I just finished reading, Love Your Heart, written by Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas. This is the second book in a children's series by the famous country singer. This story is about a little girl named Katie who cannot decide on what talent to perform at her school's talent show. She shows her different talents to her dad with humorous results. When the time comes for the talent show, Katie finds a unselfish way to show off her talent at being a caring friend.
I enjoyed reading this book. I tried to read it with my daughter but she is only 18 months and did not sit to read it with me. I thought the story was very sweet and I liked how it taught such a positive message about friendship and giving unselfishly to others. Katie was a very realistic and like able character. I really enjoyed her interactions with her dog and the silly messes she created. I think all parents can relate to how fast children can accidentally make a big mess. The illustrations were beautiful and eye catching.
My only critique of the story was that it was a bit cheesy at times. It was very sweet how much love was displayed between Katie and her dad but it sounded a little fake at times. I also found the text size and font printed in the book to be somewhat distracting. The words would change size and I found it slightly odd.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Book Review: Plain Pursuit
I just finished reading the wonderful Christian romance titled, Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman. It is the story of a journalist named Carley who travels to Amish Country to visit her friend, Lillian, who has recently joined the Amish faith. Carley is looking for a vacation to rediscover herself and the chance at a great article about Amish living. During her visit, Lillian's stepson becomes ill and Carley begins to fall for his doctor, Noah. Noah was raised Amish and was shunned but he Amish community. Carley is forced to take a new look at her life and relationships with friends and God to decide where to go next.
I really enjoyed this book. After reading it, I discovered it was the second book in a three book series. I immediately reserved the other books at my local library. I really enjoyed the whole series and finished each book in a matter of days. It is easy, joyful reading that makes you long for a simpler life full of love, family, and faith. The characters were very like able and realistic. The details into the culture and traditions of the Amish life were very intriguing and were represented in a positive, respectful manner. My only complain with this book is that it can be somewhat cheesy at times but overall is a very well-written moving love story.
I really enjoyed this book. After reading it, I discovered it was the second book in a three book series. I immediately reserved the other books at my local library. I really enjoyed the whole series and finished each book in a matter of days. It is easy, joyful reading that makes you long for a simpler life full of love, family, and faith. The characters were very like able and realistic. The details into the culture and traditions of the Amish life were very intriguing and were represented in a positive, respectful manner. My only complain with this book is that it can be somewhat cheesy at times but overall is a very well-written moving love story.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Book review: Jack Daniel's Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook
I recently read the book, Jack Daniel's Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook Volume 1, by Lynne Tolley and Pat Mitchamore. This book is not you everyday, average cookbook. It is so much more than that. It features recipes traditional to the Southern United States but is also filled with numerous historical stories and facts. The book explains about the culture and traditions associate with cooking in the South.
I really enjoyed reading this cookbook. The stories are heartwarming and interesting.I really enjoyed reading the stories about Miss Mary Bobo's boarding house. The recipes all sound delicious. My favorite that I have prepared so far is the Wash Day Casserole. It turned out great. I also like that some recipes incorporate Jack Daniels, while other do not. That way families who do not cook with alcohol can still use this cookbook.
My concern with the book is that the recipes are jammed together very closely on each page and there are not pictures of the recipes prepared. I love looking through cookbooks at the pictures to see which recipes look really delicious and also as a reference to what the recipe should look like.
I highly recommend this cookbook to everyone.
I really enjoyed reading this cookbook. The stories are heartwarming and interesting.I really enjoyed reading the stories about Miss Mary Bobo's boarding house. The recipes all sound delicious. My favorite that I have prepared so far is the Wash Day Casserole. It turned out great. I also like that some recipes incorporate Jack Daniels, while other do not. That way families who do not cook with alcohol can still use this cookbook.
My concern with the book is that the recipes are jammed together very closely on each page and there are not pictures of the recipes prepared. I love looking through cookbooks at the pictures to see which recipes look really delicious and also as a reference to what the recipe should look like.
I highly recommend this cookbook to everyone.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Book Review: A Man of His Word
I was pleasantly surprised with the book A Man of His Word, by Kathleen Fuller. This book is about an Amish woman named Moriah who is marrying her childhood crush Levi. Levi has an identical twin named Gabriel. Gabriel has always been secretly in love with Moriah but refused to stand in the way of his brother's and Moriah's love for one another. When Levi abandons Moriah, Gabriel feels the burden left by his brother and tries to step in to care for Moriah. Gabriel stops at nothing to prove to Moriah his devotion and love for her. Moriah is terrified to give her heart again after feeling so betrayed by her husband.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I am a total sucker for love stories so this was right up my alley. When I began reading this book, I thought the first chapter or two were slow reading and I didn't get drawn into the plot right away. Once I read through more of the book, I was hooked. I stayed up all night to finish the story. I really enjoyed the love story between Moraih and Gabriel. I could feel the love and angst that Gabriel felt for Moriah. The feelings the author envokes in the reader is very powerful. Kathleen fuller is a very talented storyteller.
