Boy, oh boy has it been a while since I've done a book review. I actually listed this book in my top 3 faith books of 2014 so this is a long time coming! Here it goes:
Restless by Jennie Allen
Ok, so if I'm being honest, it took me a while to get into this one. Once I did get into it though, it really challenged me and got me to reevaluate some aspects of my life, especially my perspective on my schooling and future career.
One of this book's purposes is to guide you in finding the threads (a term she uses a lot throughout the book) in your life that you're passionate about and help you see how these can be used to define your purpose. What the book actually taught me was something a bit different
I sort of went into this book not knowing what I was in for (which may be one of the reasons it took me so long to get into it). I was pretty sure I could name my passions and fit them into what I was (pretty) sure was my purpose. This book - while maybe meant to narrow in on a certain purpose - actually helped me broaden my sense of purpose in a really good way. Often I find that I get too focused on a worldly purpose (ie. my schooling, my future career etc.) and forget my Godly purpose which is to make disciples (see Matthew 28:18-20). Ultimately, I think God can use our wordly purpose as a vehicle for us to interact with unbelievers, but we can't lose sight of the fact that once we're gone our careers (our degrees, our success etc.) won't matter. What will matter is how we glorified God on this earth.
To get back to the book now... I thought that the writing was engaging and thought-provoking. She used a lot of personal stories that really show cased the points she was trying to make, while showing that she wasn't just teaching these ideas but actually learning them in her own life as well. There were also funky little journaling sections which looked fun (although I didn't use them).
I would highly recommend this one to women of any age but I definitely think it's an important topic for teens and young adults to dive into!
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Monday, December 8, 2014
Top 3 Faith Books of 2014
Here's my list of top three faith books for the year (in no particular order)!
1. Restless by Jennie Allen
To be honest, the start of this book took me a loooong time to read. Once I got about halfway, however, the honesty and openness of Ms. Allen's words really drew me in. The book is all finding how your gifts, passions, places and relationships weave together into the purpose that God has given us. The writing was refreshingly honest and powerfully convicting. I would recommend this to anyone who is in a stage of their life where they feel like they are moving but don't know what they are moving towards.
2. Chasing God by Angie Smith
This book was a soul-convicting, life-changing one for me. The openness and friendliness that Ms. Smith writes with drew me into a book that changed my perspective drastically. As the title implies, Ms. Smith writes about how she has spent her life chasing God and why that's not the way to go - why we need to stop living with a faith like that. Her honesty and candor make the words she writes refreshing and convicting all at the same time. I would recommend this to anyone.
3. Loveology by John Mark Comer
This book was a bit of a curve ball for me... It's not a book that I would usually pick up, but the cover and the name definitely intrigued me. Just like the title suggests, the book is a study of Godly and Biblical love - how it applies to marriage, to singleness, to being gay, and everything in between. He carefully unpacks each of these areas in a way that convicts but is still loving. I would recommend this one to anyone over the age of 18, but especially to anyone who is engaged or newly married.
Currently reading: The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst - so far so good!
1. Restless by Jennie Allen
To be honest, the start of this book took me a loooong time to read. Once I got about halfway, however, the honesty and openness of Ms. Allen's words really drew me in. The book is all finding how your gifts, passions, places and relationships weave together into the purpose that God has given us. The writing was refreshingly honest and powerfully convicting. I would recommend this to anyone who is in a stage of their life where they feel like they are moving but don't know what they are moving towards.
2. Chasing God by Angie Smith
This book was a soul-convicting, life-changing one for me. The openness and friendliness that Ms. Smith writes with drew me into a book that changed my perspective drastically. As the title implies, Ms. Smith writes about how she has spent her life chasing God and why that's not the way to go - why we need to stop living with a faith like that. Her honesty and candor make the words she writes refreshing and convicting all at the same time. I would recommend this to anyone.
3. Loveology by John Mark Comer
This book was a bit of a curve ball for me... It's not a book that I would usually pick up, but the cover and the name definitely intrigued me. Just like the title suggests, the book is a study of Godly and Biblical love - how it applies to marriage, to singleness, to being gay, and everything in between. He carefully unpacks each of these areas in a way that convicts but is still loving. I would recommend this one to anyone over the age of 18, but especially to anyone who is engaged or newly married.
Currently reading: The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst - so far so good!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Book lovin'
So, as many of you know I've had to downsize my book collection a little bit because of my current living space. I thought, since I haven't written anything on books lately, I would let you in on the books I brought and why I chose those ones! Basically, mini reviews for books that I love but that aren't all that new.
