away in a manger

Feeling a little "Bah! Humbug!"? Wanting to refocus your heart this holiday season? Wallow in the wonder of Christ's birth. Robert J. Morgan, author and pastor, writes one short story each year to share with his church. The Nativity Collection includes six of these stories. These tales are infused with hope, humor, and heart warming moments, thankfully without the schmaltz often found in "inspirational" literature. I found myself thinking of the characters and the truths of Christ's Christmas story beyond my time spent in the pages of this book. I'd definitely recommend picking up a copy or two and passing it on.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

missing you

"You know you've read a good book 

when you turn the last page 

and feel a little as if you have lost a friend."  

-- Paul Sweeney

the best moments

and i quote by ricracretro on Polyvore.com

the quote reads. . . "and I Quote . . . The best moments in reading are when you come across something -- a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things -- that you'd thought special, particular to you. And here it is set down by someone else, a person you've never met, maybe even someone long dead. And it's as if a hand has come out and taken yours."

hug a librarian

‎"I'm of a fearsome mind to throw my arms around every living librarian who crosses my path, on behalf of the souls they never knew they saved."
-- Barbara Kingsolver, novelist

make a difference

Max Lucado speaks from the heart in his newest work "Out Live Your Life: You Were Made To Make A Difference." Lucado expertly weaves biblical and contemporary examples of peoples response to those in need. There are many tangible suggestions of how to get involved and make a difference to the desperate and despairing around us; tackling the overwhelming needs that surround us. Each chapter begins and ends with a verse, in a sense creating book ends for the words of exhortation in between. This book not only covers why we should live our lives to make a difference, but also to whom, and how. I found myself pondering the truths shared and humbled by the challenges these insights represent.  I also appreciate that 100% of the sales from this book are being donated to help those in need through organizations such as World Vision. It's a win-win situation.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

epic page-turner

"The Skin Map", a Bright Empires Novel, by Stephen R. Lawhead is a hold-your-breath beginning to a new series. This novel mixes ancient history, time travel, alternate realities, mystery, physics, and fantasy, to create a story so compelling that I find myself recommending it to any who will listen.
The unlikely Kit Livingstone finds himself in the center of a life threatening race to find the Skin Map; a map of symbols tattooed onto the abdomen of a brave explorer. These symbols hold the mystery of ley line travel, pathways to other worlds, and not merely British legend. As all good epic stories include, evil plots to destroy good and unexpected twists and turns maintain a heart-pounding pace. The only disappointment I felt was that I have to wait until the fall of 2011 for the next installment of the Bright Empires series!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

sing, sing a song

I have looked for years.
Hunted about.
And then one day I found it.
I was thrilled!
So I ordered it.
And waited and waited for the post to deliver.
Today there was a little flat package.
Oh joy . . . could it be?!
It is!
My treasure.
My very own copy.
My "Song of the Highlands" by Sharon Gillenwater.
The hunt is over.
Now the re-reading can begin.
Anytime I choose.
I can wander the highlands of Scotland.
Hold my breath during the daring rescue.
Watch love unfold.
Hear of God's faithfulness.
Reach for a Kleenex (or two).
Then smile, because the book is mine.

Big A . . . little a . . . what begins with Aa?

Peggy Parish's character, Amelia Bedelia, has always made me laugh. As a child I was intrigued and amused by Amelia Bedelia making sponge cake using actual sponges and a variety of other literal blunders and misunderstandings. I am partial to the copies illustrated by Lynn Sweat, for sentimental reasons, and many of Amelia Bedelia's adventures have a permanent home on my bookshelf. As far as I am concerned, the Amelia Bedelia books are a staple of childhood literature. Guaranteed to cause smiling and giggling.

the berinfell prophecies continue

Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper team up once again to continue the fast pace plot of Curse of the Spider King, in book two of the Berinfell Prophecies, Venom and Song. We join the seven royal Elf lords once again as they train to battle the Spider King. Their friendships grow stronger as they question who they can really trust and continue to come to grips with the new roles thrust upon them. Will their gifts mature in time? Will they all survive what is to come? Will their enemies be defeated? Will they save the Elven race, or will their people be destroyed? This novel starts the reader off with heart pounding plot lines and keeps up the pace throughout the whole book. The ending provides just as many questions as it does answers and leaves the reader crying out for book three of this series. This is a well written fantasy that will appeal to a larger audience than just the young adults it is targeting. A definite must read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

i heart books

Have you ever heard of POLYVORE? It's a great site for letting your creative juices flow, and to be inspired by others.
I just created a group that I would love all you book lovers to join; it's called "i heart books".
To join Polyvore, begin by selecting "Register" in the top right hand corner of the site's homepage. Once you have filled in the required information and are logged in, select the "Profile" option along the top of the page. Next, scroll down on your profile page looking along the right hand side for the "Group" link. Beside this is a link called "Join groups"; select this one. In the search box on the top left of the screen, type in the group name "i heart books". Once the search results are available, select the link to this group.
Voila! Now you can create sets and add them here so we can share our creative thoughts around everything bookish.
I can't wait to see what you post!

book buddy

"To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one."
---Chinese Saying

someone once said . . .

