Review: "Everybody Fights" by Kim and Penn Holderness

If you've been on social media in the last few years, you've probably seen at least one video by Kim & Penn Holderness. Their clever parody videos have me constantly laughing. Now, they've written a book about marriage...which might seem like a funny choice for single me to read and review! But stick with me ...

Review: "Seven Words of Christmas" by Robert Morris

It may seem a tad early for Christmas books, but Seven Words of Christmas just released, and telling you about it now will give you time to get your copy in time to use during Advent!

Review: "Breathe Again" by Stacy Henagan

There comes a point for everyone when God's action (or seeming inaction) doesn't make sense. What then? That's what Stacy Henagan addresses in her Christian living book/memoir Breathe Again.

Review: "The Grown Woman's Guide to Online Dating" by Margot Starbuck

Online dating ... an area I've dipped a toe into once or twice but haven't done seriously in years. So I was intrigued when I heard about The Grown Woman's Guide to Online Dating ... and I also had to remind myself that reading a book wouldn't obligate me to get back out there!

Review: "Grace Looks Amazing on You" by Amy Seiffert

Right now (and really always) we could use a little grace—grace for ourselves, grace for each other. And we could use a reminder of the ultimate Giver of grace. That's where the devotional Grace Looks Amazing on You comes in.

Review: "The Wait Will Not Be Wasted" by Lauren Lianne

This year, I decided I wanted to read more nonfiction ... but I'm pretty picky about nonfiction, as I don't want to get bored! It definitely needs to be something that will either be enjoyable (like a celebrity memoir) or applicable to where I am in life. So when an invitation to review The Wait Will Not Be Wasted, written by a thirty-something single woman, landed in my inbox, I took a chance ... because I am also a thirty-something single woman 🙂

Review: "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire" by Jen Hatmaker

Five years ago, I was on the launch team for Jen Hatmaker's For the Love. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the book changed my life. (See my review here.) In the time since she wrote For the Love, Hatmaker went through a very public (and very painful) shift in some of her beliefs, which moved her out of the conservative Evangelical sphere where I still reside. I think it's very healthy to hear from voices different from our own, so I was eager to read Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire—knowing that I wouldn't agree with 100% of Hatmaker's words but hoping to understand a different perspective and find myself challenged.

Spotlight & Giveaway: "How Do You Kill 11 Million People?" by Andy Andrews

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for How Do You Kill 11 Million People? by Andy Andrews, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I haven't had a chance to read this book yet, but I've enjoyed other books by Andy Andrews, and I'm looking forward to this one! Keep reading to learn about the book, and be sure to enter the giveaway!

Review: "The Secret Language of Cats" by Susanne Schötz

As you know if you've been following my blog for very long, I have three adorable cats ... at least I think they're adorable 😉. Isis (unfortunately named, I know), Skaara, and Hammond have been part of my family for nearly 6-1/2 years.

"God's Crime Scene for Kids" by J. Warner Wallace & Susie Wallace

I've read a couple of J. Warner Wallace's books—I'd describe them as apologetics for the common man (or child, depending on the title). Last year, I was pretty impressed by Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, so I was eager to read his latest children's release, God's Crime Scene for Kids.

"Forensic Faith" by J. Warner Wallace

Last year, I read J. Warner Wallace's Cold-Case Christianity for Kids. Even though it's written for kids, I loved it, and I learned a lot, too. So when I heard Wallace had a new book coming out, Forensic Faith, I knew I wanted to read it.

"Getaway with God" by Letitia Suk

Several years ago, I was telling a friend that I felt like I needed to reconnect with God, but I wasn't sure what to do. This friend suggested that I get away, by myself, and spend a day with God. I thought it was a great idea, and I even planned to go to a local park that Saturday, just me, my Bible, and God. Then I was offered free Cornhusker football tickets, and, rightly or wrongly, the Huskers took precedence.

I actually hadn't thought about that in years, but when I heard about Getaway with God, that memory came rushing back, and the concept of a personal retreat began to really appeal to me.

"She Reads Truth" by Raechel Myers & Amanda Bible Williams

I can't remember when I first heard about She Reads Truth, the Bible reading plans for women. I've done several of the plans over the years, including the 2015 Advent and 2016 Lent studies. While I've been blessed by the studies, I didn't know much about the women behind them ... until now.

