|
|
Book & Music Recommendations
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Recovery comes to us in many ways...as varied as the ways God finds to reach out and draw us ever closer to Him. And so it is with God's written word. Dallas Willard says, "It may come through sermons, through art, through casual conversation, through dramatic performances, literature or song. All of these are important." The books recommended here are carefully considered and offered in great expectation of the ways God may reach out to you, as you find your way back to Him in your recovery. - Princess Bookworm
|
|
Bo's Cafe by John Lynch, Bill Thrall, and Bruce McNicol
"Until we believe what Jesus says He did," Andy says, "It's hard to accept the lies we tell ourselves and replace them with the real identity God's handing us. He offers this new life, the life we were trying to fake our way to with our self-stories. And it comes without any condemnation. He's smiling with His arm around us, looking at our messed-up lives together with us and saying He's crazy about us. Nothing surprises Him or makes Him want to run. He's known about our problems from before the world began, and He knows where we're headed now. And that flat-out trounces shame."
The authors of TrueFaced, February 2009's book of the month, have returned with the story of Steven and Lindsey Kenner - lives in crisis. All the principles that these guys taught in TrueFaced now take shape in the form of story. In Steven and Lindsey's crises we see our own. And as we follow their story we find hope for our own. If you liked TrueFaced you'll like Bo's Cafe - a place that serves up more than a mean shrimp cocktail. It's a place where everybody wants to know much more than your name - this is a community that dares to know your pain. And through these interactions, the freedom of being known emerges. Healing relationships form. At Bo's no reservations are needed, and grace is the house specialty...see you there. February 2010 Book of the month.
|
|
 |
|
|
snark⋅y [snahr-kee]
–adjective, snark⋅i⋅er, snark⋅i⋅est. Chiefly British Slang.
testy or irritable; short.
Snarky...there's a word you don't hear too often - at least not when it comes to spiritual memoirs. So here's the story of a woman, Susan Isaacs, who wanted to "play her note". When she was young she knew that God was good and Jesus loved her. She had amazing conversations with God... then life got complicated - heartbreaks, heartaches, and general mayhem ensued...and it may come as no great surprise - relationship with God began to tank. And as tragic as heartbreaks and heartaches can be, greater still became the tragedy of God's silence in it all. Wow - this is really beginning to sound depressing...what happened to snarky? Oh yeah, well, you see Susan decided the best thing to do, would be to take God to counseling - couples counseling, that is, because she and God really weren't getting along. So, with the help of her therapist, Rudy, the sessions begin and guess what? God shows up, Jesus too. As spiritual memoirs go, this one is decidedly snarky - though endearingly authentically so. Okay, there is some whining in this book - but what great book doesn't have a little whining? Susan Isaacs set out to vent her frustrations with the God she loved...she did...and He surprised her... January 2010 Book of the month.
|
|
 |
|
|
Every Star down in NorthStar needed a book
And not just the usual Christmas "commercial" hook
They needed to pause and remember the season
Now please don't obsess, just know there's a reason
It could be a generational circumstance
A frenzied and harried holiday dance
Maybe the mothers and fathers carried on in such a way
That many of their children were confused about the day
Whatever the reason, inherited or not
They needed a story - every grown-up and tot
So, the Princess Bookworm paced in her hut
Wondering, what book could possibly make the cut
"They're putting up wreaths and trimming their trees."
"They're using their credit cards - they're trying to please!"
Then the Princess had a marvelous thought...
That the book about the Grinch and Whoville,
could be the book that she sought
"They'll love it, she said, they'll curl up in bed."
"By young and by old, the tale will be read."
So it came to pass, in the month of December
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - became the book to remember
And the Stars down in NorthStar, the tall and the small
Discovered Christmas really isn't found in the mall
And joining together they began to sing,
"What do you know - Christmas is a God Thing!"
And what happened then, well...in NorthStar they say
Their hearts all quadrupled in size that day!
But don't take my word for it - just read it and see
How blessed Christmas truly can be!
