Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy

This month I had the opportunity to explore Donald Miller’s latest offering Scary Close.

 Donald Miller is a name that came up time and again throughout my college years, acting as a polarizing force through his works such as Blue Like Jazz. However, even among all this buzz, this was my first actual exposure to his work.

On a whole, I can understand the appeal of Miller’s work.

His writing style is familiar, comfortable. His book reads as a conversation between friends over a coffee. This style seemed especially appropriate given Miller’s focus on intimacy and relationships. It almost felt as though the style itself was another forum through which Miller was attempting to explore and express his feelings on the subject matter.

That said, after reading the book, I am still not entirely sure of Miller’s point.

On one hand, readers are introduced to a meandering journey of Miller’s relationship and intimacy issues ending in the author’s marriage to Betsy. On the other, Miller seems intent on trying to explain life lessons about intimacy as related to this journey.

While there were high points where Miller conveys important work (I particularly enjoyed the chapter with him ending a lecture by jumping in a lake), I almost felt like the point of Miller’s work was buried under the emotional connection he worked to form with the reader through the biographical narrative. In my case, the “so what” of the book got lost between personal growth retreats and fixing up broken down locations for the long awaited wedding.

Although I love the stated topic and have read avidly on the subject before, I couldn't shake the feeling the Scary Close was not written with someone of my gender (female) or life stage (young mom) in mind. I did get the distinct impression this would have been a much discussed book had it been around during my college years.

Overall, I give this book 3 out of stars mainly because I can see its potential given the right audience.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Blessings For the Morning by Susie Larson.

With life swirling messily around  a toddler, a pregnancy, and a big move it can become all too easy to get lost in the chaos of it all.
Big things just seem to make way for more big things, large tasks just seem to get more complex. Our to-do lists seems to have little elves that magically lengthen it while we sleep.

In the middle of all this mess, I try (and admittedly often fail) to remember baby steps.
When our son took his first steps it was, obviously, a huge milestone. Yet, looking back, I think, as adults, we often forget how much those first steps cost.

To take baby steps requires venturing into the unknown, coordinating things that have never worked in that manner before, to learn and master skills previously unknown while looking on at others who have already made that step.
Looking back baby steps are building blocks - simple, foundational. In the middle of our chaos baby steps can be a looming possibility.

Throughout our craziness I was grateful to be asked to review Susie Larson's newer devotional Blessings for the Morning.

Right out of the box I knew Susie had put together something exceedingly helpful for those, like me, in a busy stage of life.
Blessings offers a sturdy, smaller size perfect for storing by bedsides, by favourite chairs, or in purses where it can be easily accessed in the morning. There is even a ribbon bookmark to help the more distracted (like me) find my place the next day!

The material itself is beautifully presented with photo-based backgrounds that, I find, consistently draw me in, often before I even begin reading the daily text.This has had the unexpected benefit of helping me distance myself mentally from the busyness in our home, something I have struggled with for years when trying to find quiet times.

The reading itself is simple.
Larson presents a verse, a theme, and a series of promises, ideas, and challenges with which readers can direct their focus for their day. Keeping in mind the busyness of her target audience, these readings can be done quickly or used as an introduction to a longer time of prayer and reading depending on the needs and schedule of the reader.
Either way, lack of time is certainly not a reasonable excuse for skipping out with the user-friendly method Larson has compiled.

I do understand that some may be seeking a morning devotional with more depth and substance for Biblical learning. That is not Larson's endeavor with this book and those who wish to use this material for sole academic studying will be sorely disappointed. In all honesty, when I first started exploring Blessings the first thing that came to mind was - baby steps.

Blessings can help readers in times of life where quiet time is a challenge due to any number of circumstances re-enter into a daily space with their Creator. These easy to access daily meditations can serve as a way to wet the appetite as readers re-learn what it means to spend time daily doing devotionals- baby steps.

All in all I am impressed with Larson's book and give it 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review the opinions are my own.

Words to Dream On by Diane Stortz

I still remember when our son was born and we started to leave the hospital.
There were pamphlets, how-to guides. nurses visits, home visits, everything to help us care for our child's physical and mental well being in those foundational and sleep deprived early days.

Yet, as our little one grew I found it difficult to find a durable, accessible, and child-friendly source to help introduce our son to matters of faith and the heart. Although the market is full of books for bedtime full of familiar Bible stories I struggled to find one that was suitable colourful with age-appropriate story length and durable enough to handle my son's love of books (we're not rough we just love our books).

