lifesouvenirs's reviews
21 reviews
The Way of Beatitude: Living Radical Hope in a World of Division and Despair by Casey Cole OFM
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
#wayofbeatitude #NetGalley #bookreview
Publisher: Ava Maria Press
ISBN: 9781646801459
Release Date: Apr 8, 2022
The Question:
What if we looked at the things we see wrong in the world with empathy, dug below the surface of people’s disappointing actions to experience their pain, and understood hurtful words as a cry for consolation? What if we responded with sorrow instead of outrage, and love instead of hate?
The Promise:
If we could do all that, we’d be living as Jesus taught us in the Beatitudes.
The Expectation (mine after reading the promise, etc):
I chose this book because I love the beatitudes and wanted to see a fresh perspective. A friar wrote this one & I thought this would be an excellent perspective. This book exceeded my expectations.
This book is for: Anyone with a desire to walk a closer walk with God through acts of intentional poverty or gain the perspective and insight from someone who has.
Favorite/Summary Quote:
Entry into the Kingdom isn’t granted based on the status of one’s bank account, but by the wholehearted commitment to God’s love.
What I connected with:
This was a gentle, loving. & comforting read. It’s eye opening to revisit the beatitudes during the course of a pandemic and an angry world. This was such an easy, flowing read. I felt at ease in a comforting presence of the Holy Spirit as I read through this one.
Each chapter was dedicated to a beatitude & provided real life observation as well as strategy grounded in Scripture to invite in each beatitude attribute.
I absolutely enjoyed and transformed through the reflection questions at the end of each chapter.
The real world observations & the experiences of life as a friar gave this particular read on the beatitudes authenticity & depth that was easy to follow & grasp even though I personally don’t live from the poverty perspective. The author did an amazing job at making the content both relatable and relevant to today’s world.
What I Struggled With:
Normally, this is where I insert an aspect of the book that I struggled with but there was nothing about this book that I struggled with except for the challenge it is to my soul with choosing to life a life that embraces the beatitudes vs what I have grown comfortable with in the eyes of the world.
What I learned:
The approach of intentional poverty. .. I’ve never been challenged to choose to live in a facet of poverty before. He gave the example of in spite of owning his own car, for a year he took public transportation to and from his classes. I don’t know that I’m ready to do this, but it’s given me a lot to consider… be closer to poverty than entitlement.
How I was transformed:
Be extremely mindful of the fact that others have different perspectives than I do from my own experience and how that isn’t the best thing. That to strive to embrace the beatitudes into my lifestyle … will mean choosing a life less comfortable and contradictory to what the world throws up as being successful or worthy etc. and that Jesus in His time on earth lived an example of every one of these attributes.
I will recommend this to friends and family (I already have). I definitely want a hard copy of this book!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Publisher: Ava Maria Press
ISBN: 9781646801459
Release Date: Apr 8, 2022
The Question:
What if we looked at the things we see wrong in the world with empathy, dug below the surface of people’s disappointing actions to experience their pain, and understood hurtful words as a cry for consolation? What if we responded with sorrow instead of outrage, and love instead of hate?
The Promise:
If we could do all that, we’d be living as Jesus taught us in the Beatitudes.
The Expectation (mine after reading the promise, etc):
I chose this book because I love the beatitudes and wanted to see a fresh perspective. A friar wrote this one & I thought this would be an excellent perspective. This book exceeded my expectations.
This book is for: Anyone with a desire to walk a closer walk with God through acts of intentional poverty or gain the perspective and insight from someone who has.
Favorite/Summary Quote:
Entry into the Kingdom isn’t granted based on the status of one’s bank account, but by the wholehearted commitment to God’s love.
What I connected with:
This was a gentle, loving. & comforting read. It’s eye opening to revisit the beatitudes during the course of a pandemic and an angry world. This was such an easy, flowing read. I felt at ease in a comforting presence of the Holy Spirit as I read through this one.
