12 "Christian" Beliefs That Can Drive You Crazy by Henry Cloud


 

My review

  rating: 4 of 5 stars
Henry Cloud and John Townsend do an excellent job exposing some of the nonBiblical advice that well-meaning Christian pastors and teachers often give. 



They explore statements such as, "It is wrong to do good things for yourself,"  "Shoulds are good," and "Guilt and shame can be good."  They examine these statements in light of God's Word and explain how wrongly applying them can negatively affect emotional health and healing.



I often found myself reading the "crazymaker" and saying, "But, wait, that is Biblical."  But, as I read on, I saw how the wrong application of some of those statements can be really devastating.  I was challenged to examine things I've always heard and accepted in light of God's Word- always the best place to go to find the truth.
 

View all my reviews.



To see other books I've read this year, you can check out my reading list here.                    

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I was able to finish two books this weekend while I was enjoying the homeschool convention with Jason. 

Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson is a commentary on the book of Revelation.  I decided to study Revelation this year and asked my pastor for some book recommendations from the Reformed philosophy.  This is one of the books he recommended.  I have been reading this book for a very long time, it seems.  Peterson is often very wordy, and I found myself rereading often to make sure I really understood what he was saying.  This book was also very deep reading for me.  I grew up in a church/denomination where the book of Revelation was taught very literally and prophetically- The End Times.  Peterson has a much different view of the book, beginning with the assumption that we must study Revelation not as an end to itself- the prophecies and predictions, but as a completion of the whole, revealed Word of God.  I agreed with much Peterson had to say, and I must say, I understand his view of Revelation as symbolism and completion of all we have learned about God through the Bible.

White Soul was a Christian fiction- mystery/suspense that was just for fun.  It was an interesting read about an undercover agent attempting to bust a powerful drug ring in Miami.  Like other Dodson books I've read, it delved into "gray" areas and often left me feeling unsure as to who were the bad guys and who were the good guys.  The hero of the story often struggled with right and wrong, choosing whether to do "the right thing or the desired thing."  It did have a very good conclusion, however.

If you'd like to see other books I've read this year, you can see my reading list here.  You can also see how I'm progressing on my summer reading list here.

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Maeve Binchy is one of my very favorite authors.  She has a unique ability to fully develop a multitude of complex characters and make her readers feel a connection to every one.
This book is a compilation of characters from several of her books, along with some new characters.  The story follows the lives and relationships of the people involved in starting a heart clinic in an Irish town.
I love the Irish/English settings Maeve Binchy uses in her novels, and this one was especially interesting because of all the "old" characters and places that she brought back.


For those of you who have read past reviews, here is my disclaimer: this is not a Christian novel.  I often read and review Christian fiction, but that is not the only genre I read.  And my good opinion of a book does not necessarily mean that there are no moral "gray areas" in the book.

To see other books I've read this year, you can visit my reading list here.
And to see my summer reading list, you can visit here.

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I must admit that I have never been a big audio book fan before I had children.  I am a very visual person, and I much prefer reading a book than listening to one.  When I had children, however, I quickly found the benefits of audio books.  I have read aloud to my children from birth (or before), and they are used to listening to books- long, chapter books.  There are times when reading aloud is just not practical: driving in the car, eating a meal, or when I'm just tired.  So, I discovered the joys of audio books.  And, I have found many that I have enjoyed as much as my children- especially on long car trips.

Some of our favorites have been:
The Famous Five books by Enid Blyton
The Secret Seven books (also by Blyton)
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty Macdonald
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
Story of the World Volume One by Susan Wise Bauer

Very closely related to audio books are radio dramas.  My children love to listen to radio dramas.  We find lots of good ones at HisKids.Net.
There are also some good radio programs for kids and adults at Oneplace.
On these two sites, we can listen to The Pond, Paws and Tales, Adventures in Odyssey, and Your Story Hour.

To find good audio books, you usually need look no further than your library.  Our library has a very good selection.  Some libraries are also registered through NetLibrary, which allows you to download audio books to your computer and MP3 player just like checking them out through the library.  You can use their library selector to see if your library is registered.  LibriVox has great free audio books for adults and children to listen.

