Have you read this book yet? I know it used to be very popular, a runaway bestseller, I'd heard of it before but never read it. I actually didn't know what it was about. Then at Christmas I bought myself Talk to the Hand (which I still haven't read) by Lynne Truss. That made me curious about this one.
Who knew you could write an entire book on punctuation? Amend that. Who knew you could write an entire enjoyable book on punctuation? The more writing I've done lately the more I've been thinking I needed to read this book (I'll be the first to tell you I know nothing about grammar, those rules just never stuck with me). Lo and behold it did answer two of my most pressing punctuation questions! I now know when it's appropriate to use a comma and when it should be a semi-colon (do you?). Rejoice, rejoice! Although I dod suspect my husband and I will continue to bicker about whether any one particular comma is needed or not when he edits my work. I also learnt what the rules of using a dash are (apparently their are none - or very few). I feel enlightened - almost confident.
Have I ever told you I love the British? It might be a left-over bias, what with my family being British, but I can't say for sure. Mostly I love their sense of humor. No one can make me laugh like a Brit. Which completely explains how a book on commas and semi-colons can be so very funny. I kid you not. Laugh out loud, disturb the whole family and have to say "Never mind, never mind, you won't get it." funny. Now I can't wait to read the Talk to the Hand book which started me off in the first place. I'm almost tempted to save it up, like the very last piece of cake that you hide until you really need it (or until it won't be edible any longer; whichever emergency comes first).
In short, my advice is read the book. Read the book if you know all about punctuation, read the book if you could careless about where a period goes when youhave quotes; it doesn't matter; you'll enjoy it either way.
I suppose now that I'm back to the blogging I should update the "What I'm Reading" category so it's no longer so out of date. I finished those books months ago! (I hope none of you were waiting for my comments on them.)

I started reading this book for research for my writing. I really want to start writing some Bible Study curriculum but my primary drive is to write something my son and I would enjoy. I.e. something less left brained, logical, worksheet like. Being ever open minded it occured to me when praying about the project if I started reading up on learning and thinking styles I could write something that suits everyone!
I picked this book to begin with for a very good reason. It was the only book on learning styles in my entire library. I'm glad I read it though. I know a lot (while more than many) about learning styles, visual, auditory, kinesthetic I mean. This book though considers what I know about to only be one aspect of a child's learning styles. It was the most thorough book on this subject I've seen. They incorporated al kinds of personality, learning, and thinking aspects to create a unique system of identifying kid's strengths and weaknesses.
The book is written in three parts. First, the introduction to why and how known each individual's style is so helpful. The second, the assessment (easily done by any reading age child, with a preschool version for non-readers) with specific breakdowns of the possibly results. And the third, chapters on how to become your child's "learning coach". I really liked the chapters in the second section which addressed each individual result. They gave a ton of information, tips, and ideas, on things you can do to reach these kids. Not only that, they also included curriculum and teaching tool recommendations that suit each type of child! What homeschool parent could ask for more.
In case you are interested the book presents these five "dispositions": Performing (entertainers, movers and shakers), Producing (organizers, schedulers), Inventing (Creators, Problem Solvers), Relating/Inspiring (Contributors, Caring), Think/Create (Creators, Artists). In addition to these five main categories you can have a modality of visual (print or picture), auditory (verbal, or listening), kinesthetic/tactile (I forget the break downs for this one!), as well as anyone of 12 talents or gifts (called multiple intellegences in other books), and any number of interests. All of these factors are weighed to help you personalize your child's education.
I highly recommend the book. I didn't get too many surprises when it came to me (Relating/Inspiring, Creat/Think) or my son (Inventing, Create/Think) - but I did get tons of great ideas to implement in both our lives and my writing work. Let me know if you like it (or if you'd like some tips for applying this info into your homeschool.

