Friday, December 30, 2011

Book Review: "The Future Door"

I don't think I was paying much attention when I chose to read this book, as I failed to realize that I had signed up to read a Children's book. I was expecting an adult-theme mystery book that related to the stories of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. I realize that this error was completely my fault, so my rating is not affected by my own confusion. Instead, I am reviewing this children's book from the angle of an adult.

For children wishing to enter the world of mystery in a Holmes-like atmosphere, I would recommend this book. It wasn't too much that a child could not handle, but not enough for an adult, like me. I find some of the story line to be lacking in sophistication, but, as I mentioned, this book wasn't meant for me to read. If you are looking for a book for a young child or young adult, I suggest this one.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.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

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Book Review: "Healing is a Choice"

I can’t say with complete honesty that I enjoyed Stephen Arterburn’s Healing is a Choice: Ten Decisions That Will Transform Your Life and Ten Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them. Although the premise of the book enticed me into reading it, I was left with much to be desired. The workbook that was intertwined within the pages of the text did allow for me, as the reader, to pause for some much needed reflection. However, I felt that the questions posed to me almost forced me to reflect at the wishes of the author and not the ways in which I may have chosen to reflect. I do have a number of friends and family members that I believe would enjoy this book, but it wasn’t entirely for me. 

The workbook was a nice touch, but it took away from the integrity of the book. My opinion, however, is just that: my opinion. You might find this book to be worthwhile for your own personal needs, but it didn’t do it for me. The messages in the book did not have a genuine feel to them, and because of that, I can only rate this book with three stars.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Book Review: "Heaven is for Real"

One of the reasons I chose to read Todd Burpo’s Heaven is for Real was due to the significant amount of hype and controversy surrounding this particular piece of text.  I have been continuously baffled by, since the release of this book, the amount of people that tear this book down and criticize it, almost page by page. I found this book to be incredibly peaceful and calming, especially since I have lost three members of my family in just the past four months. Whether the experiences written about in this book are true or fabricated, the messages are ones that I took to heart.

I just learned that a book has been recently been published solely to attack this one, and I find that to be ridiculous. I am aware that this review is more about the criticism about it, but I think it is definitely worth the time spent on reading it.  If you are looking for an easy, calming, and thought provoking book, I strongly suggest buying yourself a copy of this book and reading it as soon as you have the chance. My only hope, after reading this book, is that heaven actually is for real.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Book Review: "The Love & Respect Experience"

I must say right from the start that this  Dr. Emerson Eggerichs' The Love and Respect Experience was not the right choice for me to read. It was not a bad book, and I did not have any problems with it. My biggest issue was that it did not apply to me, and I could not relate the book to any aspect of my life. However, this was through no fault of the book, but rather it was a poor choice for me to choose to read. The quality and material of the book is excellent, as it is covered in a fake leather material that really gives the book a nice edge and look to it. It is definitely a good edition to the library of a couple looking to improve their relationship on a different level. I would not recommend this book to those who are single, or do not want to enhance the spiritual aspects of their relationships. Although the book was not bad, I cannot award it five full stars as the author was not able to connect to me, the reader. Maybe other people will have better luck with this book. However, because of the lack of a connection, I must give this book three out of five stars.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Book Review: "The Book of Man"

Before going into a review of William J Bennett’s The Book of Man, I must first comment on how beautifully printed it is. The hardcover version is printed with an elegant looking binding, and pages that take on an aged and more authentic look and feel to the type of book this is.

I wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into when I first decided to read this book; I can’t even honestly say that I thought I was going to enjoy it. I figured to would be some sort of self help book for men, and that I wouldn’t remember much after reading it.

Boy, was I wrong.

The messages in this book really cause you to stop and take a good look at your life. Are you where you are meant to be? Are you doing the right thing? Are you on the best track for you? It is difficult for me to really say why I enjoyed this so much, other than that I did. I would recommend this to anybody who wants to evaluate their own life, and get a better look at the impact they are having on this world. What an amazing read.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Book Review: "The Christian Zombie Killer's Handbook"

When I first chose to read Jeff Kinley’s The Christian Zombie Killer’s Handbook, I did so because I am a very big fan of the horror genre, more specifically books and movies relating to Zombies. Although this book is displayed as a Christian book, I still hoped for a good zombie read as I did not see how Christianity and the world of the Zombies could be successfully combined.

After reading this book, I can honestly say that I was pleasantly surprised. It did take time for me to accept and enjoy the combination of religion and the living dead, but it is safe to say that Jeff Kinley did his research before writing this book. If you want to read this because it is a zombie book, just be aware that there is a heavy religious undertone, which may interfere with your experience reading this book. If you are a fan of both genres, than I would highly suggest getting yourself a copy of this book and reading it. 

