Review of Perfectly Invisible!

Perfectly Invisible: A Universally Misunderstood Novel by Kristin Billerbeck is the second book about Daisy Crispin, a senior determined to stand out before she leaves high school. See my review for the first book here. Daisy's determined to finish high school as somebody, go to a great university, stay with her amazing boyfriend, and stick with her best friend, Claire. But, of course, it doesn't work out. When her best friend suddenly forces Daisy to sell outrageously weird jewelry, the whole school suddenly turns on Daisy. However, her best friend hurts her even more when she begins being around Daisy's boyfriend. Things get weirder when her former crush begins to show interest in her and Daisy gets to know Claire's long lost half-brother, who Claire didn't even know existed. Oh, an someone pulls off a stunt that has the whole school talking about Daisy! Maybe being invisible was better after all...

This book tops my favorite charts... I've never felt so much like a character before, and even though Daisy's situation is a lot different from mine, our personalities are pretty much the same. Dry humor, perfectionist thinking, and somewhat useful with academics. Whenever she got advice, I felt that it was talking to me. This book has some pretty good lessons about tough times, perfectionism, and choices. But its also laugh-out-loud hilarious! I don't often crack up as I read books, but I was laughing so hard. The author's writing style is smooth, and just lets the reader see who Daisy is. I feel this book was much better than the previous one. Excellent!

Some things to be aware of is that there are mentions of alcohol and a guy drugging a girl (an event from the previous book). All hints, nothing big.

All in all, I rate this book five starts out of five. Recommended to teen girls.

Specifics (from amazon.com):
~ Paperback: 267 pages
~ Publisher: Revell (July 1, 2011)

Note: Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes.

Blessings,

You Can't Run When You're Holding Suitcases!

"Suitcases" by Dara Maclean. My song pick of the week! :)

How can you move when they're weighing you down
What can you do when you're tied to the ground, yeah
You carry your burdens, heavy like gravity
Just let them go now, there's freedom in release

You can't run when you're holding suitcases
It's a new day throw away your mistakes and open up your heart
Lay down your guard, you don't have to be afraid

Just breathe, your load can be lifted
There's a better way when you know you're forgiven
Open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don't have to be afraid

Can you imagine what it's like to be free
Well, send those bags packing, they're not what you need
Abandon your troubles on the side of the street
Just let them go now, believe me

You can't run when you're holding suitcases
It's a new day throw away your mistakes and open up your heart
Lay down your guard, you don't have to be afraid

Just breathe, your load can be lifted
There's a better way when you know you're forgiven
Open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don't have to be afraid

There's nothing hold you back now, just run

You can't run when you're holding suitcases
It's a new day throw away your mistakes and open up your heart
Lay down your guard, you don't have to be afraid

Just breathe, your load can be lifted
There's a better way when you know you're forgiven
Open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don't have to be
You don't have to be afraid

Blessings,

Review of The Heavens Proclaim His Glory

The Heavens Proclaim His Glory by Kevin Hartnett is a gift book with stunning images of space taken by the Hubble telescope. Truly God's creation proclaims His glory, and it is made evident through the beautiful images shown.

With the pictures are reading portions, and I like how it stays with a theme and relates back to the galaxies.I really liked the quotes, poetry, and Scripture interspersed throughout the book. It isn't bogged down by technical details, so anyone can pick it up an enjoy. Rarely do I think about what is beyond earth, so this was a great reminder of how small I am and how big He is. My only complaint is that I wish there were labels with the pictures so that I could know what they are.

All in all, I rate this book four out of five stars, I recommend it as a gift or as a coffee table book.

Specifics (from amazon.com)  : 
~ Hardcover: 176 pages
~ Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Gift edition (September 7, 2010)

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes.

Blessings,

Favorite Covers!

We all know the old saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover!". However, in actuality, a book's appearance is a big factor in whether or not a person might buy a book. There are some old, new, and yet to come Christian fiction covers that are my favorites, so let's call this an unofficial award to the unsung heroes of graphic design and art!