I didn't even post that I was reading this book! I think I read it over three days; I would have read it faster but life interfered. Life has a way of doing that. If only I could have a whole weekend to read, and write, and pray and nothing else. (Actually, I did that about a year ago and LOVED it).
Right, oh yeah, the book.
My friend, Michelle, lent me this book to read when I requested prayer for an issue that came up in our home last week. Actually, Michelle lent me five or six books but this was the one she insisted I read all the way through. Man, am I glad she did.
I have had two major revelations in my life that have completely changed, not just my spiritual "walk" (that compartment thing again), but my entire life and how I see and understand God and the world around me. This book was the key to one of them. (Ok, if you count my actual salvation that makes three revelations, I don't know why it doesn't occur to me to include this.)
The first revelation was an understanding of Romans 6-8. I did a unit through my Online Bible College that explained these chapters and their application (i.e. the power the Gospel gives me over sin). While I found it absolutely fascinating it wasn't until I actually applied what I'd learnt that I had the full revelation. Silly me, why didn't I apply it when I first learnt it?
It was this revelation that showed me that I was no longer a slave to sin. That I didn't have to live my life in a battle between righteousness and sin and that I actually could live in freedom. Wow, you can't imagine how this changed my life (or maybe you can). I fully understood this revelation about a year and a half to two years ago.
Then I read this book this week. Michelle leant it to me for the "Protect Your Family" part, but let me tell you, that aspect was not what gripped me. God instead used the theological foundation which the protection was built upon to bring full revelation to my life. I was completely in awe reading this book. Yes, it applies to protection, but if you understand what Kellie is teaching it also applies to every single covenant promise in the Bible. Although the protection part is ground moving in and of itself.
I know. You are convinced that I'm exaggerating. Or that maybe I'm really anal about my family's safety. When I saw Michelle on Sunday I brought this book up. Her immediate reaction was "Life Changing!" I couldn't help but agree. If you only ever read one of the books I recommend, please, please, make it be this book. It will revolutionize your understanding of God, and of your power in this world (through Him of course).
Ironically, the crux of the teaching in this book is the answer to the questions we were discussing (I like to imagine you and I are having a discussion when I blog) last week on bad things happening to us. I don't have all the answers, there are so many factors, but I now understand the basics. The answer is - God is good, ALL THE TIME. And that is life changing.
I know you are going to want me to elaborate a bit but I'm not quite ready to. I'm planning to reread the book and take notes this time, and to pray and study a bit more. Maybe I'll be able to blog on it at a later time. Till then, if you need to know - read the book. You can get it cheap secondhand through Amazon.com.

This book was a rollarcoaster for me. Parts of it had me shouting Amen! and pumping my arms in the air. Things were being said that really needed saying.
I feel I should tell you I'm not on board the Post Modern (PoMo) Bandwagon (whatever that is). I'm really not into labels. I agree with some aspects, disagree with others, and refuse to be categorized as far as that goes. I'm not even a fence sitter, more like an all out rebel.
Still, things were said in this book that really needed to be said (and heard).
Then I hit some hard bits. A Passing phrase that threw up doubt. A chapter that gave me weeks of struggling.
My first reaction was to (figuratively) throw my hands in the air and say, "Well, that's it. It's over now." (I think you'd be surprised how few issues I had with the book though). ButGod challanged me. Does one error here, he asked me, negate the truth elsewhere in the book? Why can't the 90% truth leave room for grace for the small error instead of the small error corrupting the bulk? Even the author himself admits, from the outset that not all his beliefs are going to be right.
I forced myself to think about the issues in question. To ask myself why I believe what I do on these issues. To re-read what he had written - had I misunderstood (I found in one major area I had - at least in part). And even though I'd say I'm not in complete agreement with his philosophies I assure you - I have considered and developed my own philosophies one hundred fold because of thisbook. For that I am grateful.
This is not a "read it and accept it" book. I think anyone who read it and simply loved it or hated it (especially hted it) missed the author's purpose. This book invites you to think about the doctrin you believe and the Jesus you follow, and forces you to consider the ones you have rejected. This to me is the beginning of the path to unity (not complete agreement but peace and acceptence) - with many parenthesis and some laughs along the way.
If you are comfy in your status quo you'll hate this book. If you enjoy a challange... you may still hate it - but you won't regret reading it.

