Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten book related problems that I have: (this should be fun!)
1. I am addicted to library reading problems. I loved taking part in the summer reading programs that the library would have. I mean, I read anyway, so I might as well win some free books to add to my shelves while I am at it, right? The only problem is, there's an age limit to the reading programs. So, I was thrilled to have a daughter of my own, and that they allow you to start right away in the summer reading program.;) We read as many books together as we could last summer.;)

2. I still haven't moved all of my books into our house.... At first, it was because the library in our house needed to be gutted, but that has been done for over a year. I think it is time to finally empty my parents house of all my books (much to my husband's chagrin!)

3. I always have a stack of books by my side of the bed. Sometimes more than one. I try to limit the pile to books I need to read soon, but somehow, others wind up in there....

4. I can never get out of the library without a bag of books.

5. There are never enough board books/kid books in this house! The library has been such a lifesaver in this house. As much as I love the books we have, I would go crazy if I was limited to just a few.;)

6. I can never have a small purse. It needs to at least fit a Kindle. If not a Kindle and a book or two.

7. When traveling, one of my worst fears is that I won't have enough books to read when on the road or in the air.;) I'm very much a moody reader, I have to be in the mood to read certain books (especially mysteries, for some reason). When I traveled to Australia, I took a huge backpack of books and hardly read any of them... I like to think this problem will be easier to manage now that I have a Kindle, since I have a variety on there that I need to read!

8. I sometimes forget the books that I have on my Kindle. Out of sight, out of mind, perhaps?:)

9. I write in my books. Generally not in fiction, since I will just write a great quote elsewhere (like in my journal), but a lot of my nonfiction books are seriously marked up. Especially C.S. Lewis.

10. I cannot pass up a bookstore, even if I'm not looking for anything specific. Independent, used bookstores are probably the worse, since I can find such good deals that I can't help but buy something!

So, what are your bookish problems?

Mothering from Scratch

Trying to follow someone else's rules for mothering can take the joy out of being a parent. But Mothering From Scratch shows you how to develop your own style that helps you be the best mom for your kids.

Full of solid biblical truth, this book will help you
· explore your personality and examine your strengths and weaknesses in order to find what works for you
· tap into the resources surrounding you and get mentoring and support from other moms
· push past the fear of change or doing it wrong and allow room for grace in your mothering

Melinda Means and Kathy Helgemo provide a flexible, customizable approach to help you discover your optimal parenting style.

My thoughts: As a fairly new mother myself, I was thrilled to read this book and glean some advise from two women who have been in the role of mother for a while. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I have been pleasantly surprised to find that it is full of a lot of helpful advise! Not just on learning what your "mothering style" but also on some things I haven't put a whole lot of thought into, like how to find friends who can help mentor you (and how to spot those who won't give you helpful advise) and being aware of the dangers of social media when it comes to compounding a negative or pessimistic attitude. I appreciate their honesty and openness. This will be a go to book for years to come!
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Last Words of Jesus

This is probably the most powerful sermon Jesus ever gave

The last words of anyone are a powerful legacy, often reverberating across generations. However, the last words of Jesus soar above all others because of who He was—and is.

In the Last Words of Jesus, you’ll experience a fresh encounter with Christ as Stu Epperson recounts the last seven statements uttered by Jesus on the cross, providing unique, thought-provoking insights, and interspersing additional commentaries from many of Christianity’s leading theologians and authors.

This one-stop resource and devotional will help you understand more deeply...

What Jesus said from the cross and why;
What His words mean for your everyday life;
Why Jesus came and why He suffered;
How to help others better understand all that Christ offers through His life, death, and resurrection.

My thoughts: With Resurrection Sunday coming up quickly, I think this book is a great read, since it focuses our minds on the last words of Jesus Christ. It challenges us to look deeper at the statement He made to the thief on the cross. His asking the Father to forgive "them" (us) for not knowing what they were doing, who they were crucifying. This is a beautiful book that helps one focus on the greatest sacrifice.
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

Blindsided by God

When Peter Chin moved his family into an inner-city neighborhood to plant a church, he was sure he was doing what God wanted. But in the span of a few months his family experienced a heartbreaking miscarriage, a break-in at their home, a breast cancer diagnosis, and the termination of their health insurance. Why would God allow these things to happen?

But God had one more surprise prepared for the Chins: a child, conceived in the most unlikely and dangerous of circumstances, through whom Peter would realize that although God's ways were wild and strange, they were always good.

Filled with twists and turns, deep insights, and surprising humor, Blindsided by God explores the reality of suffering, the mystery of God's ways, and why, even in the darkest times, there's always reason for hope.