- the Princess Bookworm
(who was completely inspired by the clever and timeless,
but never rhyme-less...Dr. Seuss) December 2009 Book of the month
|
|
|
|
|
unChristian, What A New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity...And Why It Matters by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
What's your view of Christianity these days? Are you inside or outside the church? Does this affect your perception? The writers of unChristian took on the task of studying such questions as these, specifically, the candid opinions of outsiders, ages sixteen to twenty-nine. Their findings may surprise you. One consistent insight is that Christians are primarily perceived for what they stand against. "We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for." While not all reactions to the study are negative, one thing seems to be clear - the message of Jesus seems to have been misplaced along the way. David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons invite us to take a look, and consider the message that Christians may be giving the world through actions and attitudes. They write,"The church desperately needs more people who facilitate a deeper, more authentic vision of the Christian faith in our pluralistic, sophisticated culture. Let's imagine together what could happen and then commit to being the change we want to create." An informative and timely wake-up call for all Christians - well worth a look and a consideration. November 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
 |
|
|
"Every day is a leap of faith." - a quote from Liz Wright, musician, published on the side of a cup of a Short Americano
You know those rags to riches stories - well, this isn't one of them. This is more of a riches to rags tale. Michael Gates Gill was a child of privilege. He grew up, married, had children, and led an accomplished and very successful professional life. Then a series of events and choices took away many of the things that made his world go round. This is his story. How Starbucks Saved My Life is the surprising account of a life re-invented in an unexpected way. It is irresistible - a fascinating, inspiring, don't-talk-to-me-right-now, can't-wait-to-turn-the-next-page kind of a book, that stays with you long after the last page is turned. Mike was an "old white man" at the end of his rope. As self-pity and entitlement moved out of his world; his emotions, thoughts, and attitudes began to change. He began to take responsibility for his life and his family. He discovered the ever-increasing glory of others, as well as his own God-created identity. He found his redemption in the diversity of his workplace and the relationships he formed there. His experience will leave you longing to "have what he is having" - and it's good to the last drop. October 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
 CLICK IMAGE |
|
Soul Repair by Jeff VanVonderen, Dale Ryan and Juanita Ryan
Do you fear that God is angry with you? Do you wonder if God is really for you? if God really loves you? Deep down many of us Soul Repair believe that we are not good enough, and never will be good enough, to have a meaningful relationship with God. This is because we have been spiritually trained in ways that have left us with distorted and inadequate spiritualities of four different kinds: * abusive * anorexic * addictive * codependent
And we are left with a toxic combination of fear and shame. We may try to get it right. We may try to control ourselves and others. We may try to please God and to earn God's love. After a while we find ourselves exhausted and discouraged, and we may feel even more alienated from God.
Jeff VanVonderen, Dale Ryan and Juanita Ryan understand this problem because they have been there both personally and professionally. And they are prepared to help you rebuild your spiritual life. If you find yourself living out a burdensome and unfulfilling spirituality, this book is for you. If you are longing to have a relationship with God that works, this book can show you the way. September 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Do you have good boundaries? "A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things
for which we are responsible." Boundaries may be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, and just as fences make good neighbors - good boundaries are necessary for healthy relationships and lives. The dynamic duo of Cloud and Townsend join forces to write all that you ever wanted to know about when to say yes and when to say no, but were afraid to ask. From what boundaries look like and how they develop, to the laws and myths that surround them - it's all right here. Boundary conflicts affect your family, friends, spouse, children, work - even your self and God. Study and learn the beauty, value, and ultimate freedom of living within healthy boundaries. Check out the resources at www.cloudtownsend.com. August 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
|
|
The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program by Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.
