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The Devotionals (1 more)
The Research
I don’t often review non-fiction books. It’s just not something I like to do. I’m a fiction gal. I love reading a book where I can lost and escape reality for a few hours a day. But, when I have a favorite author, such as Jill Eileen Smith, I will give even a non-fiction book a try. And, I was actually rather excited to read this one, because let me tell you. My life, definitely does not match my dreams. Sure, I have a wonderful husband and two amazing children and a loving father and two gorgeous sisters. But, my health is not great, and my dreams? I dream so much more than this. I fell like I’ll be like this forever and never accomplish anything.
Smith has done a wonderful job with this book. It brings us the stories of 12 women of the Bible and how they dreamed for so much more, but it didn’t match up to what God had in store for them. You see, He is the creator of us all and He is the one that can see our future, know our plans, know what our lives will be like. And, through the tender words that Smith uses, along with the 12 women and phenomenal research she incorporated into the book, we see how life can be when we are disappointed that our dreams are following into line with our life.
Through this devotional, I was able to better understand my own life. I know what I want, I know what I wish I had, I know that I’m going to be disappointed because I’m not fully relying on God to help me with that. If I trust in Him, if I seek out his love and guidance, I won’t be so disappointed when a hope or dream falls short. Smith has once again used her incredible talent to hook me on a book. Her research is exquisite and her writing is filled with emotion and raw feelings.
This is a 5 star devotional book I would recommend to all the women out there. Get lost among the pages, see how these 12 women made mistakes, made choices that effect them and their families and see what God had in store for them. You may find the same hope and encouragement I did. Definitely a book for the keeper shelf and one I’ll share with my family and friends!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Smith has done a wonderful job with this book. It brings us the stories of 12 women of the Bible and how they dreamed for so much more, but it didn’t match up to what God had in store for them. You see, He is the creator of us all and He is the one that can see our future, know our plans, know what our lives will be like. And, through the tender words that Smith uses, along with the 12 women and phenomenal research she incorporated into the book, we see how life can be when we are disappointed that our dreams are following into line with our life.
Through this devotional, I was able to better understand my own life. I know what I want, I know what I wish I had, I know that I’m going to be disappointed because I’m not fully relying on God to help me with that. If I trust in Him, if I seek out his love and guidance, I won’t be so disappointed when a hope or dream falls short. Smith has once again used her incredible talent to hook me on a book. Her research is exquisite and her writing is filled with emotion and raw feelings.
This is a 5 star devotional book I would recommend to all the women out there. Get lost among the pages, see how these 12 women made mistakes, made choices that effect them and their families and see what God had in store for them. You may find the same hope and encouragement I did. Definitely a book for the keeper shelf and one I’ll share with my family and friends!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Janeeny (200 KP) rated A History of the World in 100 Objects in Books
Jun 10, 2019
When I first read this I didn’t realise that this was a book to accompany a very successful radio show on BBC Radio 4, which is thankfully still available to listen to.
I’ve had this for 6 years and have been reluctant to read this as I have to be in the right frame of mind for certain non-fiction books. Especially ones that seem like they are going to be a stream of facts with not a lot of context, so “A History of the world . . “ pleasantly surprised me. This book isn’t weighed down with facts and history, the author doesn’t go into too much uneccesary detail or waffle on too much. He provides just enough information to peak your interest.
Each object has its own chapter, and each chapter is reassuringly only a few pages long and nicely segmented. Its a bite-size history of the era in which the object was made, the story of the finding the object, and a couple of ‘expert’ opinions on the objects impact on the world.
When I read Non-fiction I like to come away from the experience with a ‘Party fact’ (you know, that bit of useless trivia you tell people at social gatherings to either fill a silence or sound interesting) and I certainly got my fair share with this book.
My party fact would be the flood tablet, the story on the tablet tells the tale of a man who was told by his god to build a boat and load it with his family and animals because a deluge is about to wipe humanity from earth. The thing that made this stick in my mind was that it pre-dated the Noah story by about 400 years.
Of course, since reading I’ve looked into this and found out that there are many flood stories that pre-date Noah, but at the time I was thinking “How does the world not know about this?” “Does Richard Dawkins know about this?” A little research has prevented me from a social faux pas, but still it’s all intriguing.
The History of the world in 100 objects, does exactly what it says on the tin!