Each chapter was dedicated to a beatitude & provided real life observation as well as strategy grounded in Scripture to invite in each beatitude attribute.
I absolutely enjoyed and transformed through the reflection questions at the end of each chapter.
The real world observations & the experiences of life as a friar gave this particular read on the beatitudes authenticity & depth that was easy to follow & grasp even though I personally don’t live from the poverty perspective. The author did an amazing job at making the content both relatable and relevant to today’s world.
What I Struggled With:
Normally, this is where I insert an aspect of the book that I struggled with but there was nothing about this book that I struggled with except for the challenge it is to my soul with choosing to life a life that embraces the beatitudes vs what I have grown comfortable with in the eyes of the world.
What I learned:
The approach of intentional poverty. .. I’ve never been challenged to choose to live in a facet of poverty before. He gave the example of in spite of owning his own car, for a year he took public transportation to and from his classes. I don’t know that I’m ready to do this, but it’s given me a lot to consider… be closer to poverty than entitlement.
How I was transformed:
Be extremely mindful of the fact that others have different perspectives than I do from my own experience and how that isn’t the best thing. That to strive to embrace the beatitudes into my lifestyle … will mean choosing a life less comfortable and contradictory to what the world throws up as being successful or worthy etc. and that Jesus in His time on earth lived an example of every one of these attributes.
I will recommend this to friends and family (I already have). I definitely want a hard copy of this book!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Savory Dinner Pies: More than 80 Delicious Recipes from Around the World by Ken Haedrich, Jeff McLaughlin
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
I chose this because my family loves most one dish dinners & I wanted to shake up other dinner time!
When I saw this cookbook in NetGalley, I was immediately drawn to it. My expectations were exceeded! I plan to order a hard copy of this book for my kitchen.
The first part of the book goes into details on how to make pie crusts. And not just one kind of dough. There are several types of dough it goes over. Dinner Pies includes recipes not only for pot pies, but also quiches, pizzas, gazettes, tarts, and more. There is even a tomato and ham cobbler recipe! And each recipe has additional tips and options for success.
My family is going to be super happy I picked the advanced reader copy of this up. The only struggle I had was to quit drooling long enough to write this honest review in exchange for the advanced copy I I was lucky enough to receive!
When I saw this cookbook in NetGalley, I was immediately drawn to it. My expectations were exceeded! I plan to order a hard copy of this book for my kitchen.
The first part of the book goes into details on how to make pie crusts. And not just one kind of dough. There are several types of dough it goes over. Dinner Pies includes recipes not only for pot pies, but also quiches, pizzas, gazettes, tarts, and more. There is even a tomato and ham cobbler recipe! And each recipe has additional tips and options for success.
My family is going to be super happy I picked the advanced reader copy of this up. The only struggle I had was to quit drooling long enough to write this honest review in exchange for the advanced copy I I was lucky enough to receive!
Abide: A Pathway to Transformative Healing and Intimacy With Jesus by Dave Pivonka, Heather Khym
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
The Promise (Descr from Publisher):
Break through the barriers that prevent you from trusting and experiencing the deep love of Jesus… trade self-protective tendencies for recognition of own need for healing so can be the person you were created to be.
The Expectation (mine after reading the promise, etc):
I chose this book because I am focusing on a closer walk with God in 2022 & felt like it would be a great companion for my journey.
Quote:
We were made for more. We were not meant to live a mediocre life; rather to live a life of abundance in Jesus, abiding in him at every moment… The world desperately needs people who have been restored by the power of Jesus… it must begin with us.
What I connected with:
I connected with every page of this book. Lots of highlighting done via my Kindle! Khym is personal & relatable while also taking a strategic approach to God’s healing for your life. It was easy to read; but I had to stop after each chapter just to soak it in and reflect. All of her charts, diagrams and the reflection pieces at the end of each chapter certainly add to the worthiness of this read.
What I struggled with:
I didn’t find anything that I really struggled with on this one. I was continually thirsty for what was on the next page!
