Literary Library This page is where we'll post book reviews. We will frequently be adding new reviews, so keep checking back! ****The Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn The Christy Miller series is about Christy Miller and her challenges as she goes through her teen years. The first book in the series finds Christy in California visiting her rich Aunt & Uncle. She meets people there that she will never forget: Todd, Doug, Tracy, and many other friends. As time goes on Christy's life seems to get more complicated. Things such as boyfriends, friends, school, family, and jobs all are things she learns to deal with. Good points: I personally loved these books! I can feel like I relate to quite a few things in the books. You actually feel like you know the people when you're done with the series! The Biblical perspective throughout the stories can help you apply the same principles to your life. Bad points: (1)There can be a lot of romance at times. That's not neccessarily a bad thing, it just depends on what style of books you like to read. (2) The books are pretty short for someone like me, who read quickly! About 150 pages each, with fairly large printing. So if you buy the books, it will get expensive with $6.00 per book that you could read in a few hours. So I'd suggest checking them out at a library or borrowing them from me! ~ Reviewed by: Brittany *****The Kneeling Christian by an Unknown Christian and ****The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson Key chains, bookmarks, bumper stickers, journals, music… the marketing tactics for ‘The Prayer of Jabez,’ the best selling book by Bruce Wilkinson. Behind the hype, hysteria and ‘gift stuff’ lies a 92 page, sepia colored book, filled with a powerful promise. Four promises, in fact. I resisted reading the book for months because of all the madness surrounding it. I figured that a book this touted by Christians and Non-Christians alike, must be a weak, panacea, ‘feel good’ bunch of mush, with little spiritual depth. I was disappointed. This book had a strong message, didn’t claim that this prayer was a spiritual cure-all, and got me out of my comfort zone. Before I go on to review ‘Jabez’, let me introduce you to a book with advanced spiritual content. This book is ‘The Kneeling Christian.’ I picked up this book with a retro cover wondering what it was like, and why in the world my parents had it on their shelf. Though it was a little more challenging to read (it was written by an English man in the 1970’s who spoke like he was from 17th century England) it had me on the edge of my seat. Why? Because it brought out the true meaning of prayer that the Enemy never wants us to comprehend – prayer is the lifeblood of Christianity. Where there is no prayer (none at all, or insincere prayer) the Spirit of God cannot thrive. His work can’t be accomplished, no matter how hard we try to do just that. I loved the depth and passion the author has for his subject, it was like water to a parched soul. I would recommend reading this book before ‘Jabez’ because it encompasses prayer in every aspect, whereas ‘Jabez’ was focused on a small portion of prayer. The two books balance each other out quite flawlessly. Good points about ‘The Prayer of Jabez:’ ~ A.) Easy to read and comprehend. B.) It also had a great intermingling of reality (stories about how the author experienced God’s awesomeness firsthand) and fact. It wasn’t boring at all, and kept you reading page after page. Bad points: A.) Jabez tends to get quite a bit of glory, which is fine, but Wilkinson borders on giving Jabez the credit for thinking up this prayer, when in reality, God directed Jabez in his thoughts. B.) The book lacks a certain spiritual depth that challenges your mind to focus. Good points about ‘The Kneeling Christian:’ A.) Challenging. B.) It contained a depth rare in authors today. C.) Stretched my limits and mental capacity. D.) Opened my eyes to truth I had never seen before, and increased my prayer life. Bad Points: A.) Difficult to understand at times – not so much as hard to get, but the author can be confusing sometimes. ~ Reviewed by: Jody ***The Awakening: Book Two in the Seven Sisters Series by Debra White Smith A story of romance, adventure and a young woman’s inner struggle in her relationship with God. The conflicts in the awakening make it a fantastic story! The plot unfolds as Kim Lan, a successful model, defends her desire to participate in a missions trip to Vietnam against Mick’s (the trip coordinator) adamant refusal to allow her to go. Because of Kim’s persistence Mick finally decides to let her go, and simultaneously opens the door for a secret admirer to threaten Kim’s life. How will she escape? Who will come to her rescue? Read it and find out! Ages 14 -- Adult *~* Andrea The Negotiator by Dee Henderson Dynamite. Where had he put the dynamite? Strapped with a homemade bomb, Henry Lott walks into a bank office. Little does he know that he’s the first domino in a series. Kate O’Mally has to cut her breakfast short. Her brother Stephen will have to catch her later. Her job as an expert negotiator is about to take it’s worst turn yet, and the man strapped with dynamite is the least of her problems to come. Dave Richman thinks the police have lost their minds when a young woman with no gun or bullet-proof vest breezes into the bank. He soon learns that Kate O’Mally is not out of her mind, but very clever. The two meet after the bank escapade & take an immediate liking to each other. Dave finds he really enjoys Kate’s quick wit & southern accent; and she’s equally amused by his British accent. Dave keeps coming at the right moments with just the right attitude toward Kate’s job, being an FBI agent himself. Will Kate break her rule about not dating cops? Will Dave break his heart when he finds Kate isn’t a Christian? When an airplane is bombed and the bomber threatens Kate, Dave steps in to protect her. As the two begin digging into the past, Kate finds herself forced to face the Truth of Jesus, what will she say? This book is soooooo awesome! There is a strong relationship between Kate and her brothers & sisters, and between Dave & his God. I love a good mystery; add a person searching for God & a very small amount of romance & you’ve got me hooked! A must read! ~ Jody (ages 13-adult) Ryan’s Trials: A Devotional Novel for Teens by Linda Shepherd This book is about a guy named Ryan who goes through the same vicissitudes you & I face from day to day. From peer pressure to boasting & how to respect your date, this book has a lot to teach about our Christian walk. It’s a book, but at the end of each chapter there is a scriptural reading for the day. It’s very interesting & keeps you focused on how to keep God at the center of our lives. ~ Ages 14 - 19 (That sounds kinda boring, but it was quite an intriguing book!)~reviewed by Jody Unlikely Angels by Barbara Hicks, Annie Jones, Diane Noble, & Linda Windsor My favorite stories were the first & last! In Cupid’s Chase Reid & Carina try to break up their parent’s wedding only to find they like the idea of them getting married! Plus, there’s something growing in their hearts for each other; will they find the love they’re chasing? Only God knows the outcome! In A Season for Love Audra must leave her rich fiancé to return to a home where she was never wanted. With the help of her friend Jake & a horse, Audra finds her heart’s love, can she work up the courage to break her engagement? Will her aunt ever accept her? So many questions! To know the outcome grab this great book! ~ Jody (ages 13 -- adult) |
