Posted by jena on Sep 8, 2009 in
books I am doing this for the Thomas Nelson Book Bloggers.
Fearless: Imagine your life without fear.
By Max Lucado
From The Back of the Book:
Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.
They’re talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn’t it be great to walk out?
Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.
Can you imagine your life without fear?
My Review:
Well, to be honest, I did not read this book. I signed up to be a book blogger for Thomas Nelson Publishing House.
This is the first book that I did not read or review. Why? Well, I have a few reasons. First, it is not the book I thought it was. Sometimes they have great fiction books that come up and I snatch them up, read them, and review them. This one I simply did not pay close attention to it enough to know what it was or what it was about. Second, once I got the book, I realized it was not for me. I am not full of fear at this time in my life, and when I am, I have other books I refer to. I am not real big on reading self help books, but I have nothing against them, they just are not for me.
I do feel like I need to post something about FEARLESS though, since I did sign up for it. I got on Goodreads and looked at some other reviews and noticed that the people who have read it really liked it, and gave it high ratings. I think that this book could help a lot of people. That is why I am going to donate it to a local hospital, because I think that is a place where people could use a good, positive, uplifting, spiritual book.
-Jena
Posted by jena on Aug 15, 2009 in
books 
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
First word that comes to mind: WOW! Second word: BEAUTIFUL! Third word: HAUNTING! Fourth:WITHDRAWALS!
Now for my review 
I had a chance to sit down with this book over the last 2 days while cuddling with my sick 3 year old daughter. It was very hard to put down, so much that one night I woke up with my lamp still on and my face in the book, I was trying to finish it!
The world Carrie created is amazing, the writing in beautiful, the characters draw you in, and I want more! I may read this again in the next day or two, I almost started reading it again today! The story is very gripping and addicting and the romance is WOW! I even got a little emotional on one part, heart wrenching!
I loved how the story takes place a long, long time after a Zombie invasion occurs, these people have been living with the Unconsecrated at their doorstep for generations. I tried putting myself in some of the situations that happen in the book and I think I would go crazy! I don’t know if I could live with Zombies constantly moaning and clawing through a fence, knowing all they wanted was to breakthrough and eat!
I think I would call this a Zombie book for everyone, even people who don’t like Zombies, because the book is so much more than a Zombie book.
I had to go to Carrie Ryan’s website to find out more, and I am so glad to hear that she is going to write more books in this amazing world she has created. I am okay with how Forest ended. I have questions about certain things, and I wonder about a few characters, but after reading her website, it sounds like she has a lot more to reveal to us about the world built around The Forest of Hands and Teeth! Thank You Carrie Ryan for such an amazing story!
The Dead-Tossed Waves is listed to come out March 9th of 2010 and The Forest of Hands and Teeth has been picked up to be made into a movie.
View all my reviews >>
Posted by jena on Jun 18, 2009 in
books I went to the Library today, or home number 2 as I like to call it, and they had a book sale going on.
I spent only 3 dollars but came home with a lot of good books, 10 to be exact!
Here is the list:
James and the Giant Peach: Roald Dahl
The Boxcar Children: Gertrude Chandler Warner
Dear Mr. Henshaw: Beverly Cleary
Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal(Brand New): Barbara Park
The House With a Clock in Its Walls: John Bellairs
Andersen’s Fairy Tails: Hans Christian Andersen and Charles Perrault
Charlotte’s Rose(Brand New): A.E. Cannon (Love this Lady!)
Wall-E Smash Trash: Laura Driscoll
Interworld(HardBack): Neil Gaiman and Michaek Reaves
The Very Lazy Ladybug(HardBack): Isobel Finn and Jack Tickle
I am so excited, I think Moab will be super happy when she gets home and gets to see all the new books she can dive into this summer!
-Jena
Tags: books, Library
Posted by jena on May 26, 2009 in
Life,
books 
The Actor and the Housewife: A Novel by Shannon Hale
My review
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Actor and the Housewife:
This past weekend, I got my hands on an ARC and could not put the book down, obviously I had to put it down to eat, sleep and play with the kids, but any free minute, I was turning pages!
