Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day
by Jon Walker

Available in hardback or Kindle format. Zondervan, 2009; ISBN: 0310292131; 400 pages.

This book is designed similarly to most Christian devotionals. Each page contains a short passage of Scripture followed by a story and prayer or application prompt. If you're a new believer, this is a wonderful tool. It offers a format and simplicity conducive to building strong habits of spiritual discipline. In other words, it helps you be in the Bible every day. It encourages you to think about God, His Word and how that applies to you and your life.

Final Thoughts: There is nothing glaringly wrong with this book. Neither, in my opinion, is there anything obviously extraordinary about this book -- except that the author has worked closely with Rick Warren; however, that says more about his associations than his writing or content. It's a good book! It's just like dozens of other devotionals already on the market.

A Girl Named Mister
by Nikki Grimes

Author Website: www.nikkigrimes.com

Available in hardback, paperback and Kindle formats. Zondervan, originally published only in hardback in 2010. The paperback will be released August 2011; ISBN: 0310723132; 220 pages.

Formatted like a poetic diary, this book follows two Marys in very different times, but with one very similar situation.

Mary Rudine, nicknamed Mister, is a sophomore in high school hoping to earn a volleyball scholarship to college. She's active in her church choir and youth group; she can't remember a time without church! Then Trey comes into the picture. His smooth words and long lashes soon make her question what she knows is right. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, she inches toward one big mistake that leaves her with lasting consequences.

It is about that time that her mother gives her a book of poetry. Feeling abandoned and alone, Mister gets lost in the story of another Mary.

This Mary has done everything according to Jewish law and eagerly awaits her coming wedding to Joseph, but an angel's visit leaves her confused and struggling with the consequences of the angel's prophecy. She, a virgin, will give birth?

Together both Marys discover the depth of God's love while facing the mysteries of His plans.
I've never before read a novel written entirely in poetry.

Thanks to her children's picture books, I'm familiar with Nikki Grimes and her great talent for poetry. When I first opened this book, though, I didn't know what to think. I was sure the poetic format would drive me crazy in a novel. But it didn't! Once I got started, I couldn't put it down.

I really like the parallel between Mary (Jesus' mother) and Mister. The link there was quite beautiful. A great emphasis is on the character of God and the abundance of His love and grace.

Because it is written in first person, this book feels very intimate, like as a reader you've jumped into Mister's skin. The author did a tremendous job of character development, which is crucial when dealing with a hot topic like teen pregnancy. Raw and realistic, the book shows how easily people can be drawn away from their convictions. The book shows the true struggle that comes with teen pregnancy, the difficulty in making life-altering decisions at such a young age.

There are two instances of cursing. While I agree these words add grit and authenticity to the characters, I would have preferred their absence, especially since this book is targeted for young teens. Also, some parts of the text are extremely sensual in nature. As an adult, I didn't have a problem with them, but I did question at what age I would allow my daughter to read this. Portions may be too explicit for immature readers.

Final Thoughts: I thought this was a tremendous book. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone and I would expect parents to take careful note of the content and evaluate their child's readiness before allowing them to read it. But this title definitely serves as a get-lost-in-the-characters book.

Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool and Wild Honey
by Margaret Feinberg

Author Website: www.MargaretFeinberg.com

Available in hardback and Kindle format. Zondervan, 2009; ISBN: 0310291224; 224 pages.
The author also has a 6-week DVD series and coordinating workbooks for small group discussions.

You've likely heard of Margaret Feinberg before. She has been named in a few prominent lists: "30 Emerging Voices" that will shape the next generation of Christians and "40 Under 40" who will shape Christian publishing, among others, I'm sure. She is the author of Organic God and The Sacred Echo.

Scouting the Divine is her most recently published book. It records her journey to discover the depths of meaning behind specific visuals in Scripture. We all know Jesus is the Great Shepherd, but what does that really mean? If we've never been around sheep or their caregivers, how can we fully understand? The author spent time with actual sheep and their shepherdess. She learned hands-on about wine and honey and farms. In this book she shares what she learned and how that tangible knowledge affects her understanding of Scripture.

