January Book Reviews

Each year I start off with goals, lists, and good intentions. Some new positive habits are usually formed, while other ideas crash and burn in short order. (Don't ask how our couples devotions are going...they're not!) One of my checklists involved the wealth of wonderful books that have sat, untouched, on my shelves for years. You've got them too, those books that looked so fabulous at the Christian bookstore that you never got around to reading. So, I plucked them off my shelves, and put them in my closet (where I would see them). I haven't read as many as I originally intended, but here are some that I have read so far.
Disclaimers: 1-This does not include every book that I have read this month 2- I do not necessarily endorse these books 3- These are just my opinions, nothing more 4- I'm excluding children's' books, unless I really liked or disliked them.
Whew, ready?

1. From Romania, with Love- A story about a retired couple who go to Romania as missionaries. This was a reading course book for our church WMS. It was not cohesive or particularly well-written, but the stories were interesting, and the characters were really sweet. Non-fiction, 2.5 stars
2. The Plainsman, Lori Copeland- A soldier on his way back to Kansas after the Civil War stops in a town of women being harassed by a wealthy plantation owner. If you can totally suspend realism, you'll like this book better than if you can't! Interesting setting, some amusing characters. Not a real page-turner, but got better toward the end of the book. Fiction, 3.5 stars
3. Green Eyes, A. Birnbaum- A cute book about a kitten growing up on a farm. Suitable for very young children. (Short text) Fiction?, 4 stars
4. Bad Kitty, Nick Bruel- This series cracks me up! The story line is very outrageous. It also includes alphabet introduction. I wish my kitty would do what his did to make amends! Fiction, 4.5 stars
5. Oh, say can you say di-no-saur? Bonnie Worth- Jerrel is totally into dinosaurs right now, and this is the only book that I've read when I was fairly certain I was pronouncing their names correctly! With most dinosaur books, I have to "edit" what I'm reading to reflect Biblical creation, but I don't recall any in this particular one. Non-fiction, 4 stars
6. Passing by Samaria, Sharon Ewell Foster- A story set in the South, right after the end of the First World War. The heroine is a young girl, whose tranquil life is forever changed when she sees firsthand the results of racial hatred. Nice, deep writing, with insight into complex emotions and issues. Fiction, 5 stars
7. A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study, Jen Hatmaker - A book about developing a bible study method that works for you. Sprinkled with humor and scripture, this is an easy read. It has really changed the way that I study the Bible. Non-fiction, 5 stars
8. Deadly Romance, Florence Case - A book about a police officer trying to keep her sister from marrying a murderer (she thinks). Sweet, off-beat romance. Plenty of action, and twists in the plot. Fiction, 4 stars
9. Created to Be His Help Meet, Debi Pearl- A book about the Biblical role of a wife. I feel that I really benefited from reading this book, however I would not recommend it. Mixed in with the truth were a lot of wrong opinions and harsh judgments. If you are a good "sifter," go for it! Non-fiction
10. The Power of a Praying Wife, Stormie Omartian- 30 Chapters of specific areas in which to pray for your husband. This is my second time to read this, and it's just wonderful. It's also packed with scripture. Non-fiction, 5 stars

So, there's a sampling of January's reading! I couldn't review my book on organization; I've stopped at the chapter entitled "Procrastination." Ironic, huh?! Maybe next month... :-)