Book Review: Sense and Sensiblity by Jane Austen (Insight Editions)

I love Jane Austen stories. I have watched all the movies, but I've never read any of her books! So, I was excited to get to read Sense and Sensibility. This book is part of Bethany House's Insight Editions. These editions include extra tid-bits of information in the margins. These notes included historical and cultural details and facts about Jane Austen's life. While I enjoyed reading the story, I really enjoyed all these extra notes.

Sense and Sensibility revolves around the main characters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. When their father dies, the family estate passes on to the half-brother John. This leaves the the Dashwood sisters, their mom and younger sister will little money and no home. They move to a new cottage on a distant relatives property. The story revolves around the two sisters, with opposite personalities, struggle to find love.



This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers as part of their book review blogger program. I received a free copy of this book to review.

Book Review: The Clouds Roll Away by Sibella Giorello

The Clouds Roll Away by Sibella Giorello is the second book in her Raleigh Harmon Series. I have not read the other books in this series, but the author did a good job of including some background information so a new reader would not be lost.

This book is about an FBI Agent, Raleigh Harmon, who is transferred back to her hometown to investigate a hate crime. Raleigh is like everyone of us. She is struggling with some real life issues. She has a difficult boss, a fickle boyfriend, and a complicated relationship with her mother. As she is investigating the crime, she discovers much more about the victims and a lot about herself. This book is full of suspense and is a real page turner once you get into the story.

It was a little difficult at first to get into the book and the plot. At times I felt that I was missing information, but it was due to not having read the previous book. The author did do a good job of filling in these gaps and once I got into the middle of the plot, I really enjoyed the book.

Book Review: The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

This is my first book to read by author Julie Klassen and it will not be my last!! The author has a great way of writing that helps you get into the story and not want to put the book down.

The main character, Olivia Keene, runs away from home fearing that she has committed a terrible crime. As she is fleeing, she comes upon a large estate where a celebration is going on. As she is looking in on the celebration, the overhears a secret. This secret begins an interesting twist in her life. She is forced to become employed on the staff of Lord Bradley's estate and keep the secret she overheard. This also helps her keep her own secret. She eventually becomes the governess to the children. This book has so many twists and secrets that you will not want to put it down. The ending was definitely a surprise. I don't want to spoil the ending or give you any hints. You'll need to read the book for yourself. I know you will find it as interesting as I did. A bonus with the book is discussion questions which would be great for book clubs.





This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers as part of their book review blogger program. I received a free copy of this book to review.

Book Review: Take Your Best Shot by Austin Gutwein

What can one person do? There are many people that feel that one person is not able to make an impact. That one person is not capable of changing the world. Mother Teresa says it best, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." Austin Gutwein did just that. Austin (who is currently twelve years old), the author of the book "Take Your Best Shot" details the video that changed his life. Austin was nine years old when he learned the story of Maggie, a nine year old girl in Zambia, Africa that was being raised by her great-grandmother. She had lost her entire family to AIDS. This video of Maggie rocked Austin's world and he knew that he had to do something. It was suggested that he use his favorite sport, basketball, as a way to help Maggie. But how could basketball raise money? Shooting free-throws....2,057 free-throws (the number of children orphaned during a school day) all shot by nine year old Austin.

This was the beginning of Hoops of Hope, a charity started by Austin to raise money for AIDS. After raising $3,000 the first year, Austin decided to get his friends to also shoot free-throws to raise money for AIDS. That second year $35,000 was raised. Hopes for Hope has been going strong for six years and has raised over $1 Million dollars!! Hopes for Hope has not only helped orphan children, but has funded schools, and medical testing labs/clinics to help keep parents alive longer and help prevent children from becoming orphans.

Austin's book "Take Your Best Shot" chronicles the start of his charity but most importantly challenges youth (and adults) to make a difference. This book was not only inspiring, but really made me reflect on my life. What am I doing to make a difference?

All it takes is one person. Will that one person be you?

To learn more about Hoops of Hope click here.

Book Review: What's He Really Thinking? by Paula Rinehart

It's something all women ask themselves on a regular basis. "What is he REALLY thinking?" Most of the time we feel as though we have no clue what is going on in the mind of the men in our lives. I know most of us have really tried to figure them out. Men and women were created differently. That's obvious. We communicate differently (or don't communicate at all). Sometimes it seems as if we speak a different language. These differences and also my desire to try to figure these men out, is what made me really enjoy Paula Rinehart's newest book "What's He REALLY Thinking? How to be a Relational Genius with the Man in Your Life". Paula has many years of counseling and has really been able to explain what these men are thinking.

I learned a lot by reading this book. There were several aspects that I learned the most about. One is that a man's upbringing, life experiences, and relationships create his "story". This story shapes who he is --the good and the not so good. This story is why he reacts certain ways to certain situations or stressors. This story explains why he has certain fears and insecurities. But as you look at the man's story you begin to realize that you also have a story that interacts with his story. Your story effects how you see him, think about him, talk to him, and what you expect of him. You have to understand your story, which includes your upbringing, fears, insecurities, and life experiences and understand how if effects you. Understanding your story helps you learn to deal with your expectations and fears. When you understand your story, you can better understand how it effects your relationship with the men in your life.