When I first started reading this book, I felt it was redundant. How many pastors have stood behind pulpits and told us why the shepherd analogy makes sense or how Jesus' parables would have been received in His day? But the more I read, the more engrossed I became with these too-often simplified concepts. The author used every one of the five senses to put flesh on these parallels. Culturally we can be so far removed, but with her research and well-written help, we can see, touch, feel even taste and smell what the Scriptures really mean.

In the end, I enjoyed the book and do recommend it. Yes, parts may feel like she's stating the obvious, but most of it offers gems of comprehension sparkling with personal application.

One complaint (which has more to do with the publisher than the author or content): I didn't like the layout. The publisher chose block formatting rather than the traditional indented paragraph. This made me feel rushed, as if I were scanning an email rather than melting into a book. Also, the publisher often employed digits to section off the chapters rather than subtitles. It looked and felt like newly released software (2.3, etc.). Again, this made me feel rushed and disconnected to the content.

Final Thoughts: An interesting, insightful read, but not a must-have.

Trying to Come Back

Last year I initiated a Bible-reading challenge on my main website. We called it Read with Me. The goal was to read the entire Bible, front to back, within one year. About forty readers joined in the fun with weekly accountability check-ins. It all went along swimmingly until my husband and I decided to sell our house. That was the beginning of the end.

As we entered the stress of selling a house, buying a new one and moving to a new community, I got further and further behind my goals in the challenge. Prioritizing the Bible over all other writings, I decided to stop reading anything else until I caught up. I also stopped doing book blog tours and posting reviews. Well, then my mom had a stroke and the 90-year-old house we bought required way more immediate attention than we had planned. The kids struggled with their transition to a new school and I ... well, I never caught up.

I wasn't the only one.

Not only did I not catch up, I realized that I wasn't myself in trying to catch up. I found myself feeling burdened by the challenge and the Bible because I really wanted to be reading other things, too, and I couldn't and all these self-imposed regulations were stripping my joy. They stripped by joy of God's Word and they stripped my joy of simply reading.

This year I've initiated The Sequel. It's for those of us who simply couldn't do it in one year, but who want to stick to the goal of consistently reading the Bible. We are a smaller, but faithful crew. Feel free to join us, if you want some accountability!

And this time I've given myself permission to read other stuff, too, and to reignite my love of reading. It's so refreshing! I've found that when I allow myself "pleasure reading" I am far more consistent in my "edification reading." I enjoy reading my Bible more when it is something I want to do rather than something I have to do! I know. Profound - right? (Please note the sarcasm here.)

So, all that said, I'm trying to come back. I'll begin (again) to post reviews next week. Some of the upcoming posts are for brand new books, and some of them will be for books I read last year, but never posted. Remember, if you're looking for reviews of Christian children's books (Age Range: 0-18), you can find me and friends offering just that at CCBR. You can also check out my reviews on Amazon.com.

The Grammar Devotional
by Mignon Fogarty
Author Website: www.grammar.quickanddirtytips.com

Available in paperback. Holt Books, 2009; ISBN: 0805091653; 235 pages.

Become a better writer one day at a time. Just like a spiritual devotional, this book offers short, daily readings, usually just half a page. The book is organized by generic weeks so you’re not restricted by a calendar. Rather, you can start wherever and whenever you want.

The author’s love of language comes through in her content which spans from practical tips and rules to history, trivia, and games. Usually punctuation is on Mondays, Language Rock Stars on Wednesdays, quizzes and word scrambles on Fridays, word searches and puzzles on Sundays. Simple line illustrations add dry humor to the book.

The included index allows readers to search for specific content making this an valuable reference book as well.

Final Thoughts: I love it! This book offers an excellent (and easy) way to keep your mind sharp without drudging through long, boring exercises and seemingly irrelevant rules. We often forget what we once knew. This little book serves as a welcome reminder.

Here Burns My Candle
by Liz Curtis Higgs
Author Website: www.LizCurtisHiggs.com

Available in paperback, Kindle, audio CD or audio download. Waterbrook Press, 2010; ISBN: 1400070015; 480 pages.

