Addition: Review e-book from Netgalley

Genre: Gift Book

Rating: 4 out 5

Synopsis:

Is there any greater gift than knowing you are loved?

Through quotes and Scriptures, You Are Loved explores the unfathomable love of God and the beauty of human love when it is modeled after the Creator’s. Each page will touch the hearts of the recipients with the assurance that they indeed are cherished—during the pleasant times and the difficult times.

Share the sentiment that “The one who is filled with love is filled with God Himself.” Or realize the depths of God’s love with such verses as 1 John 3:1: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (NKJV)  The book’s clean and classic design lends itself to being a part of the décor as a daily reminder of a loved one’s affections.

This is a small, beautifully put together gift book that I think will encourage and uplift others. It is 64 pages long and full of quotes about love. There are quotes from the Bible, quotes from famous Christians and quotes from anonymous sources.

I received this as a review book from NetGalley. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I clicked on it, but I was drawn by the title because one of the things I want to grow in personally is God’s love, and I enjoy reading and learning about it, as well as experiencing it. The version I received as a review book I downloaded to my Kindle, but to be honest this doesn’t work as a Kindle book. The quotes are on beautiful backgrounds which just get lost on the Kindle. I read this on my computer and visually it was much more pleasing.

I enjoyed this little book. At first I thought, what is this going to be like? But as I kept reading the quotes I felt encouraged and I could think of others who would like and appreciate this little nugget of truth. I think this would make a lovely gift and I think this will really bless many people.

I haven’t blogged or read as much this year because in September 2010 I started a full time job so I haven’t had as much time to read and spend on the blog. In 2010 I read 126 books and in 2009 I read 145. A list of my past reading can be found here. This year, I have only read 57 – not at all bad, but not nearly as many as past years! Here are some of my favourites:

The Woods by Harlon Coben

Paul Copeland’s sister went missing twenty years ago. Now raising a daughter alone, Cope balances family life with a career as a prosecutor. But when a homicide victim is found with evidence linking him to Cope, the well-buried secrets of the past are threatening everything. Is this body one of the campers who disappeared with his sister? Could his sister be alive…? Confronting his past, Cope must decide what is better left hidden in the dark and what truths can be brought to light…

I really enjoyed this thriller – was happy to give it 5 out of 5.

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

A long lost letter arrives in the post and Edie Burchill finds herself on a journey to Milderhurst Castle, a great but moldering old house, where the Blythe spinsters live and where her mother was billeted 50 years before as a 13 year old child during WWII. The elder Blythe sisters are twins and have spent most of their lives looking after the third and youngest sister, Juniper, who hasn’t been the same since her fiance jilted her in 1941.

Inside the decaying castle, Edie begins to unravel her mother’s past. But there are other secrets hidden in the stones of Milderhurst, and Edie is about to learn more than she expected. The truth of what happened in ‘the distant hours’ of the past has been waiting a long time for someone to find it.

Morton once again enthralls readers with an atmospheric story featuring unforgettable characters beset by love and circumstance and haunted by memory, that reminds us of the rich power of storytelling

My review of this book is to come, but this was a gripping historical novel. It was long but very enjoyable. It was easy to give it 5/5.

The Summer House by Mary Nichols

A secret love that will haunt a family for ever England 1918. Lady Helen believes her parents when they say she will never find a better husband than Richard, but when he returns to the Front, she begins to wonder just who it is she has married. His letters home are cold and distant – and Helen realises that she has made a terrible mistake. Then Oliver Donovan enters her life and they begin an affair that leaves Helen pregnant and alone – she is forced to surrender her precious baby. Over twenty years pass and a second war is ravaging Europe, but that is not the only echo of the past to haunt the present. Laura Drummond is caught in a tragic love affair of her own and when she is forced to leave London during the Blitz, she turns to the mother she never knew.

This is another historical fiction novel that I really enjoyed! Set during both World Wars it follows two women who get caught in love affairs and fall pregnant, both outside of marriage. What they don’t realise is they are mother and daughter! I haven’t written this review yet but it will be rated 5/5 as I really enjoyed it!

The Glass Painters Daughter by Rachel Hore

A wonderful novel set in a hidden part of Westminster, steeped in the Victorian past, full of gothic churches and secret garden squares…

I was surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. I really enjoy Rachel Hore novels but I’ve never rated any of them 5/5 until this one! The book is set in London, both in our time and in Victorian times, following the fortunes of one family and one shop. This is another historical novel and also a romance novel, and I loved it! Review is to come.

