reviewed by Arlene Martin
This book is truly what it claims to be: A Novel of the Heart. Seven-year-old Annie needs a new heart, but the wait for one is painful and financially prohibitive. Reese becomes acquainted with her as she sits by her lemonade stand trying to raise money. The scar on her chest reveals her secret, but Reese's secret ability to help her stays hidden behind scars he carries from his past. Before it's all over, both realize the painful reasons why crickets cry.
I enjoyed reading this book because of the setting and the plethora of information about the human heart. Some might say that it is predictable. Still, the Christian perspective and faith of the characters are spiritually uplifting and gratifying. Hearts are healed in more ways than one.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Whole Prayer by Walter Wangerin, Jr.
reviewed by Arlene Martin
I loved this book! Given the opportunity to read whatever I like, this is not a book that I would have picked up. I like fiction or realistic fiction. But, as I was writing a little "plug" for the church bulletin, I began to page through this book and soon found that I could not put it down. I learned so much about prayer, not stuffy stuff, but exciting and new (to me) ideas for talking to and with God. The many stories told from the author's experiences graphically depict how prayer works and I must admit that it was the stories that hooked me. Moreover, I was reminded that there are really four parts to praying: you talk, God listens, God talks, you listen. Well, duh. I learned a little about myself, too. I learned that, of the four parts, I was in tune with three of them, pretty much. Can you guess what part eludes me? You, too, maybe.
Not a long book, but very good. I have reluctantly returned the book to the library shelf.
I loved this book! Given the opportunity to read whatever I like, this is not a book that I would have picked up. I like fiction or realistic fiction. But, as I was writing a little "plug" for the church bulletin, I began to page through this book and soon found that I could not put it down. I learned so much about prayer, not stuffy stuff, but exciting and new (to me) ideas for talking to and with God. The many stories told from the author's experiences graphically depict how prayer works and I must admit that it was the stories that hooked me. Moreover, I was reminded that there are really four parts to praying: you talk, God listens, God talks, you listen. Well, duh. I learned a little about myself, too. I learned that, of the four parts, I was in tune with three of them, pretty much. Can you guess what part eludes me? You, too, maybe.
Not a long book, but very good. I have reluctantly returned the book to the library shelf.
Monday, February 23, 2009
90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life by Don Piper
(on CD, narrated by the author)
Reviewed by Debbie Ash
Ruth Neibur recommended this book so I was happy to find it in the church library on CD., This is the true story of a Christian pastor who was in a car accident and pronounced dead by three EMTs who checked him at different times over the 90 minutes right after the accident. In the book, he spends a relatively short time telling of his experience in heaven--a tale which I found most comforting. It was the experience of returning to his mangled body and working through months and years of depression, anger, and slow, painful recovery that is the main part of his story. It is inspiring to hear how God used that whole incident to turn his life into an even more powerful ministry. The author said that he felt his time in Heaven was a very personal experience and he did not really talk about it until much later, at which time his friends encouraged him to write this book (published 15 years after the accident.) I came away with a greater peace that, as God's child, I do not need to be afraid of death. Also, a renewed conviction of the power of prayer. A good book--I recommend it.
Reviewed by Debbie Ash
Ruth Neibur recommended this book so I was happy to find it in the church library on CD., This is the true story of a Christian pastor who was in a car accident and pronounced dead by three EMTs who checked him at different times over the 90 minutes right after the accident. In the book, he spends a relatively short time telling of his experience in heaven--a tale which I found most comforting. It was the experience of returning to his mangled body and working through months and years of depression, anger, and slow, painful recovery that is the main part of his story. It is inspiring to hear how God used that whole incident to turn his life into an even more powerful ministry. The author said that he felt his time in Heaven was a very personal experience and he did not really talk about it until much later, at which time his friends encouraged him to write this book (published 15 years after the accident.) I came away with a greater peace that, as God's child, I do not need to be afraid of death. Also, a renewed conviction of the power of prayer. A good book--I recommend it.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza
Reviewed by Isobel Testardi
On the cover, Immaculee appears a strong, confident, beautiful woman of the Tutsi tribe who survived the 1994 Rwandan holocaust. As I read each chapter, she became more and more beautiful to me. It must be what they call the 'Christ light' shining through somebody. I would normally have no interest in reading a horrific true story of a holocaust, but Immaculee tells how she was able to conquer the evil all around her and keep her eyes on God, while hiding in a tiny bathroom with 6 other women for 3 months. They could hear the 'kill chant' outside their window as Hutus hunted the area for the minority Tutsis. Immaculee was able to make her time in the bathroom productive and learn English from an old Bible! Instead of coming out of it defeated and in despair, Imaculee is of sound mind and ready to send a message of peace and forgiveness to the world. Her story will give you the conviction that you too can get through any tragedy, and with Christ, turn it to good.