I’ve had this for 6 years and have been reluctant to read this as I have to be in the right frame of mind for certain non-fiction books. Especially ones that seem like they are going to be a stream of facts with not a lot of context, so “A History of the world . . “ pleasantly surprised me. This book isn’t weighed down with facts and history, the author doesn’t go into too much uneccesary detail or waffle on too much. He provides just enough information to peak your interest.
Each object has its own chapter, and each chapter is reassuringly only a few pages long and nicely segmented. Its a bite-size history of the era in which the object was made, the story of the finding the object, and a couple of ‘expert’ opinions on the objects impact on the world.
When I read Non-fiction I like to come away from the experience with a ‘Party fact’ (you know, that bit of useless trivia you tell people at social gatherings to either fill a silence or sound interesting) and I certainly got my fair share with this book.
My party fact would be the flood tablet, the story on the tablet tells the tale of a man who was told by his god to build a boat and load it with his family and animals because a deluge is about to wipe humanity from earth. The thing that made this stick in my mind was that it pre-dated the Noah story by about 400 years.
Of course, since reading I’ve looked into this and found out that there are many flood stories that pre-date Noah, but at the time I was thinking “How does the world not know about this?” “Does Richard Dawkins know about this?” A little research has prevented me from a social faux pas, but still it’s all intriguing.
The History of the world in 100 objects, does exactly what it says on the tin!
Paranormal Texas: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth, (2nd Edition)
7.0
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More Haunted Places and True Ghost Stories! Tui Snider's popular travel guide to haunted places in...
Non-fiction non fiction ghosts Texas Paranormal ghost hunting
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Stories of Your Life: And Others
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Soon to be a major motion picture starring Amy Adams. This new edition of Ted Chiang's masterful...
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures in Books
Apr 27, 2018
What the Dog Saw (Audio) by Malcolm Gladwell
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 3/5
What the dog saw tells some interesting stories and gives details about things that you never thought about, and probably never wanted to know. It was entertaining but a little silly when you get right down to it. I mean, do I really want to know the in depth process for making the perfect tomato sauce? No, not really.
It was a bit hard to listen to this for more than 45 minutes at a time, and I would recommend listening to one “story” at a time so that you don’t get overwhelmed.
The writing was clear but not flowery or over descriptive, and it was read by the author who did a great job, but read without much enthusiasm or inflection, making it difficult to listen to for too long.
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would think that the people who would enjoy this most would be Journalists, History lovers, or anyone on a long car ride.
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 3/5
What the dog saw tells some interesting stories and gives details about things that you never thought about, and probably never wanted to know. It was entertaining but a little silly when you get right down to it. I mean, do I really want to know the in depth process for making the perfect tomato sauce? No, not really.
It was a bit hard to listen to this for more than 45 minutes at a time, and I would recommend listening to one “story” at a time so that you don’t get overwhelmed.
The writing was clear but not flowery or over descriptive, and it was read by the author who did a great job, but read without much enthusiasm or inflection, making it difficult to listen to for too long.
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would think that the people who would enjoy this most would be Journalists, History lovers, or anyone on a long car ride.
Lindsay (1812 KP) rated The Last Plane out of Paris in Books
Apr 9, 2019
This story starts out slow at first. Though once things get going it non stop action. It felt like what going to happen to these two agents. Though it was something. British Airmen have a mission to do but we are not told until they reach the France Resistance Though though out the whole thing they spect one person and they hold the spies with them think it the other person.
Things to got from bad to worse but how are the German getting the information Though things are getting more execting has the book goes on. Their original mission is failed though they get a new mission. The new mission is to save a person that is to land in England. I am so in to this book for it give you sence of what happening before the United States enter the WWII.
I am looking forward to find out more about this even though it part fiction and part fact. I am waitting to see if there another book to follow.
Things to got from bad to worse but how are the German getting the information Though things are getting more execting has the book goes on. Their original mission is failed though they get a new mission. The new mission is to save a person that is to land in England. I am so in to this book for it give you sence of what happening before the United States enter the WWII.
I am looking forward to find out more about this even though it part fiction and part fact. I am waitting to see if there another book to follow.
A great indepth look in a pathologists life
I picked this one up cause I had seen it around a lot and thought it was similar to This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay. Same genre (medical), TOTALLY DIFFERENT!