"Cold-Case Christianity for Kids" by J. Warner Wallace & Susie Wallace

At some point, kids who grow up knowing about Jesus want to know if what they've learned about Him is really true. Cold-Case Christianity for Kids is a great book for those kids—and for anyone who wants to investigate the claims of Christianity.

"the biggest story" by kevin deyoung + giveaway

The Biggest Story is an engaging walk through the Bible that speaks to children and adults alike.

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Once upon a time there lived a man and a woman. They were the happiest people on the planet.

True, they were the only people on the planet, but they were still terrifically happy.

Unfortunately, things didn’t stay happy and wonderful for long . . .

The Bible is full of exciting stories that fill children with awe and wonder. But kids need to know how all those classic stories connect to Scripture’s overarching message about God’s glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people.

In The Biggest Story, Kevin DeYoung—a best-selling author and father of six—leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth.

The Animated Short Film: Featuring beautifully animated illustrations adapted from the book, The Biggest Story: The Animated Short Film will captivate children and parents alike as they see how all the classic stories in the Bible connect to Scripture’s overarching message about God’s glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people.

The Audio Book: This audio book of The Biggest Story—written and narrated also by the best-selling author Kevin DeYoung—leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth.

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I was able to review copies of both the audiobook (on CD) and short film (on DVD). As soon as I received the package, I popped the CD in. I loved the way DeYoung told the story, but I wondered if maybe it was too advanced for children to truly grasp.

I take my cousin's three daughters (preschool, 1st, and 2nd grades) to school, so I decided to have them listen to a couple chapters each day on our way. The preschooler paid zero attention, but the 1st and 2nd grader seemed to enjoy it. We listened to Chapter Ten, the final chapter, today. Then I asked them what they thought. The 1st grader, who tends to be quiet, said she liked it. The 2nd grader, never afraid to give an opinion, said, "It was kinda boring in parts. But I really liked the part about how Jesus died for us!" We also had a very good discussion about Abraham and Isaac, so I know they were listening.

I didn't have a chance to show them the short film, but I was very impressed by it. It's visually stunning! I think that it will help children understand the story in parts where the words are a bit confusing. (And I'm absolutely sure that some parts of the audiobook went over my little cousins' heads.)

I also think that the short film would be totally suitable for an adult Bible study or small group. Like I said, it's quite stunning, and it could also lead to some great discussions. 4 stars.

Buy the audiobook.
Buy the short film.

I have a copy of this CD/DVD to give away! Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Kevin DeYoung is senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI, husband to Trisha, and father to seven children.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

"spark joy" by marie kondo

Last Christmas, my sister and I "Kondo'd" my books and movies, following Marie Kondo's method for decluttering. It was so freeing to get rid of things that when I heard Kondo had a second book in the works, I jumped at the opportunity to review it.

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Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has revolutionized homes—and lives—across the world. Now, Kondo presents an illustrated guide to her acclaimed KonMari Method, with step-by-step folding illustrations for everything from shirts to socks, plus drawings of perfectly organized drawers and closets. She also provides advice on frequently asked questions, such as whether to keep “necessary” items that may not bring you joy. With guidance on specific categories including kitchen tools, cleaning supplies, hobby goods, and digital photos, this comprehensive companion is sure to spark joy in anyone who wants to simplify their life.

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Spark Joy expands on Marie Kondo's method of tidying—going through everything you own (in a prescribed order) and only keeping those things that "spark joy." While I was skeptical at first, this method worked wonderfully last Christmas. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but I got rid of several totes full of books and DVDs, and, because I need less shelf space, I rearranged my living room, and it now feels much homier to me.

My bookshelves before.

My bookshelves after.

Here's the thing: Spark Joy is full of good ideas, and if you take what applies to you and ignore the rest, you'll still get your money's worth ... provided you don't already own The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Spark Joy expands on some of the concepts from Life-Changing Magic, and there are some useful illustrations, though I wish they had been actual pictures instead of sketches. Still, I don't see the need to own both books (keep reading to see which one I'd recommend).

