Beautifully Poor

Let me say, this book is inspiring. Reading Sanya's story was beyond amazing, and as a runner I found it extremely inspirational, though I am definitely not even close to Olympic material.  Sanya Richards-Ross began running at the age of 7. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she naturally wanted to be a runner. Running is huge in Jamaica just like Football or Baseball are big in America. She even says that this was her gift from God - to run. I love how each chapter begins with a Bible scripture.  Sanya tells us her story - the journey of becoming a U.S. Olympic Champion. With the support of her family, Sanya goes on to become a record breaker - a U.S. and World record breaker. Through it all she gives the glory to God, which is amazing for someone who has done so many great things.  I found this book a great, easy read. It is geared toward a younger crowd, I would say pre-teen - teen. As I said, extremely easy to read, has great sets of facts throughout the chap...

When God Made You  by  Matthew Paul Turner  is a beautifully written children's book that shows kids how much God does love them through poetry and illustration. The book is bright and vibrant and I couldn't help but smile while reading it to the kids. My oldest loved the book, and after we had finished reading it I explained to him how special him and his brother are to God. That in fact, God loves everyone just the same, and we are oh so special to him. This book opened a door for my kids to feel and better understand that special love only God has for everyone. When God Made You  really could be a book for young and old alike, because I really don't think many of us grasp the profoundness of God's love for us, as kids and adults. I am so happy to have this book, and have been asked multiple times by my oldest to read it to him again.  Matthew Paul Turner   did an amazing job with the writing and the illustrations by David Catrow are just beautiful....

Just Mercy   by  Bryan Stevenson  is a book that describes the injustice of the prison systems, racial discrimination, and more specifically, the horrors of death row. What intrigued me most about this book is that racial discrimination is so rampant in the United States - it is actually quite sickening to me. I really had no idea that so many, including kids, get lost in the system to the point of wasting away in prison, even when they are wrongly accused.  The main account is about a man named Walter McMillan, who was wrongly accused of murder. The reasons behind him being accused are so heinous that it made me cringe at the way white people treated and still treat those of darker color.  Just Mercy  doesn't only account Walter's history in the system, but many others that  Mr. Stevenson  himself has helped, or those his non-profit organization,  Equal Justice Initiative , have helped. The information in the book is crucial, I beli...

This short little book by Bonnie Rickner Jensen has colorful illustrations and reads in a rhyming fashion. It is a board book, so little fingers can easily turn the pages, whether they are reading it or just looking at those beautiful pictures.  There are a few key lines I REALLY like, like Daddy's making his child feel safe and about forgiveness but otherwise, I'm honestly not a big fan of the writing. I wish it was more story based instead of random things between a father and child that rhyme and God's love for them. I love that the emphasis is on God loving what they do together, but otherwise not so much. I really wouldn't buy this book, though it is "cute" as my husband and son say. *I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for review. All opinions are 100% my own.

The Tunnels  by  Greg Mitchell  brings light into a dark time in history, one I knew little about. We all know about WWII and Hitler, but what about the aftermath on Germany? I know for myself, I never was taught much about the Berlin Wall and I never researched it. Sadly, all I knew about it was that it was taken down. History shouldn't be forgotten if you ask me and I was very intrigued with this book, just by the cover. Greg Mitchell  does an amazing job with the research that went into writing  The Tunnels   . Do you like pictures in books? This has a small section in the middle with pictures of this piece of history. I love how it puts faces to names and places in the book itself. It makes it come more alive. One of my favorite parts about the book itself is that none of it is made up. It says in the very beginning that it is created from historical records and people who participated in the events or actually witnessed them. Now that is a non...

Really Woolly Easter Blessings by Bonnie Rickner Jensen is a cute little addition to any child's bookshelf. Just in time for Easter, this 40 page padded board book is great to read one double spread page before bed or even school in the morning. Every two pages contain a short little poem, beautiful and bright illustrations, as well as a short little prayer and a easy to understand verse.  The suggestion is ages 2-5, though I read it to my 6 year old and he enjoys it, as well as my newborn, though he doesn't understand it yet. I think most any young child would like this little book. I like it with my 6 year old because he is learning to read and he can read some of the book himself.  The little devotions range in topic from Jesus' death and resurrection to Spring itself and the new life it brings. They really are cute and simple, making it easy for small children to understand. Our family really is a fan of this little board book. * I received this book fr...

