January Reading

My husband and I both got the flu at around the same time and were sick for a week. During part of it, I was able to finish 3 books:

This World We Live In by Susan Pfeffer

The Sister Wife by Diane Noble

The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg

Towards the end of the flu, I lost interest in reading. So I didn't get much reading done.

As we are now almost done with January, I'm actually quite pleased with my reading for the month. I was able to finish 9 books. Off to a good start for the year!

Blog Tour: Saying Goodbye - an Anthology

It seems fitting that this was the last book I finished in 2010 - a kind of saying goodbye to the year. An anthology, a collection of essays of saying goodbye - to people, places, even things that have special meaning. As someone who has said goodbye many times throughout my life, I thought this would be a meaningful book that I would easily relate to. The essays are short and easy to read, often sad yet touching too. One of the stories that stood out to me was of a child who had grown old enough that it was time to say goodbye to their pacifier. They had a funeral for the pacifier. Though it may seem silly, sometimes the things that we cling to so tightly are the things we need to take the time to say a thorough goodbye to when it is time to move on. Saying goodbye to loved ones, even the last times that we have doing some of our favorite things together. Pets is another subject that can be difficult to say goodbye. They become so much a part of our lives. One of the stories dealt with the saying goodbye to a pet that had only been with them a short while. Yet still she was a part of the family and the loss was felt.

I would recommend this book for anyone - everyone has had to say goodbye in one way or another in their life. These stories can be a way to grieve, laugh and know that we are not alone in this world, in spite of the goodbyes that we have to go through.

*This book was sent to me for free by the author to review for this blog tour.

2011 Christian NonFiction Challenge Book Reviews

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2011 Medical Mystery Madness Book Reviews

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The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do

The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do by Mark Atteberry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Without meaning to, or without realizing what we're doing, many times Christians will do things that put a smudge on the name of Christ. Things that ruin our testimony or cause people to turn away from God. This book outlines some of the things that we as Christians do that besmirch our Savior.

Fighting with each other or bad-mouthing the church
Bringing people into our particular church rather than introducing them to Jesus
Hopping from church to church without really committing to one

A good reminder to be aware of what we are doing and remember that we are a representation of Christ to others in our lives.

Read for the What's In a Name Challenge and the Christian Non-Fiction Challenge.

*I owned this book.

2011 Chick Lit Challenge Book Reviews

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A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer

A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Four words, people:
I
Love
This
Book!

Buckle your seatbelts for another fast-paced medical thriller by Michael Palmer. This book showed me again why he is one of my favorite authors. A terrorist group has made some attacks and the White House is on high alert for the State of the Union address shortly after the President has been re-elected. During the address, a virus is released in the chamber, causing the President to seal off the room and call for extreme measures to keep a pandemic from spreading. He turns to a man he has put into prison for help in finding a cure before it's too late.
I read this book in just a few days - well-written, suspenseful, this was another great page-turner! Highly recommended for mystery and suspense lovers!

*This book was sent to me for free by the author to review. It is being released on Feb. 15.

Blog Tour: Dear Sparkle by Sparkle the Cat

I loved this book!

Dear Sparkle is written for cats by a cat. When cats have issues they need help addressing, or they just can't figure out their humans' behavior, where can they turn? Advice columnists are human and can't truly understand a cat's needs. But Sparkle the Cat is a renowned advice columnist who is able to relate to the cat's perspective because she is a cat. The book is filled with various letters written to Sparkle and the answers to those questions and concerns. Filled with pictures and snippets of advice, the book is timely and wonderful advice for a variety of cat concerns and needs.

My favorite quote: "Sparkle Says: The fact that dogs are so trainable does not make them smarter than us cats. Since when has being easily manipulated become a sign of intelligence?"

As an avid cat-lover and a cat-mom to 2 adorable felines, this book was right up my alley. It was so right-on regarding cat behavior and mannerisms. Loved it! Quite a fun read.

To find out more about the book or about Sparkle the Cat - you can visit her website at Sparkle the Designer Cat.

*I received this book from the author for review and this blog tour.

What Good Is God? by Philip Yancey

What Good Is God?: In Search of a Faith That Matters by Philip Yancey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Yancey tells the story of several different encounters/meetings that he has in situations where life seems to be bleak and hopeless. Yet even in these dire circumstance, hope still shines through - a beacon of light that God is still good in spite of the horror in the world we live in. Examples are of the forgiveness and reconciliation taking place in South Africa, the church rising up to offer help after the Virginia Tech shootings, Alcoholics Anonymous providing the community and support needed for those addicted and at the bottom of their ropes.

It amazes me to hear of the horrors and troubles that others around the world face - we in America have not had to deal with nearly the difficulties and crises that others in the world do. Yet we complain when we are caught in traffic or have to deal with a rude customer. Others face loss of their livelihood, their homes, their families or even their lives. We need to wake up to the realities of the world and see what we as believers can do to offer hope to those experiencing these troubles. The example of Christians in other parts of the world is humbling.


*I received this book for free from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.