Sunday, August 28, 2011

Goodreads

I was invited by a friend to this site. You can add books you have read as well as look up new books/authors that might interest you. It can be hard sometimes to come across new authors other than by friends. In this site you can look up the style of book you like.

They even have groups you can join. I joined; Christian Fiction Devourers and Contemporary Christian Fiction. In these groups you can meet others that read the same type of books you do. They also have different discussion groups as well as a book that you read for the month. Any Minute was the first book I read for the Christian Fiction Devourers and I will join their first discussion about the book at the end of the month! I thought it might be fun, so I will give it a try!

Anyone who enjoys to read should check out this site...

www.goodreads.com

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Any Minute

by: Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford

I read this book so that I could join in on a group discussion on line, I had no idea that Joyce Meyer had a book, well a fiction book.

Sarah had worked her way up the corporate ladder. She was counted on, expected to work harder and longer. On her way up the ladder she had left her family behind. She was too busy to remember appointments or keep her promises to her family.

When one day a split decision made her take a risky move in her car and everything changed. She hit the water so fast and everyone realized, including Sarah that things can change Any Minute.

This book does make you think, what do we work for in life? Sarah was not a kind person as she worked those around her just as hard, never appreciating them. She didn't take time for her family, working even at home after a long day at work.

It helps you to remember to slow down. That family is most important. This story isn't a high energy story. It's a good read for anyone and has a good moral. I do recommend this book, especially to moms. Doesn't even have to be a mom that works out of the mom. As a mom that works in the home you can feel the same way sometimes. Life passes by and your just trying to make it, forgetting that each moment you are raising the next generation.

This book made me think. In the end I like how the story ends...not with some dramatic transformation but with suttle ways we can do better...

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Last Light

by Terri Blackstock

One day everything electronic stopped running. Whether old or new, ran or batteries or gas. It just quit running. Planes fell from the sky, cars came to a stop on all streets, there were no t.v., game systems or computers. No way of communications, no banks open to get money, no stores to buy goods.

The Branning family were only one of the family in their community to be in the middle of what they would soon learn was a global crisis. They have to learn to survive when after a few days they realize that this crisis just might never end. Learning to cook over a fire, sterilize water from the lake and trade supplies for food.

In the midst of the Brannings trying to cope with the crisis, there is a murderer killing families in their neighborhood and stealing supplies from the homes. Who could they trust in a time when they needed each other to survive?

This story is very creative. It makes you think about what is really important in life. In this story Dani Branning, daughter of Doug and Kay, has worked through college to get her dream job only to realize that the job may no longer be a part of her future. We work so hard to gain things in this life and when our life is over we will leave it all behind. This book makes you ask yourself, what is important in your life.

This is the first book in the Restoration series of four books. The book started out catching your attention with such a different story line. As you go through it builds until the end when you want to read to find out what happens. I liked the book and recommend it, especially since I like Terri Blackstock's writing.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

The Very Special Delivery

by: Linda Goodnight

This is another one of my free e-books from the Kobo app I have on my phone. The first time I've read any books from this author. I like discovering new authors that I might have over looked before, being a free book helps me read them!

The story starts out during a snow storm, when an unexpected guest shows up at Molly McCreight's doorstep, a delivery man with a baby. In this storm she can't imagine why they are out in it. She soon discovers that he needs to take some much needed medicine up the mountain and asks her to watch his baby, who he had to pick up from day care with no one else to rely on.

Molly is frightened by the thought but agrees while waiting eagerly for this man, Ethan, to return to take this baby, Laney, away. When the snow storm strands the delivery man and this baby at her home for five days, Molly McCreight is faced with a past that terrifies her. She is not ready to face what God is doing through this man and baby. In the mean time Ethan is faced with his past as well through their growing friendship and even love?

This is an easy sweet story to read. It doesn't have any twists and turns, no suspense but if your up for a good warm hearted story to unfold, like watching a Hallmark movie this is a good book. I like her writing and will look for other books by this author.

Monday, August 15, 2011

The boy who came back from heaven

by: Kevin and Alex Malarkey

After having read Heaven is for Real I thought I knew what to expect form this book but it is not all that much like Heaven is for Real. Within this story there are things Alex is able to talk about heaven and other things that he is not. As he say's in the book, it is like telling you what is in the gift before you open it on Christmas morning. God doesn't want him to tell us.

The story begins...Alex and his dad were driving on their way home from church and were hit by a car. Though Aaron was in his carseat and was held in place, his neck was broken. His skull was separated from his spine. (Same injury that Christopher Reeves had). None of the medical staff expected him to survive but God had a different story.

The car accident was in 2004 and to this day the family is still praying for Alex's full recovery. As you read this book you see from the moment of the accident to now, how God has performed miracle after miracle. From healing Alex's neck, to waking him up, to helping him have no brain injury - he came back as the Alex they knew, from helping with their home, food to bills. Too many miracles to count!