God Knows my Name by Beth Redman

In this powerful and deeply vulnerable book, Beth Redman writes to pass along a message that changed her life—that the God who made us also understands us intimately. He hears our cries and reaches out in love to help us and fight for us. He’s always at work shaping our character. And no matter what others do, He will never, ever leave or forget us. Drawing on Scripture and her own experience, Redman invites us to explore the revolutionary implications of being loved by a God who knows our name. And she invites us to call on His name as well—to respond to His heart and love Him as He has loved us from the beginning.

This book was given to me as a gift and I found it so helpful. I was facing something tough and this book was clear and helpful and let me see God and be comforted that He knows me and is looking out for me.I’m thankful for this present and can’t rate this book highly enough. The review is to come but I can easily rate this 5/5.

Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan

Ever dreamed of starting over?

Issy Randall can bake. No, more than that – Issy can create stunning, mouth-wateringly divine cakes. After a childhood spent in her beloved Grampa Joe’s bakery she has undoubtedly inherited his talent. So when she’s made redundant from her safe but dull City job, Issy decides to seize the moment and open up her own café. It should be a piece of cake, right?

Wrong. As her friends point out, she has trouble remembering where she left her house keys, let alone trying to run her own business. But Issy is determined. Armed with recipes posted to her from Grampa, and with her local bank manager fighting her corner, Issy attempts to prove everyone wrong. Following your dreams is never easy and this is no exception. Can Issy do it?

This is the first Jenny Colgan novel I have read and I loved it! I was drawn by the cover and the title and very glad I took this out the library. The book had a great storyline and it had recipes – bonus! The review is to come but it will be glowing – I really enjoyed this book. Another 5/5!

I’m a born-again Christian. I asked Jesus into my life at the age of 8, and I can tell you, I have seen some remarkable things happen – in my life and in others. However I never really got into the Bible. I loved the Gospels, and had read most of Paul’s letters, but the Old Testament daunted me. The books were long, sometimes full of Laws I didn’t understand, wars between nations I couldn’t pronounce and so on. I’d read Genesis, lots of Psalms and some Proverbs – as well as Esther and Ruth, but not the others. But I have to say, two things changed for me this month:

1. I learnt about the Old Testament: about the history, its geography, key figures, and where the prophets are chronologically. I found a great diagram for this:
2. I downloaded an audio Bible. There are several places where you can do this, but I used this site. This will not replace my physical Bible, but it is great because I can listen to Bible while doing things such as getting dressed.

For me, this has not been a good month for reading – I haven’t been well and now I’m working I’m really busy, however I have read several books of the Bible that I hadn’t read before. To me, that is more important as it is helping me in Christian growth and my walk with God.

There are some books that I have which have helped unpack the Old Testament, and have helped me see Jesus in those books:

• Let’s Read the Old Testament by Raymond Edmund Brown
• How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Fee and Stuart
• The Bible Jesus Read by Philip Yancey
• The Ancient Love Song by Charles D. Drew

I saw these questions over at The Diary of a Domestic Goddess, and thought I would answer them too!

1. Who is your all-time favourite author, and why?

My favourite all time author is Roald Dahl. I love his books. They gave me hours of entertainment when I was small, and now keep me entertained as an adult. I’m currently re-reading James and the Giant Peach, and I’m laughing, and I’m gripped, and I love the illustrations by Quentin Blake. I don’t think it is possible to be too old to enjoy Roald Dahl, I love him.

2. Who was your first favourite author, and why?  Do you still consider him or her among your favourites?

Enid Blyton. I loved everything of hers that I read. I loved The Magic Faraway Tree, and remember my Mum reading that to me and my brother – and the Secret Seven, the Famous Five, Mallory Towers…the list goes on. I loved them all! I always found myself wanting to live in those books! I haven’t read any of these books in a long time, but I really want to – I’m sure I would still love them. I think I would still put Enid Elyton as a favourite author because of the memories I have of reading her books and really enjoying them.

3. Who’s the most recent addition to your list of favourite authors, and why?

Sarah Dessen. I discovered her when I was blogging about young adult books. Every one of her books that I have read I have loved. I found her gripping, entertaining, touching, realistic and just fantastic. I read Just Listen first and it blew me away. I haven’t found a bad book by her yet – thankfully!

4. If someone asked you who your favourite authors were right now, which authors would first pop out of your mouth?  Are there any you’d add on a moment of further reflection?

Terry Pratchett, CS Lewis, Sarah Dessen, Erica James, Wendy Virgo, Philippa Gregory, Roald Dahl. After some thought… Enid Blyton, Ben Elton, Dorothy Koomson, Beatrix Potter, A A Milne, Mark Driscoll, Debbie Macomber, Elizabeth Noble, Nicholas Sparks, Sophie Kinsella, Stephanie Meyer, JK Rowling, Andrew Wilson and Jane Austen I think.