What I learned:
That I desperately need to surrender to my overwhelming thirst for God in the stillness & quietness of prayer & I can be assured that God not only will show up, He’s already there waiting on me… expecting me. .. knowing that I am coming. All I have to do is ask for Him for his blessing. Jesus’ name is enough.
How I was transformed:
I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but my daily quiet time in prayer and God’s Word is more focused. I show up with a more open & expectant heart. I get to be with God- who is “all in” when it comes to loving me.
I will recommend this to friends and family. I definitely want a hard copy of this book!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are m y own.
Break through the barriers that prevent you from trusting and experiencing the deep love of Jesus… trade self-protective tendencies for recognition of own need for healing so can be the person you were created to be.
The Expectation (mine after reading the promise, etc):
I chose this book because I am focusing on a closer walk with God in 2022 & felt like it would be a great companion for my journey.
Quote:
We were made for more. We were not meant to live a mediocre life; rather to live a life of abundance in Jesus, abiding in him at every moment… The world desperately needs people who have been restored by the power of Jesus… it must begin with us.
What I connected with:
I connected with every page of this book. Lots of highlighting done via my Kindle! Khym is personal & relatable while also taking a strategic approach to God’s healing for your life. It was easy to read; but I had to stop after each chapter just to soak it in and reflect. All of her charts, diagrams and the reflection pieces at the end of each chapter certainly add to the worthiness of this read.
What I struggled with:
I didn’t find anything that I really struggled with on this one. I was continually thirsty for what was on the next page!
What I learned:
That I desperately need to surrender to my overwhelming thirst for God in the stillness & quietness of prayer & I can be assured that God not only will show up, He’s already there waiting on me… expecting me. .. knowing that I am coming. All I have to do is ask for Him for his blessing. Jesus’ name is enough.
How I was transformed:
I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but my daily quiet time in prayer and God’s Word is more focused. I show up with a more open & expectant heart. I get to be with God- who is “all in” when it comes to loving me.
I will recommend this to friends and family. I definitely want a hard copy of this book!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are m y own.
No Such Thing as Ordinary: Unlocking Your Extraordinary Life through Everyday Encounters with Jesus by Rachel Balducci
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
#NoSuchThingasOrdinary #NetGalley #bookreview
Publisher: Ave Maria Press
ISBN: 9781646801275
Release Date: Mar 11, 2022
The Promise (Descr from Publisher):
No Such Thing as Ordinary will help you discover the passion and adventure in your life while empowering you to see how God uses daily, here-and-now moments to draw you to him in an extraordinary way.
The Expectation (mine after reading the promise, etc):
I am kind of an odd duck. I not only march to the beat of a different drum.. It's a drum to a completely different band marching on a completely different field. So, this book just drew me in by title alone. It's like I have a permission slip - it's ok to not be "ordinary" & I hope this encourages me to be open to God working through me in extraordinary ways... in spite of myself and in spite of my very ordinary life.
Favorite/Summary Quote:
“Each of us has a deep thirst for something more that helps us push past a willingness to be mediocre.”
What I connected with:
Expectations exceeded!
If I had been highlighting in an actual book, I’d need new highlighters. There is nugget after glorious golden nugget in this book. I laughed. I cried. I connected with her struggles of the day in day out of being a wife & mom.
She said something about burnout forcing her surrender & that is EXACTLY where I’m at right now. And “I’m tired and need a nap.” I’m there, too. Surrender is simple in some ways but scary. The author made this far less scary.
I can’t say enough about this wonderful book!
What I struggled with:
I really didn’t struggle with anything other than I really want a hard copy of this book in my hands! In my personal library. Sometimes I felt like there was some repetition, but it wasn’t annoying at all. It was weaving an established, familiar thread from earlier in her book to a new one. This was a fantastic experience!
What I learned:
That I desperately need to surrender to my overwhelming thirst for God in the stillness & quietness of prayer & I can be assured that God not only will show up, He’s already there waiting on me… expecting me. .. knowing that I am coming.
