Category: books

Gift Guide Pick

Funny, witty, and ingenious.  All of these words can be used to describe Cosmic, a book written by Frank Cottrell Boyce.  The word ‘cosmic’ could also be used to describe Cosmic, in light of the fact the main character often uses the word in the place of ‘awesome’.  Which is exactly what this story is.

We start off in the world of Liam Digby, a twelve year old boy who finds himself wandering in space in a rocket with the earth nowhere in sight.  He’s talking to his cell-phone, trying to make sense of what’s happening, and eventually delves into an explanation of how he got there.

Nearly two years ago, thousands of people woke up not realizing that they would be getting a phone call that day that would literally change their lives.  Imagine picking up the phone to hear, that all the money that you had invested, for some over 20 years, was gone.

That was reality for the investors that had money in Madoff Securities. While the media concentrated on it for a while, many people were left with just the shirts on their back (literally).  Now some of those who have lost everything materially are sharing with you how life goes on after an event like that.

Gift Guide Pick

The Baby Bible Christmas Storybook by Robin Currie isn’t very long, 15 scripture passages of one or two verses, with simple words and actions that describe the birth of Jesus.  Perfect for little ones attention spans .

It begins with Mary’s being told by the angel that she would be the mother of Jesus and Joseph’s earthly father role, and their journey to Bethlehem.  Then it goes on to the shepherds and the wise men.  Incidentally I really liked that they have the wise men going to Jesus’ house and not the stable.

Gift Guide Pick

From the Back Cover:

You’re on the path to becoming a God Girl.
Here’s a daily map to guide each step.

The God Girl is always on a journey to becoming the woman God created her to be.  That means that every day, the God Girl needs time with her Creator to reflect on where she’s been, where she’s at, and where she’s going.

Devotions for the God Girl is your daily guide to choosing God’s way in every area of your life – from your thoughts and actions to your friends and faith.  Each day of the year you’ll hear from God through his Word.  Plus you’ll read a brief reflection from Hayley DiMarco that unpacks spiritual truths about becoming a woman of God.

You’re already on your way.

Gift Guide Pick

Andrew Marlow, a psychiatrist, has a perfectly ordered life–solitary, perhaps, but full of devotion to his profession and the painting hobby he loves. This order is destroyed when the renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes Marlow’s patient.

When Oliver refuses to talk or cooperate, Marlow finds himself going beyond his own legal and ethical boundaries to understand the secret that torments this silent genius, a journey that will lead him into the lives of the women closest to Robert Oliver and toward a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism.

Gift Guide Pick

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! 

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today’s Wild Card author is:

David Borden

and  

 Thomas J. Winters

and the book: 

Everything Christmas

Gift Guide Pick

Probably the most captivating thing about the Egyptian culture was their tombs and their mummies.  When studying ancient civilizations, there never seems to be a problem with kids focusing their attention when mummies are involved!

Mummy Mazes: A Monumental Book by Elizabeth Carpenter, ($11.95, Workman Publishing) has kids joining Professor Archie Ologist as he leads them from the Colossi of Memnon into the heart of long-lost tombs, from the Great Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx, to Egyptian constellations and the Door to Forever.

Gift Guide Pick

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today’s Wild Card author is:

and the book:
 
The Black Madonna

Dark and White Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Ginger

The addition of crystallized ginger gives these chocolate chip cookies a surprising kick.  Crystallized ginger can be found in the spice section or the Asian foods section of most supermarkets.  Makes about 2 dozen.

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today’s Wild Card author is:

and the book:
 
The God Hater