Ever had a sugar feeling? According to Kathleen DesMaisons, "Sugar feelings distort the natural reactions we have. Sugar feelings make things seem bigger, more dramatic, more exciting - even scarier." Many of us have inherited a condition that makes us sugar sensitive and that makes us more reactive to imbalances in our bodies and brains - and this is true before even a spoonful of sugar goes down! What does all this mean? We crave and our moods swing. We experience depression, compulsiv-ity, and weight issues. Studies show that there is a connection between alcoholism and sugar - and possibly a correlation between nutrition and the ability to stay sober. Dr DesMaisons, an expert in addictive nutrition and a sugar addict herself, has gathered the facts and created a plan for recovery. It is, in her words, "simple, fun, to the point, and easy to follow - a well-tested path to success." So, trade in your twinkie for the truth - and for additional sweet information go to www.radiantrecovery.com. July 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
Once in awhile a book comes along that beckons you. It calls you - to turn off all distractions, curl up in your favorite chair, and take a trip...to Mitford. Mitford, with a population of a little less than a thousand, is home to Father Tim and his dog, Barnabas. Mitford is a place where people give serious contemplation to their flower beds. Folks know their neighbors - the common and the quirky - and call them community. Cell phones and fax machines are non-existent, blackberries are found in pies, and only the birds twitter here. The pace is a little slower in this town, but things are never boring. Good happens here. This is the first book in the Father Tim series written by Jan Karon. Breathe deeply - the front porch is waiting, and there is a rocking chair reserved just for you...you are At Home in Mitford. July 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Everyone has a God-given desire for complete and unconditional love in all relationships. The Five Love Languages can revolutionize relationships. The Five Love Languages discusses the different languages -- words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch. Check out the resources at www.fivelovelanguages.com. June 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Healing the Pain and Rebuilding Trust When a Partner Has Been Unfaithful
After the unthinkable happens in a marriage - where do you turn? After the Affair is a safe book "for any two people who want to rebuild their relationship after one of them has been unfaithful." It's about equal consideration for both partners - the one who has been hurt and the one who has been unfaithful. Rather than assigning blame, Dr. Spring thoughtfully explores the healing path of "reacting to the affair, reviewing your options, and recovering from the affair." The non-judgmental process she suggests examines why the infidelity happened and how both people are affected by it - suggestions for self-help exercises are included. To everything there is a season... for all that may be broken, the hope of healing and renewal are possible, because "sometimes you have to take something apart to rebuild it in a stronger, more lasting way." May 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
"You cannot be anything you want to be - but you can be a lot more of who you already are."
Behold, a great little reference book for people who want to "invest energy in developing their strengths instead of correcting their deficiencies" - yes! You've got talent, but it might be hidden and you probably could use some assistance uncovering it and then deciding what to do with it. Here's your chance - a tool to "help you find the areas where you have the greatest potential to develop strengths." Instead of continuing to take the path of most resistance, imagine rediscovering what makes you stand out...only this time, in a good way. April 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life
"The first rule of this book is that everyone is destined to become a survivor. For our purposes survivor is defined as anyone who faces and overcomes adversity, hardship, illness, or physical or emotional trauma. Survivors keep going despite opposition and setbacks. They may want to quit but they still persevere. Some even manage to excel under the worst circumstances. They make the most of misfortune. They grow in ways they could never have imagined. They don't just exist or subsist. They live fully...they thrive. Whether they survive six months or sixty years, they make the most of their time. Survivors quite literally are super livers."
