My goal for 2013 is to read 1-2 books a month. It’s the end of February and I’ve done quite a bit of reading. Hopefully over the next two weeks or so I can get a few reviews posted for you! I really read a few good books and ebooks last month, some that you should check out and consider reading for yourself!
More than Enough by Dave Ramsey was a great read. I had originally purchased this book to give someone for Christmas, but decided to keep it for myself for various reasons. I’ve read other of Ramsey’s books and am a frequent visitor of his website. I agree a lot with the principles behind his teachings on financial and debt freedom. The book discusses different approaches to changing your financial destiny. Dave is a big advocate in giving back, to your community and to the Lord. More Than Enough focuses in on your core values and goals and what you must do to be prosperous in your life, marriage, job, and with your faith.
If you’ve never read a book or blog post by Stuff Christian’s Like author Jon Acuff, you’re missing out. He’s quite a writer and I often find myself laughing out loud! In this quick read (finished in a day), you can learn to not only Baby Proof your basement from your 27-year-old, but you will also learn a lot of practical advice. I loved reading that Dave Ramsey’s team lives out loud what the “preach”. Jon tells the story about the first time he had to go on a company trip and was given an envelope of cash to pay for everything. No company credit card exists! The book is filled with useful knowledge and tips on handling finances, while being entertaining at the same time. Go read it!
Oh Good Lord! I read a book about sex and I’m going to talk about it on the blog. Pick up your dropped jaw and come back to reality. Sex happens. God designed sex for a husband and wife and The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex is a great book to get a Biblical perspective on the topic. From engaged women to those who have been married 30+ years, this book is for you! This book is beautifully written on the details of having an intimate marriage the way God intended. The book is not risque by any means. A definite read for ladies.
When I saw this I Want It Now by Julie Dawn Cole for free on Kindle ebook one day, I grabbed it because, quite frankly I loved Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! Cole, who played the infamous Veruca Salt, tells of her journey to and through stardom and what life was like on the set of the great Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Did you know that the chocolate room set was off-limits the entire time they were filming the rest of the movie? The directors wanted to get the casts first impressions of it on camera. In fact, the scene that made the final cut was their initial reaction to the chocolate room. How awesome! Cole talks about her friendships with the cast, her homesickness, her rise to (and from) fame.
While I didn’t get super excited during the final parts of the book discussing her adult years, the book was overall a great and fun read.
Shepherding a Child’s Heart has so many conflicting reviews on Amazon, but I wanted to read it for myself to have my own opinion. I fully believe that the goal of parenting should be to point the child’s heart to the Lord and Savior, which Tripp discusses. This biggest part of the controversy lies with spanking, I do believe. Do I believe in spanking? Yes I do. I don’t believe spanking is right in certain situations (special needs children), in certain environments (public), and never when the parent is upset/angry because it runs the risk of becoming more than a spanking. (Please note, those are my opinions. You’re entitled to your own. This is not meant to spark debate so please keep it that way.)
Overall, I’d probably give the book about four stars out of five. The book is subject to each parents personal convictions, so you would need to read it yourself. I will, however, not use it as my main guide for parenting. I believe the Bible does a good job with fulfilling that role!