I actually found the story between Tobias and Rachel to be my favorite part of the book. Tobias is Moriah's sister and Rachel is a member of their Amish community. I loved their teasing nature with one another and the obvious unspoken passion. I almost wish the entire book had been devoted to their story.
While I am not a very religious person, I found the religious aspect to the story very heartwarming and I felt it really added to the love between the characters. The devotion and faith they had in god and his ability to see them through their challenges really helped to make me get to know the characters and feel their emotions with them.
I would defiantly recommend A Man of His Word to readers who enjoy a good romance. It is a story about love, family, faith, and never giving up hope.
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595548122&title=A-Man-of-His-Word&author=Kathleen-Fuller
I really enjoyed reading this book. I am a total sucker for love stories so this was right up my alley. When I began reading this book, I thought the first chapter or two were slow reading and I didn't get drawn into the plot right away. Once I read through more of the book, I was hooked. I stayed up all night to finish the story. I really enjoyed the love story between Moraih and Gabriel. I could feel the love and angst that Gabriel felt for Moriah. The feelings the author envokes in the reader is very powerful. Kathleen fuller is a very talented storyteller.
I actually found the story between Tobias and Rachel to be my favorite part of the book. Tobias is Moriah's sister and Rachel is a member of their Amish community. I loved their teasing nature with one another and the obvious unspoken passion. I almost wish the entire book had been devoted to their story.
While I am not a very religious person, I found the religious aspect to the story very heartwarming and I felt it really added to the love between the characters. The devotion and faith they had in god and his ability to see them through their challenges really helped to make me get to know the characters and feel their emotions with them.
I would defiantly recommend A Man of His Word to readers who enjoy a good romance. It is a story about love, family, faith, and never giving up hope.
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595548122&title=A-Man-of-His-Word&author=Kathleen-Fuller
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Book Review: Read and Share Toddler Bible
I recently received to read and review The Read and Share Toddler Bible with bible stories retold by Gwen Ellis and illustrated by Steve Smallman. I was very impressed with this children's book. First, I must say it is a great idea. Children love hearing about bible stories but hearing them read aloud from an actual bible can be hard to understand and follow along. This stories are shortened and summarized using child friendly vocabulary and concepts. I loved the story about Adam and Eve and the Sneaky Snake. In this story, God tells them that eating fruit off a certain tree is a "no-no". I loved the use of the phrase "no-no", because so many of us parents use it on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. I think children can relate to this vocabulary better than telling them it is a forbidden tree.
I read this book in segments to my 11 month old daughter. She really just wanted to play with the pages but overall enjoyed our time reading it together. I think this book will be a great opportunity for us to read and bond together as she grows up. I prefer to read her books that are educational or have moral values. I love concept of taking bible stories and making them into short children's stories. This is exactly the type of reading material I enjoy sharing with her. I wish the book could have had pages made of cardboard so my daughter could read it alone, otherwise she will tear out the pages. I realize this is unreasonable for such a long children's book, but I have to criticize something about it.
I really enjoyed the illustrations by Steve Smallman. They are beautifully colorful and detailed. My daughter kept touching the pictures on each page as we were reading it. The people in the pictures have a cartoon like quality about them that make them more fun and appealing to children while they still look like real people with historical significance.
I definitely recommend this book for children.
I read this book in segments to my 11 month old daughter. She really just wanted to play with the pages but overall enjoyed our time reading it together. I think this book will be a great opportunity for us to read and bond together as she grows up. I prefer to read her books that are educational or have moral values. I love concept of taking bible stories and making them into short children's stories. This is exactly the type of reading material I enjoy sharing with her. I wish the book could have had pages made of cardboard so my daughter could read it alone, otherwise she will tear out the pages. I realize this is unreasonable for such a long children's book, but I have to criticize something about it.
I really enjoyed the illustrations by Steve Smallman. They are beautifully colorful and detailed. My daughter kept touching the pictures on each page as we were reading it. The people in the pictures have a cartoon like quality about them that make them more fun and appealing to children while they still look like real people with historical significance.