On the cover, Immaculee appears a strong, confident, beautiful woman of the Tutsi tribe who survived the 1994 Rwandan holocaust. As I read each chapter, she became more and more beautiful to me. It must be what they call the 'Christ light' shining through somebody. I would normally have no interest in reading a horrific true story of a holocaust, but Immaculee tells how she was able to conquer the evil all around her and keep her eyes on God, while hiding in a tiny bathroom with 6 other women for 3 months. They could hear the 'kill chant' outside their window as Hutus hunted the area for the minority Tutsis. Immaculee was able to make her time in the bathroom productive and learn English from an old Bible! Instead of coming out of it defeated and in despair, Imaculee is of sound mind and ready to send a message of peace and forgiveness to the world. Her story will give you the conviction that you too can get through any tragedy, and with Christ, turn it to good.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The List (a DVD)
Reviewed by Arlene Martin
Pat and I watched this fictional story last night. It is about a group of men who belong to an exclusive, wealthy club which dates back to the Civil War. These men make the rules and punish anyone who opposes them. When Renny's father dies, he finds himself in the middle of this group with a lot to learn and a lot to lose including his inheritance and his job and his friends.
Thanks to the caring of a few praying individuals, Renny is exonerated from the spells cast upon him by the men of the List. But not before he experiences some super-natural occurences that put his girlfriend in a hospital bed and him in jail with his life in jeopardy. Clearly, the message of the film is that prayer is powerful because it is the only recourse for Renny.
I liked the little bit of romance and understood the kind of evil that the men on the List portrayed. But the super-natural events simply lost me. In order to believe in the power of prayer, you almost had to buy into the super-natural events, too. I just couldn't do it.
This is a newish DVD for our library, but the book is also on our fiction shelf. I'm wondering if you would agree with my assessment. After you've read it or watched the DVD, click on "comments" and let me know!
Pat and I watched this fictional story last night. It is about a group of men who belong to an exclusive, wealthy club which dates back to the Civil War. These men make the rules and punish anyone who opposes them. When Renny's father dies, he finds himself in the middle of this group with a lot to learn and a lot to lose including his inheritance and his job and his friends.
Thanks to the caring of a few praying individuals, Renny is exonerated from the spells cast upon him by the men of the List. But not before he experiences some super-natural occurences that put his girlfriend in a hospital bed and him in jail with his life in jeopardy. Clearly, the message of the film is that prayer is powerful because it is the only recourse for Renny.
I liked the little bit of romance and understood the kind of evil that the men on the List portrayed. But the super-natural events simply lost me. In order to believe in the power of prayer, you almost had to buy into the super-natural events, too. I just couldn't do it.
This is a newish DVD for our library, but the book is also on our fiction shelf. I'm wondering if you would agree with my assessment. After you've read it or watched the DVD, click on "comments" and let me know!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Imposter by Davis Bunn
Reviewed by Pat Martin
This book is about a federal agent who claims that he can blend in with those around him and go unnoticed. He becomes implicated in a murder case where his mother, father and pastor are involved. It is primarily a mystery thriller with spiritual overtones. Quite engrossing.
This book is about a federal agent who claims that he can blend in with those around him and go unnoticed. He becomes implicated in a murder case where his mother, father and pastor are involved. It is primarily a mystery thriller with spiritual overtones. Quite engrossing.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson
Reviewed by Sharon VanderPol and Arlene Martin
When Jodi Baxter attends a weekend Christian women's conference near her home in Chicago, she is randomly placed in a prayer group with several other women. Their first meeting is stiff and unorganized and it is apparent that the women have little in common. That is, until one of them experiences a seriously critical incident. Deepest concern and help is poured out toward the family, and the prayer group decides to at least keep in touch by email. Before long, their lives are intertwined by many events that draw them closer to one another and to God.
The Yada Yada Prayer Group was an easy read. I felt myself identifying with the situations, some of them pretty funny, and growing fond of the women as if I had made some new friends. It was enlightening, too, watching the various ways these women worshipped.
On the down side, I felt that minor incidents were treated with undue attention, whereas real life crises were trivialized by being articifially solved. For example, Jodi goes ballistic when her husband brings beer into the house, but the tragedy that she creates late in the book is dismissed in court. Also, there are some loose ends to some of the ladies' situations which, of course, begs a sequel. Indeed, there are seven Yada Yada books that follow.
Great for summer realistic fiction reading!
When Jodi Baxter attends a weekend Christian women's conference near her home in Chicago, she is randomly placed in a prayer group with several other women. Their first meeting is stiff and unorganized and it is apparent that the women have little in common. That is, until one of them experiences a seriously critical incident. Deepest concern and help is poured out toward the family, and the prayer group decides to at least keep in touch by email. Before long, their lives are intertwined by many events that draw them closer to one another and to God.
The Yada Yada Prayer Group was an easy read. I felt myself identifying with the situations, some of them pretty funny, and growing fond of the women as if I had made some new friends. It was enlightening, too, watching the various ways these women worshipped.
On the down side, I felt that minor incidents were treated with undue attention, whereas real life crises were trivialized by being articifially solved. For example, Jodi goes ballistic when her husband brings beer into the house, but the tragedy that she creates late in the book is dismissed in court. Also, there are some loose ends to some of the ladies' situations which, of course, begs a sequel. Indeed, there are seven Yada Yada books that follow.
Great for summer realistic fiction reading!
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