Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir … of Sorts by Ian Morgan Cron

I was disappointed with Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me. The description and title caught my attention, but the book failed to keep it. In the book, Cron details the rollercoaster that was his life – in a mostly true format. The book was an okay read, but I really had to push through the rough beginning to get to the better content. Cron’s writing style was not my favorite, but other readers may really like it. Personally, I would be hesitant to recommend this book to others. This book was not a favorite of mine.

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

JOLT! Get the Jump on a World That’s Constantly Changing by Phil Cooke

In JOLT!, Phil Cooke covers twenty five different “jolts.” He looks at five different categories of jolts – jolt your direction, jolt what matters, jolt your potential, jolt your heart, and jolt your future. This book challenges readers to break free of the norm and pursue their dreams and to appropriately handle the curveballs life throws. It is written in a down to earth way, but conveys a powerful, encouraging message. Statistics are incorporated throughout the book which adds to the credibility of the “jolts.” I really liked how quotes were used as well to drive a point home. Overall, I found this book challenging in its message, but worth the read. In the uncertain times in which we live, being prepared to adapt to changes is essential.

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Praying for Your Future Husband: Preparing Your Heart for His by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer

I recently read Praying for Your Future Husband and I absolutely loved it! As a twenty-something single girl, I found this book to be both encouraging and challenging. I loved the mix of personal stories from both authors, the way quotes and Scripture were sprinkled throughout, and the real life stories from other women. The fact that prayers for both my future husband and me were included was a fantastic treat that really set this book apart from other books on the topic of preparing for marriage. The discussion questions that were included were an added bonus. The topics to pray for vary widely – some are common, but others are not. This would be a fun book to read through with some girlfriends or a mentor and I would definitely recommend it.

Please note: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but the opinions expressed in this post are mine.

Unleashed: Release the Untamed Faith Within by Erwin Raphael McManus

In Unleashed, McManus attempts to motivate readers to move beyond tamed Christianity and to embrace a life of faith and risk for the sake of Christ. A nice mix of personal stories, movie references, and Bible verses, Unleashed issues a challenge to readers. Will you read this book and return to your normal life or will you seek to follow the “barbarian” way? The choice is yours.

At one hundred and forty one pages, this book was an easy and fast read. McManus did a good job of holding the reader’s attention and the personal anecdotes really added to the story and drove the point being made home. Overall, I would recommend this book to someone seeking more out of life than safe, worry free Christianity.

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”