Welcome to The Survivors Club. Membership is not exclusive, and you may not know it - but you already have what it takes to become a member. Ben Sherwood shares the stories and wisdom of regular people who faced physical danger and probable death and lived to tell the tale - survivors. After studying the personalities and patterns of these folks, he identified five "Survivor Types" and twelve "Survivor Tools." The book jacket contains an access code to use on-line to assess your own personal "Survivor Profile" - how cool is that! Life is turbulent and crisis happens, but "survival is an outlook that anyone can learn, practice, and apply", no matter the adversity. April 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Nathan Coulter was born in 1924 near the fictional town of Port William, Kentucky - a world away from our present one. This is the first work in a series Wendell Berry wrote about the region and covers a few years in Nathan's life - years of loss and change. Family, community, the land, hard work, with the occasional diversions of fishing and coon hunting - all these marked the passing of his days. He lived in a place and time where folks were connected to the land by necessity for their very existence. Berry's characters are honorable and flawed, tough and tender - simple people with complicated, unresolved relationships...much the same as human beings nowadays. It seems that all generations wrestle with the inconvenience of their emotions and the ties that bind, making this quiet, heart-felt book a timeless treasure. March 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
TrueFaced by Bill Thrall, Brian Nichol, and John Lynch
"Why do so many people say the right thing, but then live the wrong life?" The authors of "TrueFaced" call this "The Great Disconnect" - far too many of us don't walk the talk. Agreed - we get that, but...what's behind this disconnect? "TrueFaced" examines life after salvation - the motives behind our values that drive our actions, and presents a fascinating and revealing look at the differences in living to please God, rather than trust Him. Grace, love, repentance, and forgiveness take on new meaning in the context of healing and maturity, moving us beyond the facade of performance-based faith and sin management. Trusting God and others with who we really are is an intriguing idea, full of life-changing possibilities and God-shaped dreams. February 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Come Back A Mother and Daughter's Journey Back Through Hell and Back by Claire and Mia Fontaine
"Sometimes, we have to give birth to our children twice." Step into the love story of Claire and Mia Fontaine, the before and after of lives lived unconsciously and consciously, and everything that happened in between. Mother and daughter share par allel accounts of abuse, addiction, and recovery, woven together seamlessly in a tender, riveting memoir. Come Back walks and talks, lives and breathes a grueling battle for survival and recovery...then soars on the wings of life-altering transformation. This is a story of harm done, of unhealthy relationships and family dysfunction - of betrayal at the deepest level - a love story that was rewritten by digging deep, by a dogged commitment to a process of self-examination by both authors. The power of their narrative is great - it illuminates the dark night of addiction and all that lies beneath...and inspires us to reach for that light, as well. January 2009 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
Addiction and Grace Gerald May says that we are all addicts and idolaters in every sense of the word, addictions to alcohol and other drugs are simply more obvious and tragic than others. He writes, “To be alive is to be addicted and to be alive and addicted is to stand in need of grace.” A good read for those who have justified or rationalized “less risky dependencies and a rare educational and spiritual guide for all addicts in need of God’s grace-which is everyone.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller Authentic. Profound. Funny. Moving. Deeply spiritual. Thought-Provoking. Quirky. Searching. Revealing. Smart. Original. Relevant. Honest. Beautiful. Remarkable. Just a few of the reasons you must read "Blue Like Jazz". June 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Captivating by John and Stacy Eldredge...begins….”Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman”-Tammy Wynette. Amen to that sister, you have our attention. Either we are too much of one thing or not enough of another. And oh my-the endless trying to get our acts together-to get “it “ right. This time both of the Eldredges join forces to help us consider the heart of a woman and the longings God has placed deep within. A wonderfully affirming book written for women that men will also appreciate.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime by Mark Haddon
Meet Christopher John Francis Boone. He is 15 years 3 months and 2 days old. He is good at "maths", favors the color red, abhors yellow and brown, is autistic...and a boy sleuth. A life has been taken and the victim is large with pale yellow skin and black curly fur - Wellington, the neighbor's poodle. This book is a "murder mystery novel" about imperfect lives and Christopher Boone is an unlikely hero. Earnest and persistent, with a prevailing courage, he tells a story from unique perspective and engages the reader to enter his world, walk in his shoes, and see with his eyes the circumstances of his life and his family's. Mark Haddon has written intelligent fiction that is neither neat nor tidy - it's better than that - it's hopefully messy and entirely believable. November 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
To Own a Dragon by Donald Miller "One day you wake up under a pizza box, the television blaring in your bedroom, the laundry piled up over what might be a bedside table, and ask yourself, How did my life get like this? Why don't people like me? Didn't I gave a cat and what is that smell?"