I plan to stock up on CDs from the library and MP3s from NetLibrary for our beach trip this summer!

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I have decided I really need to broaden my reading horizons.  Besides the fact that have now reread the Twilight series for an embarrassing five times, more or less, I have a whole shelf of books to be read!  And, I was planning on reading some somewhat educational books during this year that I just haven't gotten to yet.

So, here I am .  I am going to make a list of books that I am DETERMINED to read over the summer- some fiction, some nonfiction, some educational.  And I here promise (maybe) that I am going to stop reading Twilight and finally read something else!  (Actually I have read a few other books during my "Twilight Phase."  I just haven't done any consistent reading lately.)

As an incentive, if I complete my reading list- and I will be checking in regularly to cross off my completed books- I will reward myself with the Twilight movie book.  Just kidding (maybe).

Here is my summer reading list:

Reversed Thunder- Eugene Peterson
The Lamb Wins- Richard Bewes
The American Frugal Housewife
Great Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe ( I love Poe!)
Heart and Soul- Maeve Binchy
Revolution in World Missions- Yohannon
The six original Charlotte Mason volumes from Ambleside Online
White Soul- Dodson
Unpretty- Rogers
A Thomas Jefferson Education- DeMille

There's my goal.  I am resolved to complete this reading list by the end of August!  Hopefully, I will have some good book reviews to go along with my reading.

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Knit Two by Kate Jacobs


 

My review

  rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed Kate Jacob's first book, The Friday Night Knitting Club, and this sequel was no exception.  These books are interesting stories about the powerful relationships among this dynamic group of women.
In this story, as well as in the original book, Jacob explores the lives of the women of the Friday Night Knitting Club- how they came to together, their loves and sorrows, and how they grow as people.
It was a very interesting read with many believable and likable characters.  These books almost made me want to learn to knit.  Almost.
 

View all my reviews.

To see other books I've read this year, you can read my book list here.

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Finally, I have moved on from Twilight (maybe) and am reading and enjoying other books.

I  have enjoyed all of Ted Dekker's books that I have read.  Kiss was no exception.  This was his first book co-authored with Erin Healy, and the collaboration gave a romantic touch to the usual Dekker psychological thriller.

Kiss was full of suspense and intrigue with a touch of romance thrown in the mix.  Shauna just wants to forget her troubled past, but when she really does forget everything she finds out forgetting is not really freedom.  Her release can only come by facing her past and learning from it.  Of course, in typical Ted Dekker style, there are many twists and turns along the way, and things are never what they seem.

The theme of embracing a troubled past instead of forgetting it was very thought provoking to me.  This passage from the end of the book reflects well the message that Dekker and Healy are imparting.  The conversation is between Shauna and her psychiatrist.

    "So what did God tell you when you wrestled with him?"
    "Remember that you were a slave in Egypt."
    I looked up.  "That's cryptic."
    "Not really.  It's Scripture.  His people were oppressed by their enemies."
    "And He wants you to keep that in the front of your mind?  He wants you to stay focused on the darkest seasons of your life?  How could that possible do any good?"
    Dr. Ayers folds his hands across his slim midsection and locks eyes with mine.  Thought the laugh lines deepen at the corners, his gaze tells me clearly that I must not miss what he is about to say.
    "He wants you to remember who delivered you from that time, Shauna.  That's the point of holding on to memory: delivery, not darkness."
    "Perspective, not pain, " I murmur.
    "Now my dear, I think you're getting it."

To see other books I've read this year, check out my reading list here.

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Believe it or not, I am still reading the Twilight books.  I am on the fourth book for the third time reading the series through. 

In between my Twilight readings, I have also read The Alaskan Quest series, a Christian fiction, historical romance series by Tracie Peterson.  These were good books, but they just did not seem to hold my interest.  They were typical historical fiction /romance novels, set in Alaska early in its statehood.  They were very light reading.