How I was transformed:
I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. I have some peace I didn’t have before over a decision I made recently to walk away from hustle & grind & shut out the noise, heal the burnout and focus only on what God wants in my life through daily adoration. I have affirmation & confirmation & some great motivation and inspiration for doing this in my life starting now. I have no reason to wait. This can be now. This is life changing for me.
I will recommend this to friends and family. I will buy this book as a gift for new brides & new moms. I wish I’d had this book 15 years ago! I definitely want a hard copy of this book!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.
Publisher: Ave Maria Press
ISBN: 9781646801275
Release Date: Mar 11, 2022
The Promise (Descr from Publisher):
No Such Thing as Ordinary will help you discover the passion and adventure in your life while empowering you to see how God uses daily, here-and-now moments to draw you to him in an extraordinary way.
The Expectation (mine after reading the promise, etc):
I am kind of an odd duck. I not only march to the beat of a different drum.. It's a drum to a completely different band marching on a completely different field. So, this book just drew me in by title alone. It's like I have a permission slip - it's ok to not be "ordinary" & I hope this encourages me to be open to God working through me in extraordinary ways... in spite of myself and in spite of my very ordinary life.
Favorite/Summary Quote:
“Each of us has a deep thirst for something more that helps us push past a willingness to be mediocre.”
What I connected with:
Expectations exceeded!
If I had been highlighting in an actual book, I’d need new highlighters. There is nugget after glorious golden nugget in this book. I laughed. I cried. I connected with her struggles of the day in day out of being a wife & mom.
She said something about burnout forcing her surrender & that is EXACTLY where I’m at right now. And “I’m tired and need a nap.” I’m there, too. Surrender is simple in some ways but scary. The author made this far less scary.
I can’t say enough about this wonderful book!
What I struggled with:
I really didn’t struggle with anything other than I really want a hard copy of this book in my hands! In my personal library. Sometimes I felt like there was some repetition, but it wasn’t annoying at all. It was weaving an established, familiar thread from earlier in her book to a new one. This was a fantastic experience!
What I learned:
That I desperately need to surrender to my overwhelming thirst for God in the stillness & quietness of prayer & I can be assured that God not only will show up, He’s already there waiting on me… expecting me. .. knowing that I am coming.
How I was transformed:
I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. I have some peace I didn’t have before over a decision I made recently to walk away from hustle & grind & shut out the noise, heal the burnout and focus only on what God wants in my life through daily adoration. I have affirmation & confirmation & some great motivation and inspiration for doing this in my life starting now. I have no reason to wait. This can be now. This is life changing for me.
I will recommend this to friends and family. I will buy this book as a gift for new brides & new moms. I wish I’d had this book 15 years ago! I definitely want a hard copy of this book!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.
WayMaker: Finding the Way to the Life You've Always Dreamed Of by Ann Voskamp
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
3.0
#WayMaker #NetGalley #bookreview
Publisher: Thomas Nelson - W Publishing
ISBN: 9780310352198
Release: March 1, 2022
The Promise (Descr from Publisher):
In WayMaker, bestselling author Ann Voskamp hands us a map that makes meaning of life, that shows the way through to the places we’ve only dreamed of reaching, by a way we never expected. Voskamp reveals how God is present in the totality of our lives.
The Expectation (mine after reading the promise, etc):
I debated about requesting this book from NetGalley because while I have friends and connections who love Voskamp, I find her depressing and not hopeful at all. I was angry in one of her books that was recommended to me by several people - when I got to the end and it was still depressing. So, while I'm hoping this is better; the description reads like it could very well be that same book just rewritten and updated; if so, I hope it contains more hope and peace. I hope that I don't get to the end of the book and discover that I have more hope here in this moment for this book than the book has. I'm giving Voskamp a chance to redeem herself in Waymaker.
Favorite/Summary Quote:
Whenever we choose to connect, we disconnect from more pain.
It’s never about the storm - it’s always about your sail.