|
|
Donald Miller strikes again, this time with a memoir of sorts about growing up without a father and what it means to a boy and the man he becomes. Poignant, incredibly inspiring, and at times hilarious, Miller manages to make us all think of our own personal passages into adulthood - reminding us of God's role of perfectly fathering us toward true maturity. Drawing on the wisdom of John MacMurray, his mentor, Donald Miller has much to say about how he learned to live life as a grown-up, and he does it with great honesty, humility, and grace. To Own a Dragon is really the story of a boy who grew up to be a wounded healer...it is an astonishing true tale and a read to savor. October 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Epic by John Eldredge Things are not what they seem, we are at war, and you have a crucial role to play-did you know this? If you really believed it how would your life be different? Would it give meaning to the mundane in your daily life? There is an amazing epic adventure-it is bigger than our own dramas and yet, we are invited to be a part of it. Epic is a little book of profound truth-for all who long to know the rest of the story.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg
Did you know…It is better to eat Twinkies with good friends than to eat broccoli alone…and people with strong emotional connections produce less mucous than those who live in isolation-unfriendly people are therefore snottier than friendly people! Imagine that-being in meaningful relationships is that important. We were created for community and it is God’s desire for our lives. There’s just one problem, none of us is really normal and that complicates matters just a bit. What are the secrets of strong relationships? How do we get close without getting hurt? John Ortberg has written a humorous yet practical guide for believers intent on living with “unveiled faces” and growing together in Christ.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong by Leslie Vernick
Some title-huh?. Some book! Don’t expect any quick or easy fixes for your marriage here. Leslie Vernick asks us to look at our marriages from the big picture perspective-God’s eternal purposes. She reminds us that marriage isn’t about finding the right person but becoming the right person for those willing to take a less “all about me” approach. New hope and perspective await.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Journey of Desire by John Eldredge
Desire-it is pleasure and it is pain. John eldredge writes, “We cannot live without the yearning and yet the yearning sets us up for disappointment-sometimes deep and devastating.” The Journey of Desire is a trip worth taking to discover our true God-given desires and to learn to recognize the imposters. Eldredge has written a beautiful book for recovery of the heart, the soul, and desire.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli
Finally, a book for the distracted, erratic, far from perfect, having way too many bad hair days believer-listen up! Michael Yaconelli tells us that spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God being present in the mess of our unfixedness. So slow down, embrace your oddness, and explore a new perspective on what is true and yes, messy spirituality.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
Michael Yaconelli writes,"Jesus is not repelled by us, no matter how messy we are, regardless of how incomplete we are. When we recognize that Jesus is not discouraged by our humanity, is not turned off by our messiness, and simply doggedly pursues us in the face of it all, what else can we do but give in to His outrageous, indiscriminate love?" July 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
|
Reframe Your Life by Stephen Arterburn
Got hope? Hope keeps us pressing forward in life. Some people manage to live with healthy perspectives while others are "living in a present pain due to a past hurt". What if we could accurately name the obstacles that steal our hope and begin to see life beyond the context of our own pain? "Reframe Your Life" identifies these roadblocks so that we may change our unhealthy patterns of believing and begin to choose to live with discernment, developing the courage to know the real truth about ourselves and about the story of our lives. Reframe... refocus... resolve... recover... find hope. January 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Running In Circles by Kim Engelmann
Running in circles and going nowhere fast-trapped in a cycle of pain-sound familiar? Suffering can produce growth or bring destruction. Based on her own life experiences, Kim Engelmann offers hope with practical solutions for exiting the hamster wheel of cyclical suffering. She encourages us to look at our lives honestly-choosing instead the redemptive suffering of the potter's wheel, seeking the healing power of God's presence and "a future with a hope." February 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb
Pain, brokenness, suffering, emptiness, fear, despair, tragdy-these terms don’t apply to believers, right? How could a shattered dream possibly lead to really knowing God? “The search to discover God requires that we abandon ourselves, that we give up control of what matters most, and that we place our confidence in Someone we cannot manage.” Could we all learn to fly? Read and discover outside-the-box thinking for inside-the-box believing.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout
"About one in twenty-five individuals are sociopathic, meaning essentially, that they do not have a conscience. It is not that this group fails to grasp the difference between good and bad; it is that the distinction fails to limit their behavior. The intellectual difference between right and wrong does not bring on the emotional sirens and flashing blue lights, or fear of God, that it does for the rest us. Without the slightest blip of guilt or remorse, one in twenty-five people can do anything at all." A book recommended for "the rest of us" - those finding themselves in the destructive fall-out of the sociopath, "The Sociopath Next Door" attempts to define, recognize, and help us deal with those operating under the influence of a missing conscience. Not for the faint of heart - but essential reading for those wishing to guard their hearts... and lives. April 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
 CLICK IMAGE |
|
|
Soul Cravings by Erwin McManus
Cravings stronger than our addictions...hmmm...it's difficult to conceive of such a thing, and yet, Erwin McManus writes,"God calls us out of the life we have known and calls us to a life we have never imagined." Now that's exciting to ponder! McManus invites us to join him on a soul-searching endeavor and explore three quests - "a quest for intimacy, a quest for destiny, and a quest for meaning." Still haven't found what you're looking for? You might start here with "Soul Cravings" - real and compelling chicken soup for the soul. March 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow
"It's not about how to achieve your dreams. It's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you." Randy Pausch spoke these words to an audience assembled for "The Last Lecture." The man who was all about dreams and adventures faced a grim diagnosis of certain death, and yet his story is about living and the integrity that shaped it all. Self described as "geeky", he was an ordinary person who made extraordinary choices and some might say, that made all the difference. What he left behind is a priceless legacy for his family and the world - a modern classic is born. August 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
The Shack by William P. Young
Sometimes a book grabs hold of you and won't let go. The Shack is a healing work of imagination-a journey from " the Great Sadness" into the welcoming heart of God. Haunting questions are gently exposed and tenderly answered here. Faith is rewritten and strengthened in this story of relationship, forgiveness, and hope. May 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
To Be Told by Dan Allender
Each of us has a story or two to tell-you know life as we’ve known it. Now making sense of it all, well that’s another matter. “To Be Told” helps us examine the chapters of our lives so that we may be able to live with intention and discover our calling in the greatest of all stories-God’s.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Waking the Dead by John Eldredge
A battle is raging. And it is a battle for your heart. We have forgotten the heart is central. And we have forgotten that we are at war. The bible tells us, “Therefore do not lose heart”-so what’s up with that-because we are losing heart. If we are to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, the eyes of our heart better be enlightened! There’s more going on than we ever imagined. Waking the Dead is an amazing revelation to encourage and empower all believers to stir our sleeping hearts to become fully alive to all that God has created us to be.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
What's Eating Gilbert Grape? by Peter Hedges
The Grapes of Endora, Iowa are not producing good fruit. Something is eating the crop right off the vine. Gilbert Grape is in a rut - he sees life as unfair, and the facts that surround him appear to support what he sees. And yet...a mysterious stranger has come to town, and she sees life differently than Gilbert. Yep, the girl that everyone wants...to know more about, has a way of looking beyond the obvious and contending with the heart of the matter. Meanwhile, a drought hangs over the parched farmland and citizens of Endora, but storm clouds are gathering - can the Grapes be saved? Will the blight of one family's grief and shame take out future branches of the family tree? Peter Hedges serves up a bittersweet slice of small-town America and invites us to the table. This is a story that would make the Waltons collectively blush (see Wikipedia for that one, young folks), and the angels weep. But take heart, it will also make you smile. Pull up a chair and devour it. December 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Who Switched off My Brain?: Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions by Carolyn Leaf
Amygdala and Dendrites and Glial Cells-Oh My! Is this code language for Trekkies? Are you out of your Vulcan mind? No - it's lingo for your brain - or rather, it's lingo about your brain. It's about that final frontier - you know, space - that is, the space between your ears. And you can read all about it in "Who Switched Off My Brain". Dr. Caroline Leaf is very interested in how we handle our emotions and stress, which you might find interesting as well. It seems our thoughts can be healthy or toxic and this can have great impact on our minds and bodies. So, put down that remote control - while this is not about the voyage of the Starship Enterprise, it is about something even bolder, the journey of our thought lives. Beam us up, Dr. Leaf... September 2008 Book of the Month
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
|
Wild at Heart by John Eldredge A battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue-no it’s not Bruce Willis’s latest action flick-it is the longing deep in the heart of every man. The concept of being a nice guy was never intended to steal a man’s dreams John Eldredge believes. A revealing look into the heart and soul of a man, Wild at Heart redefines masculinity as God intended.
|
|
CLICK IMAGE
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