This is a non fiction book with an indepth look in to the life/work of a Pathologist and I when I say indepth I mean it. Parts are very descriptive, Stomach turning. It will take you on a real life journey to many post mortems from babies to the elderly and all in between. Which may be an unpleasant and an unsuitable read for some readers.
However, it is an eye opening read, I learnt a lot from this book. It contains some of the worlds biggest terror attacks and devastating incidents. We get a good glimpse into what happens after death, how they reach verdicts and how pathologists conduct their work. It is brutally honest and fascinating. A real page turner and brilliantly written.
I awarded a well deserved four stars and would highly recommend to you all.
This is a non fiction book with an indepth look in to the life/work of a Pathologist and I when I say indepth I mean it. Parts are very descriptive, Stomach turning. It will take you on a real life journey to many post mortems from babies to the elderly and all in between. Which may be an unpleasant and an unsuitable read for some readers.
However, it is an eye opening read, I learnt a lot from this book. It contains some of the worlds biggest terror attacks and devastating incidents. We get a good glimpse into what happens after death, how they reach verdicts and how pathologists conduct their work. It is brutally honest and fascinating. A real page turner and brilliantly written.
I awarded a well deserved four stars and would highly recommend to you all.
When I read about this book from the author that email that was sent to me. I was like yes I want read about this. I really did enjoy it.
It about the life of a Navy Seal named Adam Brown. It take you though this live from when He was born to when he died. The story starts out with an interview kind of setting. Though it goes though from How his parents meet and then and it goes though focus on Adam life. I really is a good read. It got to my emotions a bit twice though out the book.
There are somethings that Adam does that are strange but also some really bad things. You will be surpirese to see where he end up being. It quite amazing at what he was able to to do and fight though to get there. If you want a good read and Non Fiction book this is a good one to pick up and read. It read though this family and teammates and friends.
It about the life of a Navy Seal named Adam Brown. It take you though this live from when He was born to when he died. The story starts out with an interview kind of setting. Though it goes though from How his parents meet and then and it goes though focus on Adam life. I really is a good read. It got to my emotions a bit twice though out the book.
There are somethings that Adam does that are strange but also some really bad things. You will be surpirese to see where he end up being. It quite amazing at what he was able to to do and fight though to get there. If you want a good read and Non Fiction book this is a good one to pick up and read. It read though this family and teammates and friends.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Witches: Salem, 1692 in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Okay, so I am not usually one to read non-fiction books for fun. Honestly, I think this may be one of the first in a long time. But this one was really interesting.
If you know me, you will know I love history of witches. I just find it heartbreaking and interesting and I want to know all I can about it. This book is right up my alley. It explores not only the Salem witch trials of 1692, but also what led to those false accusations. It was fascinating.
I loved getting an in depth historical look at the New England coast and their various trials, not just in Salem. I would consider myself a fan of the witch trials. This book, I believe, is pushing me on the road to becoming a scholar. I want to find more and more about them. (Possibly even putting together my own research? Who knows.)
If you want a very well written and accessible history of the Salem Witch Trials, look no further than Stacy Schiff's book. Honestly, take a look.
If you know me, you will know I love history of witches. I just find it heartbreaking and interesting and I want to know all I can about it. This book is right up my alley. It explores not only the Salem witch trials of 1692, but also what led to those false accusations. It was fascinating.
I loved getting an in depth historical look at the New England coast and their various trials, not just in Salem. I would consider myself a fan of the witch trials. This book, I believe, is pushing me on the road to becoming a scholar. I want to find more and more about them. (Possibly even putting together my own research? Who knows.)
If you want a very well written and accessible history of the Salem Witch Trials, look no further than Stacy Schiff's book. Honestly, take a look.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Erik Larson has done it again. One of our time's finest writers of non-fiction has once more taken a page from our history and turned it into a most compulsively readable book. This time telling the tale of the sinking of the luxury liner Lusitania by the Germans during World War I, the narrative follows everyone from the passengers and crew of the ill-fated ship, to the men on the U-boat that fired the torpedo, to the British and American officials monitoring the situation and making the decisions about how to respond. Mr. Larson provides a stunning amount of detail, enough to make one feel as if they had actually spent time aboard the opulent liner with its travelers, but at no point does it seem as though the details are bogging things down. To the contrary, events move along at a brisk pace as they head towards their tragic end. It is a sad but fascinating tale, handled here with aplomb, in what is sure to wind up on many year-end best lists.