There is a high "kook" factor to Spark Joy—my sister blames it on the clash between East (Kondo is from Japan) and West. I don't know if that's the reason, but I did laugh out loud at some of the things Kondo said. Take, for example, this advice on going through your clothes: "...start with tops because things worn closer to your heart make it easier to judge whether or not you feel joy" (p. 82). Um, okay ...

I especially appreciated the section on tidying paper products and komono, or miscellaneous items. Komono includes things like beauty products, cleaning supplies, medicines, etc.—the things I tend to let build up, even when I'm very careful about keeping my clothes, books, and other items organized.

Overall, I would recommend buying one of Kondo's books—which one is up to you. For me, Spark Joy was more practical than Life-Changing Magic; I didn't care about the philosophy behind Kondo's method as much as I cared about how to do it. I think I'll be referencing Spark Joy many times in the future, as the method really does work; my house is the proof. 3-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.

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Marie Kondo is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (also a best seller in Japan, Germany, and the UK) and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2015. She is the founder of the KonMari Method.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"looking for lovely" by annie f. downs

I have long been convinced that if Annie F. Downs and I met, we would be friends. After reading her new book, Looking for Lovely, I'm sure of it. If you read the book, you'll probably feel the same way. Annie has this way of writing that makes you feel like she's sharing her heart with you over a cup of coffee.

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"I want you to take every step of your life with excitement for where you are headed. And I want you to feel beautiful and confident as you do."

But how? When the enemy whispers lies that we are not smart enough, pretty enough, or rich enough? Or are you too dumb, too loud, too quiet, too thin, too fat, too much or not enough? What if you don't have what it takes to be who you really want to be?"

In Looking for Lovely, Annie F. Downs shares personal stories, biblical truth, and examples of how others have courageously walked the path God paved for their lives by remembering all God had done, loving what was right in front of them, and seeing God in the everyday—whether that be nature, friends, or the face they see in the mirror.

Intensely personal, yet incredibly powerful, Looking for Lovely will spark transformative conversations and life changing patterns. No matter who you are and what path God has you on, we all need to remember the lovely, fight to finish, and find beautiful in our every day!

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I absolutely love the message of Looking for Lovely, which is outlined in the subtitle: Collecting the Moments that Matter. Annie challenges readers to look for the beautiful, the moving, the spectacular in the simple, in the mundane, in the hard. To look for lovely when things are going great and when your world feels like it's falling apart. These lovelies can be anything—a beautiful sunrise, a song that moves you, a roll of sushi (though for me, I'd have a hard time calling sushi "lovely!"). These are signs of God's presence.

I've become hooked on looking for lovely! Though I admit some days are harder to find lovely in than others, I think it's in the hard times that it's so important to look for these glimpses of God. Won't you join me in looking for lovely? 5 stars.

Because I loved the book so much, I'm giving away a copy! Enter through the Rafflecopter below. (Rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Contest is open in the US only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Buy the book.
Read my review of Downs' Let's All Be Brave (5 stars).

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Annie F. Downs is an author and speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God. By weaving together personal stories, humor, and Scripture, she invites those reading to experience fulfilled lives with a God who made them on purpose and loves them deeply. While she loves writing—books, blogs, articles, thank-you notes—Annie also enjoys traveling around the world speaking to young women, college students, and adults. Annie is a huge fan of bands with banjos, glitter, her community of friends, boiled peanuts, and football games.

Disclosure of Material Connection: As a member of Annie F. Downs' book launch team, I received a free copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"tying the knot" by rob green

While I'm not married, I hope to be one day. With that in mind, I agreed to read and review Rob Green's Tying the Knot, a premarital guide for couples.

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Advised by both tellers of fairy tales and harbingers of doom, many engaged couples simply don't know what to expect from marriage, so they focus their anxious energies on the wedding day.

Rob Green, a pastor, counselor, and veteran of many premarital counseling sessions, shares that the joy, fun, companionship, and love couples hope for before marriage are not only possible, they are actually God's plan for marriage. But none of these wonderful things happen automatically when you tie the knot. A strong and satisfying marriage must be intentionally built on Jesus.

