Finding

I was recently given the book Dear Mr. Knightley by BookSneeze, for review. For me, the amount of time it takes me to read a book is quite telling. This book I read within a few a days, meaning I enjoyed it and it engaged me.
Katherine Reay's first novel lays out the experiences and feelings of a young woman through letters she writes to a pseudonym attached to the foundation that pays for her Master's education at a prestigious journalism school.
The letters allow Sam to withdraw herself from her books and into the world around her, to be separate from her favorite characters and become herself. Throughout the book, she is faced with challenges to escape the fear, anger and other scars from the past that caused her to hide in the first place and enter a new chapter of life, a life with love and hope.
I appreciate the range of issues the book touches on: foster care, education, career choices, anger, fear, love, hope, God, and others.
I would recommend this book to others, especially those who appreciate reading and/or writing.

A Bleak Future

Jonathan Friesen paints a bleak picture of the future, with the central problem being a lack of fresh water on the earth, in his book Aquifer. Those still alive, are held in constant fear of running out of water. Their only hope is the deliverer, who makes an annual exchange with the creatures who have control of the water source underground. Only the deliverer knows the winding path to reach the "rats" with the light sticks to exchange for another year of fresh water.
Luca, the deliverer's son, faces his future as he matures into adulthood feeling like he has no place in the world, being separate from everybody around him. Growing up, he has little knowledge of his past or the truth about the present. He doesn't even know much about his own father, but a turn of events thrusts him into an adventure during which he learns much about his family and the world and grows into a brave, young man as he searches for hope and a place to fit in.
I really enjoyed the book, not only for the story told but also for the symbolism presented. It is both an entertaining and thought-provoking book.
I appreciate BookSneeze for giving it to me for review.

Wounds

I recently finished reading a book by Anne Graham Lotz, Billy Graham's daughter, called Wounded by God's People. When I first started reading it, I thought it was a pity book, to make you feel good about yourself and entitle you to feel sorry for yourself and to live with wounds and scars. However, I was glad when I continued reading and found out that it does offer some hard truths about forgiveness and doing your part not to wound others.
The book relates ways that we may wound or be wounded to Biblical examples, specifically to Abraham and his family. Lotz provides insight into the ways that each character was involved in wounding, both as wounder and wounded. It made me want to be more conscious of when I have wounded people and do my best to resolve any bitterness that I may have or that others may have towards me.
While it was not written in a style that really appeals to me, I did appreciate the stories and examples that were given, and I think this book could be very helpful to some people.
In fact, it would probably be helpful for me to apply some of the ideas to my own life.
This wasn't an especially memorable book that I would recommend to people, but it was alright to read. I wouldn't recommend against it.
Thanks to BookSneeze for providing this book to me for review.

God Uses The Small For Great Things

What's Your Mark is a collection of snippets about real people and what they are doing to make an impact or "mark" with their lives. The title is a nice play on words, as the book also contains the book of "Mark" from the Bible throughout.
The collection contains a wide variety of people who do a wide variety of things. However, each story is marked by a decision to do something, often something seemingly small, that has become something great. God is very skilled at using the small, seemingly insignificant things and people to make great things happen.
I appreciate Jeremy Cowart for taking the time to put this together. I think it is a neat and inspiring book to have. The photos, though good, are not mind-blowing or breath-taking. The stories, while nice and inspirational, are not sensationally life-changing. This book, though, being small and even seemingly insignificant could definitely be used by God for some great things.

This book was provided free for review by BookSneeze.

A Dream So Big

It's hard to know what it's like to be a long-term overseas missionary unless you have experienced it yourself. Steve Peifer, however, offers great insight into the life of a missionary family that makes you feel like you are part of their adventure. In A Dream So Big, he takes the reader through the highs and lows of his family's journey as he recounts the events that led to leaving a comfortable, American dream life for a not so comfortable but more abundant life in Kenya. He leaves the reader encouraged with hope and challenged with fulfilling God's plan.

Having been on several short-term mission trips, I have often had a desire to go long-term. I enjoyed reading this account of the life of a missionary family and appreciate the candor and humility of the author, allowing readers into the very real and personal parts of his family's journey. 

I would suggest this book to everyone. It is not only an interesting story, but can also challenge Christians and non-Christians to evaluate their life and figure out it's true meaning.

Lemonade

You've probably heard the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." In Don Jacobson's book When God Makes Lemonade he offers a collection of stories from various authors. The narratives are centered around hope. It is hope in God that allows us to live through, and even thrive in difficult circumstances, as chronicled in this book. 

The collection of stories offers a good example of people being real about the tragedies that happen in life. Although each of the stories describes a certain obstacle or tragedy, though, none is without hope. As Christians, one way we can be a light to the world is by demonstrating the hope we have in God and the peace that comes with that, especially through difficult circumstances.

I really appreciate this book as more than a good read but as a collection of examples of living a life full of the fruit of the Spirit.

Many thanks to BookSneeze for providing this book to me free for review.

Persecuted...Not What I Expected

When I requested a review copy of Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians by Paul Marshall, Lela Gilbert, and Nina Shea, I was expecting a collection of stories of Christians being persecuted around the world. What I received was more like a textbook in a paperback disguise. In this, I was disappointed.
However, after getting past the initial blow of unmet expectation, I was anything but disappointed by the book. It gives a comprehensive view of the persecution of Christians throughout the world. It is organized and referenced well. It is written with authority and is a very educational book on an important topic.
For a text book on global persecution of Christians, this is an excellent book. It is not, however, an easy-to-read collection of stories.
Thanks, BookSneeze, for providing this book for me to review.

For What It's Worth

Devotionals only work for certain people. Some people appreciate a book that provides an idea to read and think about each day. For those who do, Live Second by Doug Bender might be a good choice. Among those people, there are sub-groups. For example, when I spend time with God, I usually tend to be a quiet place with just my Bible, my notebook, maybe a Christian book and a water bottle. I try to avoid technology. In fact, at one point in my life I decided that I would not use the computer until after I had spent time with God that day. This book, Live Second, might not be for that kind of person. Rather, it might be for the person who uses their smart phone or tablet for their Bible. The book includes several devotions that begin with a video from the I Am Second organization. Obviously, those videos aren't available to watch in the hard cover copy of the book, so you have to find them online.
That being said, I think it is a thought provoking book. I appreciate that it challenges the reader to think about how they will live each day. The questions at the end of each devotional are very repetitive, so for some that might be a con. However, I could see that being a positive point for others.
All in all, I really appreciate I Am Second and am glad to see this book available for those whose lives it could enhance. There is definitely good material in the book for those who choose to read and digest it.
Thanks, BookSneeze, for providing this book to me for review.