Welcome to life, where Plan A transforms into Plan Z to transform you.
Life is the art of the turn.
What I connected with:
She has some good one-liners & quips. My favorite was about how Love lays down … and the remarks the pastor shared at her wedding.
What I struggled with:
If a modern day Job was female and wrote her biography today, this would come pretty close. Only I think Job was better.
I struggle with not saying “I hate her writing.” Hate is such a strong word. Her writing is not for me. She time leaps. She throws in random stuff and wanders - often -off course. I literally got a headache every time I picked up this book. She jumps from story to story. There is no map. The description to this book is so far from what this book is. This book is a biography of her marriage and family and all of the trauma and drama with Scriptures to show she relied on God.
Her depression oozes through her writing. For people who like this kind of book, then it’s definitely a good read if you can follow it. But it’s definitely not my kind of book - I’m disappointed that this is not what the description was in NetGalley. But I’m not surprised because of who wrote it.
I know what it’s like to suffer from depression. It’s hell. So I’m not judging the depression of the writer. I just don’t want to be taken back into that journey and be reading a book that focuses on all of the bad stuff. I’d rather read the book of Job.
But here is some redemption. If an aggressive editor for a hold of this and gave it some boundaries, easy to follow timeline, removed the unnecessary side bars, and actually tied in applicable, relevant Scripture and and created the road map that was in the book description, I think there’s content here that would make an amazing book - which is why I am giving this 3 stars instead of one.
What I learned:
I won’t be reading any more of her books.
How it transformed me:
It didn’t.
I don’t be recommending this book to friends and family. I don’t want a hard copy of the book. All I want is for my headache to go away after trying to follow this book. Where’s the ibuprofen?
Publisher: Thomas Nelson - W Publishing
ISBN: 9780310352198
Release: March 1, 2022
The Promise (Descr from Publisher):
In WayMaker, bestselling author Ann Voskamp hands us a map that makes meaning of life, that shows the way through to the places we’ve only dreamed of reaching, by a way we never expected. Voskamp reveals how God is present in the totality of our lives.
The Expectation (mine after reading the promise, etc):
I debated about requesting this book from NetGalley because while I have friends and connections who love Voskamp, I find her depressing and not hopeful at all. I was angry in one of her books that was recommended to me by several people - when I got to the end and it was still depressing. So, while I'm hoping this is better; the description reads like it could very well be that same book just rewritten and updated; if so, I hope it contains more hope and peace. I hope that I don't get to the end of the book and discover that I have more hope here in this moment for this book than the book has. I'm giving Voskamp a chance to redeem herself in Waymaker.
Favorite/Summary Quote:
Whenever we choose to connect, we disconnect from more pain.
It’s never about the storm - it’s always about your sail.
Welcome to life, where Plan A transforms into Plan Z to transform you.
Life is the art of the turn.
What I connected with:
She has some good one-liners & quips. My favorite was about how Love lays down … and the remarks the pastor shared at her wedding.
What I struggled with:
If a modern day Job was female and wrote her biography today, this would come pretty close. Only I think Job was better.
I struggle with not saying “I hate her writing.” Hate is such a strong word. Her writing is not for me. She time leaps. She throws in random stuff and wanders - often -off course. I literally got a headache every time I picked up this book. She jumps from story to story. There is no map. The description to this book is so far from what this book is. This book is a biography of her marriage and family and all of the trauma and drama with Scriptures to show she relied on God.
Her depression oozes through her writing. For people who like this kind of book, then it’s definitely a good read if you can follow it. But it’s definitely not my kind of book - I’m disappointed that this is not what the description was in NetGalley. But I’m not surprised because of who wrote it.
I know what it’s like to suffer from depression. It’s hell. So I’m not judging the depression of the writer. I just don’t want to be taken back into that journey and be reading a book that focuses on all of the bad stuff. I’d rather read the book of Job.