And now back to Twilight.  It has been a long time since I have reread books.  I will occasionally reread a classic, and there have been books that were, shall we say, less than classics that I have enjoyed enough to go back to reread.  But I am rereading the Twilight books for the third time.  I have also downloaded and read the partial draft of Midnight Sun- Stephenie Meyer's version of Twilight from Edward's point of view.  Apparently she had begun to write the series from his perspective, and the partial draft was released prematurely without her permission.  She has since released the draft legally but has stopped writing on the book.  I was very sad to hear that.  I have really enjoyed the book from his perspective and would really enjoy reading more!

I've been trying to figure out exactly what it is about the series that is so drawing to me.  I love a good romance. Have I said that before?  I love a knight in shining armor (or a vampire in a shiny Volvo).  I also really like a book with believable characters.  That, I think, is where the appeal is in the Twilight series for me.  I have heard and read criticisms of Stephenie Meyer's books that talk about how poorly written they are.  I am definitely not an editor, not even an English major.  ( I do have a Master's degree in Reading, but I digress.)  Perhaps the books are not "well-written."  But, the character development in the whole series is what really makes the books so readable for me.  I can just imagine these people.  I would love to know the Cullens in real life.  Jacob Black would probably be my best friend.  I wish each one of the main characters had a whole book devoted to his or her life.  I would love to know them better.

Someday, I will probably stop reading the Twilight books.  Maybe Stephenie Meyer will write more books.   Who knows?  In the meantime, I am still reading Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson, Twelve Christian Beliefs That can Drive You Crazy by Henry Cloud, and of course, Breaking Dawn(again).  I hope to finish and review some of these soon.

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After being so taken with the Twilight series, I decided to read The Host, Stephenie Meyer's adult science fiction novel.  I am an avid science fiction fan, and I really enjoyed the Twilight books (as you can read in my last review), so I looked forward to this book.  I was not disappointed.

The book is very science fiction- think aliens taking over humans on planet earth.  The people in it, however, are very believable characters- humans and aliens alike.  This book, like the Twilight series, was all about a seemingly impossible love story.  It had good moments of suspense; sweet, touching moments of love; and likable characters- everything that makes a good love story. 

As a love story fan and a science fiction fan, I really enjoyed The Host.

To see other books I've read this year, you can check out my reading list here.

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I have to admit that I hesitated to write this review.  Honestly, I was perhaps a little embarrassed to admit to my blog readers that I had read a series of books about teenage vampires. 

i had studiously avoided these books for a while as all the raving reviews came out, the movie debuted, and more and more people told me they had read them.  I had several reasons for my reluctance: First, while I have no problem reading books about magic and I love fantasy novels, I am a little hesitant to read about "dark" magic.  Secondly, I thought the idea of a vampire love story was slightly umm, stupid, for lack of a better word.  And, lastly, I am quite disturbed by the topics of obsessive love and sex in novels intended for a teenage audience.

But, while I held out for a while, I finally broke down.  I can't resist a good love story.   And, several friends assured me it was a good love story and that the books were "clean."  I started reading the series this past Monday, and finished the fourth book today- less than a week later.  I've also watched the movie now.  It has been a long time since I stayed up nights reading, but I didn't go to bed before 1 am any night this week, so taken was I by these books.

So, I am here writing this review with mixed feelings.  I thought these books were such a sweet, wonderful love story.  Edward Cullen, the vampire, is the perfect gentleman.  He worships the ground Bella, the human heroine, walks on.  He is her protector always, and everything he does, he does for her good.  What woman would not love Edward?  The vampire/supernatural element is downplayed in the first book, although it does become more prominent as the series progresses.  But the supernatural element was never "dark" in my opinion.  After all, these were good vampires.  The books were light reading- written I'm sure on a low high school/middle school level, but had enough action and suspense to hold my interest (and keep me up at night.)  They were also very "clean."  There was never anything explicit; and although Bella tried to convince him otherwise, Edward insisted on both of them remaining virgins until they were married.

So, why the mixed feelings?  Because my third concern was definitely warranted.  The love relationship in these books was waaaay too obsessive to allow a teenager to read, in my opinion.  This series had a Romeo and Juliet feel of "I would die rather than live without you."  In fact, in more than one instance, Edward voices his concern that he now has no soul and is going to hell, and Bella assures him that she wants to be where he is even if it is in hell. 