Here Burns My Candle offers a rich, historical drama based loosely upon the Scriptural book of Ruth. I don’t know how you feel about novels based on biblical stories. I truly enjoy them, but am very selective about to whom I’ll recommend them. Some readers find it difficult to separate biblical truth from creative license and author’s imagination. Higgs’s books, though, provide the basis of the biblical stories, but in far removed settings. I would rather call them parallel novels than novelizations. It’s not the same story told again; it’s the same bones with fresh flesh.

Carolyn Custis James asserts in her book, The Gospel According to Ruth, that this biblical story is more about Naomi than Ruth. Rather than telling a romantic story of a young, but faithful widow, it answers the questions pounding a devastated mother-in-law. Is God good for women? Has my usefulness expired? Liz Curtis Higgs follows this theory with her newest title, by focusing on the “Naomi” character as much, if not more than, the “Ruth” character.

Set in Edingburgh, Scotland, during the 1745 Jacobite rebellion, Here Burns My Candle follows the Ladies Marjory and Elizabeth Kerr, mother and daughter-in-law. Marjory, a wealthy Lowland socialite, has never truly accepted her son’s choice of bride. Sure, Elizabeth is strikingly beautiful, but she comes from an unrefined Highland upbringing. To make matters worse, she favors the Jacobite cause, which is the equivalent of treason. Marjory’s other daughter-in-law, Janet, is much more suited to high society and fully embraced the roles of lord and ladies. Elizabeth, however, has more personal concerns, like the faithfulness of her husband, the safety of her brother, the marriage of her mother, and the scandalous gossip encircling her. Few answers come through the faith of her childhood. Could there be another who could help her? When Marjory’s two sons join the rebellion, some relationships are strengthened while others are stretched far beyond comfort.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s thick with drama and emotion. The author’s attention to detail never wavers. As previously stated, I consider this a parallel story, rather than a re-telling. The book of Ruth only devotes a few verses to the life before Ruth and Naomi’s great journey back to Bethlehem. This novel, however, contained over 300 pages of story before I saw any correlation to the Scriptural account. This is not a negative criticism. Actually, I prefer it that way. I like that this book can be enjoyed as an independent historical novel or as a window for better understanding Scripture. It’s a great read.

Final Thoughts: A tremendous story expertly written. I can't believe I have to wait a whole year for the sequel!

Angels
by David Jeremiah
Author Website: www.DavidJeremiah.org

Available in paperback. Multnomah Books, 2009; ISBN: 1601422695; 222 pages plus multiple indexes.

Angels does exactly what the subtitle suggests; it lays out “what the Bible reveals.”

Now, the Bible doesn’t tell us a lot about angels, but it reveals much. Let me explain what I mean. The Bible contains over three hundred direct reference to angels, but it doesn’t have a single book or passage that explains exactly how angels work or why God uses them. It doesn’t even expound upon the relationship or responsibilities between us and them. There are clues. There are stories. There are glimpses. David Jeremiah pieces all these together to offer an accurate picture in a condense and approachable package.

The content includes discussion about:

• What angels are
• God’s relationship with angels
• How they work
• How they worship
• Jesus’ relationship with angels
• When they appear
• Our relationship with angels
• Famous angels (and lesser known ones)
• Fallen angels and Satan
• Eternity with angels

There are several things I like about this book. The conversational, easy-to-read nature is one, but two attributes stand above the rest.

It is flooded with Scripture. Bookstores contain hundreds of books about angels, miraculous sightings and spiritual encounters. Experience is valuable, but its interpretation is subjective. I want to know the truth and the only way to know that is to study God’s Word. This book does contain relevant stories, but its focus is more on what Scripture teaches us about these heavenly beings.

Its purpose is to glorify God. From the very beginning through the middle and into the end of this book the author repeatedly shines the focus on God. Let me prove this with a few quotes from the book.