5. Which “unknown” author do you recommend to people most often?

Probably Wendy Virgo. She writes theology books, mainly for women and I love her. I wrote a Recommended Author post about her. The books are easy to read, engaging and for me, life changing. I think everyone should read her books.

Addition: Borrowed!

Genre: Christian Biography

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

Smith Wigglesworth was an uneducated, straight-talking Yorkshire lad, who never fully mastered the art of reading or writing. One day, in a small Methodist chapel, he heard God’s call and immediately began the work of challenging all those he met to “only believe”. In the subsequent 50 years he was to become a figurehead for the growing Pentecostal Movement, leading missions all over the world.
In this book, the author tells the story of this passionate man of God whose unquestioning faith and powerful ministry is a source of inspiration for many even in the 21st century.

God uses people in many different ways. In 1 Corinthians 7:7 Paul states that we all have been given different Spiritual gifts. For Smith Wigglesworth, his main gifting was healing. In the biography, Baptised by Fire the author, Jack Hywel-Davies looks at Wigglesworth’s life and his ministry. Wigglesworth had a very humble beginning as his parents were extremely poor. They did not know God, but that did not stop Smith longing for Him:

“I can never recollect a time when I did not long for God. Even though neither father nor mother knew God, I was always seeking Him. I would often kneel down in the field, and ask Him to help me. I would ask Him especially to enable me to find where the birds’ nests were, and after I had prayed I seemed to have an instinct to know exactly where to look.”

When the Wigglesworth family moved to Bradford, Smith joined the Salvation Army. It was here that he learnt more about God and entered a deepened his relationship with Him. It was in 1894 that Smith first encountered the Holy Spirit. After such a powerful encounter Smith’s ministry and life were changed. Beforehand, all he had done was lay hands on people and pray for healing and his wife had done all the teaching. However, after his encounter with God Smith lost all fear of public speaking and began to do the teaching himself.

His healing ministry began at home, when one morning two of his children were sick, so he prayed for them. From there God started to work in him, and he healed all sorts of conditions. His approach to healing is definitely unique. Smith viewed all illness as from the devil, so it needed to be cast out and dealt with appropriately. He would often be physical with the inflicted, and there have been reports of him punching people in the stomach and neck to make the illness leave! This gifting meant that his ministry stretched all over the world.

What I loved most about Wigglesworth was his motto: “Fear watches, faith jumps”. I found that a challenge for my life: I need to have faith, take risks and fully believe in God. There were however, aspects of his theology that I disagree with. He believed that you should only pray for something once – if you pray more than that then you lack faith. However, this is not Biblically correct. In Ephesians 6:18 Paul says:

“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication”

What he means is that you need to be persistent in your prayers, even praying regularly for one particular thing. I was unsure about Wigglesworth’s technique for healing – I don’t think I would like someone to punch me in the stomach if I had a stomach ulcer! Reading about his views on illness has made me want to look into healing more, to see if his belief that all illness is demonic is correct, and if his approach was right.

I picked up this book because a friend recommended it, and often talks about Wigglesworth’s ministry. I found this book really easy to read and very enjoyable. I loved reading about what God can do in someone’s life, how the Holy Spirit can use and change someone and I loved reading about revival and the breakout of God in cities and nations.I found this book challenging, because I want to encounter God with the same intensity as Wigglesworth, and I want God to use me in powerful ways. This is definitely a must-read book for Christians, as reading biographies can help them in their walk with God, and this is a powerful story of how God used a poor, barely educated man from Yorkshire to do great things.

This is a new feature I will regularly do on my blog.

The author I am recommending is:

Wendy Virgo

Wendy is a gifted writer, a great theologian and a wonderful teacher. She has written many books over the years, most of which I have had the pleasure of reading. And yes, even though her books are full of Biblical truths, they are pleasurable reading. Her writing takes on many shapes: in books such as The Prophetess she is simply interpreting the Bible story of Deborah and retelling events in her own words; and yet Life Issues looks at Titus 2: 2-5 and examines how this passage of the Bible can practically help women today.

I never have a bad word to say about Wendy’s writing. She is easy to follow and understand, and she is engaging and interesting. I love reading her books and cannot wait until I pick up another by her. Her book Mary: The Mother of Jesus was the first theology book I read, at the mere age of 15 and loved it. She is an author I seek out and hope that she writes more! Her books are also books that I would happily read again because I have found her teaching so helpful to my walk with God. I don’t think I can recommend her highly enough – especially as I know she is a humble, loving person as well. If you can, investigate her books, and read them!

