Book reviews....

I love, love, love reading books. When I don't have a good book to read I get very antsy-- so I'm always looking for something good to pick up and read. Watching television is hard for me to do these days--- even with a DVR, and I always need something to help me wind down at night.

Here are a few I've read in the past few months:

I just finished this one by Jodi Picoult. I am a HUGE Picoult fan and have read almost everything she has written. This book was definitely one of her best yet. I left this book in our hotel room when we went to Memphis a few weekends ago. My mom bought it for me at Wal-Mart for $12. I was using a doctor's receipt as my bookmark (lesson learned) so I wanted my book back so no one would be tempted to pass around personal info. A $12 book cost us $35 via FedEx. Another lesson learned.

This book is centered around a teenager with autism (Asperger's Syndrome-- which is a more functional level of autism) and how he is obsessed with forensic science and recreating crime scenes and crashing police crime scenes. Then he gets caught up in his own REAL drama by being accused of murder. Good, easy read.

So, this one isn't really a book that you sit down a read per se. But it is a study about King David. It's meant to be a 10 week study, but the group of girls I am doing this with and myself have a hard time meeting weekly. So we try to meet every 2 weeks. It is very in-depth and there are 5 days in each week that you spend doing the devotion part of it. The devotions take between 30 and 45 minutes each. I love studying about King David and I love the way Beth Moore puts all things into perspective. If you have never done a Beth Moore study, this one is excellent. But any of her studies are excellent. Beth Moore is an awesome teacher on all things Biblical.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. And again and again. LOVE this man. This book confirmed my love and admiration for him even more. What a grounded, HONEST, loyal hero to America and her history. I love that he makes no apologies for anything he did and stood up for. He also makes no apologies for being a follower of Christ. We need a House and a Senate full of men AND women of integrity like him.

I had bought his wife's book and read it last fall. I must admit, her book was boring. She is very detailed about EVERYTHING. To the point it just got plain, well, boring. I was about 2 chapters from finishing it and I never picked it back up. Then I lost a little respect for her after I saw an interview of her telling how she was pro-choice and pro-same sex marriage.

If you NEVER read another book so long as you live, you MUST read this one. My jaw was on the floor the ENTIRE time I read this (which it only took me about 2 hours). I must admit, I am always a little skeptical (okay-- A LOT) about things like this. (In case you haven't heard about this book, it's about a 4 year old who claims to have had an outer body experience during emergency surgery and takes a trip to Heaven. He describes in unbelievable detail the things he saw and the people he encountered and an uncanny description of Jesus. Things that are recorded in the Bible, including the book of Revelation, but that he had not been told in his 4 short years.) Even if he never physically left his body and just had an incredible dream, it is still the power of God at work. God has used the supernatural AND dreams to reveal himself and His Son to people. The little boy, Colton, was even able to tell about seeing his parents and describe in detail where they were in the hospital and what they were doing the moments he was in surgery. I was in awe while reading this book and still am. Believer or not, this book is powerful. I have never had such a huge amount of peace like I did at 11:00 last night when I finished this book. I was overcome with a peace like nothing else. I believe that even 2,000 years after the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior, that He still reveals Himself to us in profound, supernatural ways--- just like He did all throughout the Bible.

READ IT!!!!!

"The Shack"

So, I just finished reading the controversial Christian-fiction book, "The Shack". I literally put it down 5 minutes ago. This is definitely a blogworthy book.

I was very afraid to read this book. I had heard so many things about it. I was told to be careful when reading it. I was told that it would definitely make you think. I was told that someone grounded in faith should never read this book. And I was told to guard my heart if I did read this. Personally, I don't really understand the controversy surrounding it. My mother had heard so much about it, she had made her decision to NOT read this book because she felt that her own mother (most of you knew my grandmother, and for those of you that didn't know her, she was a Godly saint of a preacher's wife. The epitome of a true servant of God and of her family)would NEVER read this book. I could imagine that my grandmother just might have read this book and enjoyed it to some degree.

Now I digress, that is not the point of my opinion: Who should or shouldn't, or who would or wouldn't have read this book. One thing I MUST say, though, is that this is a powerful book. I almost compare it to the adult version of C.S. Lewis and his "Chronicles of Narnia". Specifically "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Only because that is the one book out of the series that sticks out most in my mind and the book that was read to me in 2nd grade at the private Christian school I attended. C.S. Lewis used symbolism in his story. Satan was portrayed as the Queen of Narnia, who brought so many tempting things to the table to lead the children astray. God was portrayed as a beautiful and majestic lion named Aslan who was betrayed and slain. How many generations have grown to love the stories of C.S. Lewis? It has reached many, and many have been spoken to by his symbolism.

Things in "The Shack" are not to be taken literal. Do I believe that God can reveal Himself in the version of a large African-American woman? Well, yes, I suppose He could IF He really wanted to. But chances are, that will never happen. However, the symbolism portrayed by the way The Trinity is revealed is breathtaking. And not how they come in modern human form, but how God reveals Himself and explains the many questions we ask ourselves almost daily.