“The writer of Psalm 73 shows the right heart when he tells God ‘Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.’ Besides God there is no one on earth and no one in heaven — not even angels — who can give your soul true fulfillment.” (p. 23)

“That, in fact, is the only sufficient aim in a study of angels: that you might draw closer to God. If you study angels and the result is anything less — if you build up only a file of information about angels or a fascination with them or even a supposed relationship with one, but haven’t encountered at least a tug toward humble submission to the Almighty God … you’ve totally missed what angels are all about.” (p. 25)

“Angels can help lift our eyes from this troubled and temporal earth. But they are meant to draw our gaze to the Lord, not to themselves. All glory is due to God, and he has no intention of sharing it with angels … as we go honestly and carefully into a deeper study of angels, our spirits cannot help but experience the desire to worship. If you remember any words at all that you’ve heard angels speak in Scripture, remember especially these two: Worship God!” (p. 56)

“God’s angels always point us to God … [Ezekiel] isn’t being shown this vision just to learn about cherubim, but rather to hear a word from the Lord.” (p. 145)

“Again and again in Scripture we see this pattern: Those who are given the privilege of a direct visible or audible ministry from angels are those with mature hearts who want to encounter God — not angels. … No one got excited about seeing angels. They were excited about what the angels said.” (p. 192)

Please note this is a 2009 repackaging of Dr. Jeremiah’s book What the Bible Says About Angels, published in 1996. This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Final thoughts: An excellent resource!

Julie and Julia
by Julie Powell

Available in paperback, Kindle, audio CD or download. Little, Brown and Company, 2009; ISBN: 031604251X; 400 pages.

I read this book -- originally subtitled "365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen", now subtitled "My Year of Cooking Dangerously" -- last summer while on vacation. This was before the movie (starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams) came out and changed the cover and everything. (Pictured is the original cover because I like it better.) In fact, I didn't know there was a movie coming out until after I had started reading it.

In case you're unaware of the premise, let me fill you in. The book is a memoir written by Julie Powell, a late-20s woman who shares a typically small New York apartment with her husband and cat and works in a cubicle for a government organization. Depressed by her life, she decides to cook her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year, consistently blogging about her journey. Originating as a source of purpose and delight, her challenge quickly becomes an obsession. Peppered throughout the text are scenes from Julia Child's life, as imagined by Julie Powell.

It's always tough to review books and movies of the same work. You can review the book one way and have a completely different opinion about the movie, or vice versa. I think it's always easier to enjoy one without the other. If you have both, it just becomes a competition. I liked this about the book, but I liked this better in the movie. I wish they had included this part, and this part didn't meet my expectations. Instead of being entertainment, the viewing and reading becomes work, a work of criticism.

That said, I'll tell you I enjoyed the movie more than the book. The reasons why point directly to why I didn't like the book.

• The book contained a lot of foul language and sexual content. There weren't specific sex scenes, but there was a lot of talk about sex and the erotic nature of food and the specific conquests of Julie's single friends. I was glad the movie omitted these parts.
  
• The movie combined this memoir with Julie Child's memoir, My Life in France, and wove the two stories together better. I liked seeing the similarities and contrasts of Julia to Julie. These scenes and stories lent greater credibility and interest to Julie's challenge.
• I could identify better with "Julie" in the movie than the Julie of the book. The Julie in the book was crass, pessimistic and rude. At times I found her irreverence funny and witty, but most times it grated like a spoiled child whining about her miserable life. Also, she treated her husband horribly in the book. At least in the movie she admitted when she was a jerk. In the book she didn't apologize or make any admission of her egotistical behavior. I have a low tolerance for people who disrespect and devalue their spouses.

I must admit, though, that the greatest annoyance of mine in reading this book was her journey to publication. The author seemingly had no experience in cooking or writing, yet out of the blue important people start reading her blog. And then she's interviewed on TV and has a book deal and a movie lined up even before she finishes her one-year challenge. People struggle for years and years to get published, yet somehow this woman with no connections rises to the top in a matter of months. I closed the book wondering "What's so special about her? How did she find a backdoor shortcut through the system?"

