Max on Life - Max Lucado

Max on Life – by Max Lucado

Unlike the gift books or ‘topic’ books Max has written concerning mostly one subject, this book deals with numerous subjects.

Max Lucado has taken some of the questions he has been asked in his thirty year ministry as husband, father, author and pastor and compiled them in this book. The book has 7 chapters dealing with life from the first chapter on ‘Hope’, to the last chapter ‘Hereafter’.  The 171 questions he answers in this book are from all walks of life, some he has written about in other of his books, some are addressed for the first time here.  Though the questions might be difficult ones, Max has kept the answers concise, not much more than one page to a question.

I appreciate the Topical Index and the Scripture Index in the back of the book which direct the reader to the item of choice. If i was wanting to become an author, the addition at the end of the book ‘The Write Stuff’ would be invaluable as a source of information.

Those who have enjoyed Max Lucado’s past publications will want to add this one to their library. His answers are timeless...and may help you to answer your own questions or those asked of you.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publisher through Booksneeze for the purpose of reviewing it. A positive evaluation was not required. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Final Summit - Andy Andrews

To be perfectly honest with my review, i would have to admit that i would never have picked Andy Andrews’ book “The Final Summit” off of the shelf, even if i had seen it there.  It looks like a motivational book, and that is what it is listed as on the back – Self-help, motivational, general. Not my type of book at all. And it is a motivational book. I believe it is actually a sequel to “The Travelers’ Gift”, but it is can easily be read on it’s own.

Having said that, i must admit, as well, that i will be looking for more of Andrews’ books. 

The story starts off with the concern of a few of David Ponder’s ‘friends’, and quickly aroused my curiosity.  It goes on to describe in vivid detail the summit and its attendees.  I checked a few times to see if i was reading a motivational book because it reads like a thriller! According to Andrews  in the author’s  note the background on the historical figures is totally correct, which does add to the book

Suspense, intrigue, inspiration, and enlightenment are all woven into a delightful story that will have far reaching effects.  I would recommend this to anyone over the age of 18.

Life Without Limits - Nick Vujicic

 Born withou arms or legs, Nick Vujicic overcame his disability to live an independent, rich fulfilling life, becoming a model for anyone seeking true happiness. Now an internationally successful motivational speaker, Nick spreads his central messag: the most important goal for anyone is to find their life's purpose despite whatever difficulties or seemingly impossible odds stand in their way.

My Review.

I found this book to be well written and the topics clear. Reading Nick's story should inspire us all to do more than we are doing. I really thought that by bringing in his experiences - both personal and those of others enriched his writing and put more emphasis on it.

From 'If You Can't Get a Miracle, Be One'  (the first chapter after the introduction to Nick), to 'Make Giving Your Mission' (chapter 12) the main theme of the book seemed to me to be that with God all things are possible to those that believe. However, Nick has experienced being at the bottom, has been bullied, and found his way to a life of faith. No matter the circumstances, Nick points the way to living a 'ridiculously good life'.

At the end of the book, Nick has also included a resources section which is very helpful if you want to take advantage of those. A very motivational book.

i recieved this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers through Blogging For Books for the purpose of reviewing it. i was not required to give a positive review. All opinions in this blog are my own.

This book may be found at Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, Amazon.ca.

Reviews by Jane

Hi...i just hopped over to Reviews by Jane's blog http://www.reviewsbyjane.blogspot.com and has she got a giveaway! Enter to win! and then, subscribe to her emails. i do, and i love them!

Unsinkable - by Abby Sunderland and Lynn Vincent

The Unsinkable is an incredible story of 16-year old Abby Sunderland’s journey by boat from California. It is almost inconceivable to think that a 16 year old in today’s world would have the dream, stamina and courage to try to sail around the world by herself! Though her critics were numerous, and her supporters few she forged ahead.  The years she spent growing up with her family on a boat cruising the Mexican coast was definitely the training ground for the adventure.

I appreciated the way the book is written...from Abby’s point of view, a narrator and the rescuers.  The use of three different icons to show the change in speaker or location is a great way to keep track of whose viewpoint it is, and this is noted in the author’s note at the beginning of the story. I am not accustomed or acquainted with boats or sailors or the ocean, but the way the story unfolded was realistic and easy to follow. Not only does this show the courage of Abby, but of her parents, brother and those involved in the journey.