The book starts off slow, and it took about 5 chapters before I could really get into it. But once I did, I was hooked.

Mack is the main character who is reeling from the abduction and murder of his young daughter. (I am not giving the story away, it's on the back of the book.) But as any parent, he is consumed with sadness, loss, and grief that he just can't shake. He even nicknames his ever-looming emotion as The Great Sadness.

The book even refers to bad choices that we, as God's creation make. Our sins, our struggles and our conflicts. It makes clear that our choices-- yes, the bad ones, are not stronger than God's purposes, and that ultimately our bad choices can lead to the good of God's plan and purpose. Something, I, Mandy Miller, struggle with daily.

It also refers to our fears. And then it puts into perspective how our fears (mainly of the future) very rarely ever pictures God with us. We fear so many things. That was not God's purpose for us. He did not create us to live in fear. And when we do fear the unknown, He wants us to know that He is still there. He has been, He is, and He will always be. He is The Great I AM.

There is one particular part of this book I strongly disagree with, and that is what God expects of us. It leads the reader to think that God would have no expectations of us. That that is why Jesus was nailed to a cross. All expectations were nailed into the cross. We can be forgiven regardless, and we don't have to become CHRISTIANS in the literal sense most of us think. However, just as I, as a parent, expect my children to respect and obey me and submit to my authority, I believe God expects the same. "The Shack" is not meant to take the place of what the Bible says. That is why it is Christian- FICTION. But, some of the symbolism and analogies used are powerful and I find a lot of truth to it. It puts some things in perspective.

Just as God can use each one of us in our own special way to show His love and his goodness, I believe God used the authors of this book for the same purpose. It brings a sensitive subject to the table. Forgiveness. Forgiveness whether you have a relationship with the person you are forgiving or not. Forgiveness whether you can forget or NEVER forget what the person has done.

There were some things in the beginning I thought were ridiculous. But then, it occurred to me that I am a big fan of "The Twilight Series". If I can read FOUR books about vampires and fall in love with the books, then I can overlook some wild scenarios in "The Shack". "The Shack" at least has a greater, realistic purpose to it.

I will undoubtedly say that this book has become my favorite fiction book. I know a lot of people will disagree with me. If you have read it and agree or disagree with me, I want to know your opinion. I felt lead to pick it up in the store the other day, and it hadn't even been on my mind. I was getting ready to check out and saw it across the entire store on the bottom shelf. I needed what this story gave to me this week. Was that a coincidence? Well, I don't necessarily believe in coincidences.

Book review....

Chad got me this book for our anniversary. I am in love with this book. Billy Graham wrote this book originally in 1992. It has been totally revised and updated. Franklin Graham did the forward in March 2010 and Billy Graham added a new introduction in February 2010. It is VERY fascinating. It sheds light on everything the Bible has prophesied about the end times and the warning signs given to us and exactly how they relate to what we see every time we turn on the news or pick up the newspaper. I don't know if you feel like me, but it seems like just the past year has been more violent than ever. And by violent, I mean the Earth having these "labor pains" that the Bible warns us about. Again, I tell you this book is FASCINATING. The book of Revelation is very hard to understand and interpret, but this book really explains it so well. And of course, as always, the Rev. Graham puts it so easily into words. From the way this book is written and updated in each chapter, you would never guess that he is 91 years old. His thoughts and his heart are just as clear and passionate as ever.

Book review....

I finally broke down and got a copy of my very own. I had heard from a few readers that this is a very, very good read. I just happened to see this while I was out shopping the other night and grabbed it. I could not put this down!!! I'm not sure if it was the story line that really caught me, or the fact that it was set in Jackson, Ms.

The story is set in the early 1960's and it centers around 3 main characters: Two black female maids, and one white "heiress" of a cotton plantation. Of course it takes place in the midst of the civil rights era and during a time that Medgar Evers was assassinated and the sit in at Woolworth's in Downtown Jackson took place. The story is a fictional plot line, but I can imagine there is a lot of truth behind everything written. From the way the whites treated the black "help", to the tension that surrounded the deep south at the time.

While I am educated on what happened during the civil rights era, to read certain details make me a little sad to say I was born and raised in Mississippi. However, I am actually VERY proud to be from this great state and I certainly think we've come a long way in the past 40 years. I am proud of Mississippi, and just as the author says in her notes at the end of the book: Mississippi is a lot like a relative who drives us crazy. As a native of the state, we are entitled to say all the things we want to about Mississippi, but the minute an outsider says something negative about our state, we immediately come to her defense.

GREAT BOOK!!!!

Great reads....

"Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado is one of the best books I have ever read in my entire life. I must be honest here-- I usually have a hard time picking up a Christian-based book and reading it through entirely. There is really no particular reason for that, other than sometimes I feel like I'm being lectured to or sometimes it seems a little over my head. I like books that are easy to read and take me straight to the point.