My thoughts: No one wants to go through trials. And yet, most of us will be hit with some sort of misfortune. Unfortunately, sometimes several trials hit at ones, like with Peter Chin and his family. Feeling like they need to plant a church in Washington D.C., he and his wife move their young family there. But, follow God's call isn't easy. While there, he and his family go through many different things, including his wife being diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the pain of the trials, the Chin family is able to see God's hand at work in their lives.
I thought that this book was interesting, since I know I have a hard time looking up to the Lord when trials come. I don't know what I would do in a similar situation, so I appreciate the honesty and humor in this book. One of the best things about it, is that one can read it and realize that you are not alone. Others struggle too, but more importantly, God is there by your side when you go through trials.
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Soup Club Cookbook

The Soup Club began when four friends (who, between them, have four husbands and ten hungry kids and several jobs) realized that they didn’t actually have to cook at home every night to take pleasure in a home-cooked meal. They simply had to join forces and share meals, even if they weren’t actually eating them together. Caroline, Courtney, Julie, and Tina happen to be neighbors, but a soup club is for anyone: colleagues, a group of workout buddies, a book club. All you need are a few people who simply want to have more home-cooked food in their lives.

In a soup club each person takes a turn making soup—and sometimes other dishes for sides or for when everyone needs a break from soup, so if a club has four people, in a month each person will have dinner delivered three times—a dish that can start as a full meal and stretch into more dinners or lunches or even morph into a sauce. Soup is forgiving, versatile, and perfect for sharing; it can be spiced to taste, topped elaborately or not at all, and dressed up or down. It travels well and reheats beautifully. The Soup Club Cookbook also has dozens of tips for cooking in quantity and for tailoring soup to individual tastes and needs. Here, too, are simple guidelines for starting your own soup club, anecdotes, and a few cautionary tales that will inspire anyone to share food and eat well.

Recipes include quick and easies, classics, twist on favorites, and dozens of flavor-rich new crowd pleasers:

• Carrot Coconut and Chicken Chili,
• Senegalese Peanut Soup
• Faux Ramen
• Red Lentil Curry Soup
• Potato Cheddar Soup
• Sun Dried Tomato Soup
• Jeweled Rice Salad
• Cheddar Cornbread,
• Summer Corn Hash
• Soy Simmered Chicken Wing

My thoughts: I love making soups! We have a weekly potluck at church, and I generally bring soup, since I love how versital it is and that you don't have to worry to much after putting every thing in a crockpot.;) I also love to make soups at home with all the produce we wind up with out of our garden. So, I was thrilled to get a copy of this from Blogging for Books to review. Not only does it have some wonderful, versitial soup recipes, it also has some fun sides too! I love the recipe for Kimchi, and I can't wait to try their quick pickles.
While some of the recipes have unique ingredients that most of us probably don't keep on hand, I like that a lot of the recipes use things one has in the pantry or freezer. I personally prefer recipes that use a lot of ingredients that I will use up on other meals and not go to waste., which is what this cookbook does.
Filled with colorful pictures and easy to follow recipes, this one is a winner!
I received a copy of this cookbook from Blogging for Books in exchange for my review.

The Bacon Lover's Cookbook

It’s bacon time! With breakfasts, dinners, desserts, and everything in between, this full-color novelty cookbook proves that everything really is better with bacon. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for your bacon-obsessed friend or you’re a bacon aficionado yourself, you’ll love the mouthwatering recipes and fun facts in The Bacon Lover’s Cookbook.
My thoughts: Is there such thing as to much of a good thing? Or, perhaps not good, but tasty.;) It seems like the bacon craze, at times, kind of tests that theory! I think bacon flavored toothpaste or bacon flavored icing is taking things just a bit far, but I digress...
This cookbook, though, presents some tasty looking recipes without going to crazy. I love the recipes for bread with bacon in it, since that is an idea I have been toying with. I also love the ideas for sandwiches and pizza in the book! I'm not so sure about mixing bacon into my brownies, but I have tried (and liked) bacon in chocolate, so I may be won over.;) All in all, if you love bacon, then this is a cookbook you will want in your kitchen!
I received a copy of this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

Take ten

Things I dislike when it comes to romance in stories:
1. Characters who aren't faithful. I don't care if they are suppose to have changed because they magically met the right person. I still don't like it, since the cynic in me wonders how long "happily ever" will last.
2. Beautiful, stunningly gorgeous couple who have no depth to them. I'm sure most like pretty characters or handsome heroes, which I  can agree with. It's the books that go on and on about how much the main characters resemble models that really get to me. There is no personality to fall in love with, as a reader!
3. Characters who use love for personal gain. Gale in the Hunger Games was kind of like this, in my eyes.

Things I like:
4. Boy next door. Probably because that's how it worked for me, though he didn't actually live next door.;)
5. Best friends, because I think it's cute to read about friends who try to figure out how to not possibly ruin their friendship.
6.  A great love/hate relationship,  like Darcy and Lizzy.
7.  Snappy conversation with great come backs.
8. Comedy. Seriously, every good romance needs some comic relief.;)
9. Selfless love.  I think it's so sweet when someone loves another person so much, that they are willing to let that person go.
10. A well suited couple.
Top ten is a meme created by Broke and Bookish