The temperatures are heating up and kids are filled with summer fever. Summer time is a great season for reading good books. Whether I am by the pool, visiting the beach, or staying inside my air conditioned home you can usually find me curled up with a book.
As a book reviewer you can imagine I read a lot of books, but I can honestly say 2009 has been the year of great books. I wish I could give each one of the books listed below their own individual post, unfortunately with only 12 months in a year I am limited. If you want a quick, powerful read then I suggest The Noticer by Andy Andrews or if you are looking for a great devotional book that does not require a lot of time Mel Cheatham’s New Every Morning: A Devotional Journey is perfect. Lastly, if you like books that touch the depths of your heart Daisy Chain and Veiled Freedom are books you will carry with you long after the last page is turned.
Daisy Chain
By Mary DeMuth
March 2009
Zondervan
355 pages
Some books you read with your eyes and others you read with your heart. Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth is a book you read with your heart. This will be a book you carry with you long after the last page is turned.
Jed Pepper’s best friend Daisy Chance goes missing and Jed thinks it is his fault. Daisy was the only one who understood him and the only one who knew his secrets. Jed tries to retrace his steps and searches for clues Daisy left behind. In the midst of this, the secrets Jed has kept stuffed down most of his 14 years of life threaten to surface. Where does one turn when everything comes crashing down around you?
Daisy Chain is a book that flows like poetry. It is a story of brokenness, of pain and hurt, but also of hope and redemption. Jed Pepper’s coming of age story will be forever seared in your heart. This is the first book of the Defiance Texas Trilogy. Below is a one minute video telling you more about Daisy Chain.
Veiled Freedom
By J.M. Windle
June 2009
Tyndale House Publishers
492 pages
In 2001 Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson was in the group that helped Afghanistan gain freedom from the Taliban and helped Afghanistan celebrate its first election. Eight years later when he returns as a security chief to the Minister of Interior, he is appalled at the greed and corruption he found in the country he fought so hard for.
Amy Mallory is a Christian relief worker who was recently hired to head to Afghanistan and begin helping women and children. Even with years of experience this is her first time beginning a charity from scratch. The doors open for her to provide a place for women and children after they are released from prison. What she did not plan on was falling in love with the Afghan people.
Steve and Amy’s world’s collide after a suicide bombing. Steve opens Amy’s eyes to the possible danger and traps she could find herself in and Amy softens Steven heart toward idealistic charity people like Amy. Though they are very different their love for Christ forms a friendship between the two of them.
You don’t just read Windle’s books, you live them. Windle will not tickle your American ears, she will tell you like it is. I have to admit when I first read the prologue I wanted to toss the book across the room out of anger, fearing this was a book against our own American military. Instead Windle grabs your heart and gives you the truth; there are problems on both sides of the isle but she tells the story fairly. I encourage all women to read this book, if nothing else it will give you specifics on what to pray for concerning the Afghanistan women. Jeanette Windle has become a favorite author. I enjoy the depth and truth in her stories; you walk away with your heart changed.
You can read the prologue here.
New Every Morning: A Devotional Journey
By Mel Cheatham, MD
Wynn-Wynn Media, LLC
January 2009
122 pages
This book caught my eye right away after seeing that Franklin Graham wrote the forward for this new devotional book. Dr. Mel Cheatham is a neurosurgeon who one night was watching television with his wife Sylvia and was introduced to the work of Samaritan Purse. While being interviewed Mr. Franklin Graham was making an appeal for doctors to serve in bush hospitals in Kenya and Dr. Mel Cheatham looked over at his wife and said, “Let’s Go.”
With real life stories and reading God’s word, your heart will be transformed each morning. With each devotional there are questions and journaling space. Dr. Mel Cheatham covers compassion, integrity, humility, obedience, service, purpose, peace, and love. New Every Morning: A Devotional Journey is a powerful devotional book.
The Noticer
By Andy Andrews
April 2009
Thomas Nelson
176 pages
“Whatever you focus upon, increases.”
“Wisdom is the ability to see, into the future, the consequences of your choices in the present.”
These are all quotes from the powerful new book The Noticer by Andy Andrews. Orange Beach, Alabama is just like any other town, filled with imperfect people. People who are dealing with divorce, elderly who are giving up, bankruptcy, and youth who have given up on life. Fortunately for several of these people in Orange Beach, Alabama when life became unbearable, a man named Jones The Noticer showed up on the scene. Not Mr. Jones, just Jones. Jones helps each person gain a little perspective about their situation. Their situations do not change, but he changes their course in life by offering a different point of view.
I have one word for this book: POWERFUL. This book will inspire while helping you gain a different perspective to the trials in your life. I would not call this a Christian book, but I did have the opportunity to hear Andy Andrews in person at Christian Book Expo in Dallas earlier this year. I can see why this man that has the ear of ever senior leader in the US Air Force. Has visited with General Norman Schwarzkopf and spent time with Bob Hope. Even my 15 year old son has enjoyed The Noticer.
You can read chapter one here: Chapter 1
I promise you will be hooked.
Monthly newsletter and additional book reviews can be found at: Lori’s Book Reviews – where there is a chance to win free books each month!
©2009, Lori Kasbeer
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