Life, In Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice by Kristen Anderson

Life, In Spite of Me was a gripping story of Kristen Anderson’s journey through life, attempted suicide, and the restoration brought through the grace and work of God. Anderson grabs the reader with her story, actively drawing them in to her experiences. Through it all, God is exalted and His redemptive work is exemplified. This is a great book to read, but be aware it deals with a very serious topic – attempted suicide.

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

Every Single Woman's Battle

Every Single Woman’s Battle: Guarding Your Heart and Mind Against Sexual and Emotional Compromise was an easy to read book about a challenging topic. Best done with a small group, this book tackled a hard subject and Ethridge did not shy away from asking the hard questions. Readers should approach this book with an open mind and a willingness to evaluate their thoughts and actions when it comes to sexual and emotional compromise. A compilation of quotes from Every Woman’s Battle and Every Man’s Battle are included throughout and wisdom is graciously shared. Please be aware that this is a workbook.

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

Untamed: How the Wild Side of Jesus Frees Us to Live and Love with Abandon by Lisa Harper

In this book, Harper considers the ways in which our Savior is wildly: redemptive, unsettling, devoted, tough, compelling, pro-women, confident, confrontational, unconventional, attentive, faithful, fearsome, and liberating. Whew! What a good read this book was! If you’re ready to be stretched and to have your “normal” view of God expanded, pick up this book. At times I felt that the language used was a little too modern (it seemed like a stretch in an effort to sound cool), but overall I liked the book.

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.

The Waiting Place: Learning to Appreciate Life’s Little Delays by Eileen Button

Eileen Button may be one of the best story tellers I have ever encountered. The way she draws the reader in and creates dynamic, vivid word pictures is astounding. I found myself time and time again feeling like I was there, right in the middle of whatever scene she was describing or the story she was recounting. The Waiting Place covered a variety of “waiting” seasons people often encounter. This book was easy and enjoyable to read and really gave me a lot to think about and contemplate. We’re all waiting for something, aren’t we? I will certainly be recommending this book to my friends.

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.”

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.