I have a lot to say about this book. I gave it 5 stars because it deserves all 5. This book makes you think, feel, laugh, cry, think some more, cry some more, laugh some more.
I love Shannon Hale’s writing, and when I heard about this book, and what it was about, I knew that no matter what happened with the story, the book was written by Shannon Hale, and she would do it in a very down to earth and tasteful manner. I was not disappointed, she delivered a very heartwarming and funny book full of LIFE.
I loved that the book takes place over the last 11 years and ends in the present day. It was great story-telling, in such a way that you get very familiar with the characters and very attached and she covers so many things, over many years at a very good pace. You feel as if you have been following the story of this family over the years so you care about them all immensely!
One thing that I really liked about this book is that it makes you stop and think, ” hmmm, what if I was in a situation like this, what would I do, what would my Husband think, how would this affect my life, my husband, my kids, me? etc….”
Books that make you feel, and books that make you think should not be feared, they should be read.
I worry that people won’t give this book a fair shot because they are afraid to think and ponder about some topics that come up in this book that possibly will make you uncomfortable. Shannon did a great job of not glorifying things that happened, she was very responsible with the topics she confronts in this book, and as a reader, you see the consequences of actions and you don’t stop reading the book thinking that it is okay to do some of the things that happen in this book.
What did I get out of this book? A new appreciation for life, for love, for laughing, for my husband and kids. I read this book and I felt alive. I am not saying I was a Zombie before reading this book, but I think we all get going with the flow of life and sometimes put off noticing that the best things in our lives are the ones that we live with and take care of and hug and kiss and hold every day and sometimes drive us nuts. It was a good reminder to really think things through that may come up in our lives and consider all options and possibilities before jumping into anything serious.
I am glad Shannon decided to share this story with the world. Give it a chance, read it, buy it, talk about it with your husband and friends.
I will be buying a copy when it comes out on June 9th, 2009, and I will be reading it again.
Thanks for sharing this story with the world! I hope many read it and love it and talk about it.
View all my reviews.
Posted by jena on May 22, 2009 in
Kids,
Life,
books I am writing a children’s picture book, and today I sat down with my notes and actually wrote my first draft. It is good enough that I can now start drawing the pictures! Yay! I think I will like that slightly more than the writing part of it, although I enjoyed writing it more than I thought I would.
I wish I could share what I am doing, but I think it is best to keep it on the down low for now! Just know, that I am finding my passions in life and taking off with them and enjoying every minute. I have involved the girls, and they are super excited with what I have so far!
-Jena
Posted by jena on Apr 27, 2009 in
books Here is another review for the Thomas Nelson Publishing.
The Noticer
By Andy Andrews
Release Date: April 28th 2009
Pages:167
From Good Reads:
A new story of common wisdom from the bestselling author of The Traveler’s Gift
Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town filled with simple people. But like all humans on the planet, the good folks of Orange Beach have their share of problems - marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, as well as the many other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses.
Fortunately, when things look the darkest - a mysterious man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up. An elderly man with white hair, of indiscriminate age and race, wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and leather flip flops carrying a battered old suitcase, Jones is a unique soul. Communicating what he calls “a little perspective,” Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things that others miss. “Your time on this earth is a gift to be used wisely,” he says. “Don’t squander your words or your thoughts. Consider even the simplest action you take, for your lives matter beyond
measure…and they matter forever.”
Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what we can do about it.
Like The Traveler’s Gift, The Noticer is a unique narrative is a blend of fiction, allegory, and inspiration. Gifted storyteller Andy Andrews helps us see how becoming a “noticer” just might change a person’s life forever.
My Review:
This was a fast, easy read. I liked it, it had a very good message about how changing your perspective can change your life. I totally agree with this message. I don’t normally read books like this, but I thought I would give this one a try. It was good, I am glad I read it, and I picked up some good pointers in this book. I think this book will help a lot of people out there, trying to find their way. I think I will donate my free copy to the local Library because I personally don’t have a reason to read it ever again. The Jones Character was very mysterious, and loving. If I met him on the street he probably would have freaked me out a little bit! Sometimes I think people need to pick up a book like this to finally decide to change their lives. I have noticed that a lot of times, people won’t listen to a friend, family member, or spouse, so I think it is good that people are writing good books with good messages that can help people in many ways.