Book #1 - The Truth About Guys by Chad Eastham
I love this book because it's straight to the point, truthful and - best of all - funny! Chad is a phenomenal writer (I recommend his two other books as well!) and he writes from the heart. Also, he doesn't push getting a boyfriend or anything, the idea that he pushes in all of his books is getting to know Christ and really loving yourself. Without those two things it's impossible to really fall for someone in a healthy situation!
Book #2 - The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
If I had to pick a favourite book, this one would definitely be in the running. Melanie takes a fairytale that we all know and love, Sleeping Beauty, and adds a twist of reality to it. She sets in back in old time Germany and adds a Christian element, which I really appreciate. I really love her writing style as well, and her characters are amazing.
Book #3 - The Bride Backfire by Kelly Eileen Hake
This is book 3 in the series but it's my favourite, and you don't have to read all of the books to get the story in this one. I love of Kelly is able to create characters that are loveable and relatable. She is a very talented writer (so is her mom!).
Book #4 - Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh
Tamara is definitely one of my favourite authors. She has the ability to be incredibly witty in one sentence and then in the next one she can be very deep and spiritual. I love her characters because they are very true to life, and the lessons that her characters learn are also true to life. Though I haven't had the chance to read all of her books yet, I would still recommend reading her books!
Book #5 - The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden
See my review here.
Book #6 - The Princess by Lori Wick
This book has been around for a long time but I hadn't heard of it before a few years ago. I love love love it. The plot is fantastic and it's definitely a page-turner. Beware because you will want to read the whole book in one night because you want to know so badly what happens! She is a great author and I love her characters in this book.
Sadly, this is all the books that I have had the chance to squeeze on the shelf here (as well as some Susie Magazines and LouLou fashion magazines) but I am on the lookout for a good library which means that more review will be coming soon!
Book #1 - The Truth About Guys by Chad Eastham
I love this book because it's straight to the point, truthful and - best of all - funny! Chad is a phenomenal writer (I recommend his two other books as well!) and he writes from the heart. Also, he doesn't push getting a boyfriend or anything, the idea that he pushes in all of his books is getting to know Christ and really loving yourself. Without those two things it's impossible to really fall for someone in a healthy situation!
Book #2 - The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
If I had to pick a favourite book, this one would definitely be in the running. Melanie takes a fairytale that we all know and love, Sleeping Beauty, and adds a twist of reality to it. She sets in back in old time Germany and adds a Christian element, which I really appreciate. I really love her writing style as well, and her characters are amazing.
Book #3 - The Bride Backfire by Kelly Eileen Hake
This is book 3 in the series but it's my favourite, and you don't have to read all of the books to get the story in this one. I love of Kelly is able to create characters that are loveable and relatable. She is a very talented writer (so is her mom!).
Book #4 - Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh
Tamara is definitely one of my favourite authors. She has the ability to be incredibly witty in one sentence and then in the next one she can be very deep and spiritual. I love her characters because they are very true to life, and the lessons that her characters learn are also true to life. Though I haven't had the chance to read all of her books yet, I would still recommend reading her books!
Book #5 - The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden
See my review here.
Book #6 - The Princess by Lori Wick
This book has been around for a long time but I hadn't heard of it before a few years ago. I love love love it. The plot is fantastic and it's definitely a page-turner. Beware because you will want to read the whole book in one night because you want to know so badly what happens! She is a great author and I love her characters in this book.
Sadly, this is all the books that I have had the chance to squeeze on the shelf here (as well as some Susie Magazines and LouLou fashion magazines) but I am on the lookout for a good library which means that more review will be coming soon!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Book Review - Tour de Force
Tour de Force by Elizabeth White
Gillian is a ballerina with talent and she's got the body, the work ethic and the attitude to prove it. When Ballet New York gives her a bit of time off to perform at a festival in her hometown, she jumps on the chance. When she meets Jacob, an ex-BNY dancer, she is confused at what God is doing. As she dives deeper into her role in BNY and works with Jacob on a fantastic idea for a ballet, she can't begin to see what's around the corner. And what is there might shatter her dreams and ambitions forever.
Although I read a lot and have a lot of "favorite" books, when I finished this one for the second time I decided that this one is definitely in my top five. I think that it is a fantastically written book on fear, faith and learning to trust God with your life. I recommend it to anyone, even people who haven't danced before.