The most amazing thing is this book is Alex. He tells of the few things about his visits to heaven. He still goes to visit heaven, even after he woke up. He can see angels and the presence of God. It's amazing to read about a boy that though he is now a quadriplegic is spiritually alive! God has used him to touch so many lives.

His dad wrote so many great quotes in the book. He wrote a poem;

Alex cannot walk, Jesus walked on water. Alex cannot talk, God spoke the universe into existence. Alex cannot breath, the Holy Spirit is the breath of life. Therefore...I will not look to the world, But to the Word. I will not look at my son, But to the Father. I will not see with my eyes, But with my Heart. I will not fall victim to the prison of circumstance. I will worship my God and abide in his hope. Let it be...

Amazing words for the circumstances they are facing. He said in the book that people ask how can you do it, I couldn't and he said, "When God has you do something, you just do it!" "The real question in not what it is like to be in a wheel chair? The question is, What is God like when your in a wheelchair, because he does give abundant grace."

This story is not just for those that want to find out about Alex's story of survival. This story actually challenges you spiritually, Where do you stand? and What do you believe?

My favorite quote by Alex's dad is;

"My son couldn't function in the physical world, but I was handicapped in the spiritual world. Who has the greater disability?"

I watched a small clip online about him and his dad said it brings you to this one question, "Do you believe what you believe or do you just talk about it!"

Friday, August 12, 2011

The Help book vs. movie





















After having read The Help, in three days, I was SO super excited to watch the movie! Well I have to say that I was not disappointed! All my hopes for this movie were met. There were slight differences in the movie from the book but nothing that took away or added from the story. They left out a scene from the book that I actually could have done without in the book too, haha! They even cast the story just like you would imagine them to be in the book as you read! The only thing I like about the book over the movie was the ending. There was a little difference that made the book a little more uplifting in the end. But this movie is a must see as well as the book!

Heaven is for Real

by: Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

My mother-in-law and father-in-law bought this book and both read it just recently. Since they finished I borrowed it to read as well. I had also read 90 minuets in Heaven last year.

(90 minutes in Heaven is mostly about the authors struggle to recover from his accident. The first chapter is the best one of his actual account of heaven. I still remember him talking about seeing those he knew and how he wasn't sad to leave those behind).

These books are more of an interest since the loss of my nephew last year. Wondering what heaven is really like.

I really liked Heaven is for Real. The thing I loved most about it is the way that Todd, Colton's father wrote his story. It was from Todd's point of view but he wrote it with the child like aspect of his son, Colton.

Colton came close to death with a ruptured appendix. He had to have emergency surgery. During that time Colton went to heaven. It took months and years for details to come out of what he saw and those that he met but the accounts he describes are hard to deny. When Colton was in surgery he was only three. He describes things that happened while he was in surgery (such as where his parents were and what they were doing) to things that a three year old would not particularly know; how the throne of God looks, about the Holy Spirit and what Jesus looks like. You can't help but believe.

While there Colton says he met his great-grandpa, who he had never met on earth. He also met his sister, whom died in his mother's womb. Having family members in heaven it makes me think of them waiting for me to arrive. As well as a child I also lost in my womb. I never really thought I would meet him/her one day, who I names Christian Joy!

This book is an easy read. It only took me a day to complete it. The way Todd writes this story is so sincere, well worth reading. This book also lead me to another account of a girl who talks about her encounter with heaven. Akiane, her life, her heart, her poetry. She is a great artist who also drew a photo of Jesus, who Colton says looks like Jesus!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Presumption of Guilt

By: Terri Blackstock

Once again this story follows Detectives; Larry and Tony. In Presumption of Guilt Beth Wright is writing a story on the St. Clair Children's Home. She is a reporter who has been interviewing those that know what has happened inside the home. Nick Hutchin's, social worker has had questions about the children's home but started to dig deeper when Beth goes to him for help.

Bill Brandon runs the St. Clair Children's Home. He can't let the story Beth is writing to be printed. He will go to any lengths to make sure and people are starting to die.

Presumption of Guilt doesn't have as much mystery as some of Terri Blackstock's books. Which was how her last two books in this series seemed. In her other series she has the same people involved and you see how things progress with them in each book. In this series you do have the same people in the first book involved but not so much as in say her Cape Refuge or Newpointe 911 series.

Presumption of Guilt is the last book in the Sun Coast Chronicles. I would have to say I have liked other series better just for their mystery but wouldn't write this series off, I still really liked book two, Justifiable Means, the best out of the four.

I still really like Terri Blackstocks books and will move onto another series. I can't wait!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Ulterior Motives

by: Terri Blackstock

Ulterior Motives is book 3 in the SunCoast Chronicles. It follows Larry Milsaps through another mystery. This time most of the spot light is on his partner Tony.