I was thrilled for the chance to review Words to Dream On and hopeful my hunt may have found a match.

When our new book first arrived I was instantly caught by the beautiful illustrations throughout the book and it's front cover. I love that the pictures reflect the story to help our son engage the story as we still work to help him gain some verbal skills. Pictures can sometimes be overlooked for importance but as I watch our son engage visually I'm beginning to realize how crucial a strong image can be  for our little man.

The second thing I noticed was the binding. Some books you pick up and they go straight on the shelf, they're the type that extra care is required. Words to Dream On, however, has a nice thick cover and binding which I had no problem handing over to my 21 month old to explore and begin discovering right out of the box! I love that this will easily be around for many years of bedtime stories.

The third thing we all noticed were the stories. After years of volunteering and a Bible College degree I often get annoyed by children's stories that paraphrase and "dumb down" to the point that you're left with only moral thoughts and nice feelings (yes, sadly they exist). On the other hand, I'm equally discouraged by children's stories that are so long a child loses interest (training up a child I'm convinced also includes attention spans). Stortz offers a perfect compromise though with a 3-4 page average story that includes pictures, a bedtime prayer, the actual scripture reference (so mom and dad or older siblings can follow along at their own level afterwards) and a short blessing to tie things together. While the stories themselves are somewhat paraphrased, they've been true to the story and child accessible to the point that when #2 arrives this summer I know that the age gap won't be an issue for both of them enjoying this book for at least a few years.

Finally, I really appreciated the order of this book. Chronological in nature, families can choose to read through in order building upon the narrative and seeing how God's story unfolds over time or families can use the handy index to find stories that more closely connect to real life or family devotionals that may already be underway.


Finding a good collection of Bible stories can be difficult in today's market but if you're looking for a book that is durable, engaging, and will appeal to multiple family members I highly recommend giving Words to Dream On  a second look!

5 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Where Trust Lies

Where Trust Lies by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan picks up on the story of young Beth Thatcher, a school teacher returned to her family following a year on the Canadian Prairies.

However, upon returning home, Beth must come to grips with the changes a year has brought to her and her family dynamics while deciding where her heart lies amid potential tragedy.

Okay, okay, can I blame baby brain? I totally missed the fact that this was the second book in this series until I reread the cover following confusion when the characters started referencing events I knew weren't in this book.

For purists, this series needs to be read in order. For readers who don't mind, Oke and Logan do a fabulous job weaving details of prior events into the newest editions with a grace and ease that make it simple to pick up and go (if you aren't like me and don't realize an early story exists).

Although living on the Canadian Prairies myself for the better part of a decade, Oke is generally not an author I pick up. I don't mind romance when it's not the main genre and many of Oke's books only bring a passing interest as a result. Since Where Trust Lies is the second in the series I found the romance to be equally tempered by adventure, character development, and an inner searching from Beth that took me back to my own dating adventures (perhaps because I saw echoes of my own sweet husband in Jarrick). Overall, this made for an engaging balance that kept me reading without breaks until the book was finished. Though a seemingly simple plot, I found it echoed in ways that left me surprised for this author.

For readers who appreciate character growth this can be a fun novel to delve into. As the second in the series the foundation built in the first is expanded upon here, allowing readers a greater insight into Beth's fears, concerns, and growth which have stemmed from her time away and the natural changes which can happen upon leaving girlhood. 

On the other hand, I also struggled somewhat with the unresolved story lines within the book, but with reservation as I do realize the nature of Oke to set storylines in place for the future. Beth's interactions with young Victoria felt rushed and unresolved whereas Margaret felt underutilized in her role as older sister and sounding board for Beth's musings. This seemed odd given the sisters seemingly close relationship prior to Beth's departure and the awareness of both on how short their time together may end up being, given Beth's conflicted opinions on where she needed to be. The introduction of the sisters throughout the Thatcher's journey also felt very blatant given Oke's usual style.

All in all, I believe Where Trust Lies is a solid offering from Oke and Logan that will appeal to her fanbase and followers of this genre.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review, the opinions expressed are my own and unaltered.

 

Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman

Hope is no longer a concept Merry Ellison believes in. Forced on the run following her father's decision to support the rebels in their quest against King John, Merry relies on her wits, skills, and wariness to keep her and the surviving children from their village alive and safe from those who would do them harm. Yet, their whole life threatens to crash around them when ghosts of the past and present become all too living.

