Life - Recommended Books
The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story
04/18/13
I love history! World War Two has always captured my curiosity.
Late last summer I read a book called “7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess” by Jen Hatmaker. It is still having an impact on my life today and has changed the course of thinking not only for myself, but my husband and my family. Let me explain.
Running for My Life
10/11/12
I have a huge long list of “books to read” – so many that I’ve been trying NOT to add to my list before I get a little further down the list. But, when I saw that this story had come out I knew I simply must read it. I bought it and moved it to the top of my list. I’m so glad I did. Lopez Lomong was one of the Lost Boys of Sudan and yet, competed this past summer in the 2012 Olympics.
The Hiding Place
10/11/12
When we went to Amsterdam last spring my friend was telling me that we should go visit Corrie Ten Boom’s house and watch shop museum in Haarlem. I loved the idea but we only had a short time there so we had to choose wisely. I thought if I could get my husband to read her book, I’d stand a better chance of us adding this to our itinerary.
Choosing to See
10/11/12
I had no intention of reading this book. I already knew the story of the tragic death of Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman’s daughter, Maria Sue, and didn't think I needed to hear it again. But, my sister-in-law insisted that I read it. She told me I wouldn’t regret spending the time on this book and she was oh so right. This amazing book isn’t just about the loss of Maria Sue.
Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero
04/10/12
This book was offered as a free download for Kindle a while back and it looked mildly interesting to me, so I decided why not? It's free! Now I feel as though I should send a donation to someone; it was that good.
This book is a page turner. It might take you a few chapters to get absorbed but once you do you’ll have a hard time putting it down. It’s the story of Louis Zamperini, once a defiant boy, who eventually used the talent he’d acquired running from trouble into being a high school track star, and later a major contender in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. But the story doesn’t end ther
Becca by the Book
09/6/11
Becca by the Book is basically a Christian chick flick in written form. As it turns out, this book is the third in a series of Getaway Girls novels. Had I known, I might have read Book #1 and #2 first, but hey, it was a gift. It does, however, make for some fun, easy reading and even brings out some thought provoking questions. Becca is the only non-Christian in
This is not just another book on tithing. Randy Alcorn outlines how financial stewardship is central to our spiritual lives. He has an amazing testimony how he has lived it out in his own life. It is a quick read and leaves you reflecting on your own spiritual walk, not just about money.
This book tells many stories of everyday people, going about their day, but obeying the leading of God. Elisa describes how she felt overwhelmed watching the news with all the tragedy, and wondering what could she do that would matter. She can't cure cancer, or HIV or end world hunger. But what if she did what SHE could at that moment she saw a nee
unPLANNED by Abby Johnson
05/14/11
unPlanned is the true story of Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood leader. It is an honest, brave look at how a young woman comes to be deceived about abortion and God's mighty redemptive power. There is more to both sides of the story than we see in the news. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to educate themselves on this important topic. I
Blood Covenant
03/16/11
Blood Covenant was a most unlikely book for me to read. I mean really, it’s about a mob boss turned Christian and I didn’t even watch all of the Godfather movies! I actually met the author, Michael Franzese, when I went to hear him speak at a local church, which made me want to read his book. Apparently, leaving the mob lifestyle alive is unheard of, but Michael Franzese did i
Her Mother's Hope and Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers explore the complexity of mother-daughter relationships. In Her Mother's Hope, Rivers begins the story of Marta, a girl with dreams and a mother who tells her to fly.
Jesus Calling
02/9/11
I was going to wait until the end of the year to write about this book, but it is simply too good. In fact, it is the BEST daily devotional book I've ever seen. Every day it holds a nugget of truth so applicable to my life that I suspect the author of coming in at night, writing the page, and stuffing it in between the covers of the book just so I'll be encouraged or challenged the
When loss or tragedy hits, catching us off-guard (which it always does), the questions start. Where is God? Does He know what’s happening? Does He care? What, if anything, is He doing in and through this?
The Butterfly Effect
01/12/11
When a butterfly flaps it's wings does it have an effect on the wind currents around the world? Turns out, it does, just as our lives have an effect on those who follow after us. The Butterfly Effect is a beautiful little gift book that packs a powerful punch when you apply its hypothesis to your own life. You will see how every person has a purpose, no matter h
Without a Trace
01/12/11
If you love a good mystery, you'll love this book. Without a Trace is set in the small town of Rock Harbor in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Bree Nichols and her search-and-rescue dog, Samson, spend hours scouring the wilderness to locate the remains of a plane crash involving her son and husband. Samson is really the hero in this book and the th
The Traveler's Gift
07/19/10
The Traveler's Gift is considered a novel but it is so much more. Author Andy Andrews fills the pages with history, inspiration, challenges, and a whole lot of truth.
Extraordinary explains that we are “meant for more.” We are called to do extraordinary things through God’s grace. Saturated with scripture, John Bevere challenges readers to move away
Execution is a cutting-edge resource that provides strategic solutions to implementing the right people into the operations process. The book will challenge how a leader integrates clear comm