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Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La!

Posted by Beth on Friday, February 11th, 2011 in Books | Comments (2)

Set in Paris, France, the city of love, Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! definitely gets down to the heart of things. Written by Robin Jones Gunn, Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! is one in a series of novels for women that will take you on an adventure emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Follow the Father heart of God as you travel along with Lisa and Amy on their sisterchicks adventure through Paris.

Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! follows friends Lisa and Amy from their first meeting at school through adulthood culminating in the adventure of a lifetime in the city of Paris, France. The main characters meet as young girls in the 3rd grade, while living in Memphis, Tennessee. Loyalty imbedded from the start, their childhood friendship blooms into something ever present in every woman’s heart, the need for that close bond with other women. Author Robin Jones Gunn unfolds their lives together in this captivating novel about friendship, adventure, men, shoes, chocolate, struggles, and most importantly God.

If you are a reader of Robin Jones Gunn, this book will be no disappointment. Each time I read one of these novels written by this woman, I think, “Can God be this good?” As you read the words she has so thoughtfully penned, the love of God washes over you like a spring rain and you feel clean again. I am always eager to read one of her books, devouring it in anticipation of what will happen next in the lives of the women, and sad when it is over because the adventure is finished…until the next one.

I highly recommend Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! I might say this every time I finish one of these novels, but I believe this one is my favorite. It awoke so many things inside me, including the desire to eat much chocolate! Never really having a desire to travel to Paris, I found myself wanting to go there and experience all the things these women got to experience on their adventure. Gunn definitely does her research and created a desire within me to know more about Parisians, the art, and good chocolate.

Given the opportunity within your schedule to have some much needed girl time, this book will provide so many things for your spirit, soul, and body. Grab some chocolate, put on a soft beret, find a comfy chair and prepare your heart for an encounter with the living God as you partake of Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La!!!!

Popularity: 6% [?]

The Twelve Blessings of Christmas

Posted by Beth on Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 in Books | Comments (2)

The Twelve Blessings of Christmas, written by author T.J. Mills, is a book designed to most assuredly increase the Christmas festivities in your home. Published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, this cute little book is full of activities sure to fill your home with Christmas celebration throughout the month of December.

Dividing the book into twelve sections of “Blessings,” author T.J. Mills has filled the pages with recipes, activities, anecdotal stories, lyrics from Christmas Carols, and scripture. Blessings include the blessings of “Warmth,” “Music,” and “Love,” just to name a few. There are activities you can develop into lessons for your children like making Pomander or Spice Dough ornaments. Recipes include Friendship Tea, Homemade Rolls, and Gingerbread Men which are sure to make your child smile. The most important story, the account of the birth of Christ, is included in the pages along with several scriptures all pointing to a life of love and peace in God.

I really like this book. There are so many things in this book you can do with your children to create memories. Some of my favorites include the list of children’s Christmas books you can read with your child, the recipes for Sand Art Brownies, and a Brisket recipe to cook as part of an “Old Fashioned Dinner.” The author has even included some ways you can serve the people in your community and get involved in a very important aspect of Christmas, which is the act of giving.

On a personal note, I received this book from a student while I was doing my student teaching and pregnant with my first child. It is very special to me because it always makes me think of that time in my life. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to give a Christmas book as a gift to someone special this Christmas. If you want to create memories with your family, and would like to have lots of information you can refer to year after year, then this book is a good choice. If you are a homeschooling mom, then this book would be a good resource for you as well.

The Twelve Blessings of Christmas is a beautiful book with lovely illustrations that will be a treasure on your shelf and that you can refer to for many years to come.

The Twelve Blessings of Christmas can be purchased at christianbook.com, mardel.com, familychristian.com, lifewaychristianstores.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

This review first appeared at The Way I See It.

Popularity: 6% [?]

God Gave Us Christmas

Posted by Beth on Monday, December 6th, 2010 in Books | Comments (2)

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a vivid and colorful picture book to be enjoyed by children of all ages. Set in the Arctic Tundra, God Gave Us Christmas is a story of a young polar bear cub and her mother. The story begins when the Little Cub asks her mama, “Who vented Christmas?” Together they go on an adventure as the mama bear shows her daughter how God Gave Us Christmas.

There are so many aspects of the story that are relevant to the mother-child relationship. One aspect has to do with the parent as a teacher. Every young child at some point has asked one or both of their parents a question of some importance. This book demonstrates a parent as teacher when the Mama Bear takes Little Cub on an adventure to answer her question.

