Back for 2009....

Okay....long time, no post! But if you've read my other blog, you will see that this blog is on the resolution list. I think I may even do the 50 book challenge again!!!!

So, BOOK #1 book finish for 2009....UNRAVELED SLEEVE by Monica Ferris

In this crafty mystery, Betsy Devonshire is at it again. As usual, she had no plans to get involved in solving a murder but after arriving at a stitching weekend in the mountains, finds herself involved when the guest stitcher is missing and found dead.

As usual, the Needlecraft Mysteries are very light mysteries to me. I personally don't find them to be real page turners till close to the end. This one is enjoyable and a surprise ending with who did it as I pinned someone else for the murder. I love the Monica Ferris books alot because of all the hints and tips I get on stitching. If you are not a stitcher of any kind (knit, crochet, needlework. etc..) you may not find this to be your type of book. So, as for me, I will continue on reading these. I mix my books up and don't read a whole series at one time, so I may not pick up one of hers again for while. I posted this one on paperback swap if you are interested.

So, till next time, yinz crazy readers....

"90 Minutes In Heaven"

Been sorta slow in the reading department with the upcoming wedding but I did manage to finish "90 Minutes In Heaven" by Don Piper. It actually was a little different than I expected. The part of being in Heaven was very small actually. I guess I would personally have liked a little more detail on that but I don't like to give bad reviews on books as I feel all books have something to offer. In this case, a lot of focus was put on the way he reacted and how others reacted to him during his recovery. Especially how this accident changed alot of other lives for the good. If you are like me and believe everything happens for a reason, this book makes alot of sense. It's a quick read so I have to say all in all, I recommend it.

50 book challenge..

Can I do it?? Well, only time and alot of reading will tell. I would love to do a 50-book challenge for 2008. I've started off with the two on my Shelfari list on the side of my blog. I love that site! As I read each of my books I'll do a review. Wow...this is a big challenge but it's one I've been putting off for too long....I just love books and have so many I want to read. Wish me luck!!!

Velvet Elvis

It was difficult to find a visible copy of this book on the web as it is white...all white except for the title and author's name. But to be totally honest with you, this book needs no fancy cover because it is awesome inside.
As I told you before I ususally read two books at a time and the fiction I'm reading is a little thick so it's taking me a little more time than this gem did. But then again,by Rob Bell is so good that you have to savor each chapter...you just don't want to forget what he said or confuse it with the next chapter's message.
Rob Bell is a Pastor at the Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His message on the Christian faith is so down to earth and so simple and filled with so much joy that you just don't want the book to end. He mixes a little Jewish history, throws in a dash of humor and a big cup of the Christian faith, Rob Bell style, leaving you wanting more. He truly has you look at a Christ- filled life in a completely different way.
For instance, our pastor, based one of his Sunday sermon's on the first chapter of this book, entitled "Jump"....and believe it or not, he actually had a trampoline there and jumped on it....it was great...Rob Bell would have loved it!! It was joyful, it was funny and, believe me, I think everyone walked away with a great message that Sunday.
And that's how Rob Bell writes.....he's full of joy, he's funny and you walk away with one great message about the Christian faith! Check out a excerpt on amazon.com...and enjoy!

Letters from a Skeptic

I don't know about you, but I like to read a couple of books at one time. Usually I do a non-fiction and a fiction depending on my mood any part of the day. This one I'm not entirely finished with but I'm going to review it now as I'm thinking it will only get better and better.
The book is written by Dr. Gregory Boyd a husband and father, and his father, a gentleman in his, I believe, 70's. Dr. Boyd, the younger, a once unbeliever, went on to study and teach theology and become a believer in Christ. His father does not believe thus the "older" Boyd is the skeptic. The letters are written back and forth between father and son with the father asking various questions about God and the son answering. The father's questions are posed rather simply but at times the son gets a little deep in his answers....never fear tho, the father says exactly what I would have said and tells his son he is getting a little too technical and to put his explanations in simple language...I love that part....and he does. The questions the father asks are very simple everyday questions such as "why does God let bad things happen?", etc. By the end of the book and through the letters, the father becomes a believer. This is a true story and the letters are real...maybe just a little re-worded for better understanding to the reader. It's a fairly quick read and great no matter where you are in your beliefs.
This is yet another in a list of books my Pastor plans on loaning me for my personal edification as I requested from him....and, like "What's So Amazing About Grace" I definately plan on getting this one for my own library....definately a re-reader! Till next time....

Bubbles Unbound.....

If you have never read a Bubbles book, you truly don't know what you are missing! Mystery and comedy rolled up in one great big ball of fun!!! I stumbled on Sarah Strohmeyer's "Bubble" series after reading a article in our local paper...seems she was going to be at a local mystery book store and I believe, if memory serves me correct, she grew up somewhere in Pennsylvania. I love to read books where the scene is in my home state or even very near me and this is where the setting begins....beautiful Lehigh Pennsylvania...well, maybe across the state from me but still in good ole PA. Bubbles Yablonsky (Polish no doubt....another reason I love her so much!) is this crazy blonde hairdresser, dressed in her hot pants and tube top, and a recent graduate of Two Guys community college, who loves to solve murder mysteries....of course her hair must be done and she can't break a nail....ya gotta love her!!! She's sorta like the Lucille Ball of mysteries. Being her and I are both of the same or close to the same background, so many things that go on with her crazy relatives I can identify with....except for the shoplifting mother...that's another story! So so much fun! Trust me, you will never cry when reading a Bubbles book.....but you will laugh out loud! Each book is a mystery in itself while at the same time she has her own little romance thing going on with photographer, Steve Stilletto. You don't have to go in the series as the author always gives you some background in each book. So, if you are ready for a light funny...make that hilarious read.....take Bubbles for a spin.....you'll never know where you might end up!

What's So Amazing About Grace?

As I've told you, I read everything....and I also like to jump around from easy reading to a little more intense reading. This book was leaning towards intense...it really makes you think about what you are reading. Unfortunately, it wasn't my book and belongs to my Pastor otherwise I would have been highlighting alot of parts in it. Instead, I wrote them down for future reference.

So, What Is So Amazing About Grace?....remember the song, "Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound, That Saved A Wretch Like Me..."? After reading this book, you realize the domino effect of Grace...the power of Grace to literally change people and countries as well as to save lives. You realize the power of forgiveness and of love for our enemies. You see how truly truly incredible some people from our past were.....people like Martin Luther King and Mother Theresa. You understand the differences between grace and ungrace. It's the type of book you really have to savor....chew slowly! It literally can change your way of thinking and treating your fellow neighbor...I know that I definately think different now. It's the type of book that will really get you thinking and has the potential of bringing alot of peace into your life. It's definately worth the read.

Let me end with just one of the many wonderful quotes that really helped me put into perspective the word "Grace"..."Man is broken...he lives by mending...the Grace of God is glue." --Eugene O'Neil