I definitely recommend this book for children.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
New Book Review
I recently read Jungle Jack's The Wackiest, Wildest, and Weirdest Animals in the World by Jack Hanna. I have to say it was a fabulous, entertaining piece of non-fiction. My husband and I sat for hours reading through the book and discussing all the interesting facts about each unique animal. I loved how educational it was. There were animals in this book that I have never even heard of, let alone seen pictures and know details about. This is a great book for children to read because they will really enjoy all the fun facts about these strange animals.
The book is organized by putting a different animal on each page. Each page contains pictures of the animal and neat facts and trivia. I found the layout and structure of the book to be very easy to follow and very read friendly to children. I have a baby at home so I don't get a lot of time to sit and read uninterrupted but I was able to stop when I finished reading about one animal and pick up where I left off next time. This will again keep children interested in reading because they can easily follow through the book and pick which animals they feel like reading about.
I really enjoyed the pictures in the book. They were colorful and detailed. I have never seen a picture of a Naked Mole Rat and I loved seeing how ugly they are. There were a couple of pictures that I would have liked to be more focused and detailed. I am terrified of snakes and the picture of the anaconda gave me goosebumps.
Jack Hanna wrote an educational, interesting, and surprising book that will fascinate children and adults alike. I was extremely pleased with this book and recommend to all animal lovers. Hanna really found some wacky, wild, and weird animals to share with us.
For more information visit.
http://brb.thomasnelson.com/blogger/resources/57
The book is organized by putting a different animal on each page. Each page contains pictures of the animal and neat facts and trivia. I found the layout and structure of the book to be very easy to follow and very read friendly to children. I have a baby at home so I don't get a lot of time to sit and read uninterrupted but I was able to stop when I finished reading about one animal and pick up where I left off next time. This will again keep children interested in reading because they can easily follow through the book and pick which animals they feel like reading about.
I really enjoyed the pictures in the book. They were colorful and detailed. I have never seen a picture of a Naked Mole Rat and I loved seeing how ugly they are. There were a couple of pictures that I would have liked to be more focused and detailed. I am terrified of snakes and the picture of the anaconda gave me goosebumps.
Jack Hanna wrote an educational, interesting, and surprising book that will fascinate children and adults alike. I was extremely pleased with this book and recommend to all animal lovers. Hanna really found some wacky, wild, and weird animals to share with us.
For more information visit.
http://brb.thomasnelson.com/blogger/resources/57
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Book Review: The Rivers Run Dry
I was pleasantly surprised by the book, The Rivers Run Dry, by Sibella Giorello. I do not normally read books from the suspense genre but I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down.
The book is about an FBI agent named Raleigh Harmon who has been relocated to Seattle. She lives with her mother and aunt, who are both fabulous characters in the story. I can picture these women in my mind and I love the eccentricities they bring to the story. She is investigating the disappearance of a woman. The crime unfolds into a unpredictable and suspenseful story. I consider myself pretty good and predicting the end of books, but this one was hard to guess. I loved that the book was suspenseful and chilling, without being gruesome or overly graphic.
I would have loved for their to be a bit of romance in the plot. Raleigh is such a like able character and I am a sucker for a love story. I also felt some of the interactions with Raleigh and the other FBI agents were somewhat cliche and predictable.
I think that Sibella Giorello is a very talented author who has a bright literary career ahead of her. I look forward to reading additional novels written by her. I would love to see Raleigh turned into a series.
Here is a link to more information about this book
http://brb.thomasnelson.com/blogger/resources/48
The book is about an FBI agent named Raleigh Harmon who has been relocated to Seattle. She lives with her mother and aunt, who are both fabulous characters in the story. I can picture these women in my mind and I love the eccentricities they bring to the story. She is investigating the disappearance of a woman. The crime unfolds into a unpredictable and suspenseful story. I consider myself pretty good and predicting the end of books, but this one was hard to guess. I loved that the book was suspenseful and chilling, without being gruesome or overly graphic.
I would have loved for their to be a bit of romance in the plot. Raleigh is such a like able character and I am a sucker for a love story. I also felt some of the interactions with Raleigh and the other FBI agents were somewhat cliche and predictable.
I think that Sibella Giorello is a very talented author who has a bright literary career ahead of her. I look forward to reading additional novels written by her. I would love to see Raleigh turned into a series.
Here is a link to more information about this book
http://brb.thomasnelson.com/blogger/resources/48
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