I think this is what a blog was, before there were blogs. It's like he just sat down and wrote. And then when he had written enough he jumbled the stuff together in categories. They are, meditations, thoughts, comments, in short - his blog entries. (I hope you don't misunderstand me here, I'm not criticising his form or the book at all. I really enjoyed it.)
I can't think of anything in particular to tell you about this book. There's nothing that leapt out at me. But don't take that as a negative. The book was like soft waves washing against the beach. Almost imperceptable, but the longer you sit there, silently listening, the louder and louder the lapping waves seem until you can't imagine you ever thought them quite. Soft, but effective. It would make an excellent daily devotion book (unfortunately I got mine from the library and coiuldn't take that long to read it) with each mediation creating a leaping off point for your own meditations.
I really enjoy Henri Nouwen. This is his second book I've read. He challanges me, and says so much that I've been trying to figure out how to say. Interestingly enough, this book helped me to solidify something else that's been on my mind. It helped me to realize that Henri Nouwen makes mistakes, that I can respect him (and his teachings) and disagree with what he has to say (on some subjects).
I was happily reading away, nodding my head in agreement when, wham, I couldn't believe that he believed that. It shook me for some time actually. Here I was respecting him so much and he believed something that so blatantly went against what I believe (an issue that I might mention has been challanging me today while I was reading A Generous Orthodoxy). I'm just starting to get it. He's just human. Just like me. I make mistakes, he makes mistakes (I'm going to post a great quote on this actually - I read it and thought it should be my blog's disclaimer). I can respect him, and yet, still cover him with grace for his mistakes. Just because he's a teacher doesn't mean he teaches all truth. Just because he teaches an error (which he honestly believes) doesn't mean he's a heretic, or not worth respecting.
It's a challanging concept, I know. I hope it challanges you. Oh, and I hope if you see the book that you read it. It had some great stuff on contemplation, God's presence, and living a life of love. Well, worth the time.
(By the way, do you watch my sidebar listing of what I'm currently reading? I try to keep it up to date, and I've been thinking how to improve it. Sometimes I go through a book so quickly it's there and then it's gone. I'm pondering keeping a list of the reviewed books there too. Well, just thought I'd poll you for opinions.)

I'm always reading two books at the same time (at least). Typically one is non-fiction - my study, or work book - and the other is fiction - my fun book. I haven't been posting on here about my "fun" books. As much as I enjoy them and would recommend many of them to others I decided not to "review" them for you.
Then I read this book. By the time I was halfway through it I knew I was going to post on here for you. In fact, it took a lot of self-control to get to the end of the book before I posted.
As far back as I can remember I've had a passion for China. I love all things Asian, but am especially passionate about China. I saw this book on the book shelves and it drew me. I read the entire author's note right there in the bookstore and decided I needed to read this book. My son and I are doing SonLight's Core 5 - Eastern Hemisphere Cultures, and joy of all joys, we are studying China, the perfect time to read this book.
This is an amazing biography, not just of one woman's life in China, but three generations in China. Her Grandmother, the concubine of a warlord, her mother, involved in the rise of the communist party, and herself, raised during the height of Mao's power. Yes, the writing was excellent. Yes, the subject was intriguing (I love biographies and reading about other people's experiences). But what made me love this book so much was the way she was so open and honest about the politics of her country. I'd never heard anything about the Communist regime from anyone who had lived under it. I had no idea the kind of things the Chinese have been subjected to (like ripping up grass because plants were "burgeois" - I can't even imagine). More than that though, I was equally moved by her account of China's upheaval before the Communists were in power.
If you and your kids are studying China, read this book. If you are passionate about China, read this book. If you love a good biography, read this book. They just reprinted it (it was first printed in 1995) because she's just released an Autobiography on Mao - guess what's on my list to get from the library next.

I know this book was popular a couple years ago, I didn't jump on the bandwagon then (I think I mentioned that I'm not very motivated by fads). I actually was interested but I knew that Wild at Heart was just for men and was told that Waking the Dead was a sequel. I distincly remember being told anyone could read this one, but it was more for men.
I don't know why anyone would tell me that. It is definately not exclusively for men, it has almost nothing to do with men, in fact. It's just about life - that John 10:10 life thatJesus promised. A couple people have asked me how the book is and to tell them about it. I find I can't. I'm not sure why. If I was rating books on a five star "must read" scale this book would rate six or seven stars. So why is it so hard for me to talk about it? I think it's because it's working in my heart so much that I can't really "sum up" all that Eldredge is saying.
My friend who insisted I read it summed the purpose up for me. Her three primary points (tidied up a bit for public reading) are: 1) We are in battle for our hearts 2) Our hearts are good 3) Intimate community is the only way to mature in our faith. I personally would switch #1 and #2 but that does pretty much describe the book's content.
This book goes so much deeper though. It can be life altering - if you let it. Read it. Then read it again. And read it again until you get it and it truly sinks in.
Oh, I might add. I have Eldredge's book The Sacred Romance (he's the co-author), I've had it for about two years. I'm just over half way through I think, I've started it at two different points. Even though I love what they are saying, I just can't seem to plow through. Waking the Dead on the other hand is like sitting down and talking to Eldredge. I really enjoyed reading it. It's heavy material but comfortable writing. Which I really appreciate.