Tying the Knot offers soon-to-be-married couples a practical vision of Christ-centered marriage that is realistic, hopeful, and actionable. This nine-session study guides couples through issues like conflict, expectations, communication, finances, and intimacy, showing how each can be successfully resolved with Christ at the center of the marriage.

Knowing the stresses and needs of a couple in their season of engagement, Green has helpfully designed the study to require a manageable (and healthy) 60 minutes of at-home work per session, with questions and exercises to build communication and intimacy at the end of each chapter. Tying the Knot also includes an appendix for mentors, making it easy for a married couple, lay leader, or counselor to lead an engaged couple through the book.

Field-tested and recommended by multiple counselors in a thriving counseling practice, Tying the Knot has already guided many couples into a stronger and more joyful union. 
Let this nine-week premarriage study reorient your life and marriage around Christ, so you both will experience all the blessings of marriage as God designed it.

-Presents a day-to-day vision of Christ-centered marriage that is realistic, hopeful, and practical
-Demonstrates clearly---in just nine chapters or sessions---how issues like conflict, expectations, communication, finances, and intimacy can only be successfully and satisfyingly approached with Christ at the center of a marriage
-Field tested and recommended by multiple counselors in a thriving counseling practice
-Highly practical and accessible for couples, requires about 60 minutes of weekly at-home work
-Includes chapter-by-chapter exercises and questions for couples to do separately and together to build communication and intimacy
-Includes an appendix for mentors to guide couples through the book

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Tying the Knot is an easy-to-read yet in-depth premarital counseling guide. Each chapter focuses on one area of marriage: love, communication, conflict, etc. Author Rob Green also stresses the importance of each person's relationship with Christ—the one relationship that should be more important than the one between spouses.

Each chapter ends with discussion questions that, if taken seriously, can draw a couple closer together, as well as reveal potential relationship problems. This is a great guide for a couple preparing for marriage. 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.

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Rob Green, MDiv, PhD, is the Pastor of Counseling and Seminary Ministries at Faith Church (Lafayette, IN), as well as an instructor and counselor at Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries, Biblical Counseling Coalition Board member, and author of counseling minibooks. He and his wife Stephanie have three children.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"and it was beautiful" by kara tippetts

I became aware of Kara Tippetts' story and her blog, Mundane Faithfulness, shortly before her death last March. Like most people (I assume, anyway), I don't like thinking about death—especially death we would consider "untimely." I didn't read much of Kara's blog for that reason. But recently I learned about And It Was Beautiful, which is mainly a collection of writings from Kara's blog, and something told me to read it. I'm glad I did.

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"I was here. I saw beauty. I embraced it." -Kara Tippetts

How do you live out extravagant love in the everyday moments? How do you celebrate grace when your life turns out differently than the one you dreamed?

Kara Tippetts discovered how to find joy in the small moments of life. She learned how to hold tight to hope even while battling intense physical and emotional pain. And she lived out the truth that God can redeem any story.

In her final book, Kara offers gentle reflections on living and dying well. She invites us to cultivate soft hearts even when we face great disappointment. Her ideas for living are hard-won, wrestled with in the crucible of family, illness, and faith. And her constant reminder is that whether we are in the midst of dark days or mundane moments Jesus is always there, life is surprisingly beautiful, and God is forever good.

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I picked up And It Was Beautiful with a bit of trepidation, fearing I was facing 250 pages that would make me want to cry. I couldn't have been more wrong. The subtitle, "Celebrating Life in the Midst of the Long Good-Bye," so clearly communicates what Kara did through her writing—she struggled, she cried, she questioned ... but she also found humor in the pain, lived life to the fullest, and trusted in the One who knew the number of her days.

Yes, I did cry as I read the book's final pages, but I closed the book thankful for the gift of being able to see the grace, dignity, and hope that Kara left behind as her legacy. 5 stars.

See what others are saying.

Buy the book.