The movie made this last point easier to swallow. It was a fun story rather than a memoir of a true person. Julie Powell is not a nobody and I don't want to even suggest that. However, I like memoirs to be of someone significant who does significant things or someone who overcomes mountainous trials. I like true stories to have a point, to be inspiring. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more as a novel, not knowing it is based on fact. I just don't think blogging about cooking someone else's recipes (and poorly at that) constitutes greatness.

I apologize for my rambling commentary. I've not actually said too much about the book, have I?

Or maybe I've said too much.

Final Thoughts: Rent the movie; skip the book.

Stretch Marks
by Kimberly Stuart
Author Website: www.KimberlyStuart.com

Available in paperback and Kindle. David C. Cook, 2009; ISBN: 0781448921; 304 pages.

Mia and her mother, Babs, could not differ more. Mia dresses retro, cares about the energy crisis, goes to yoga religiously and lives a pure vegetarian lifestyle in Chicago. Her mother, while morally conservative, sports plastic surgery, works as a social director on a Caribbean cruise ship and is passionate about steak. They drive each other crazy!

But when Mia gets pregnant, her live-in freeloader boyfriend jumps ship. Actually, he kinda slithers off into the night. Babs to the rescue. She drops everything and moves into Mia’s apartment building to “help.” Can anything can bring these opposites together? The promise of a new baby, one they both already adore, may be their only hope.

Delightful characters fill this book! From Frankie, the librarian with technicolor hair (Mia’s best friend), to Silas, the mysterious gentleman who lives downstairs, and Adam, the hottie who runs the local grocery store. Each contributes their own charm to the story.

Consistent with the author's style, this book is subtly infused with inspiration. It is witty, intelligent and funny, all while being perfectly authentic -- the opposite of preachy.

You’ll love it — I promise.

And so does the publisher. If you don’t like the book, you can send it to them under their “Good Read Guarantee!”

Final Thoughts: Kimberly Stuart's books are like chocolate: take one bite and you'll need another. I can't get enough!

I'd Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper: Loving Your Marriage After the Baby Carriage
by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile

Available in paperback or Kindle. Chronicle Books, 2009; ISBN: 0811867358; 178 pages.

These authors have a gift for picking titles. Their previous book, I Was a Really Good Mom Before I had Kids, claimed to "reinvent modern motherhood." I've not read that one, but I can tell you I've had a love-hate response to this one. It encouraged and discouraged me at the same time.

What I Liked: In an age and culture where most hold a consumer's view of marriage, this book offers a mature look at commitment. In other words, some people need to grow up! A promise is a promise. Sometimes it will be great, and sometimes it will take a lot of work. The authors use logic, persuasion, personal stories, expert quotes and statistics to show what works in marriage and what doesn't. They encourage moms to care not only for their children, but for themselves and their marriages as well. If we want healthy marriages, we must make them a priority. Furthermore, by preserving healthy marriages and healthy self-image, mothers actually help their kids to have greater confidence, positive self images and a solid sense of security. I loved the main text of this book.

I greatly appreciate the extent of the authors' research. They relaid wisdom from experts in business, relationships, parenting and even time-management -- all of which applies to healthy families and marriages.

On top of all this, the book is beautifully packaged. It's attractive, funny and witty (in parts) and generally well-written.

What I Disliked: The sidebars and random quotes were too much. Readers will find at least one for every two-page spread, sometimes as many as three. They interrupted the flow and distracted from the better, meatier text. The "Little Dirty Secrets" (quoted confessions from real wives) are horrible. Most promote unhealthy behavior rather than offer positive corrections. Some sidebars consumed a whole page and, while they may have been interesting, had nothing to do with that section of the book.

Overall: I would definitely recommend the book IF the sidebars were eliminated or, at the very least, severely decreased in number. As is, it's just a ho-hum book. There are some great bits of information, but it all could have been compiled into a neat pamphlet or ebook instead of a big, rather expensive paperback.

Caveat: Please note that this book does contain foul language. Most occurrences use the b-word or the s-word. A couple sidebar quotes use the f-word.