Gillian is a ballerina with talent and she's got the body, the work ethic and the attitude to prove it. When Ballet New York gives her a bit of time off to perform at a festival in her hometown, she jumps on the chance. When she meets Jacob, an ex-BNY dancer, she is confused at what God is doing. As she dives deeper into her role in BNY and works with Jacob on a fantastic idea for a ballet, she can't begin to see what's around the corner. And what is there might shatter her dreams and ambitions forever.
Although I read a lot and have a lot of "favorite" books, when I finished this one for the second time I decided that this one is definitely in my top five. I think that it is a fantastically written book on fear, faith and learning to trust God with your life. I recommend it to anyone, even people who haven't danced before.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Book Review - The Rose of Winslow Street
The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden
Libby's summer holiday is interrupted when she and her father find out that her house has been taken over by a family from Romania. Determined to get it back, they quickly head back home. The family, the Dobrescus, are a family full of secret but they seem to have a legitimate claim to the house, which worries Libby and her father. As Libby spends more and more time with the family, she finds herself caught further in the web of what is going on. Could she lose her family by following her heart, or will her need to be loved by her father take her in a different direction?
I absolutely adored this book. Though it was different than her last book (The Lady of Bolton Hill - which was fantabulous!), Elizabeth Camden is such an amazing writer that I enjoyed it even though it was different than what I was expecting. I love her style of writing and how you really get to know the characters. I also found this plot very intriguing and I liked learning a little bit about Romanian history.
Libby's summer holiday is interrupted when she and her father find out that her house has been taken over by a family from Romania. Determined to get it back, they quickly head back home. The family, the Dobrescus, are a family full of secret but they seem to have a legitimate claim to the house, which worries Libby and her father. As Libby spends more and more time with the family, she finds herself caught further in the web of what is going on. Could she lose her family by following her heart, or will her need to be loved by her father take her in a different direction?
I absolutely adored this book. Though it was different than her last book (The Lady of Bolton Hill - which was fantabulous!), Elizabeth Camden is such an amazing writer that I enjoyed it even though it was different than what I was expecting. I love her style of writing and how you really get to know the characters. I also found this plot very intriguing and I liked learning a little bit about Romanian history.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Book Review - The Red Siren
The Red Siren by MaryLu Tyndall
To save her sisters from unwanted marriages Faith decides to embark on a dangerous life of pirating. If she amasses enough money her father will let her and her sisters choose their our mates and this is exactly what Faith plans to do. But when Mr Waite is appointed as their guardian while their father is away Faith's views on life, and love, start to change. Will she leave behind her love of the sea to pursue a different love or will her illegal ways catch up to her?
I love all of Ms Tyndall's books and this one is no exception. Full of drama and plot twists it keeps you guessing the plot until the very end!
To save her sisters from unwanted marriages Faith decides to embark on a dangerous life of pirating. If she amasses enough money her father will let her and her sisters choose their our mates and this is exactly what Faith plans to do. But when Mr Waite is appointed as their guardian while their father is away Faith's views on life, and love, start to change. Will she leave behind her love of the sea to pursue a different love or will her illegal ways catch up to her?
I love all of Ms Tyndall's books and this one is no exception. Full of drama and plot twists it keeps you guessing the plot until the very end!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Book Review - Sixteen Brides
Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson
Caroline is the southern belle widow of a northern soldier. Ruth is the widow of a war hero with a fourteen year old son. Ella was abused by her late husband and is moving out west for the free land so that she can make something of herself, with her mother. Harriet is a mousy woman full of secrets, and Sally is a loud-mouthed uncouth woman with a heart for sewing and chickens.
I loved this book! It's was about five different women, and 11 other women, coming together on a train to brave the wilds of Nebraska in 1871. I loved how the author mixed together the different plots, and the characters that she created were very down to earth and easy to relate to ones. There was a bit of everything - love, romance, faith and humor - in this book!
Caroline is the southern belle widow of a northern soldier. Ruth is the widow of a war hero with a fourteen year old son. Ella was abused by her late husband and is moving out west for the free land so that she can make something of herself, with her mother. Harriet is a mousy woman full of secrets, and Sally is a loud-mouthed uncouth woman with a heart for sewing and chickens.
I loved this book! It's was about five different women, and 11 other women, coming together on a train to brave the wilds of Nebraska in 1871. I loved how the author mixed together the different plots, and the characters that she created were very down to earth and easy to relate to ones. There was a bit of everything - love, romance, faith and humor - in this book!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)