Another relevant aspect of the mother-child relationship addressed in the book is very subtle, and that is the desire in every child’s heart to be special. At the beginning of the story before the adventure begins, Little Cub asks her mama, “Can we leave them at home?” in reference to her siblings. Every child wants that special one on one time to spend with either mommy or daddy and that is something children and parents can connect to in the story.

I liked this story for so many reasons. One reason is that it is a book that should be read while cuddling your child /children close. God Gave Us Christmas has a warm and cozy feel, which makes for a wonderful time of snuggling up and creating memories as you read. Another reason I like the book is because of the element of science in the book. The book is set in the Artic Tundra and the author uses the wonder of the Northern Lights for Mama bear to teach Little Cub at one point during the story. But my favorite part about the book is how it is a tool to teach your children about the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. The author weaves this into her story so beautifully and while the Mama Bear is teaching her cub, she is teaching you and your child as well.

God Gave Us Christmas is a wonderful story with beautiful illustrations to make the story come alive. Each page contains just the right amount of words to keep the reader engaged as well as beautiful illustrations that perfectly match the text. I highly recommend this book to any parent with small children, no matter how young. Read it to your infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary aged children. God Gave Us Christmas is a fantastic story that can be read at Christmas, put away, and brought out at Christmastime every year.

You can purchase this book at barnesandnoble.com, lifewaychristianstores.com, and christianbook.com.

Other children’s titles by Lisa Tawn Bergren include God Gave Us You and God Gave Us Two. For more information on the author, go to http://lisatawnbergren.com/.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Tour of Duty

Posted by Pattie on Thursday, September 9th, 2010 in Books | Comments (2)

Hi Wives of Faith! Sara has some exciting news on her site today that you won’t want to miss!

Available for pre-order on Lifeway.com!

Popularity: 13% [?]

Recycle Those Books

Posted by Pattie on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 in Books | Comments (0)

I love books! I really do! Just looking at all the books I have unpacked since our recent move, I can tell you I love books a whole lot. My husband might argue that I love them too well, because I have too many! (Never mind he has probably just as many in his Pro Gear stashed in the garage, but I digress . . .)

In the spirit of looking for the “inspiring admiration” part of our August, I want to be a little green today and post a reprint of an article I posted two years ago about online book swapping sites. So, enjoy!

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“Green” is the big catchword this summer. Green, green, green. Recycle. Repurpose. Re-use.

One really nice way to recycle books is to trade them. What better way to do that than online, especially for those of us who don’t live near a used bookstore (or whose used bookstore in town smells of cigarettes? Don’t get me started on that one!).

I am going to tell you about my three favorite websites for books: Paperback Swap, Book Mooch, and Book Crossing. There are others, of course, but these are the three I have had the most experience with using, myself.

Paperback Swap and Book Mooch work on the same principle of book trading. Mail a book to someone on your dime, for which you receive a credit. Then request a book from someone else, using your credit, and she mails it to you (for which she receives a credit, to request a book from someone else). Paperback Swap’s page about themselves can be found here, and Book Mooch’s “about” page is here. While each site has its own rules and procedures, the basic premise is the same. Paperback Swap is strictly for United States citizens, while Book Mooch is a worldwide site (although if postage costs are an issue for you, you can opt for mailing only within your own country).

Book Crossing is based on another concept. It’s the random leaving of books for others to find, but each book is labeled with a Book Crossing ID. The idea is to track your book around the world. Book Crossing’s home page has a more detailed explanation.

While the concept of watching your books travel around the world seems really neat, it hasn’t worked out all that well for me. Sometimes I get to see where my books have gone, but more often than not it’s as if they disappeared off the face of the earth.

I mentioned used bookstores as an option, but I didn’t mention free trade shelves. I’ve seen this both where we are now and where we lived before…places either in a library or on our Air Force base where people are free to leave books they don’t want and pick up ones they do. My local Curves have them. A local coffee shop has it. It’s FABULOUS!

I also have donated books to “Friends of the Library” book sales, and purchased books for fifty cents or a dollar each. I’ve even been known to buy books specifically to trade online later…but that’s probably too much information about my addiction. (Shhh, don’t tell my husband!)

Now you know some of my experience with “recycling” my books. If there’s anything I haven’t addressed, or if you have any specific questions for me, please leave them in the comments of this post and I’ll answer in an upcoming post!

Popularity: 1% [?]

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