I am a sucker for historical fiction. I've admitted this many times and when I heard the premise of Sleiman's Dauntless featuring the teenage daughter of a slain baron around the time of Robin Hood . . . I couldn't resist. Better yet, I'm glad I didn't!

Sleiman's novel has some classic trademarks of the genre. A young hero struggling with their faith following a wounding, a love interest (or two), and a strong cast of supports to help move the plot along.

Instead of being annoyed by the presence of another love triangle, I was impressed at the honesty of Allen's journey.Wren's childhood innocence could have seemed an overused device to move along the plot but instead her essence continually delighted me as she turned up on the pages, proving a needed contrast to Merry's wounded guarding and Timothy's warring ambitions.

Merry, herself, provides the target audience (Dauntless  is classified as juvenile fiction) with a fascinating role model. She's brave, smart, and loyal while openly wrestling with her need for vulnerability and her views on faith and religion in a world that no longer makes sense. This issue, if memory serves, can be quite timely for readers in the target age range.

Overall, I appreciate Sleiman's work. The characters aren't perfect but there are lessons in their growth and struggle, even for those characters who choose poorly (sorry I refuse to give away the villain's true identity!) Much like Timothy's first encounter with the survivors the children of Dauntless naturally draw their audience in through the charm and honesty they continually manifest. The pacing felt natural -rushing where needed for extra anticipation and slowing in natural ebbs and flows. Sleiman is honest at the books end where fantasy and fiction collide but the end result is still a highly satisfying read.

I would recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction, youth fiction, and stories with a female lead.

I received a copy of this book through Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest opinions. The above review is my own.

The Lucado Treasury of Prayer

Every once in awhile you find a "library classic". It's the type of book that comes off the shelf with regularity as pictures and meanings resonate with family. The type of book that gets used with one sibling and the next, perhaps even on to the next generation.

Thinking back on my own childhood, I encountered a few of these books: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Velveteen Rabbit, and You Are Special  to name but a few.

With the Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers, Max and Denalyn Lucado offer up another library classic. Filled with pages of gorgeous, engaging pictures to enhance a collection of prayers both new and old, this treasury offers up an introduction to prayers for any situation. 

I was thoroughly impressed at the wide variety the Lucado's included in this newest offering on two fronts. First, the collection features a variety of prayers for different situations: morning, bedtime, thankfulness, holidays, and everything in between. When attempting to cultivate an attitude of prayer in children it is so helpful to have a collection which shows the value of prayer beyond bedtime and meals. 

Second, I was impressed to see a variety of different prayers from different spots in church history. In previous collections I have encountered there seems to be a temptation to amass a collection from a single, narrow time frame, Lucado's treasury is all the richer thanks to their willingness to expand.

The Lucado treasury is also a beautiful piece of work. My son and I were both enchanted as we turned the pages and found ourselves getting lost in the pictures which complete each page, offering a warm and friendly image for children to connect with.

After a long search for a suitable book on prayer to introduce our children too, I can easily say that Max and Denalyn have compiled a wonderful piece that would be a valuable addition to any family library.

5 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

52 Life Lessons from Les Miserables

In 52 Life Lessons from Les Miserables, Bob Welch provides readers with a unique devotional/teaching resource. Over the course of 52, easy to read, and short chapters, Welch not only examines a well beloved tale recognized through print, stage, song, and film but challenges readers to think about themes of life and faith which can be gleaned from the words and notes of this beloved tale.

I loved the premise of Welch's book. Les Mis has long been one of my favourite reads and the opportunity to get a different perspective on the book and how it connects with life and faith was irresistible. As a busy mom, I appreciated the book's come and go nature, with each chapter falling between 2-4 pages it was simple to pick up as life allowed, knowing that each chapter was essentially self-contained and ready to be read in passing or mulled over while going about the day. Finally, even though a book merely a fraction of the length of the original cannot hope to cover everything I was impressed at the wide breadth of events and characters Welch managed to weave into 52 Life Lessons.While centered on Val Jean, many dear, familiar characters were recognized well principal scenes were highlighted.

My only disappointment was that with the length of the chapters, the ability for depth was also sacrificed to a degree. However, that said, I've struggled with this in many books since finishing college.

Overall, Welch has presented a strong offering in 52 Life Lessons from Les Miserables that will allow a wide audience to step into the world of a beloved classic while exploring their own faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”