have been advisable, but I do wish the author had taken just a little more time with the ending even leaving the tragedy, just taking a little more time to develop it. On the other hand, perhaps the abruptness of the ending helps the reader to feel the tragedy more keenly. Either way, this is definately worth a read.

Loving Bad Kitty

2009-02-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

Last week at my son's elementary school book fair we picked up Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel. We own and enjoy his two previous books in the series, Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy. This new one was a little different. Instead of the ABC picture book format used in the first two, this one was a chapter book. My boys and I were all laughing out loud as we read. The book retains many qualities of a picture book and uses other elements such as Uncle Murray's fun facts about cats throughout the book to keep the pace quick and entertaining. We had so much fun with Bad Kitty and her dreaded bath that I am sure the boys will read this one again and again and look forward to the next adventure with Bad Kitty.

Book Geek

2009-02-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

Recently a friend sent a book list via Facebook that included 100 classics and modern literary works that the BBC assumes most Americans have not read (or read very few of). I went throug the list and realized I had read all of 40 of the books as well as started one other that I decided I did not like and didn't finish. Sinc the complete works of Shakespeare was also one choice I can say I have read much of that one as well bring the total of books on my list to well over the 6 the BBC assumes the typical American has read. I'd true, I am a book geek. Though many on the list were ones I had read due to assignments in high school and college, many I read just because I wanted to, with many more on my list of things to read someday. It's ok. I rather like my status as bookworm, and think I will continue to read whatever I can for as long as I can.

Riven

2009-01-26T08:26:00.001-08:00

I recently finished Riven by Jerry Jenkins. This book affected me more than few books ever have. It chronicles the lives of a pastor turned prison chaplain and a young man whose crimes escalate to a murder that lands him on death row. The first half of the book alternates between their sparate lives and the people around them. The second half shows their ultimate interaction and the connection of their lives. The characters felt so real that at times I forgot I was reading a work of fiction. The ending left me with tears falling onto the pages of the book. This work is an amzing picture of God's grace and mercy and the affect one life can have on many. I highly recommend this one.

Sharing Childhood Favorites

2009-01-18T13:00:00.000-08:00

I been sharing several favorite books from my childhood with my sons recently and am finding it so enjoyable to revisit the books and authors I loved as a little girl and to see my sons enjoy them as well. We have read some of the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary, Fudge books by Judy Blume, the Mrs. Piggy-Wiggle books by Betty MacDonald, and others. My 8 year old son and I also enjoy reading a couple of old mystery series, The Bobbsey Twins and the Happy Hollisters, after his younger brother is asleep. These books, though written even before I was born, have a timeless appeal. My son looks forward to the next chapter in each adventure and begs for "one more chapter, please" just as I did when I was his age. I look forward to continuing to share the love of books and great authors with my boys as they get older and progress to the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and other classic books.

Don't read Dekker before bed!

2009-01-16T10:10:00.000-08:00

Novels by Ted Dekker are not good bedtime reading! I usually end up staying up way too late especially as I approach the end and realize that once again Dekker has negated all assumptions I have made about the outcome of the book with yet another plot twist. Also the psychological suspense does not make for pleasant dreams.
Dekker novels that I've read so far: Adam (currently reading), Blink, Three, Red, Black, White, House, Blessed Child, and Skin.

The makings of a bookworm

2009-01-13T08:05:00.000-08:00

My bookworm days began in my punkin seat on a library table as my parents searched for books each week. As I got older, I began toddling around the library with the help of my parents selecting my own stack of picture books. Each week we would go to the library and our family would leave with huge stacks of books that made the librarians happy to see the circulation numbers increase for the day. I also began collecting my own books through school book orders and gifts from Mom and Dad. I still have my Little House on the Prarie and Chronicles of Narnia boxed sets that were treasured Christmas gifts. I now check out huge stacks of books each week from more than one library. Some are for my children, as they too are becoming bookworms, but there are a large number for me. There are books and magazines in both of my bathrooms, by the bed, by the couch, in my purse and totebags, just waiting for me to catch a few minutes to read and escape to other places or learn interesting things. My book habit is one I have resolved not to break, but instead, to continue to read and to share my love of reading with my children.