Another aspect I learned is that while it is really important to understand what he is thinking, the next most important part is what you do with this knowledge. What a woman does and says can either build up or tear down a man. This knowledge helps a woman to understand the importance of a man needing respect, the importance of you being his biggest cheerleader and that he knows you need him. And doing the opposite of respect, disrespect or contempt, can tear a man down really fast.

So, if you're trying to figure out what in the world the men in your life is thinking, consider reading this book. It will really help open your eyes and mind to what he is really thinking. But remember, that this book will also cause you to look inwardly at your life. It will make to consider your actions and your words and how they can be helpful or hurtful in your relationships with your man.

Book Review: Fearless by Max Lucado

I have read several of Max Lucado's books in the past, but his newest book, Fearless, is by far the best I have ever read. We all have fears that hold us back from really living our life. We have fears of making the right decision, fears of the economy, fears of death, fears of not being good enough, fears of mistakes and the list goes on and on. Max Lucado breaks this book into chapters dealing each dealing with a specific type of fear. He explains why we have this fear but, most importantly, how we can overcome our fears. By keeping our eyes on God, we can overcome our fear and be given a peace. This book really covers how we should trust God in all situations.

The chapters are as follows:

1. Why Are We Afraid?

2. Fear of Not Mattering

3. Fear of Disappointing God

4. Fear of Running Out

5. Fear of Not Protecting My Kids

6. Fear of Overwhelming Challenges

7. Fear of Worst Case Scenarios

8. Fear of Violence

9. Fear of the Coming Winter

10. Fear of Life's Final Moments

11. Fear of What's Next

12. Fear That God Is Not Read

13. Fear of Global Calamity

14. Fear of God Geting Out of My Box

15. William's Psalm

My favorite chapters are 1 and 6. Chapter 1 discuses one of my favorite scriptures: Matthew 8:23-27 - Jesus Calming the Storm. This section of scripture really speaks to me about why we should not be afraid when storms come in our life. We know WHO is in control. We have seen his miracles and we know he keeps his word when he tells us that he will get us to the other side--no matter what happens on the boat ride. Chapter 6 talked about the fear of overwhelming challenges. In this chapter, Max Lucado tells us the importance of keeping our eyes on the "Pilot". In this chapter, Max uses the scripture from Matthew 14: 22-32--Jesus Walks on Water. This is another storm the disciples had to go through, and this time Jesus was not with them. Jesus walks on the water to them and Peter asks that he may come to Jesus on the water. You know the story, as soon as Peter started walking on the water he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus reached out for Peter's hand and caught him.

Chapter 6 talks about the importance of keeping our gaze on Jesus during our storms. When we keep our eyes on the "Pilot"--Jesus--the storm may not end, but we know that the pilot will always be in control of the situation. The storm becomes much more easier to face and we are given a peace about the ending. There were a few quotes from the book that I also want to share with you.

"We never expect to see him (Jesus) in a storm. But it is in storms that he does his finest work, for it is in storms that he has our keenest attention". (Pg. 70)

"Whether or not storms come, we cannot choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can". (Pg. 72)

"Feed your fears, and your faith will starve.

Feed your faith, and your fears will". (Pg. 74)

Fearless was an inspiring book. Each chapter really spoke to me and helped me realize the fears that I have in my life. But most importantly, this book helped to realize that I really need to be giving these fears to God. This book is a must read and a book that I will read again and again.

Fearless by Max Lucado is being released today, Tuesday, September 8, 2009!!!

Book Review: Put Your Dream To The Test by John C. Maxwell

“Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions to Help You See it and Seize it”

Have you ever had a dream for your life? Are you currently living out your dream? These two questions are answered in John C Maxwell’s newest book “Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions to Help You See it and Seize it”. This is a very well written book that helps you remember that dream that you have always had and how to “put it to the test” and get it accomplished. By asking yourself the 10 questions, you are able to clarify your dream and start on the path to fulfilling that dream.

John C Maxwell’s 10 Questions to Help You See and Seize Your Dream:

The Ownership Question: Is My Dream Really My Dream?
The Clarity Question: Do I Clearly See My Dream?
The Reality Question: Am I Depending on Factors within My Control to Achieve My Dream?
The Passion Question: Does my Dream Compel Me to Follow It?
The Pathway Question: Do I Have A Strategy to Reach My Dream?
The People Question: Have I Included the People I Need to Realize My Dream?
The Cost Question: Am I Willing to Pay the Price for My Dream?
The Tenacity Question: Am I Moving Closer to My Dream?
The Fulfillment Question: Does Working toward My Dream Bring Satisfaction?
The Significance Question: Does My Dream Benefit Others?

I really believe that the first question is the most important. Is your dream really yours? Many times we are living out someone else’s dream for our life. If you answer that question in the affirmative, then you begin going through the rest of the questions and “testing” your dream. Each chapter covers one question and it also includes a real-life story that is relevant that that section. Also, at the end of each chapter that are questions you can ask yourself to see if you are on track.

Overall, this will be one of my favorite books to read again and again. John C. Maxwell has written so many great books on leadership, but this is my personal favorite.