But here is some redemption. If an aggressive editor for a hold of this and gave it some boundaries, easy to follow timeline, removed the unnecessary side bars, and actually tied in applicable, relevant Scripture and and created the road map that was in the book description, I think there’s content here that would make an amazing book - which is why I am giving this 3 stars instead of one.
What I learned:
I won’t be reading any more of her books.
How it transformed me:
It didn’t.
I don’t be recommending this book to friends and family. I don’t want a hard copy of the book. All I want is for my headache to go away after trying to follow this book. Where’s the ibuprofen?
Freeze Fresh: The Ultimate Guide to Preserving 55 Fruits and Vegetables for Maximum Flavor and Versatility by Crystal Schmidt
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Hashtags: #FreezeFresh #NetGalley.
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Release Date: July 19, 2022
The Promise (Descr from Publisher):
The Ultimate Guide to PRESERVING 55 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES for Maximum Flaver and Versatility
(From the book’s subtitle - the publisher left the description blank on NetGalley)
The Expectation (mine after reading the promise, etc):
I read the reviews already posted for this and so I know not to be expecting a recipe book: but I wasn’t anyway. I expect this to be a how-to book. I hope to gain some knowledge and confidence in freezing fruits & vegetables.
Favorite/Summary Quote:
For me, growing food is grounding; it makes me feel connected and whole. I share a lot of our life on social media and on my website, and I find great joy in inspiring others with what we're growing, eating, and preserving. I wish that more people could experience growing their own food; I truly think it could change the world.
What I connected with:
I love the bright colors / photos. Also, the simple instructions. And explanations about what works and what doesn’t! Easy to follow & understand; and then do!
What I struggled with:
I didn’t expect this to be a recipe book like some reviewers seem to have expected. However as I was reading through the book, I kept thinking “Does she have a companion recipe book?” That would be awesome!
What I learned:
That freezing food isn’t as difficult as my own overthinking led me to believe it would be.
How it transformed me in some way:
I am now way more confident about taking on freezing vegetables and fruits that I never would have considered freezing before! That’s a big win!
I would definitely recommend this to friends and family & want a hard copy for my own personal chef library!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Release Date: July 19, 2022
The Promise (Descr from Publisher):
The Ultimate Guide to PRESERVING 55 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES for Maximum Flaver and Versatility
(From the book’s subtitle - the publisher left the description blank on NetGalley)
The Expectation (mine after reading the promise, etc):
I read the reviews already posted for this and so I know not to be expecting a recipe book: but I wasn’t anyway. I expect this to be a how-to book. I hope to gain some knowledge and confidence in freezing fruits & vegetables.
Favorite/Summary Quote:
For me, growing food is grounding; it makes me feel connected and whole. I share a lot of our life on social media and on my website, and I find great joy in inspiring others with what we're growing, eating, and preserving. I wish that more people could experience growing their own food; I truly think it could change the world.
What I connected with:
I love the bright colors / photos. Also, the simple instructions. And explanations about what works and what doesn’t! Easy to follow & understand; and then do!
What I struggled with:
I didn’t expect this to be a recipe book like some reviewers seem to have expected. However as I was reading through the book, I kept thinking “Does she have a companion recipe book?” That would be awesome!
What I learned:
That freezing food isn’t as difficult as my own overthinking led me to believe it would be.
How it transformed me in some way:
I am now way more confident about taking on freezing vegetables and fruits that I never would have considered freezing before! That’s a big win!
I would definitely recommend this to friends and family & want a hard copy for my own personal chef library!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.
Verse Mapping Bible Study Journal: Deepen Your Bible Reading and Unpack the Meaning of Scripture by Kristy Cambron
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
This got me into a deeper focus on verses that stand out to be as I read my Bible and I think “what do I do with this verse now that God has pointed it out to my heart?”
I have discovered other methods that have also helped me - they are all good - just a matter of preference. The only thing I don’t like about this one is the layout - it’s backwards and I haven’t come across any explanation for why that is! Maybe it’s my OCD tendencies but I think that step 1 should be at the top left of a two page layout and the last step at the bottom right. But, that’s just me. Maybe it’s for when you might go back and look for it and you just need to see your final step - I really don’t know. I would love a digital file of this where I could print it the right way. 😂
But I love everything else about this journal!