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Kara Tippetts was the author of The Hardest Peace and the co-author of Just Show Up. She blogged faithfully at mundanefaithfulness.com. Since her death in March 2015, her husband, Jason, has been parenting their four children and leading the church the couple founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"cornhuskers go to war" by tom kruger with jeff hower

In early March, I got an interesting phone call. Jeff Hower, one of the authors of Cornhuskers Go To War, wanted to know if I'd be interested in proofreading the book and giving my thoughts. I agreed, though with a bit of trepidation. You see, I had no doubt that I could proofread well/offer editorial comments. That's kind of my thing. But I wasn't sure if I'd like the book, and what would I tell Jeff if I hated it?

Fortunately, I had nothing to worry about!

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On January 1, 1941, Nebraska football coach Biff Jones led his Cornhuskers-with names like Harry Hippity Hopp from Hastings, G.I.'s King Kong Royal Kahler, the Star City's Own Eddie Schwartzkopf, Hermie the German Rohrig, and Forrest Behm, Al Zikmund from Ord, Walter "the Butcher" Luther of Cambridge, and Cowboy Roy Petsch of Scottsbluff -out to Pasadena to play the biggest game of their lives: the 1941 Rose Bowl. Before the end of World War II , nearly all of these Nebraskans were proudly wearing the uniform of their country. This is the bigger-than-life story of how they lived and how they died . . . Celebrate and remember with us the 75th anniversary of that first Nebraska bowl game and of the entry of our nation into the Second World War. 

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When I began reading Cornhuskers Go To War, I was simply doing my job. As I continued reading, though, I found myself drawn into the stories—stories about Butch Luther (and his fascinating sister Marylou), Al Zikmund, and other Huskers. And then there are the name drops—famous people who just happened to figure into these Nebraska boys' stories. People like Senator Bob Dole and football player/broadcaster Tom Harmon (father to NCIS star Mark Harmon). Kruger and Hower have written this book in such a way that you feel like you're sitting in a room with them, listening as they recount the stories they've gathered.

Whether you're a history buff, a Husker football fan, or just someone who enjoys reading a good story, you'll love Cornhuskers Go To War. It would also make a great Christmas gift! You can get your copy through the website, on Amazon, or at Hy-Vee and Bossleman Travel Center in Nebraska. 4-1/2 stars.

Note: So I just have to share this—I'm pretty sure this is the first time I ever saw my name in a book! (And if you know Jeff, you'll recognize that the last sentence sounds exactly like something he'd say!)

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Tom P. Kruger graduated in 1974 from Shelton High School, located in a small farming community along the Platte River in central Nebraska. He went on to college at Kearney State and holds an undergraduate degree in history and social sciences as well as a graduate degree in high school administration. He taught and coached in St. Paul, NE, and Lexington, NE. He was a principal at Lexington High School and assistant principal at Grand Island Senior High School. He retired after thirty years as an educator. Tom also had a second career in the military. After graduating from college and completing four years of Army ROTC, Tom was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and assigned to the armor branch of the Army. He is a graduate of Armor Officer Basic Course as well as Advanced Armor Office Course for Armor Captains. He spent his last fourteen years in the Army National Guard and retired as a Major and operations officer for the 195 Armor Battalion. 

Tom lives in Grand Island, where he and wife Ronda raised their three sons--Heath, Cole, and Tad. He is currently researching and interviewing more veterans to complete Cornhuskers Go To War: The European Theater and Cornhuskers Go To War: Meet Me in Manila. Over the years, Tom has conducted over a hundred interviews with war veterans from WWI to Desert Storm to present day. Most of these interviews were conducted with WWII warriors. His experiences and military education and a life-time as a military historian made the writing of Cornhuskers Go To War a labor of love and a tribute that honors all who have worn the uniform honorably, and especially the WWII veterans. “When we honor one we honor all.”

Jeff Hower makes his living by helping Nebraska farmers make theirs: he works in the pivot and irrigation supply business.  Oh—and he was once upon a time a high school English teacher and school administrator with the Grand Island Public Schools.

Jeff also writes the news and a weekly column for the Central City (Nebraska) Republican-Nonpareil, and has filed numerous interviews with veterans and their family members in the attempt to document the memories and legacies of American heroes.   Cornhuskers Go To War is an extension of his interest in the men and women who built—and are building—the story of this great nation.

Jeff and his wife Daurice live in Grand Island, where they are raising their two children.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I read an early copy of this book and was not asked to review it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."