Almost Amish chronicles the transformation of Nancy Sleeth’s family from a technology oriented “plugged in” family whose members were continually bringing the newest and the best into their home to a family that has simplified their lives in order to have more time to build meaningful relationships with their family, friends, and God. 

I think we all wonder at times if all of the technology that makes our lives easier really does make it easier when all is said and done. As a result this book sparked my interest.  Sleet examines life through the lens of ten Amish principles that focus on making a simpler, slower, and more sustainable life.
Her text is broken up into ten chapters which examine the key element of each principle:

Homes
Technology
Finances
Nature
Simplicity
Service
Security
Community
Families
Faith

Almost Amish provides the reader a great deal to think about…

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Tyndale House Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

After seeing Brenda Warner speak at The Women of Faith Event in Dallas, I was interested in reading her book.  One Call Away: Answering Life’s Challenges with Unshakable Faith shares Brenda’s story from the humble beginnings of early childhood to present day and the unexpected stops along the way ~ becoming a parent of a special needs child, divorce, living in poverty, losing both her parents in a tornado, meeting and marrying Kurt Warner, and her role of wife and mother as her husband’s career transitioned from Arena Football Player to National Football League M.V.P.   Ultimately, her story is one of encouragement; she repeatedly reminds the reader that one is not defined by his/her circumstances.

Warner’s story is told using a conversational tone that is easy to read.  Although an interesting read, I was expecting a bit more than I heard from her at The Women of Faith Event.  Unfortunately, her book and her talk are one in the same.  There is no further reflection or insights provided in her writing.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Bonhoeffer:   Pastor, Martyn, Prophet , Spy shares the amazing story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  This exhaustive biography of Bonhoeffer’s life is extremely well written and engaging.  The use of personal letters, interviews, and research provides the reader with a clear picture of who this man was and the incredible impact and influence he had in aggressively opposing the Nazi Movement culminating in his participation in the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler.

This book is well worth reading.  I highly recommend it.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Tyndale House Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Thunder Dog shares the true story of Micheal Hingson’s escape from the World Trade Center on September 11th.  He takes the reader on the incredible journey from his office on the 78th floor to safety.  As you read the book you can actually visualize what it must have been like to navigate the 1,463 stairs in fume-filled stairwell b which is truly amazing as this fight for survival is told by blind man who escaped and helped others to escape with his faithful guide dog Roselle.   I found it difficult to put the book down as I read the descriptions of the escape.  They were vivid and thought-provoking.

Throughout the book, the author goes back and forth between sharing details of  his day on September 11th, and sharing his story as a blind person.  Initially, this format worked fairly well and made for an interesting story, but ultimately, the book came across as more of a way of sharing his views and opinions about being blind in America today then sharing his experiences on September 11th.  This was not what I was expecting…

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Billy Graham in Quotes is a wonderful collection of Graham quotes from his published works and personal writings.   The quotations are organized by topic and are easy to access.  This volume is an outstanding reference book as well as a remarkable tribute to Graham’s seven decades of ministry.   Dr. Graham’s words are both encouraging and challenging.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Max on Life is Max Lucado’s newest book.  In it he shares his answers to the most often asked questions he has heard during his ministry.  The questions are divided into seven sections:

Hope

Hurt

Help

Him/Her

Home

Have/Have Nots

Hereafter

Each section is then filled with questions which Lucado answers clearly and succinctly using Biblical truths.  One of the things I like most about Lucado’s writing is his warm, kind manner.  As you read you feel like he is explaining the answer specific to you.

Although not my favorite Lucado book, I do think the book is a great resource text.   The book would be extremely easy to use as a reference for a specific concern .

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.