In no specific order:

What about you? What are some of your favorite book covers?

Blessings,

Review of In Between!

In Between: A Katie Parker Production by Jenny B. Jones is the first book in a series about a girl who is forced to go to In Between, Texas to live with her new foster parents. Katie Parker was happy enough at Sunny Haven Home for Girls. Okay, maybe not, but who wants to live in some town called In Between with people you've never met? Katie just wants to be loved and accepted, but when she finds acceptance with the wrong crowd, things go from bad to worse. Then there's her foster grandmother, who is known to the locals as Mad Maxine.

This book was hilarious, and I was laughing so hard every chapter. Jenny B. Jones is one of my absolute, all-time favorite authors because she can write fun, clean YA fiction. I love, love, love the way Katie's humor shines through the whole book to present truths and some sticky situations in a funny light. I really liked Katie's foster parents too. They are supportive of Katie no matter what she does, and by the end of the book, Katie and her foster parents have changed each other. Mad Maxine is also a fun addition to the book, and I absolutely cracked up at her antics.

I highly recommend this book to teen gals. Scratch that, I think women would enjoy this book as much as teens would. My rating, you ask? Five out five huge, gleaming stars. Bravo!

Specifics:
~Paperback: 352 pages
~Publisher: NavPress; First Thus edition (April 15, 2007)

Note: Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes.

Blessings,

Review of Don't Check Your Brains at the Door

Don't Check Your Brains at the Door by Josh Mcdowell and Bob Hostetler is a nonfiction book for teens about some of the tough questions in life. The book is broken down into six divisions about some myths teens face.The divisions are Myths about God, Myths about Jesus, Myths about the Bible, Myths about the Resurrection, Myths about Religion and Christianity, and Myths about Life and Happiness.

I found this book to be good for new teen Christians who may not understand everything that they believe. Its somewhat similar to the Case for Christ series (both adult and children versions) and maybe the Truth Project by Focus on the Family. I'd probably put this one as something to read before reading of viewing the previously mentioned media. I wish there would've been more proof in this book as is shown in the Case for Christ and Truth Project series. I wasn't a huge fan of the first two divisions because I felt there wasn't much proof other than references to the Bible, which are great, but I think a better foundation could have been set. This book is a quick read, though, so I don't know if the authors were set to space constraints. The arguments could have been fleshed out a little more. I did appreciate the chapters towards the back, though. Sort of reminded me that I'm not alone in my stand for what is right when usually I'm the only one in my group of friends. I was reminded to look at the big picture, which is serving and glorifying God.

All in all, I rate this book three out of five stars.

Specifics (from amazon.com):
~ Paperback: 208 pages
~ Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 2, 2011)

Note: Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes.

Blessings,

Review of Limos, Lattes, & My Life on the Fringe!

Limos, Lattes, & My Life on the Fringe by Nancy Rue is the fourth and final book in the Real Life series. You can see my review for the previous books by clicking on the following links: books one, two, and three. Tyler Bonning is used to being on the fringe of the school crowd, she's smart, not popular, and pretty happy with being invisible and ignored by the Ruling Class, the popular people. But when she's suddenly nominated as prom queen as a joke, she decides to make use of her nomination and turn it into a campaign to make the prom for everyone, popular and not. However, her decision causes some friends to become enemies and what she before thought as enemies to become friends, like Patrick, a guy she wouldn't have even shared a conversation with before. With some family tension rising with the integration of her half sister, Sunny, becoming part of the family and mysterious threats to her cause, Tyler soon finds out that brain power alone won't help her. Are the answers in a strange leather book she finds?

         The author is quite the master of a perfectly balanced plot. The reader won't be bogged down by details, but there are just enough to be able to picture the scenes with clarity. This balance is hard to find, so I really appreciated it. This whole series is great, and in each one I found something that I related to. I especially loved the last two books because I "got" the characters. Their struggles in the books have been some of my struggles, and I love how Nancy Rue can enter the teen girl's mind and write exactly what the character would think and do if she was a real person. As always, I liked the Real Life book element because it applied Bible stories in an unique way with the girls' situations without being too preachy or not understandable. Unlike some of the other books, I wasn't bogged down with the portions, so although I can't pick a favorite in the series, I can say this is at the top of my list. Excellent series! 