My official review: As an adult who is happily married and has been for 14 years, I absolutely loved this love story.  I love the idea of a "knight in shining armor" and everyone eventually living happily ever after.  If Stephenie Meyer were to write more Twilight books, I'm sure I would read them.  In fact, I've thought of quite a few story lines I would love to see explored with some of the other characters.   However, for the audience it was written for, I am not so sure. 


If you would like to see other books I've read and what is on my shelf to read now, check out my 2009 Reading List.

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Dead Heat by Joel C. Rosenberg


 

My review

  rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was the final book in the last days series by Rosenburg.  I finished it, but I must say this was one of the most difficult to read.  I know bad things can happen in the last days.  I believe we are in the last days and things are only getting worse in the world before Christ returns.  However, this book was a little too heavy on the gloom and doom sensationalism for me. 



If you like action and adventure, it was a good read.  If you are looking for hope and happiness, not so much.  It did have a happy ending.
 

View all my reviews.


Every Now and Then by Karen Kingsbury


 

My review

  rating: 3 of 5 stars
The 9/11 series was not my favorite of the Karen Kingsbury books, but as always I enjoy her sweet writing style, her well-developed characters, and a story of how faith and love triumph over tragedy.
 

View all my reviews.


To see other books I have read this year, check out my reading list here.

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This was the 4th Rosenburg book.  I must admit, I had trouble finishing this one and almost gave up.  It was the least believable so far.  I will be interested to read his nonfiction book which details some of his research information because it certainly seemed as if some of the Old Testament prophecies used in this book were really streeeeetched.
There still was lots of exciting action.  It read like an Indiana Jones movie.  If you like action and adventure and don't mind the nor being believable part, you may enjoy the read.
It is interesting that I am currently studying the book of Revelation on my own and reading some nonfiction books about the end times written from a Reformed perspective.  It is an interesting balance to this series and to the Left Behind series which I have read.
To see my reading list for the year, go here.

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I have finished the third Joel Rosenburg book- The Ezekiel Option.  In this book, Jon Bennet, the President's Point Man for Peace and his fiancee,  Erin McCoy find themselves in Moscow in the middle of the rise of a new tyrant.  Jon escapes and then has to find and free Erin before time runs out.

I liked this one much better than book two.  It was action packed- like book one- without so much of the blowing people up all the time in book two.  I'm still not sure how we can have two more books that won't just be the same old stuff, but we will see.

If you would like to see other books I've read this year, check out my book list here.
I must say, it is interesting to read this perspective of end times.  I've read the Left Behind books- most of them and am currently doing a Bible study myself on the book of Revelation.  So, from that perspective, it is interesting to read Rosenburg's take on the end times and to see how many of these things really are happening right now!

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Widows and Orphans by Susan Meissner


 

My review

  rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this mystery by Susan Meissner.  Meissner is one of the newer authors I have discovered, and this is the first in a mystery series  that she wrote.



The characters were well-developed; the plot line was interesting; it was not very deep but was a good light reading Christian fiction mystery.
 

View all my reviews.


To see other books I've read this year, please see my book list here.

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The Last Days by Joel C. Rosenberg


 

My review

  rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another thriller by Rosenberg.  Again, I really enjoyed this one and was on the edge of my seat, but I can't quite figure out how there are going to be two or three more books.  How many times can I read about people blowing people up?  Hmmm.




 

View all my reviews.

To see all the books I've read this year, you can check out my Book List.

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The Last Jihad by Joel C. Rosenberg


 

My review

  rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have heard these books discussed for quite a while now and have finally had the opportunity to read them.



This was a great book and would make a great movie.  I enjoyed the action and suspense.  It was very fast moving.



I am not extremely politically savvy, so there were parts of the book that went over my head.  But, the book is fast moving and exciting enough to create interest even if I am not following all the whole political agenda.



I definitely give this one five stars.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
 

View all my reviews.


If you'd like to see all the books I've read so far this year, check out my reading list here.

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We have a winner for the book giveaway!  From the Storytime and More blog.  Please leave me a comment with your e-mail, so I can contact you with instructions!  Congratulations!