"writing is the inking of our thinking"

shhhh . . . it's a secret

"A Summer Secret" by Kathleen Fuller is the first book in The Mysteries of Middlefield series. This story follows the summer adventures of thirteen-year-old Mary Beth who is the oldest child of an Amish family. The beliefs and lifestyle of the Amish are explored with compassion and insight. The details of the mystery Mary Beth finds herself plunged into are woven throughout the pages, causing the reader to be curious right from the first page. This is largely a coming of age story where Mary Beth must makes choices based on what she values, is entrusted with increased responsibilities, and learns to view her family and those she cares about in a new light. The characters vivid are charming and I found myself cheering them on. The story wraps up in a heartwarming way, with no disappointments. I am curious to see what mysteries book number 2 of this series holds.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

lose yourself

just a little something i made on POLYVORE

i wonder . . .

Tim Downs' newest novel "Wonders Never Cease" was my introduction to this author. It is not a forensic suspense novel as are many of his other renown works. The majority of the story is told by, and revolves around the character Kemp McAvoy. His main priority is attaining wealth and stature; schemes and lies swirl around all his doings. He is so thoroughly unlikable that I found it challenging to care enough to find out what happened to him next. Kemp plots a get-rich-quick scheme that involves impersonating an angel. Parallel to this story line is the young daughter of Kemp's girlfriend who has seen angels, but has met with mixed reactions to her "gift". The reader is left drawing conclusions on what an angel's role is, as well as consequences to unbelief. The ending, though somewhat predictable, wraps everything up nicely and closes on a note of wonder. Although this isn't a book I would read again, Tim Downs does have a unique style of writing and it makes me curious if I would like one of his other books better.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

peculiar treasures

My teen years were spent reading and re-reading the Christy Miller Series & the College Years trilogy by Robin Jones Gunn. The characters captivated me; the way their relationship with God grew and changed throughout the series. Imagine my joy as I perused Amazon and discovered the soon-to-be published "Peculiar Treasures", the beginning of the Katie Weldon Series. I eagerly awaited for each addition to this trilogy, thrilled to be back in the world of Christy and Katie once again. It was like sitting down to tea with a friend you haven't talked with for a while. Comfortable. Good for the heart. Reminiscent. A joy. The Katie Weldon series picks up where the College Years series ends but from the perspective of Katie. This week I came across the set of all 3 books, on sale at my local Christian book store. I snatched them off the shelf smiling to myself; they are books I can't NOT own. They are friends I will visit with over a cup of tea time and time again.

a conversation with God

Buy		Read

I was so intrigued by the idea of author Larry Crabb in writing “66 Love Letters”, was excited to get my hands on a copy, and captivated by what I read. I have always thought of the Bible as God’s love letter to us and appreciated the relational and nitty gritty way that Crabb summarized the truths God has revealed in His love letter to us. The book has short chapters, one for each book of the bible, and is further organized into 7 parts; providing an overall view and quick glimpse at God’s plan for mankind. The more I poked around this book, the more brilliant the organization of it proved to be. Although the chapters are brief, they encourage the reader to delve into God’s word and ponder what they find; I found Crabb’s writing to convey Biblical truths. I appreciate the honesty and sincerity that is woven throughout these pages; it does not come across as a know-all or absolute in knowledge. It reads more like a diary of the musings and wisdom of a fellow follower. 66 Love Letters has a permanent spot on my book shelf and I have already recommended it to many others. It is definitely worth obtaining a copy.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

so true

"You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me."
-- C. S. Lewis

once upon a time . . .

. . . there was a little girl who loved to read. Who used to play with her sister that they were at a library and she was a librarian checking out books. Books were her constant companion as she grew. Now that little girl is all grown up and has become a real librarian. She still loves to read. She is planning on sharing her thoughts with you about the books she's read, what she enjoyed, what she wished she hadn't read, quotes that stick with her, and the joy of stories and information found within pages bound together.