I first bought this book a little over 2 or so years ago. While I was training for a marathon in 2007, I was solely in training to let go of some "demons" and for mental help. (Yeah, I know. Sounds crazy. Running 26.2 miles for my mentality????? Strange. But very true--and it worked.) But, I was really (and I mean really) struggling with some emotional issues in my life and some bad choices, and someone recommended this book to me. It's the story of David. But, it's not just about David and THE giant. But, about David and ALL of his giants that he faced in life. There is a chapter for everything in this book. From grieving, to addictions, to wronged relationships, to mistakes made in life- whether intentional or unintentional. It's all there. I highly recommend this book.

This is a cheap buy monetarily speaking, but the best $10 you will ever spend on yourself. If you have nothing else to read this week, I really suggest you get your hands on a copy of this. With Easter in a few days it's the perfect book to read. But, it certainly doesn't have to be Easter to read it. Excellent. And gives you some enlightenment on the true sense of forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

So, I just dove into this one (as the boy on the cover suggests.) But, as with all other Max Lucado material, it has me hooked. This is Lucado's newest book and it is nothing but a breath of fresh air in so many ways.

I fear so many things in life that it's almost become a handicap for me. I suffer from anxiety (and any of my family members will gladly agree that I do) and no, I do not take drugs to control my anxiety (yet, because I really probably should.) But I fear everything from having no money in the bank to the fear of death. One dark cloud that always hovers over me is the fear of something happening to one of my children. That scenario has played out one too many times to people I love and care about, and now it has really put a fog over the way I think about my future and my children getting older. I saw this book a few months ago, and finally broke down and got a copy. And YES, there is a chapter in this book for fear of death, and fear of not protecting my kids.

If you have never read ANY Max Lucado book, you are missing out. He's got such a no-nonsense, yet funny point of view on everything. His books don't bore me, and I don't feel like I'm being lectured to. If I were to sit down and write a book, I would write it in the same kind of style he does. He just adds an everyday, comical twist on all of his points. Lucado is the man!

Book review

So, here is yet another book review. I can't quite remember when I bought this book. It's been a minimum of 6 or 7 years ago. I bought it when Waldenbooks was still open at Metro, and it was in one of the bargain bins. I remember nothing about it. Except one little sentence that has stuck with me all these years. I can't even tell you what the story line was about, except it was set somewhere in Mississippi in the 50's and it centered around a teenage girl. Well, for lack of other things to read, I decided to reread it. The first chapter or two were slow-going and I thought I wouldn't be able to finish it. But, once it sank it's teeth in me, I was hooked. It is a very good read.

The language is quite vulgar and offensive a lot of the time, but the story in general is very moving. I'm a little more than halfway through it at this point, so I will share more when I am finished. But, at this point I highly recommend it.

It is set in Petal, Ms in 1956. The main characters are Valuable, a 14 year old troubled girl who's mother is the town "prostitute" (and that's putting it nicely) and Even Grade, a 28 year old black man who was an orphan growing up. They are both trying to find their way in 1956 Mississippi, and it has little to do with the race issues from that time and more to do with them finding a place to belong.

This book was an Oprah book of the month years ago, and I'm not a fan of Oprah at all, but I have read several books that her club has recommended and have not been disappointed. So, again, two thumbs up.

Book review....

So, I am reading "The Lovely Bones" for yet a second time. I usually don't like to read books more than once because I can always remember the outcome. However, it's been 4 years since I first read this, and a lot has happened in my life since then, and I've also read many, many books since January of 2006. I do remember it being a deeply disturbing book, and I remember a coworker at the time telling me how wonderful she thought it was. I breezed through this book in no time the first time I read it. I found nothing wonderful about it. Just depressing. However, I have seen that the movie is now in theaters and I am always up for seeing books made into movies to compare and contrast, and since I remember very little detail about this book I thought I would give it another try. Wow. It is EXCELLENT. Especially when you take the time to sit down and pay attention. I can't wait for my own special time away to go see this in the theater ALONE. I've already told Chad that when this book is finished being read, I am going ALONE to the theater to see if the movie stands up to the book. A good, yet slightly disturbing read. I recommend it. Two thumbs up.

New Moon

Now, it's on to "New Moon". I bought it Monday afternoon and I am already halfway through it. Nothing over-the-top suspenseful, but the way Bella describes her heartbreak makes me feel her pain. I want her to find Edward.... COME BACK, EDWARD!!!!!!

Well, that's how exciting my life has been around here the last few days. I was so glad to see some sunshine today after two days of cold, rainy weather. Although, it was a very good couple of days to curl up with my book.......

Twilight

Okay. I admit. I am a total sucker. So, I saw the book "Twilight" at Wal-Mart for five bucks a couple of weeks ago. I needed a new book to read. Of course, I've heard all the hype and everyone swooning over the main character, Edward Cullen. Grrrrr..... I was sucked in. Although, the book is not everything I expected it to be, the way the author describes Edward is....... well....... there are no words. Seductive? Intriguing? Just plain sexy? Wow. I'm not quite through with the book and I think I've fallen in love with a vampire myself.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1904290/twilight_the_movie_official_trailer/