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In the Twilight, In the Evening by Lynn Morris


 

My review

  rating: 3 of 5 stars
Gilbert Morris is one of those "old favorite" authors for me.  I have read his books since I was in high school.  I enjoy them.  They are light reading, rather formulaic, but interesting enough plots and characters.



This book was from the Cheney Duvall series - a medical drama with a bit of romance thrown in.  I have read most of the books in this series, but I have read them over many years.  after each one, I think, "This is just dragging on too long."  But, several years will pass, and I will pick up another. This one I happened on in a thrift store and realized I hadn't read it yet.



Cheney, a female doctor, is a fairly compelling character.  She has a strong personality and tends to be a little judgmental and self-centered (which may be what draws me to her :-) ).  The lessons she learns in this book as she goes to work in a California hospital in the 1800s are applicable for me also.  I think that is one reason I keep coming back to these books.
 

View all my reviews.

To see other books I've read, check out my reading list.

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The Swan House by Elizabeth Musser was truly one of the best books I have read.  Musser is new author to me, and I have enjoyed both of her books that I have read so far.  Her characters are very rich, and the storyline is is interesting enough to hook my attention from the beginning.

The book is about the search for truth.  Mary Swan, the heroine in the book begins searching for truth to solve a dare, but in the process, she finds truth about her family, her community, and finally she comes to understand the ultimate truth of Jesus Christ. 

Race relationships were a central focus in the book.  This was interesting to me because I have grown up in the South.  I know how strongly people here often feel about racial issues.  In the book, Mary Swan is rather naive about the racial tension around her until she begins serving in a racially diverse part of Atlanta where the book is set.   Then she begins to see how racial issues have surrounded her all along.

This book had so many layers.  There were mysteries and secrets being revealed, relationships developing, and life answers being discovered. 

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"What God has called me to do has nothing to do with what he's asking of you.  Don't look at me and compare and be afraid.  If you look at Scripture you'll see it.  God always provides just what is needed for what he asks, only it takes his supernatural strength to do it."

"Don't guess there's any time much that I r'memba' where me havin' and easy time of it has he'ped anyone, chile.  I cain't  'member a one, honey.  ... it's been through the hard times that i been able to he'p someone else.  It's been through believin' that the Lawd somehow gonna git me through that the others done wanted to hear about my Jesus."

I definitely recommend this one!

To see all the books I've read this year, you can check out my reading list here.

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So far in 2009 I have read:

More Charlotte Mason Education- Catherine Levinson(NF)
Charlotte Mason Study Guide- Penny Gardner(NF)
Swan House- Elizabeth Musser
In the Twilight, In the Evening - Gilbert Morris
The Last Jihad- Joel Rosenburg
Island of the Innocent- Gilbert Morris
Driven With the Wind- Gilbert Morris
The Last Days- Joel Rosenberg
Teaching Children-Diane Lopez (NF)
Widows and Orphans- Susan Meissner
The Ezekiel Option- Joel Rosenburg
Dark Pursuit- Brandilyn Collins
The Copper Scroll- Joel Rosenburg
Dead Heat- Joel Rosenburg
Every Now and Then- Karen Kingsbury
I Stand at the Door and Knock- devotionals from Corrie Ten Boom(NF)
Princes of Ireland- Edward Rutherford
The Associate- John Grisham
Twilight- Stephenie Meyer
New Moon- Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse- Stephenie Meyer
Breaking Dawn- Stephenie Meyer
The Host- Stephenie Meyer
Cry in the Night- Coleen Coble
Midnight Sun- Stephenie Meyer
Summer of the Midnight Sun- Tracie Peterson
Under the Northern Lights- Tracie Peterson
Whispers of Winter- Tracie Peterson
Kiss- Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
Knit Two- Kate Jacobs
The Missionary-?
Heart and Soul- Maeve Binchy
Reversed Thunder- Eugene Peterson (NF)
White Soul- Brandt Dodson
12 "Christian" Beliefs That Drive You Crazy- Henry Cloud and John Townsend (NF)


NF- Nonfiction


Currently Reading:
12 False Beliefs That Drive Christians Crazy- Henry Cloud

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