Posted by jena on Mar 2, 2009 in
School,
books Today is the 105th Birthday for Dr. Seuss!
At Moab’s school, they get to dress up on Dr. Seuss day. I told Moab to go through our books and pick out who she wanted to be today. She picked Fox in Socks so I made her and Nahvi matching Fox in Socks costumes. Moab is also very excited to eat Green Eggs and Ham for lunch. Too much fun! Moab has an amazing teacher, and such a great school. I am sad that 1st grade is almost over.
So here are my two stinking cute fox in socks girls! They were so excited and looked so cute! I forgot to take a picture of Moab reading to her table. She brought her copy of Fox in Socks and had all the kids listening. I love my kids!
Enjoy!
–Jena
P.S. They are in blue socks, not quite the right blue, but hey, I do what I can! A for Effort right?
Posted by jena on Jan 7, 2009 in
books Hi everyone, I am doing a book review on House of Dark Shadows, by Robert Liparulo. I signed up with Thomas Nelson publishing to get free books in exchange for a book review on my blog and Amazon.
I have to admit, at first I was worried that this book would have too many religious things in it, which for me is a turn off when I am reading a fictional book, but it didn’t. That said, House of Dark Shadows amazed me! I had a really hard time putting it down.
It follows a family, the King family, who has just moved from L.A. to a small town called Pindale. They stay in a motel until the parents decide to buy a really old, Victorian home that needs a lot of work.
They fix up the home while staying in the motel until the house is ready to be lived in. Once the kids move in to their new room they start to explore the home and find a lot of strange things, rooms that should not exist, portals that take them from the Linen closet to their locker at school. Later they stumble upon a hidden hallway with rooms that are portals to different time periods. This would be a dream come true to most kids, but is it more freedom than the boys, Xander and David, can handle?
This is book 1 in the Dreamhouse Kings series. I have already checked out book 2 from the library and look forward to book 3 coming out soon. My only complaint about the book was all the references to brand name or popular items. I don’t mind a few references, this book seemed to be on the heavy side. It personally takes me away from the story, I want to use my imagination, give me something generic, and it also dates the book, people reading this book years from now will be confused if they have no idea what is being referenced.
That complaint aside, great book for teens, but also great for adults. It was scary and intense, but not so much that I won’t let my child read this a few years from now. I really enjoyed the writing and the story telling. This book was not what I expected. It was a lot of fun to read, and really hard to put down. I recommend this book to anyone with teenage boys, and even girls, or to anyone who wants to get sucked into a great series.
A link to the product page at Thomas Nelson is: House of Dark Shadows
Tags: Add new tag
Posted by jena on Nov 6, 2008 in
books So, I enjoy reading many author’s websites. One of my favorites is Shannon Hale’s.
Well she was challenged by Lauren Myracle, another writer, to a Scare-a-thon challenge.
Lauren’s and Shannon’s were awesome! Shannon’s video was my favorite. Also, Scott Westerfeld’s made me laugh out loud, and Melissa de la Cruz was pretty funny, oh and I also enjoyed Kirsten Miller’s entry.
I checked them all out yesterday, they made me smile.
This was a great idea, I may have to do my own dare to some of my friends!
–Jena
Posted by jena on Nov 4, 2008 in
books One of my top most favorite blogs,MyFavoriteAuthor is having a fun contest to win a free book! Not just any book, an ARC (advanced reader’s copy) of the debut novel of Sarah MacLean called “The Season”. It will be out March 1st 2009.
How cool would that be to win an advanced reader’s copy of what I hear is an amazing book!
2 reasons to visit MyFavoriteAuthor:
1-Because it is a really fun blog to read with a lot of good information posted and updated regularly.
2-Because you might just win a free book!
The link to the contest is MyFavoriteAuthor-debut-author-month-giveaway
—Jena
