I'm Not Alone - My Review of 101 Secrets for Your Twenties

Written by: Paul Angone   

Published by: Moody Publishing

I am in my twenties. I have been for a while, actually. So, this book was appropriate to me, and I thought I would give it a read.

101 Secrets for Your Twenties is a book of shorts tips and advice and just comments on life as a person who is in their twenties.

Who the book is for:

Those in their twenties, obviously. Male or Female.

What I liked:

The “chapters” are short – there are a hundred and one of them – and easy to read.

Written in a fun way, with plenty of humor mixed in.

I could really identify with a lot of this book, and it was really nice to know that I am not alone. Going through your twenties can be tough, as you figure out the rest of your life, but not I know that it is like this for others, too.

What I didn’t like:

I found Wine 101 a bit weird to be included in a Christian book. Yes, I know that not all Christians are against drinking – most probably aren’t – but I still just found it a bit weird.

Some of the stuff that the author says about dating is just wrong. Like, you’re supposed to date a bunch so you know what kind of guy or girl you want and what kind you don’t… “Dating is simply about honing your taste.” Okay… I have to disagree with his opinion on that.

My conclusion:

Overall, this book was a bit eye-opening and good to read, with just a couple of problems.

I give 101 Secrets for Your Twenties 3 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from MPNewsroom. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A Readable Journey to Israel - My Review of Pilgrimage

Written by: Lynn Austin

Published by: Bethany House

I have read fiction books by this author, so I was curious to read this non-fiction book by her and see how her writing was in that genre.

Pilgrimage is a bit of a journal of sorts. It tells the story of a trip that Lynn took to Israel, and the lessons that she learned there.

Who the book is for:

Those who have an interest in Israel – ancient day or the modern place that it now is.

What I liked:

Written in a very real way. At times, it really felt like I was with Lynn on her trip.

Makes me want to travel there, even though I have never had any interest, before.

The author is very knowledgeable of the Bible, and that comes out in her writing.

What I didn’t like:

Parts of the book are a bit boring.

The chapters were too long for me.

My conclusion:

Overall, this was an interesting and unique read.

I give Pilgrimage 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from Bethany House. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Childish Humor - My Review of The Big Book of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids

Published by: Revell
Written by: Rob Elliot

My little nephew really enjoys jokes. He likes telling them and will laugh when he thinks he understands them. He was asking why the chicken crossed the road before he was two, and laughed at it without understanding why it was funny. At three, now, he still doesn’t understand a whole lot… and I was hoping this book would have some that I could share with him.

The Big Book of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids is full of all kinds of simple jokes.



How strong is the book?

This is a paperback book and about as strong as the average paperback book.

Who the book is for:

I was disappointed to find that the jokes in this book won’t really work for my little nephew. I would recommend this book for ages eight to eleven.

What I liked:

I like the cover of this book and the overall look.

I admit that a couple of the jokes did cause me to chuckle - even as an adult….

What I didn’t like:

…while others just didn’t make sense, and others made me moan.

Quite a few of the jokes are ones that I’ve heard a million times.

Some of the jokes wouldn’t be understood by the targeted audience.

My conclusion:

Overall, this is a decent joke book for kids.

I give The Big Book of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids 4 out of 5 stars.


I received this book free to review from Revell. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A Memoir of a Young Wife's Loss - My Review of And Life Comes Back

Written by: Tricia Lott Williford
Published by: WaterBrook Press

I chose to read and review this book because I enjoy memoirs. I received an Advance Reader Copy. As I was reading it, my sister kept asking me, “why do you like reading depressing books?”

I guess the story behind And Life Comes Back is depressing. A young woman loses her husband after only ten years of marriage and is left to raise their two little boys alone. But… this book also offers hope as it tells how the author pushed through her pain.



Who the book is for:

This would be especially good for those who are going through something similar, those who have lost a spouse or another loved one.

It is also a good read for people like me who simply want to hear of someone else’s journey through that kind of pain and back to a life of hope.

What I liked:

This book is very real - the author shares all the details of what life was really like, even the not so pretty ones.

Emotional.

Humorous at times.

Shows that there is a way to healing.

Interesting.

Quick and easy to read - I finished it the day after I started it.

What I didn’t like:

I feel like God could have come into the picture a little more.

My conclusion:

Overall, I found this to be a good read.

