Amy Inspired

I cannot say that I 'flew through' this book. I usually eat up the pages, but I found myself struggling to even finish this story. The main character, Amy, is almost 30 and is completely focused on her writing career (that she doesn't have). She was just “mopey” and I feel like that's how I can best describe the book tone itself. She lives in an apartment with her eccentric friend, can't keep a boyfriend, struggles with her sexuality, is not happy with her job, and is constantly comparing her writing career with her best friend's. Her best friend is a Christian when she wants to be, and is obsessed with environmental friendliness and not eating meat.
I don't know, I just couldn't get past how much I did not like the main character to really enjoy the rest of the story line of the book. Not to mention, I did not feel like it was really a Christian book. Yes, perhaps the author was trying to show how everyone questions their beliefs sometimes, and we face temptations but I like to read about Christians who are alive in their walk or who overcome some dry period in their life and grow stronger. It's inspiring to me, and helps keep my interest.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing Company for the purpose of reviewing.

Coming Back Stronger

This is a true story written about the football player Drew Brees life having been injured and his struggle to make it back to professional football. It is not only well written but inspiring as well. We all face hard times and it is good to be reminded that through hard work and faith in God that we can push through them. They also give you a look into his life overall. Adventures of his childhood, attending and playing football for Purdue University (boiler up!) meeting his now wife, and his child. I think that it is good to get a reminder that professional sports players are not all convicts, or men who cheat on their wives as it is portrayed in the news. Drew Brees is a great Christian role model for everyone no matter their age.

I would have liked to see a bigger focus on the gospel. I just got the feeling that it was centered around the philosophy ‘God helps those who help themselves’. Which in certain situations I do agree with, but there are some times and instances when we must wait and be patient on God to act. What we feel is right and what needs to be done may not truly be a part of God’s plan at all.

I will say, that I am by no means a football fan, but was simply looking for something to read  to burn off time. I was happy with the book for what it was, and will be recommending it to friends that I know are football fans, but I would most likely not read it again.

Seeds of Turmoil

My latest book to have read from was Seeds of Turmoil. The book in a nutshell described the past, present, and possible future conflicts in the Middle East. It goes from Abraham and Sarah, to Israel becoming its own nation in 1948, and conflicts  that are occurring today. I really enjoyed reading this book, as the author wrote in such a way that I could picture things as they happened. I also learned much about the Middle East and Islam that I had never known and probably would have never learned if it were not for this book. The story of Sarah and Abraham took on a whole different light.  Every time I have read that story I had pictured Sarah's servant like she had somehow seduced Abraham into bedding her so she could become pregnant. The way that was explained in Seeds of Turmoil helped me to take a step back and look at the story differently. 

Sarah and Abraham did not wait patiently on God for him to complete his promises to them. The son, Ishmael was not forgotten by God, even though he was not the son to receive God’s ‘chosen’. A great people came from Ishmael as well and the book shows how everything stems back to one sinful event in history.

Wright is informative, captivating in his writing, and also challenges his readers to look at their own lives and to notice how one small, seemingly insignificant, sinful event can change history forever.
I would highly recommend this book, and am very pleased with the quality of writing.