I am not comfortable giving this book five stars because it did take some time for me to get used to, so I think four out of five stars is a reasonable rating for such a unique book.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Book Review: "Ascent From Darkness"

I am a tremendous fan of texts regarding horror, witchcraft, the occult, etc. When I first chose to read this particular text, I did so for the promise of a book with a character that considered himself, at first, to be “Satan’s Soldier.” I did not think that this book would be particularly good or moving, I was just drawn into it by the genre. Now that I have experienced Michael Leehan’s Ascent From Darkness, I can honestly say that I am glad I chose to read this book.

Although parts of the book did seem to be somewhat unrealistic and almost fictional, I found myself captivated by the storyline. The transition from actively serving as a soldier to Satan to embracing God by becoming His warrior was, without a doubt, very interesting to read. I was able to relate different aspects of this book to my own life, which made the experience that much more enjoyable. Those who tend to turn a blind eye to the occult and Satanic worship may not enjoy this book as much as I did, but it does show good’s overpowering ability to conquer evil. I would definitely recommended that those interested in this topic take a day or two to read this book.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Book Review: "Our Last Great Hope"

Ronnie Floyd’s Our Last Great Hope was difficult for me to review. It wasn’t that I couldn’t decided whether or not I liked the book, I was more conflicted with the way in which the information, which I found to be great, was presented. If you read Floyd’s welcoming pages in the beginning of this text, he says right off the bat that this is meant to be a book about action, not theory. I was intrigued with this idea almost immediately. I’ve read a lot of books where the authors talk about making change and why it needs to be done, but very few authors have the courage and/or the know-how to actually call his or her readers to action.

Before reading the book, I skimmed through it just so I would have an idea of what I would be expecting as I journeyed through the pages of Floyd’s mind. I found the topics of action great, and I was excited to begin reading. Here is where I became conflicted. I consider myself to be a person of action, so I didn’t feel called to it through Floyd’s text; I felt like I was reading something I already practice myself. I can’t give this book 5 stars because it wasn’t anything new to me. BUT, if you feel the need for inspiration to act, then you might find the time you spend reading this book to be beneficial.

Good luck!

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Book Review: "No He Can't"

To be completely honest, I found this book to be not only annoying to read, but a one sided shot at our current President. Although I do believe Barack Obama was only voted into office because he would be the First Black President, I feel that Kevin McCullough attacked him more than he probably deserves. McCullough’s No He Can’t felt more like an attack on a President who got stuck cleaning up after the Bush Administration rather than an intellectual criticism of Obama’s progress, or lack thereof. In language that felt forced and lacked a sense being genuine, McCullough left me with much to be desired.

It took some time for me to get through this book as I often felt bored and irritated, as I felt as though many of the facts written about were just opinions. Halfway through the book, I checked out the worked cited section in the back only to realize that many of the quotes came from works that were already written by Kevin McCullough. I was highly disappointed with the lack of originality that this book contained. If you are looking for a true and informative look at the Obama Administration, this book will not offer it to you.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Book Review: Turning Your Day Toward God, Right from the Heart

I was somewhat disappointed with Bryant Wright’s Turning Your Day Toward God, Right from the Heart: A 365 Day Devotional. Don’t get me wrong, this book was very well written and people who consider themselves to be devout conservative Catholics/Christians will enjoy reading this book for a few minutes every day. However, some of the topics covered in this book clashed with my more open and liberal mindset. Reading this book over the course of two days, I definitely got a different feel for it than somebody who only read one page over the course of a year. For me, reading this book on a daily basis would have aggravated me for I some of the topics did bother me; I won’t announce which ones did because I don’t want to sway your opinion of this book. If you are looking for a great way to connect with our Lord for a few minutes a day on a daily basis, then buy a copy of this beautifully printed book. If you do, however, consider yourself to be somewhat more of a liberal Catholic/Christian, this may not be the best book for you. I didn’t care for this based on my own personal taste, but it was a very well written devotional.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Book Review: Has God Spoken?

When I first decided to read Hank Hanegraaff’s Has God Spoken?, I was very excited as the description of this novel explains the Hanegraaff’s mission is to uncover whether or not the Bible is actually the Word of God. I thought this would be a very interesting topic, but I was left a bit disappointed. Almost immediately, Hanegraaff hits you with acronyms of several different topics; it leaves you feeling as though you were bombarded with a lengthy list of topics and words. Although the acronyms do help you remember the different things being discussed in the book, I found it very difficult to find the connection amongst the acronyms. It is almost as if Hanegraaff was trying too hard to make a lasting impression on the reader. Although I was little turned off by all of the acronyms, the book itself was not that bad of a read. I found myself reconsidering everything I thought I knew about Biblical history, something that not many books have been able to make me do. If you have nothing else to read or are a little interested in this topic, you might find it useful or helpful. I don’t regret reading the book but I would have preferred a more enjoyable experience.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Book Review: "fresh-brewed life"

Nicole Johnson’s Fresh-Brewed Life captures you from the moment your eyes meet the book. The title and cover artwork of the book create a welcoming and warm atmosphere that invites you into a world where you can find peace and tranquility. While reading this book, I especially enjoyed that Johnson included quotes from well-known people to help validate the messages she is trying to get across to the reader. The quotes aren’t just intertwined, but there are made to stand out amongst the pages of the book. Johnson succeeds to offering her readers the opportunity to reflect upon their own lives, as if they were enjoying a simple fresh cup of coffee.