I give And Life Comes Back 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from Blogging for Books. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Action Packed Suspense - My Review of No One to Trust

Written by: Lynette Eason
Published by: Revell

I enjoy reading suspense books, so I was happy to pick this one up and give it a read.

No One to Trust is about a woman who finds out her husband has been keeping big secrets from her. Soon, she and her husband - who doesn’t even have the name that she thought he had - are on the run. Full of action and chase scenes, this book reminded me of a movie.



Who the book is for:

Those who enjoy action packed suspense.

What I liked:

Exciting and full of action.

Interesting read - quite different from other books that I have read.

The husband/wife interaction was interesting and gave the book some heart, though…

What I didn’t like:

I would have liked to see a little more emotion and heart and story in the book.

My conclusion:

Overall, this was a good read.

I give No One to Trust 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from Revell. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Bible Stories for Little Ones - My Review of 99 Stories from the Bible

Published by: Lion Hudson
Written by: Juliet David
Illustrated by: Elina Ellis

I am always excited to check out new children’s books, including new children’s Bibles, so I was happy to receive a copy of 99 Stories from the Bible to read and review.



The story:

This book contains ninety-nine stories, some of them common children’s stories such as Jesus’ birth and Daniel in the lions’ den, some of them less common such as Job and Esther.

The illustrations:

Are simple and cute, with big nosed people and gentle animals.

How strong is the book?

This is a solid and sturdy, large hardcover book and appears to be quite strong.

Who the book is for:

This Bible storybook - with the exception of a few issues listed below - is good for babies/toddlers through kindergarten.

What I liked:

The pictures are cute.

Includes some lesser known stories.

Simple stories, yet true to the Bible.

What I didn’t like:

The naked pictures of Adam and Eve are a bit much.

Some of the stories are too grown up for young children, such as the account of Solomon and the two moms who were fighting over the baby…

The use of the word “stupid” might offend some.

My conclusion:

Overall, this is a pretty good Bible book for young children.

I give 99 Stories from the Bible 4 out of 5 stars.


I received this book free to review from the Kregel Blog Tour. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Some of My Favorite Stars Sharing Their Favorite Verses - My Review of Country Faith

Compiled by: Deborah Evans Price
Published by: Zondervan

As a big fan of country music, I was excited to read and review this book - especially considering the fact that it included writings from some of my favorites, such as Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.

Country Faith shares favorite Bible verses and reflections on them from some of “Today’s Leading Country Music Stars”. Some of these reflections are light and don’t have a whole lot to do with the verses that they are about, and some are deeper with a lot more meaning.



Who the book is for:

Country music fans such as myself.

What I liked:

I liked the beautiful, professional pictures of each artist.

I enjoyed some of the deeper writings.

It was fun getting to know some artists a little better.

What I didn’t like:

A lot of the writings aren’t deep at all, and don’t have anything to do with the verses that they are supposed to be about.

The writing by Trisha Yearwood was just wrong, and shouldn’t be included in a Christian book. She basically claimed that all religions worship the same God and believe the same…

My conclusion:

Overall, I was disappointed with this book. I was expecting something more like a devotional.

I give Country Faith 2 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from BookSneeze. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A Novel of Loss and New Life and Love - My Review of Burning Sky

Written by: Lori Benton
Published by: Water Brook Press

I wasn’t overly eager to read this book, but I needed to choose something to read and review, so I thought I would give it a go. I’m glad that I did.

Burning Sky is the story of a girl who was taken away by the Native Americans when she was a teen and now returns to her home, trying to find her White family, as a woman. Don’t want to share too much more as I am afraid I might spoil the plot.



Who the book is for:

Those who enjoy reading any kind of fiction. Those who like reading books with interesting storylines.

What I liked:

The story was very unique - I have never read anything like it before.

The characters are very likeable, and I felt like I really got to know them.

Interesting read. There was never a dull moment, I was hooked the whole book through.

Emotional read.

What I didn’t like:

The accents of both the main characters were hard to get past at times, slowing the reading process. Also, some of the words that they used were unknown to me (Scottish and Native American.)

Might be a bit too detailed with the injuries and violence described.

My conclusion:

Overall, I definitely enjoyed reading this book. I find it really hard to believe that it is the author’s first.

I give Burning Sky 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from Blogging for Books. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.