Ben Robinson is fired by his boss Louise Dubose and evicted from the home that the apartment provided by his job at the art studio. Later that day Louise is killed and Ben is framed from the murder. With no where for Ben's family to go, he is forced to move back in with his ex-wife. He has two children by his ex-wife, Sharon and now two other children by his new wife, Anne. Things are not going so well between Sharon and Anne.

To make matters worse Ben is trying to prove his innocence when someone starts calling Sharon's home with ransom. The police don't believe him. Until his two daughters; Christy (Sharon's daughter) and Emily (Anne's daughter) are kidnapped. It's a race for their lives.

After having read the 2nd book, Justifiable Means, Terri Blackstock wrote this book a little differently. You know who is the killer from the very beginning. Though some of the dots are connected as you read along I was surprised she revealed so much so fast. It was a good story though. I like the characters and wanted to find out if Sharon and Tony end up together. (Though if you have read Terri's other books you know how her stories end up). The race to find the girls in the end does keep you reading as well.

This book wasn't my favorite out of this series or over all but it's not a bad book, it would still be worth reading. I just wouldn't put it at the top of my list, I'm just comparing. Being that it is a part of the series you would read it to continue on to book 4. I hope the next one has more of the mystery I like Terri Blackstock for.

On another note, I always read her Afterwords which explain her idea for the book she just wrote. This one has that meaning of the motives of our hearts. That is another reason I like Terri Blackstocks books. She puts challenges in her books to help you look inward as you read. Funny when I'm doing a study on Romans touching on the same subject of judging others when you do the same things. What is your heart condition!?

Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Help

by: Kathryn Stockett

My friend read this book just as the previews for the movie were coming out. I had not heard of the book until she mentioned it and she said I should read it. Well, I went to the library and was #71 on the waiting list. I posted on FB to see if anyone had the book for me to barrow and another friend of mine lent me the book! Within the first few chapters watching the previews was so funny cause I was starting to see who the characters were and made me want to finish the 500 page book in one night! Of course, I couldn't! But I did finish it in 3 days!

This book takes place in the 1960's when white's had help in their homes. In this story there are 4 main "white" ladies and their help that you follow. Skeeter decides to venture out and write a book about "the help". Back then speaking out could get you fired or worse so it is a huge risk that the woman take to tell their stories.

You are drawn in with the characters and stories of how the help love the children and are treated so poorly. To how the white woman treat their children and even Skeeter when they suspect what she is up to.

This book is now in my top favorites list. I was sad when it ended. I think everyone should read it before you see the movie, even after. It was SO good!

Here is the trailer for the movie if you have not seen it.

http://youtu.be/WbuKgzgeUIU

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Dreams of Joy

by: Lisa See

I read the first book Shanghai Girls a few months ago. I was shocked when I finished the book because it ends so abruptly, I wanted to know what happened. I looked up Lisa See's webpage to find out that the 2nd book had just come out so I waiting to get it from the library. I am still actually on hold 225 of 264, to be exact! Having gotten into e-books, I found out that you can request e-books from the library. They only have a few books available but Dreams of Joy was one of them. I was only 3 of 3 on the waiting list and finally was able to download it to my itouch to read! The crazy thing is that the book is 1,575 pages! A big book, even bigger on such a small screen!

Dreams of Joy picks up from where Shanghai Girls left of. Joy found out that her father, who had just died was not her birth father. She also discovers that her aunt is really her birth mother who gave her to her aunt, Pearl to be raised as her daughter. (In protection during their arranged marriages). Joy realizes nothing she knew is true and she wants to find out who she is, so she goes to China, after being born and raised in California, to find her birth father, who does not even now she exists!k

When her mother, Pearl, finds Joy gone the next morning she follows her back to her home country, China, to find her. She fears the worse, that her daughter was killed for being a communist trying to enter the country from America. (At this time the boards are closely watched for who goes in and out).

The story follows both of their journeys into China. How Joy is hit with a reality she didn't expect. Her father takes her from Shangai to the country. They are there to teach the country people of art. They have no running water and very different beliefs than she was raised with.

It also follows Pearl returning to the home she thought she would never see again to find a daughter she doesn't know will accept her anymore. When Pearl finds her daughter she struggles to regain her daughters trust.

Joy falls in love and wants to live in the country rather than stay in Shangai. Her mother, Pearl and her new found father try to deter her but she will not listen. But once married and her parents leave she is left to realize things were not like she thought they were.

This story is heart wrenching. From the Chinese culture and the things that those people endured under their leadership as a nation is just amazing. It's also sad to know that the stories she tells are from different people she has spoken to, to put in this story.

You have to read the series to find out what becomes of them all; Joy, her aunt Mae, her mother Pearl and her father, Z.G. It's a story that keeps you reading to find out what happens.

I have really enjoyed reading Lisa See's books. But I'm also interested in China. May not be for others but she is a good writer. Would recommend to give them a try.