My Own Personal Book Club

The Long Way Home By Andrew Klavan

2010-08-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

Charlie West is back in Andrew Klavan's The Long Way Home. The sequel to the first book, The Last Thing I Remember, follows Charlie West as he runs from not only the cops, but a group of terrorists known as The Homelanders.

Charlie is desperate to clear his name and get answers to an entire year of lost memories. He heads back to his home town, where it all began. There he runs into some old friends as well as a girlfriend that he can't remember. Believing he's innocent, they try to help him get the answers he wants and the memories he lost.

This action-packed book is also full of Christian and conservative themes. I didn't find it to be overly preachy, but could definitely tell it was there. If you want to give your teenager an exciting book with good morals instead of the sexuality and violence being fed to our kids this is the book for you.

Disclaimer: I received a free book through Thomas Nelson Publishing's Book Sneeze program for bloggers. My opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any other way

Saving Cicadas by Nicole Seitz

2010-01-12T11:52:00.000-08:00

"It was about four years ago, the last trip we ever took together--my mother, sister, grandparents and me. Course, we didn't know it at the time. You never know something like that, like it's the last one you'll ever get, till it's just a memory, hanging like mist. This is what happened that summer, true as I can tell it. Not a one of us was ever the same."

Saving Cicadas is a book unlike any book that I've ever read. It's the story of a single mother, Priscilla Macy, who learns she has become pregnant with a third child. She packs her family, 8 year old Janie, 17 year old Rainey who has Down Syndrome, Mom Mona, and Father Poppy, into the car and begins a journey of searching for answers, and for the father of her children who got on his motorcycle one day and left them alone.

The story is told by Priscilla's youngest daughter, 8 year old Janie, who is wise beyond her years and Grandmother Mona, who is Priscilla's mother. It's a little bit difficult at times to differentiate between the two narrators, but it didn't take away from the story for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a very quick read for me, mostly because I couldn't put it down. There's a bit of a surprise twist at the end that you'll have to read to find out.

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.

From Peanuts to the Pressbox

2009-11-25T17:20:00.000-08:00

In this behind-the-scenes look at sports broadcasting Eli Gold tells how a kid from Brooklyn, New York, went from selling peanuts at Madison Square Garden to being one of the most recognizable voices in all of radio sports broadcasting.

I got the opportunity to review From Peanuts to the Pressbox through the Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers network. I have to admit, I had never heard of Eli Gold before I picked up this book. I realize that may sound blasphemous to many sports fans, but I have only been watching sports for a few years. Regardless, I really enjoyed this book. Eli Gold's story is one of ambition and determination.

From Peanuts to the Pressbox is filled with heartfelt memories, and funny anecdotes. Gold has a way of really making you feel like you are right there with him through it all. Not only will your favorite sports fan love this book, but don't be afraid to pick it up even if you're not a huge fan!

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.

Once in a Blue Moon

2009-11-17T16:39:00.000-08:00

I was given the opportunity to read and review this book by the One2One Network.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Diary, comes a new, emotionally charged family drama, focusing on two sisters and their turbulent lives.

This is a great book about two sisters, torn apart at a young age and put into foster care. The younger sister, Kerri Ann, bounces from family to family and goes down the path of self-destruction just like her mother. The other sister, Lindsay, is adopted into a loving family and grows up to own a bookstore in Blue Moon Bay. After many years they are reunited and work together despite their differences to try and find Kerri Ann's daughter, Bella, who was taken from her much like they were taken from their mother. The characters are very realistic, and you can tell that Goudge has a sister of her own, because she definitely understands the complexity of the relationship. This book will draw you in and won't let you go until you're finished.

Put this one on the gift list for that book-loving lady in your life.

The One2One Network provided me with a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.

The Rivers Run Dry

2009-07-31T13:07:00.000-07:00

It's been far too long since I've reviewed a book. I've been having some issues with my apartment, which you can read about on my main blog. So without further ado, here is my review!

I picked a book called The Rivers Run Dry written by Sibella Giorello. It's the second book about a forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon.

Special Agent Raleigh Harmon is good at her job, but not as good at bureau politics. As one of the few females on the team, she finds herself in a strange land when she's transferred from Richmond to drought-stricken Seattle. When a hiker suddenly goes missing and a ransom note arrives, Raleigh realizes there's no time for transitions. Vowing to find the missing college girl, she must rely on her forensic geology skills to uncover the truth, leaving no stone unturned.

Gritty and poetic, with an evocative sense of place, a quirky cast of characters, a fast-twisting plot, and a compelling, complicated heroine, this superbly crafted mystery will keep you reading compulsively as hope runs short, the clock runs down, and the rivers run dry.

I found it very easy to relate to Raleigh, out of place in a new city, 3000 miles from home. She is a great detective, but not always by-the-book, which lands her in a bit of trouble.

While this is a Christian Fiction book, I did not find that it really went very far into the detail of Raleigh's faith. While it is not overly explained, you still get the subtle message of stability through faith.

All in all I found it to be a book you can really put yourself in. It was suspenseful and thrilling, yet still realistic. A great read!

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.

Another one for the kids

2009-03-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

I got the chance to review another children's DVD. This time it was Volume 1 of The Read and Share DVD bible. What a great way to introduce little ones to the bible! The stories on this DVD are; The Beginning, Adam & Eve, The Flood, Abram, Isaac & Rebekah, Jacob & Esau, Rachel, Jacob & God, John the Baptist, Jesus is Born, Jesus is Tempted, Jesus Love Children, and One Lost Sheep.

