The Purpose Driven Life

I had read a book summary of The Purpose Driven Life several years ago, so when I saw that this book was being released as an anniversary edition, I was interested. The summary was powerful and motivating, and I was excited to read the book in full. I have to say that much of it certainly is motivating, moving and helpful. There’s a good reason why this book has been a chart-topper for so many years now. I believe that – if applied – the principles presented in this book can definitely be life-changing. On the other hand… I feel that what was once a simple, powerful message has been diluted by marketing and commercialization. From the trademarked title to the numerous references to offshoot products, this book read like a miniature catalog. It can be pretty frustrating to study and think concepts over while being constantly smacked in the face with product promotions. Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson through BookSneeze - their book review program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

Cruel Harvest: A Memoir

This book wasn't an easy read, yet I flew through it. It was painful and beautiful all at once - and it is an amazing story of triumph over deep tragedy. I honestly passed up this book more than once. I was intrigued, but repelled by the horrors of abuse experienced (and described) by the author. In any case, I knew what I was getting into when I finally took the plunge. Honestly, a book like this could go either way: it could be a tale of triumph or it could be deeply painful and depressing. Fortunately, though Fran Grubb describes (in detail) the horrors that she was subjected to as a child, she does so in a spirit of faith and forgiveness. Nowhere in the book does she excuse or condone her father's actions; yet neither does she speak from a perspective of bitterness or anger. No one would fault the author for being permanently scarred and angry, but she has turned the tragedies of her life into absolute triumph. She uses the pain for good and has been able to help many others through her story. Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson through BookSneeze - their book review program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

High Performance MySQL - by Baron Schwartz, Peter Zaitsev and Vadim Tkachenko

I've worked a lot with MySQL, over the past few years. I'm completely self-taught, however, and obviously, I've had gaps to deal with. While Google is dandy in a pinch, a book like this really fills in the blanks and provides a far more comprehensive understanding. Granted, if you're just starting out with MySQL, this is probably not the best book for you. Just looking at it from a learner's perspective, you'd better have at least a basic grasp under your belt or this book is going to be a tough one to tackle. If you've got a good background in it though, and are looking to be a real expert in the field, I'd definitely recommend this book. Even if you've already read the second edition, this third edition is definitely worth the purchase as the information is updated and the authors really expand previously presented topics. My overall take: It's well written, well organized and easy to reference when needed.

Simply Grilling

This book is a little off my normal reviewing course, but as a grilling newbie, I thought I'd better check this one out. We bought our first grill at Home Depot, put it all together, and fired it up. I'll just say our results were mixed. Obviously I needed help, and this book came at just the right time. Jennifer Chandler takes the "science" out of grilling, and explains things in a simple, clear way. She lays out each recipe, giving you the full range of keys for a successful barbecue. With each recipe, she provides all the needed information - from the ideal grill temperature, to where to place the meats, veggies, etc. to outstanding sauces, rubs and marinades. But this book goes beyond classic grilling fare as well. You'll find everything from a grilled pizza to grilled fruit and veggies. This is definitely the book for anyone who's not a natural grill master. Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson through BookSneeze - their book review program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

The Charlatan's Boy: A Novel

This has got to be one of the quirkiest books I've read in a while - and that's not a bad thing. The narrative was absolutely charming, and the author writes in such a natural, flowing way. The dialogue felt natural and was a pleasure to read, and the author did a wonderful job of character development. The story wasn't particularly edgy, and it didn't have any unpredictable twists; however that didn't stop me from wanting to turn the page. While I can't say that this book has reached my top ten list, I give it major kudos for being so absolutely unique. My final observation: This book is touted as "faith fiction". I can't say that I found much that was faith-related. Apparently some found a number of interesting parallels, but if those were the intention of the author, I failed to catch on. Overall, a fun little read, and I'd look for more from this author in the future. Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah through Blogging for Books - their book review program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

Called To Controversy

I had, of course, heard of Moishe Rosen and Jews for Jesus throughout my childhood, though never in depth or detail. I knew of him by reputation, but not much more. Naturally, I was intrigued when I saw this book.
I quite enjoyed the intimate look into not only Moishe Rosen’s ministry, but the life, background and experiences that formed him. It is a fascinating look into the Jewish heart and mind, and is filled with beautiful life lessons throughout.
Though the author obviously has a deep respect and love for this great man and leader, she manages to clearly portray his very human side as well – faults and foibles, warts and all. The book lifts up Rosen’s strengths, lessons and wonderful examples, while honestly showing his mistakes and shortcomings.
I love a good biography, and Ruth Rosen did a beautiful job with this one. I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a challenging, uplifting read.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson through BookSneeze - their book review program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

I Am Second

I've watched most of the "I am Second" videos, and found them to be very personal, deep accounts. Each one was touching and profound in its own way. It seems that an attempt was made to capture those same feelings in this book, however it just seemed to be lacking somehow.

The stories are good - don't get me wrong. Each one just lacks the power or personality that the videos have.

I think what made me feel this way was the way the book is written. Rather than each person telling their own story, there's a strange back-and-forth between the subjects and the narrator. It doesn't really flow, and often I found myself having to go back and read over a paragraph to make sure I was reading it from the right perspective (either the narrator's or the subject's).

All in all, it's not a bad book. It's a nice addition to the videos, and some folks will likely enjoy it. I just think it would have been better to hear each person tell their own story without the extra "dressing up."

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson through BookSneeze - their book review program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.