Tuesday, May 31, 2011

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Book Review: Spring For Susannah

I wouldn't let my daughter read Spring For Susannah until she got married, (might awaken or stir thoughts of sex) and then I'm not so sure I'd recommend it because of the bias. As I read Spring For Susannah, I kept thinking this is a feminist book disguised as a Christian romance. Not only does Susannah's husband, Jesse, say women are smarter than men, but Jesse is missing for one third of the book while Susannah conquers all.

The author, Catherine Richmond, has a gift for adding humor to a story. This book had so much promise; I really wanted to like it, but it dragged after Jesse disappeared. I wouldn't recommend this book for young impressionable unmarried ladies.

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

Official Book description
When Susannah goes to Dakota territory as a mail-order bride she finds something she never dreamed she would—true love.

With no prospects for marriage and her parents recently deceased, Susannah Underhill agrees to go west to the Dakota territory to marry her minister's homesteading brother, Jesse. But Susannah is painfully shy, doesn't see herself as worthy of love from either a husband or from God, and lives in constant fear that Jesse is going to ship her back to Detroit.

In spite of her petite size and the fact that Susannah doesn't look like she could survive on the prairie, Jesse quickly discovers that his new wife is a greater blessing than he even hoped for. The years she spent as her father's veterinary assistant allow her to save Jesse's ox and twin calves and to help neighboring farmers with their animals.

But Susannah's feelings of unworthiness are deeply rooted, and she can't believe that Jesse's praise—or the tenderness and love he shows—could possibly last. The thawing of her heart seems almost as distant as Spring in the midst of the winter blanketing the Dakota prairie.





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Friday, May 27, 2011

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Book Review: The Book That Made Your World


The Book That Made Your World written by Vishal Mangalwadi is a must read for homeschoolers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and reflecting on Vishal's views about western civilization, Christianity, and eastern philosophies. I think Sonlight should review this book and consider adding it to their curriculum. History, science, philosophy, technology, heroism, languages, literature, and more all covered from a biblical world view.
 Chapter 19 is my favorite chapter. I wish more people understood that education isn't our savior. Jesus Christ is our savior and only hope! A biblical education is what we need.

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review. 


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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

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Book Review: A Relectant Queen

The Reluctant Queen is a fictionalized version of the book of Esther. Immediately, upon reading the book I noticed the departures from the biblical account, however since I already knew it was a fictional book I enjoyed the story. Author Joan Wolf has a wonderful ability to transport the reader into another time and place. I enjoyed reading and thinking about the reasons an Israelite would marry a pagan and the reasons Haman acted as he did. It was a little amusing to see how the author gave Esther and Ahasuerus such modern time sentiments and attributes. But hey, it's a love story so what do you expect. On the other hand, it was disturbing how the author portrayed Esther as someone who so quickly was willing to leave the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

From the publisher: “See the story of Esther in an entirely new way—with all the political intrigue and tension you remember, but told as a passionate and tender love story between a young man and woman. Misunderstood by many, King [Ahasuerus] was a powerful but lonely man. Esther’s beauty caught the eye of the young king, but it was her spirit that captured his heart.”

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review. 
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Saturday, May 21, 2011

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Book Review: No Place Like Holmes

No Place Like Holmes is a great book for young children. Truthfully even as an adult, I enjoyed reading it and look forward to the next book. The main character, Griffin, is a wonderful example of a christian. I hope his uncle gets saved in the next book.  No Place Like Holmes is a mystery with a redemptive message of forgiveness. It will help your child look beyond peoples bad attitudes and have a redemptive heart.

Book Description
The new resident in 221A Baker Street is about to give Sherlock Holmes a run for his magnifying glass!

When Griffin is sent to stay with his detective uncle at 221A Baker Street for the summer, he is certain that his uncle must be the great Sherlock Holmes! But Griffin is disappointed to discover that Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street and his uncle lives unit 221A. His uncle is a detective, just not a very good one. But when Griffin meets a woman with a case that Holmes has turned away for being too ridiculous, he and his uncle team up to help her. Along the way, Griffin shows his uncle just what it means to have true faith in God, even when the case challenges that. The woman claims that her husband was eaten by the Loch Ness Monster, but monsters aren’t real—or are they?

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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Book Review: The Promise of an Angel

Reading The Promise of an Angel by Ruth Reid was an enjoyable experience. The Promise of an Angel is about an Amish girl, Judith, and how her faith is strengthened. Ruth Reid, a great writer, weaves a story full of conflict and emotion. The story does start off a little confusing because I was left to guess exactly how her younger brother got hurt until near the end of the book.

This book is definitely faith based and speaks about salvation. I liked how the idea of an angel speaking to her was balanced by Andrew. It was made clear how Satan also masquerades as an angel of light, so we must be careful who or what we give heed to.

Also, it doesn't really make sense why she saw the angel to begin with. I know Tobias, the angel, tells her someone is praying for her, but it leaves one to infer it was Andrew praying for her because we find him staying up all night praying for her on several occasions. However, when the story starts Judith and Andrew don't have any kind of friendly relationship, and it's not until after she sees the angel that they get to really know each other. Personally, I would have enjoyed the book more without any reference to an angel as there was plenty of other conflict with her sister and Levi that could have still lead to her learning forgiveness and the strengthening of her faith.

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Saturday, May 7, 2011

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Book Review: Johann Sebastian Bach Christian Encounters Series

Enjoyable book. Well this book definitely lives up to it's name, Christian Encounter Series. This is the first biography I have read in this series, and I must say I enjoyed it. The author did a great job explaining the culture Bach grew up in, his dedication to God, his love for music, and his Lutheran background.

I will have my daughter use this book as part of her homeschool curriculum. It can be used as a part of history, composer study (CM), religion, and writing. (I'll require an essay or written narration) Also, it will lead to great discussions especially in the last chapter as there are some blasphemous sentiments expressed. Daniel J. Mount has already written a review about this on Amazon, so I won't go into detail.

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.


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Sunday, May 1, 2011

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Book Review: Nick of Time


This is my first time ever reading a book by Tim Downs. The Nick of time is a very fast read as I was able to read it in one night. It has plenty of suspense, humor, and information about bugs and forensics.

However, I did receive this book from a Christian publisher so I kept looking for references to Jesus Christ or even Christianity in general. They weren't there. There was a part in the book when he thought he was dying and he realized that maybe there really was something out there. I'm hoping that since this is a book in a series it will build up to Nick's salvation.

I do understand we live in a time of soft, watered down, compromising, wishy washy Christianity. But I can still hope.

Disclaimer: I review books based on their tie to Christianity and Jesus Christ not necessarily their entertainment value.
I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.
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Tabata starting week 5

Our change of diet and exercise program is still going strong. I'm at 170.8 & Dan is at 205.0, so we are excited to continue seeing a drop in weight. I think we need to increase our exercise time because it keeps getting easier. Although with Tabata the main thing is to work as hard as you can in that short amount of time. I'll let you know what we decide for next week.
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