My son is three years old, and is quite the sponge. I hear him repeating back everything he sees on television, which is why it's important that I make sure what he watches is appropriate. Since we don't have cable, it's a little easier to do. I was happy to add this to our growing collection of family movies.

I only have one disappointment in this movie. The stories are mostly narrated, and the characters hardly talk at all. While narration is important to keep the story going, I think kids relate better to characters when there is more dialogue.

With that said, I still think this is a great addition to anyone's collection. It's a great way to bring your favorite bible stories to life, and fun for kids and parents alike.

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free DVD to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.

A nice change from the books.

2009-03-04T16:31:00.000-08:00

As a reviewer for Thomas Nelson publishers, I received a new DVD from Max Lucado's Hermie and Friends series. It's called Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure.

Skeeter the mosquito has a crooked nose that causes him all kinds of problems. He has trouble with his sense of direction, and is often poking people accidentally. To make matters worse, his brother, Sinclair, appears to have it all. He has a perfect stinger and is a world-renowned explorer, but he lacks one thing. He can not fly. Together, they use their special talents to hunt for lost treasure with their father's map.

All in all I have to say I enjoyed watching this with my 3 year old son. I don't know if he quite got the message, but he sure did like the bugs. It's based on Psalm 139: Verses 13-14: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." What a great message for kids and adults alike!

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free DVD to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.

Think and Make It Happen

2009-01-25T11:57:00.000-08:00

The full title of this book is Think and Make It Happen: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Overcoming Negative Thoughts, and Discovering Your True Potential. Boy that is a mouthful. But I do have to say that if you picked up this book at a book store, there would be no question as to what is is about.

That said, it took me a little longer than usual to read this one. There are 12 different principles to live by, and each one has it's own full chapter. The Author suggests three different ways to read the book.
...listed below in increasing order of effectiveness:
1. Read it as you would any other book, with a view to increasing your intelligence and wisdom.
2. Read one chapter per week, with a view toward incorporating and living each principle, and then review the principles continually as a lifelong program for change.
3. Work through the twelve principles (one per week) as part of a small group, benefiting from the experiences and interactions of others and the synergy that results...

I personally chose to read it like I would any other book. The Author talks a lot about his studies of the psychology of some of history's greatest men. The one he focuses on in this book is Jesus Christ. However, this is not at all a Religious book, nor does it preach that you must believe in Jesus in order to achieve the results promised. Instead, he looks at Jesus as what he was, a man, and focuses on his actions in that sense. On the negative side, I did feel like The Author was a bit redundant at times. However, in a self-help book such as this one, sometimes it takes reading the same thing several times before your mind actually processes it.

All in all, I think this is a great book. The main message that I seem to get from it is "mind over matter." While, it's never an instant fix, I think this book is a great stepping block for anyone who is in need of a more positive outlook on life. And honestly, the greatest thing about this book is that is can really help anyone, regardless of what your personal problems may be.

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.

The American Patriot's Almanac

2008-12-16T12:51:00.000-08:00

I am really enjoying this next book. The American Patriot's Alamanac - Daily Readings on America. As soon as I got this book I couldn't wait to open it up. First of all, I really love that it's made to look like an old weathered book. I think that it gives it quite a bit of character.

This is a great book for someone who loves History. Especially American History. The book begins on January first with a paragraph about something that happened on that day in history. On January 1st, 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Did you know that? After the paragraph, it tells you a few more highlights that happened on that date as well. I really think that this would be a great book to read each day with your children. If you are homeschooling, it would be great for History lessons. This is definitely a must-have in my family. My son is not old enough to understand it yet, but when he is, you can be sure we'll be reading this book every single day!

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.

In the Shadow of the Sun King

2008-12-09T09:21:00.000-08:00

I am very pleased to kick off this book review blog today with my first book from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

In the Shadow of the Sun King

A Darkness to Light novel (Book 1)

Trade Paper

By Golden Keyes Parsons

Madeleine's shared history with the king holds the key to her family's life...or death.

Seventeenth century France is an unsafe time to be a Huguenot. By order of King Louis XIV, all French Protestants must immediately convert or face imprisonment--or death. The king's dragoons ferret out the nonconformists, pillaging villages and destroying homesteads.

When the king's soldiers descend on the Clavell estate, the family's fate hangs in the balance. Quickly, quietly, they send their two sons into hiding, trusting that the young age of their daughter will guarantee her protection. But the dragoons will not be dissuaded; they hold the manor hostage looking for clues of their guilt or innocence. However, Madeleine Clavell, the lady of the manor, holds a secret--one possible chance to save the family. She and the king share a past.

Once a beautiful young lady in the French court whom Louis loved, Madeleine travels to Versailles to plead for mercy from the fickle king, hoping to regain his favor and save her family. It's a gamble, but she is left with no other choice. Madeleine soon faces an agonizing decision--one that changes her family forever.

I'm very open to all kinds of books, so when I choose a book, I sometimes just look at the cover and just grab it, without knowing much else about it. And that's what I did here. It worked out great, though.

This book takes you on a spiritual journey with a family whom you would like to be your own. The main character, Madeline, is a strong and brave woman who is willing to risk so much to save her family from persecution. But she turns down becoming the King's mistress because of her strong family convictions. When the King orders her estate to be burnt down and her husband and daughter taken away, will she ever see them again?

What I like most about this book is that the author tried to be as historically accurate as possible. The story is based on the author's actual family genealogy, plus historical facts. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about history, and also for anyone who likes a good love story, there's something for everyone. And at the end, there are even discussion questions to use in your book club.

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.