Unsinkable seems to be a good title, and both ‘Wild Eyes’ (the boat) and Abby appear to be unsinkable.

I think this book will interest the teenage reader as well as adults. I highly recommend this book to all my friends and family!

I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Booksneeze for the sole purpose of writing a review. This review was not required to be positive. The opinions stated are my own.

This book is available at

A Daughter's Walk - Jane Kirkpatrick

Product Description

A mother's tragedy, a daughter's desire and the 7000 mile journey that changed their lives.

In 1896 Norwegian American Helga Estby accepted a wager from the fashion industry to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City within seven months in an effort to earn $10,000. Bringing along her nineteen year-old daughter Clara, the two made their way on the 3500-mile trek by following the railroad tracks and motivated by the money they needed to save the family farm. After returning home to the Estby farm more than a year later, Clara chose to walk on alone by leaving the family and changing her name. Her decisions initiated a more than 20-year separation from the only life she had known.

Historical fiction writer Jane Kirkpatrick picks up where the fact of the Estbys’ walk leaves off to explore Clara's continued journey. What motivated Clara to take such a risk in an era when many women struggled with the issues of rights and independence? And what personal revelations brought Clara to the end of her lonely road? The Daughter's Walk weaves personal history and fiction together to invite readers to consider their own journeys and family separations, to help determine what exile and forgiveness are truly about.

My Review

A poignant story of secrets kept and told, of hurts and forgiveness.  Jane does a marvellous job of taking an true happening with a lot of whys and weaves an unforgettable story.  Clara, 19 years old, is not interested in walking from Seattle to Washington D.C. with her mother and leaving her father and siblings behind. (Clara’s youngest sister is only 2). But her mother leaves her no options, and during the long walk they face many obstacles. With them we face the monotonous days of walking, the challenges and fears of the terrain, the dangers of two women walking the rails. The first 27 chapters deal with the actual walk and the subsequent homecoming. The rest of the book is the account of the years Clara spent in self-determined exile.  The reader feels the pain of the tragedies in Clara’s life as she makes some of her choices, and the freedom of other decisions. This story is well written, and one that will live on in my memory.   Forgiveness is important, and bitterness does not help anyone. I would recommend this book for book clubs as well as for individual reading.

I received this Advance Reading Copy of A Daughter’s Walk  free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for the express purpose of reading for review and blogging. A positive review was not a requirement.

March 11, 2011

GOOD MORNING!!
and a lovely morning it is. 64*F and i'm sitting on the deck having coffee while i chat. it's been a while since i was on my blog, so sorry if you've been checking and there hasn't been anything new. we do, after all lead a very busy social life here in sunny Arizona. We just got back last night from a few days and nights in Yuma visiting Dean Reimers in their busy life, trying to touch base with Steve Reimers who have an even busier life Benny Friesens (we missed Benny but had a great visit with Sherilee and the boys Jeremy and Zack) and a few friends who winter there.  We bucked a southwest wind driving down, and it was breezy the next day, but not too bad.
We had an awesome time learning about Dean & Yvonne's new farming venture. i could love that - the playing in water part of it. At least once every cutting season (which at the peak would be about every 3 weeks) they need to flood irrigate their alfalfa fields. So that means round the clock checking to make sure the water is not flowing to fields they do not want watered. we watched Dean fix one leak by hand (litterally) and Skylar using the backhoe for another one. Looked like fun, but i know their livelyhood depends on that. We also enjoyed other things, among them a supper picnic at West Wetlands Park. The evening was beautiful and the girls played till after dark. The whole family, including Grandpa Denver were able to join us! We ventured off of the Interstates and main roads to see wome rugged desert country, too, as well as lush green fields of produce and alfalfa.
Mom came home with an awful cold so she is sitting low today. i am blogging while doing laundry. Everyone else thought today was a great day for drying laundry on the line, so am waiting for my turn. Need to check back there every once in a short while to see if the lines are free! A great way to spend a warm and sunny March Friday! Take care, and i'm hoping to hear from you soon!