I also particularly enjoyed that this was not your ordinary self help book. Johnson beautifully and openly gives readers the chance to reflect upon their lives, while finding comfort in reuniting with or strengthening bonds with our savior. In fact, chapter one is entitled “Surrender to God.” There have been so many things going on in my life, that reading this book was an excellent break from all of life’s stresses. Being able to reflect with God was an opportunity that I will forever cherish. I would highly recommend this book to anybody willing and wishing to slow down a bit in the comfort of the Lord.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Book Review: "Surprised by Oxford" by Carolyn Weber

Carolyn Weber’s Surprised by Oxford left me surprised for several different reasons, some good and some bad. I was a little disappointed by the integrity of the story against the length of the book. I usually enjoy longer novels because I get to spend more time with them, but I felt as though a lot could have been cut out of this book, to allow the story to flow more effectively. I was left feeling that Weber wanted to tell her story in as much detail as possible, but was unsure about what to cut and what to leave in. I studied English for a few years, and her writing style bothered me and made the book difficult to read. I felt that sentences were very jumpy, and that connections between thoughts were somewhat forced. This is my feeling about her writing style; you may very well find hers to your liking.

Despite my lack of interest with her writing style, I would recommend this book to those interested in people on spiritual/religious journeys. Weber does a decent job writing about her own personal journey, and many people may find this to be interesting. Overall, it was a good novel and worth the read, but it didn’t really click with my personal tastes.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Book Review: "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter" by Seth Grahame-Smith

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter is, by far, one of the most amazing books I have ever read. A break from the increasingly popular and utterly annoying teenage Vampire novels, Grahame-Smith takes the history of the United States of America, and adds both a unique and incredibly interesting twist: Vampires.

Before deciding to read this book, I kept avoiding it because of the want-to-be authors that keep publishing crappy Vampire novels. I expected to find a loosely put together written novel whose sole benefit was to bring in money. A friend convinced me to give this book a chance; I could not put it done and finished in a few short hours.

The execution of this novel was flawless. Grahame-Smith brilliantly intertwines our history with the story of Early American Vampires. My father taught me a lot about Lincoln growing up, but at times, I would forget that this was a work of fiction. The book is written in such a way that you think the reason you exist today is because of a notorious Vampire Hunter, Abraham Lincoln. With pictures throughout the book to act as "supporting evidence," Grahame-Smith should be highly commended for this literary masterpiece.

If you are looking for a great thrill ride, definitely pick yourself up a copy of Seth Grahame-Smith's Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Book Review: "Billy Graham in Quotes" by Franklin Graham and Donna Lee Toney

The title Billy Graham in Quotes is a complete description of this book. Broken down into multiple section of varying topics, all of which relate back to Jesus the Christ and God, serves as a compilation of touching and inspirational quotes that were developed and shared during the life of Billy Graham. With each turn of the page, you are introduced to incredibly insightful quotes that allow you the opportunity to expand upon your faith. I found it to be incredibly helpful that the quotes were divided into appropriate sections; this allowed me to search for different questions much more easily. If you want to look back and reflect upon one of your favorite Graham quotes, all you need to do is find the appropriate section.

Although the book is filled with truly inspiring words, I would not recommend reading this book in its entirety during one sitting. Doing so causes you to miss quotes that would have meant something to you, and does not allow you sufficient time to reflect upon them and apply them to your own life. I would highly suggest that if you were to read this book, that you do so over time. This will allow the words of Billy Graham to touch you in ways you never imagined.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Book Review - Surviving Your Serengeti: 7 Skills to Master Business and Life

Stefan Swanepoel’s Surviving Your Serengeti: 7 Skills to Master Business and Life serves as an attempt to enlighten readers as to the means of successfully improving one’s business and personal lives. However, the skills introduced to readers are forced upon us through incredibly unrealistic examples, and therefore his attempt is unsuccessful. This book was very difficult to read at a comfortable pace, as the language did not flow with the uninteresting story line. Although it was interesting to learn how the wild can impact our lives, Swanepoel could have made a much more significant impact on me if his storyline was much more realistic; if given the opportunity to visit Africa for free, I would not spend my time analyzing animals to see how I would be able to improve my professional life.

If you plan on reading this book, I would highly suggest doing so in steps. Since each chapter concludes with things to think about, I would allow yourself some time to focus on what each chapter offered you. Reading it in one sitting will take away from the author’s message and make you frustrated with the poor writing styles. The characteristics discussed in this book were useful, but the way in which they were presented left little impact on me.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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