28 April, 2011

Unsinkable, by Abby Sunderland













Unsinkable: A Young Woman’s Courageous Battle on the High Seas is written by Abby Sunderland along with Lynn Vincent. This book is the story of Abby’s quest to become, at age sixteen, the youngest person ever to sail around the world solo, nonstop, and unassisted. I was riveted to her tale, and couldn’t put the book down, finishing it in one swoop! Sailing is in her blood, as shown by her Dad and brother’s incredible previous journeys. I know I wouldn’t be able to do what she did! In this book the reader comes alongside her as she tells of when her boat rolled, the many times where she didn’t know what to do and through the prayer of others was providentially rescued, of her harrowing repairs at sea when the entire sail (and her life as well!) were at stake, and her joy at being reunited with her family even though her dream was not accomplished at that time.

This book was not one of the most faith based that I’ve been able to review from Thomas Nelson, but was very captivating and suspenseful as you waited to read the outcome! I would recommend it for all who dream of adventures.

*This book was gratefully received free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Max on Life, written by Max Lucado













Max on Life: Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions is a compilation of questions that one might ask themselves (or perhaps you!) about God, relationships, conflicts, romance, finances, eternity, etc. There are one hundred and seventy-one questions along with their given answer! Each question and answer couplet takes up just a few pages at most and the entire book is organized along with a handy Topical Index in order to make it useful and reader friendly.

I found this book to be trivial and disappointing. I felt it was characteristic of the modern Christian “fluff” that is prevalent and easily found and believe that the author could have used his renown and years of written experience to produce something that could have caused much more impact or encouragement to those who would read one of his books. Although the questions are truly ones oft asked, they are also the same questions that authors seem to have “on standby” and I feel that this material is best found elsewhere. But that is just my personal opinion and perhaps you may discover that this book holds the key to queries and questions of your heart and mind which you have always sought an answer to…regardless I still can only give it two stars. 

*This book was gratefully received from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review. 

11 April, 2011

The Final Summit, written by Andy Andrews












The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle that will Save Humanity is written by famed storyteller and writer Andy Andrews. Through this story, the reader will be engaged through a tale woven in the threads of history to grasp the message intended to change the life of the reader, to inspire them to dream, to charge them with a truth that will cause them to live their life afresh and unafraid of risk.

My favorite part of this book was being introduced to Eric Erickson, a man who was willing to risk his reputation and even his life in order to dream a scheme that would topple the Nazi regime of World War II and allow the Allied Forces to gain access to private German affairs and ultimately win the war. I found his story to be incredibly fascinating. He is one character, one who truly did exist outside the pages of this book, which emboldens and sets ablaze the message of this book of living a life unchained and not diminished by fear. There are two words which are left with the reader as they close the cover of this compelling tale… but you will just have to read the book yourself to discover what they are! :-)

*This book was gratefully received from Thomas Nelson at no cost in exchange for my agreement to post this review.