I just finished prepping my final lesson for the Fruit of the Spirit, which means I also finished two of my listed studies (The Fruit of the Spirit, Living Beyond Yourself) and one of my listed books (Naked Fruit). I thought about listing reviews seperately but have decided to put them all together instead.
The Fruit of the Spirit from Faith Alive Resources
I don't really like these Bible study books. They are very surface, repeat what you read, kind of questions. The other problem I had with this study in particular is that they had a bunch of little passages out of context instead of one or two longer ones for most of the lessons. Now, I will say this, if you wanted to do this study it wouldn't be that bad as long as you order both the study guide and the leaders guide. The leaders guide has the deeper questions in it and lot more teaching and explaining there too. Finally, be forwarned - this is a Christian Reformed publisher and so their stuff tends to lean on the conservative side.
Naked Fruit By Elisa Morgan
What was good about this book, besides that I got it on sale... It was a really easy read. So, if you were looking for something not too academic on the subject you'd really appreciate this book. It was written by the head of MOPS so it has parents of preschoolers in mind. Also, I LOVE books that help me think things over and put things into action - i.e. at least give me the option of homework. Each chapter had things to think over or do and some of them were really rather profound. The negative... it was such and easy read. I mean, a chapter took about ten or fifteen minutes (ok I'm a voracious reader, but still) and so you didn't go very deep into the subject. I read the whole book but didn't take very much away from it that was worth teaching to my group, although I found it personally interesting. Come to think of it, I'd say that this book was really focused for younger Christians, useful for the more mature but really valuable to the young in their walk. I'd say it's worth reading, but not worth paying full price for!
Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore
Ok, I'm not the kind of person who lifts up an author, worships at their feet and absolutely must read everything they write (except for maybe Agatha Christie). I've kind of held off of Beth Moore because she's got so many groupies and I'm always leary of groupie authors - especially within Christian circles. But I have to confess, I really enjoyed this study. I didn't always agree, and some of the questions were really surface, but her teaching was detailed, and varied. You can tell she honestly loves the Word (and wants us to love it too) and that she truly cares for her readers. She has a real teacher's heart and I enjoyed this study. So... I'm no longer anti Beth Moore, but I refuse to become a groupie. If you are only going to do one study on the Fruit, of all the ones I did I recommend this one.
The interesting thing was, that for many subjects all three of these focused on a different aspect, or focus of the fruit. It's hard to believe that Patience, or Self-control, can be taught with three totally different points of view, but I assure you, they can. I hope you find one of these resources to be helpful.

By: James Emery White
I just finished this book today. It's late back to the library and now the one I was going to read when I finished this is also late back. Sigh... Some day I'll find a better way to support my local library than paying late fines.
The actual title of this book is Your 10 Most Significant Life-Defining Moments: Daily Choices with the Power to Transform Your Life. It was a great read. I pulled it off the shelf because of the title (despite the advice I often judge a book by it's cover) and I'm really glad I did. Lots of people talk about the content of a book etc... but one of the most important factors in book reading to me is "readability" if I have to fight to read it and struggle through it's just not worth my time. This book has lots of readability.
The content of the book is even better. Today I was reading the chapter on Repentence thinking "This book should be compulsary reading." Considering many Christians don't even read the Bible it's not very likely that my idea will go over well. The premise of the book was that we are each faced with kairos moments (a Greek word for a time were our choices can alter our lives). I've heard teaching on this term before and know it to be very true in my life. The reason I liked this book so much was that the author presented 10 specific Kairos moments each and every one of us faces.
He's got solid teaching on each of these moments. Not just what they are, and why they are so influential, but how we can overcome and succeed in each moment. And always important, he includes practical steps and stories to bring the truth of his teaching to life. We can know all the academic knowledge we want, but until we believe it in our hearts it will never be refelcted in our actions. White writes in a way that helps it to pass from our heads to our hearts. I hope you can get your hands on a copy of it and read it for yourselves.
The 10 Most Significant Kairos Moments:
• When Called to Obey
• When Seeking to be Known
• When Faced with Failure
• When Pursuing Purpose
• When Taking a Stand
• When Engaged in Suffering
• When Asked to Forgive (Awesome Chapter)
• When Experiencing Temptation (another Great Chapter)
• When Needing to Repent (should be Required Reading)
• When Deciding on God
This is definately a four star book.