These are all the books she has written (links will take you to my review):

• Sarah: Mother of a Nation
• Mary: The Mother of Jesus
• Leading Ladies
• Mainly for Mothers
• Women Set Free
• The Prophetess
• Influential Women
• Life Issues

Addition: review paperback

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Christian Theology

Synopsis:

Some of the most powerful stories from the Bible will come alive for today’s readers through these inspiring selections from the writings of Max Lucado. Max provides a compelling look at the most high-impact moments in the biblical narrative, drawn from his previous 20+ years of writing.

At the end of each chapter will be study guide questions so the reader can go deeper into this scripture.

Extraordinary stories are told about the following characters:

Mary, Peter, Matthew, Joseph, Nicodemus, Woman at the Well, David, Esther, Job, The Samaritan Woman, John, Rich Young Man.

And more

I received this book from BookSneeze, and am glad I did. A long review is not needed for this book, as instead of one long story, Max Lucado looks at a range of different people from the Bible. Every chapter and point Lucado makes he backs up with Bible verses. It is clear from this book that he is man who knows his Bible well.

The first thing to notice is the beautiful cover. Every time I saw it I was drawn to the book. It is a gorgeous picture, full of colour and it just compelled me to read this book. Another great feature of this book is the short chapters. When I read theology books I worry that the chapters will be long and my concentration lost. This did not happen with Cast of Characters. Every chapter is only a few pages long. Lucado gets straight to the point and uses language which is simple and clear. He retells the story with modern twists, so we can see how they can be relevant to us today, and draws out what God is telling us. I found this helpful and made the book more readable.

There is not one chapter that sticks out more than the rest; all were helpful. I read this book with a notepad and Bible next to me, so I could check out the verses Lucado uses and note down what he teaches us. This was a great book that taught me a lot. I have already recommended this book to others, and it is a book I will keep and read again. Even if you aren’t a Christian and don’t fancy theology, this is a good book to dip into; it is well worth reading for everyone.

Synopsis:

In this book, Wendy the wife of Newfrontiers founder Terry, has taken the words of Paul in Titus 2v2-5 as inspiration for a series of practical discussions for women on Biblical principles about building healthy marriages, homes and families. The book is ideal for personal study and also as a tool for use in small groups of older and younger women sharing together.

A short review for a short book I think all is needed. In this book Wendy hones in on a couple of verses in Titus to give women advice on how to be all we can be. She looks at a whole range of areas of life – from work to marriage to motherhood. Wendy is very wise and Godly and this shows through in this short book. So many issues are addressed in a coherent, sensible and un-patronising way. At the end of every chapter and section there are questions to ponder or Bible verses to look up. This interaction is helpful and helps on connect with the book and with what Wendy is saying. I read this is a day and it will be a book that I go back to again and again. It was helpful, short and easy to read. As a Christian woman I found this very useful.

This book does exactly what it says in the title: it gives fifty reasons why Jesus came to die. Using the New Testament John Piper explores the many reasons why Jesus not only came to Earth, but chose to die too. Many books have been written surrounding Jesus Christ, and most of the well known ones argue that Jesus and the Bible are nonsense. This book is authored by a man who is a well-known author and pastor, and who believes completely in the Bible (and yes as an aside, I have to say I agree with him). I think it is important not to dismiss this book because the guy believes in God – give it a go like you would a book by Philip Pullman.

This book is easy to read and cut down into short chapters. Every chapter is based on what it says in the Bible. As a Christian I found this a really useful book and well worth reading. If you like this, it is worth noting that a lot of Piper’s books are available online for free. I have found his books useful and would recommend him for his theology, intelligence and his books. This is really worth getting hold of – it explores why Jesus came to die in a Biblical and coherent way.

This novel is the re-telling of the prophetess Deborah, who is the fourth prophet in the book of Judges in the Bible. She features in from chapter 4 to chapter 6 of Judges.

Deborah is a Jew who is living in a time where God is forgotten. She hasn’t forgotten Him though and often sits under a palm tree praying and listening to God. She hears from Him that it is time to go to war, and she takes this to Barak, leader of the army. With God on their side they defeat their oppressors and the Jews move back into relationship with God.

Wendy will be the first to say that she used creative license although she did base this on the account in Judges. She writes great stories and great books. Deborah is portrayed as a real woman who I could easily empathise with. She faces many challenges, such as losing her husband. It is a good story for Christian women: it shows that women can get close to God and have important roles to play. The message is that women are just as important as men, they just have a different role.

This was an easy read. I was gripped and wanted to keep reading. Virgo writes really well and I find her books really readable and well worth my time.