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egbella's reviews
212 reviews
Why, God? by Charles R. Swindoll
5.0
A short but powerful book full of encouragement and solid reminders of God's faithfulness and sovereignty. I think we can all use that throughout our lives - especially when we're facing difficult or confusing circumstances. We may feel out of control, but God is always in control, and He's going before us in all situations. I appreciated the Psalms and other Scripture references sprinkled throughout the book, and just overall, found it to be a quick but very helpful read. I definitely recommend it.
The Nine Lessons: A Novel of Love, Fatherhood, and Second Chances by Kevin Alan Milne
4.0
This was a random thrift store find that intrigued me, and I enjoyed it! Because I write, I noticed some techniques that weren't my favorite, namely that it was a very 'tell-y' story. But in the same vein, that introspectiveness of the protagonist gave the story most of its plot. By the end of the story, I was pretty interested in what would end up happening to each family member, and I did like the twist at the finale.
Overall, a very sweet story with some good lessons, and good character building. Some of the characters' actions were cringe-y to me, but that allowed for some very important growth. My favorite character was the golfing dad, by far. Not sure if I'll ever re-read this, but it was worth reading at least once to me!
Overall, a very sweet story with some good lessons, and good character building. Some of the characters' actions were cringe-y to me, but that allowed for some very important growth. My favorite character was the golfing dad, by far. Not sure if I'll ever re-read this, but it was worth reading at least once to me!
More Than Enough: The Ten Keys to Changing Your Financial Destiny by Dave Ramsey
5.0
I'll be keeping this on my shelf to look back on! This wasn't quite as helpful to me as Ramsey's other book, 'Total Money Makeover', but it was still packed full of valuable finance tips, strategies, and principles to keep in mind.
Though a few of his examples seemed a tad outdated (house prices, for example), they were things that didn't affect the principles themselves. Overall, the reminder was very appreciated for the strategies I already use and have seen work, and I got some great ideas for things to implement. And a bonus was that he discussed how marriage and finances should interact well - a topic I didn't expect, but is applicable to me right now.
Definitely recommend!
Though a few of his examples seemed a tad outdated (house prices, for example), they were things that didn't affect the principles themselves. Overall, the reminder was very appreciated for the strategies I already use and have seen work, and I got some great ideas for things to implement. And a bonus was that he discussed how marriage and finances should interact well - a topic I didn't expect, but is applicable to me right now.
Definitely recommend!
Finding Time: Breathing Space for Women Who Do Too Much by Paula Peisner Coxe
3.0
Yet another thrift store find that I thought looked interesting, but I should have checked when it was published. It's from the 90's. And while that might not be a huge deal with some books, this one is very dated now. Half of the time-saving tips were things like, "use your car phone on long drives to call clients", "get a beeper to be more available," and more similar suggestions that were probably helpful at that point in time, but now aren't any use to me personally.
That said, the author did cover some general time-saving, efficiency tips that will probably always work to some extent, such as keeping a to-do list, not signing up for more than you can realistically handle, building times of rest into your schedule, and asking for help. Those are always good reminders.
So back in the day, this was probably a great little book to flip through, as it's not BAD by any means. Just not in its prime anymore, so it didn't help me much.
That said, the author did cover some general time-saving, efficiency tips that will probably always work to some extent, such as keeping a to-do list, not signing up for more than you can realistically handle, building times of rest into your schedule, and asking for help. Those are always good reminders.
So back in the day, this was probably a great little book to flip through, as it's not BAD by any means. Just not in its prime anymore, so it didn't help me much.
All Things for Good: by Thomas Watson
5.0
This was loaned to me by a cousin who thought it would help encourage me, and it did! Romans 8:28 ("And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.") has been one of my favorite Scripture verses for years now, so the entire book was a refreshing reminder and exploration of those truths.
The book explored how joyful times and blessings, other people, even suffering and misfortune, all work together for our good and God's glory. It was surprisingly in-depth, and even though it is written in older English, it was still simple enough to understand and enjoy.
I would recommend this book to any Christian, whether they're needing encouragement and understanding for hard times, or just want to understand that passage of Scripture and biblical truth better. This is one of my favorite reads so far this year!
The book explored how joyful times and blessings, other people, even suffering and misfortune, all work together for our good and God's glory. It was surprisingly in-depth, and even though it is written in older English, it was still simple enough to understand and enjoy.
I would recommend this book to any Christian, whether they're needing encouragement and understanding for hard times, or just want to understand that passage of Scripture and biblical truth better. This is one of my favorite reads so far this year!
The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel
4.0
Another loaner from my cousin, and it's another great read. Contrasted to Thomas Watson's, "All Things For Good", this book was a bit denser, harder to read, but still packed full of insightful biblical truths. It was more difficult for me to be drawn into this one, but when I focused, I was grateful for all the information on God's providence. That's not a word I hear very often, so it was interesting to read about, and basically realize that the author is talking about God's mercy, grace, provision, power, etc.
The book dives into the evidence and effects of God's hand in every aspect of the world and our lives, big and small. It was a powerful reminder that He is always in control, even when we don't understand how He's working.
I would recommend this to any Christian wanting to be reminded of God's presence and provision, or simply for anyone wanting to study this aspect of God's character and our salvation.
The book dives into the evidence and effects of God's hand in every aspect of the world and our lives, big and small. It was a powerful reminder that He is always in control, even when we don't understand how He's working.
I would recommend this to any Christian wanting to be reminded of God's presence and provision, or simply for anyone wanting to study this aspect of God's character and our salvation.
Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage by Kevin Leman
5.0
Another pre-marital counseling resource, and another book that, like any resources on this topic, should be approached with lots of prayer, discernment, and communication with your significant other. I didn't agree 100% with every perspective Leman had, but as a whole, I would definitely recommend it to seeking Christian couples. He approached a wide variety of questions in this area with a good balance of seriousness and lightheartedness, and offered advice and tips for both man and woman. Most importantly, God remains the center. A well-written resource that I'm sure I'll come back to over the years.
Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed by Philip Hallie
4.0
This was borrowed from a friend, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The older language slowed down my engagement with the story, but once I was hooked, I had trouble putting it down. It's a fascinating, inspiring, and compelling story of one of the most horrific times in history from the viewpoint of a devout Christian and his family. I'm glad to have read it, and would recommend it for anyone interested in a lesser-known story set in the Nazi time period.
The Act of Marriage: The Beauty of Sexual Love by Tim LaHaye
4.0
Another book to be read with much maturity, prayer, and discretion for married (or soon-to-be married) couples, and another packed with much helpful advice. There were some outdated sections in my opinion, parts that could probably be updated to reflect our current culture a bit better, but the timeless biblical principles in regards to married intimacy were strong and valuable. The book went into detail without being classless, and I found it to be a valuable resource for Christian couples.
7 Things He'll Never Tell You: . . . But You Need to Know by Kevin Leman
4.0
As always, even if I don't agree with 100% of the author's points, I enjoyed this book and thought it had many valuable insights and reminders into how men think (running points past my husband to check what he thought about them). An interesting read with good Christian values!