I have discovered other methods that have also helped me - they are all good - just a matter of preference. The only thing I don’t like about this one is the layout - it’s backwards and I haven’t come across any explanation for why that is! Maybe it’s my OCD tendencies but I think that step 1 should be at the top left of a two page layout and the last step at the bottom right. But, that’s just me. Maybe it’s for when you might go back and look for it and you just need to see your final step - I really don’t know. I would love a digital file of this where I could print it the right way. 😂
But I love everything else about this journal!
The Bible in 52 Weeks: A Yearlong Bible Study for Women by Kimberly D. Moore
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
I’m going through this #Biblebuddyread on Litsy and I’m just really disappointed by this book. It’s super shallow. The first week we read through all of this amazing stuff - creation of earth and man, temptation and great fall, Cain and Able etc and the discussion at the end of the chapter is mostly all focused on Sarah laughing. Like what??? And the author just wrote a short blurb about the week.
I get that to keep a 52 week study guide short enough for a book she had little space; but I would have loved to have had a question for each day. And something the dived deeper. I went ahead and read through the rest of the book to see if it improved and it did not.
I will finish the buddy read since I’m going through the Bible this year anyway. But I think Gods given me a great idea to write my own as what I wanted to see!
But this book is just not worth it. It’s a glorified reading guide that you could find anywhere online for free with the authors shallow attempt to write a book for discussion along side of it.
I get that to keep a 52 week study guide short enough for a book she had little space; but I would have loved to have had a question for each day. And something the dived deeper. I went ahead and read through the rest of the book to see if it improved and it did not.
I will finish the buddy read since I’m going through the Bible this year anyway. But I think Gods given me a great idea to write my own as what I wanted to see!
But this book is just not worth it. It’s a glorified reading guide that you could find anywhere online for free with the authors shallow attempt to write a book for discussion along side of it.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I'll Be There (But I'll Be Wearing Sweatpants): Finding Unfiltered, Real-Life Friendships in This Crazy, Chaotic World by Amy Weatherly, Jess Johnston
Disclosure: I received an ARC via #NetGalley & a member of the book launch team. I purchased a copy and reread it looking for further connection to one of the authors that maybe I missed in the digital ARC which was distracting… I didn’t find what I was looking for in the reread.
Favorite Quote from book: Becoming isn’t an easy thing. (Amy Weatherly)
Chapter 10 was my favorite chapter - I highlighted pretty much all of it. This book was a tough read. That’s about as honest as I can get without breaking down sobbing. Sad tears. Healing tears. Hopeful tears. I will admit - it was tough to give this 5 stars. It deserves it - but this book was hard! Did I mention that? It got extremely confrontational with my own loneliness & held no mercy as it held a mirror up to why that is. I love how raw and humble Amy is.
I struggled connecting with Jess in her chapters. They honestly left me feeling worse. She sort of connected with me in chapter 11. But this book dragged out my loneliness and put a spotlight on it. And Jess, often referred to many friends with years of friendships. And then tell us how she did it. But she didn’t come across to me - in the book - as someone who struggled with making friends or being lonely. I am not staying she hasn’t been lonely, i just never really felt she got vulnerable about it in her book. She just held that at an arm’s length away and I didn’t feel like she ever got real with it & I’ve seen her get real with it on social media. I felt like I showed up to meet her for this heart to heart convo via her book and her heart was edited out of it. I felt like it was written from her head, from behind a wall she had up. It was just really hard to connect with her in a book connecting to loneliness and struggle with making friends when she kept referring to the amazing friends she’s had show up in her life. And that was in sharp contrast with Amy’s chapters. I just feel like Jess could have been more real and vulnerable. She alienated me rather than connected to me. However, there are people out there who don’t like that deep, get real, vulnerable stuff so they may find her chapters as a reprieve from Amy’s chapters.