Legend  by  Eric Blehm   is the inspirational story of Green Beret Sergeant Roy Benavidez. Within the first few pages of this book, Eric captures the readers attention with the bravery and the heroic actions of this great hero. Just those few pages made me HAVE to keep reading. Thanks to Eric Blehm, Fred Barbee, The Associated Press and Brian O'Connor the story of Roy Benavidez has not been lost. This book begins with the childhood of Roy Benavidez. His early exposure to war through the newsreels at the local theater regarding World War II struck a sense of adventure in Roy. I can totally picture how he would pretend to be one of the paratroopers he watched in the newsreels to fight the Nazi's, almost like my own son pretends to be a super hero. Those feelings of heroism don't die easily, and with Roy that proved to be more than true. What eventually got him into the military was his hot temper. He wasn't a tall man and not big either, but strong and fit from har...

I love reading books that captivate. One's that are so well written I cannot put them down until I finish it.  Dodgers  by  Bill Beverly  does just that. The story begins in LA, the main character named East. A young teenage boy who has gotten mixed up in a gang. In fact, that is all he has known in his life. He doesn't have a father and the brother he does have has been living on the streets for a few years now as well. His mother is not active in his life and yet East still maintains honesty and some sort of dignity being a watchmen for a drug house. This novel takes us from LA all the way to Ohio as East, his brother and two other men are sent on a mission by their leader. The road trip itself is full of surprises and though there is some violence in this book, it is far from graphic and a very enjoyable read. During the whole story I found myself rooting for the well being of East. He is a good hearted kid, full of empathy and naturally a watchmen of all...

Eleanor by Jason Gurley (more at  http://www.jasongurley.com/ ) is a dark and intriguing novel. I love books that keep me on my toes and this is definitely one of them. It is a speculative take on the choices we make and the effects they have on our immediate families, if not for generations to come.  I loved the way Mr. Gurley brought the story to life with the Prologue. I really could feel what Eleanor felt; being trapped in what had now become her life and then the decision she makes to change that. What makes this book even more intense is the addition of science fiction and time warps. Don't we all wish we had the ability to change the past? I think if we could, most of us would.  I love how powerful it shows that the mind can be in taking us down in life or bringing us up. Life is so fragile and can be taken so quickly.  "It's all just water" page 347, line 19 If you are looking for a new read that moves your emotions like only a good story c...

The Witch of Lime Street  ~ Séance, Seduction and Houdini in the Spirit World by David Jaher is an intriguing historical journey into the 1920's. Curiosity was building into all things spiritual and magic as it was post World War I. People were searching for something bigger; something to make meaning out of our lives. It seems it started with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, none other than the author of the Sherlock Holmes books. He was searching, like most, for answers. What happened to the fallen men after the war?  Plenty of frauds existed, just as it is today and has always been and believe it or not, Houdini was all a part of this. He was a masterful genius who could see beyond the tricks of mediums and self-proclaimed phsyics. He would even call them out during their own shows and prove them wrong, humiliating them in front of their crowds. He disproved many mediums as frauds and even as he became known as one to blow their cover, they would go undercover when he wa...

Phoenix Claws and Jade Treees - Essential Techniques of Authentic Chinese Cooking by Kian Lam Kho is just that. I have always loved Chinese food but sometimes restaurants are leary places. For me, I prefer to make my food and once I can make it, I have no need to order out for it again! This book provides me with that and I absolutely love it. This cookbook isn't just a book full of recipes. It contains a whole section on Knife Techniques and even starts off with the history behind Regional Chinese Cuisine. Who doesn't love to learn more about the culture they are cooking? This book goes into details about aromatics used in Chinese Cooking as well as the sauces, starches and spices. Once you start getting into the chapters containing the recipes, I find they are extremely easy to follow and cook. The one recipe I was SO excited to try was the General Tso's Chicken recipe. It is definitely not something I have ever gotten when I have ordered it in a restaurant...

The Rising is based on a true story written by Ryan D'Agostino who is an acclaimed journalist. The story is that of Bill Petit and the gruesome murder of his wife and two daughters and his own near death experience. The tragedy occured July 23, 2007 in the middle of the night and it is a night he will never forget. It also tells of how he overcomes this adversity in his life and is able to move on; proving that the human being is stronger than one would have thought and life worth every minute it is lived.  The book starts off telling of Bill in his new life, after the tragedy. It talks of his memorial for his wife and daughters and even in the first chapter, you can feel the pain that he must live. It then shoots back to his memory of the night he was bludgeoned. The night he got away when he shouldn't have. The night his life was spared by some miracle. The book goes on into the life before the tragedy. It goes into details about Bill's young life, then going on ...