Some mentions of plans to bring alcohol to the prom, but the attempts are unsuccessful.  

All in all, I rate this book five out of five stars. Highly recommended to teen girls.

Specifics (from amazon.com):

~ Paperback: 240 pages 

~ Publisher: Zondervan (April 26, 2011)

Note: Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes.

 Blessings,

Some Band Has Too Much Time On Their Hands....

Haha! They are way too funny! There are a TON of these...

"Stayin' Alive" MercyMe style....


"Eye of the Tiger"



Blessings,

Review of Is the Bible Reliable!

Is the Bible Reliable? is the second DVD in the TrueU video series by Focus on the Family. It's similar to the Truth Project, but this series is targeted towards teenagers approaching or in college and, according to the website, it should be thought of as a prequel to the Truth Project. The main purpose of this video, taught by Dr. Stephen Meyer (author of Signature in the Cell), is to build a historical case to show that events in the Bible really did happen. And after watching this, I am so amazed at
how much evidence exists out there that absolutely corroborates with Biblical material.

The DVD is broken down into ten 25-minute lessons on two DVDs as follows:
1. In the Footsteps of Abraham
2. The Exodus: From Egypt to Canaan
3. The Israelites Conquer the Promised Land
4. Israel's Rise to Prominence through David and Solomon
5. The Assyrian Invasion
6. The Babylonian Conquest of Judah
7. Investigating the Historical Authenticity of the New Testament
8. The Reliability of Luke and Acts
9. How Archaeology Backs Up the New Testament
10. The Trial of Jesus

This package consists of two DVDs and one discussion guide to follow along with the DVD. The book includes fill-in-the-blank, matching, and prompt exercises. It also includes quotes, pictures, and little comics relevant to the lessons. My favorite is lesson 10, the Trial of Jesus. Extra-Biblical evidence clearly shows that Jesus and His disciples exists. Yes, when it comes down to the line, believing in Jesus's deity is a matter of faith, but to have proof that He is mentioned in historical texts of the time, His followers were active in spreading Christianity, and that many of the people involved in His trial were prominent and real is great to ground faith in. I wish the DVDs were longer, but when the first DVD (Does God Exist?) was shown at my church, it was evident that the timing was planned for such a group setting. So for the time allotted, I applaud TrueU on covering so much meaningful information in what might seem a short period of time. The teaching is clear and understandable, and I highly recommend this series to anyone, especially teens. This is a must-watch for any college bound individual who seeks to know why they believe in the Christian faith. I am looking forward to watching the upcoming third and fourth DVDs in this series.

All in all, I rate this video five out of five stars. 

Click here to go to the TrueU website, a great additional resource.

Note: Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this video.

Blessings,

I May Fall, but I Will Rise

"Rise" - Josh Garrels

I hung my head, for the last time
In surrender and despair
Before I’m dead, I’ll take the last climb
Up the mountain, face my fears
The time has come, to make a choice
Use my voice for the love of every man
My mind's made up, never again
Never again, will I turn round

Though they may surround me like lions
And crush me on all sides
I may fall, but I will rise
Not by my might, or my power, or by the strength of swords
Only through, your love, my Lord
All we’ve lost, will be, restored

Take courage sons, for we must go under
The heart of darkness, and set them free
But don’t lose heart when you see the numbers
There’s no measure for, the faith we bring
It’s given us, to overcome
If we run, where the spirit calls us on
The greatest things, have yet to come
With the dawn, we will rise

Though they may surround us like lions
And crush us on all sides
we may fall, but we will rise
Not by my might, or my power, or by the strength of swords
Only through, your love, my Lord
All we’ve lost, will be, restored

Blessings,