Amy, on the other hand, was right there with me being vulnerable, getting real in her chapters … so I didn’t feel so alone as I struggled with some hard hitting realizations.
I think both perspectives from the authors gives this book a wider appeal as far as audience goes & I think given the times we live in, the world needs that. When I watched their interview on Good Morning America, both authors came across to me exactly how I perceived them in the book. Jess seemed to have a wall up - and Amy showed up all in. So it may just be a personality thing. I can’t put my finger on it.
So I’m not going to penalize this book any stars because of the struggles it brought up for me or a personality collision with one of the authors. I think that’s exactly why it deserves the 5 stars.
This has great information and offers hope that it’s not too late to create the space you carry with you and put yourself out there and invite others in. It does not leave you hanging! The only thing I felt like was left out that needed a place in there was a paragraph about what kind of people to invest in. I think it should be noted that it’s also important to be that kind of person as well. It’s important enough I don’t think it should be left unsaid. It’s the only thing I found lacking aside from my inability to connect with one of the authors.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
Becoming isn’t easy. Amy Weatherly
Disclosure: I received an ARC via #NetGalley & a member of the book launch team. I purchased a copy and reread it looking for further connection to one of the authors that maybe I missed in the digital ARC which was distracting… I didn’t find what I was looking for in the reread.
Favorite Quote from book: Becoming isn’t an easy thing. (Amy Weatherly)
Chapter 10 was my favorite chapter - I highlighted pretty much all of it. This book was a tough read. That’s about as honest as I can get without breaking down sobbing. Sad tears. Healing tears. Hopeful tears. I will admit - it was tough to give this 5 stars. It deserves it - but this book was hard! Did I mention that? It got extremely confrontational with my own loneliness & held no mercy as it held a mirror up to why that is. I love how raw and humble Amy is.
I struggled connecting with Jess in her chapters. They honestly left me feeling worse. She sort of connected with me in chapter 11. But this book dragged out my loneliness and put a spotlight on it. And Jess, often referred to many friends with years of friendships. And then tell us how she did it. But she didn’t come across to me - in the book - as someone who struggled with making friends or being lonely. I am not staying she hasn’t been lonely, i just never really felt she got vulnerable about it in her book. She just held that at an arm’s length away and I didn’t feel like she ever got real with it & I’ve seen her get real with it on social media. I felt like I showed up to meet her for this heart to heart convo via her book and her heart was edited out of it. I felt like it was written from her head, from behind a wall she had up. It was just really hard to connect with her in a book connecting to loneliness and struggle with making friends when she kept referring to the amazing friends she’s had show up in her life. And that was in sharp contrast with Amy’s chapters. I just feel like Jess could have been more real and vulnerable. She alienated me rather than connected to me. However, there are people out there who don’t like that deep, get real, vulnerable stuff so they may find her chapters as a reprieve from Amy’s chapters.
Amy, on the other hand, was right there with me being vulnerable, getting real in her chapters … so I didn’t feel so alone as I struggled with some hard hitting realizations.
I think both perspectives from the authors gives this book a wider appeal as far as audience goes & I think given the times we live in, the world needs that. When I watched their interview on Good Morning America, both authors came across to me exactly how I perceived them in the book. Jess seemed to have a wall up - and Amy showed up all in. So it may just be a personality thing. I can’t put my finger on it.
So I’m not going to penalize this book any stars because of the struggles it brought up for me or a personality collision with one of the authors. I think that’s exactly why it deserves the 5 stars.
This has great information and offers hope that it’s not too late to create the space you carry with you and put yourself out there and invite others in. It does not leave you hanging! The only thing I felt like was left out that needed a place in there was a paragraph about what kind of people to invest in. I think it should be noted that it’s also important to be that kind of person as well. It’s important enough I don’t think it should be left unsaid. It’s the only thing I found lacking aside from my inability to connect with one of the authors.