The Shape of Mercy

This has been quite a week of reading for me. I was a bit tired when I picked up Susan Meissner's "The Shape of Mercy." I was NOT disappointed.

The book tells the story of Lauren, a rich college student who takes a job transcribing a centuries-old diary. The writer she's bringing to life is a young girl alive during the turmoil of the Salem Witch Trials. As Lauren uncovers the truths long hidden by history, she learns about herself and what it means to stand up for what you believe.

Meissner's style is captivating, drawing you in with a lyric tone that is descriptive without being overly flowery. The story is thought-provoking, and you won't want to put it down.

Add "The Shape of Mercy" to your reading list today. You won't be sorry.

Get a copy at Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400074711

Religious Nostalgia

This week I was excited to dive into a book that chronicles the impact church had on the childhood of a boy growing up on the East Coast.

In "Churched," Matthew Turner talks about the stereotypes and manipulations that he encountered from his church, its parishioners, his parents, etc. I opened it expecting a dialogue similar to that of "Blue Like Jazz." That was a big mistake on my part.

Turner definitely has his finger on the pulse of what a lot of churches practiced back when he was a kid, but he spends so much time there that any nonChristian looking for a reason to skip church on Sunday would have 200+ pages worth. As a kid who was raised in a similar church, I definitely saw some accuracies, but I didn't leave the book feeling like Turner had made his peace with what "happened to" him.

Even though his narrative is rooted in truth, it made me feel hopeless and ashamed to be identified with the church. And I doubt that was his aim.

If you grew up in the church and did sword drills and colored pictures in Sunday School, check out "Churched" for yourself. But if you didn't...especially if you're new to the faith...stay far away.

To find the book for yourself, visit Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400074711

Rebecca is...

I am intrigued tonight by the status update in my online addiction, Facebook. Some people don't use them, some use them too much, some use them to pay a compliment or earn one... Tonight I am overwhelmed by mine. I want to update it. But every status that is accurate, truthful, reveals WAY too much about how I am actually feeling.

Disappointed. A promise broken.
Beside herself. Distraught that a trust has been compromised.
Lonely. No voice on the line.
Drowning. Overwhelmed by a day's worth of things that didn't get shared.

Where is the familiar? Where is the depended upon? Is it gone for the time being, or should I buck up and wait it out, confident that there are still 42 more minutes before faith should hang its head and raise the white flag?

Boo. This is for the birds.

And still:

Rebecca is...

an intermission

Looking at my last post, I realized it's been a while since I've written anything that wasn't about a book I was reading.

When I started this blog, it was mainly to process some struggles I was having with where life was and where it was headed. Things were foggy, and somehow, typing them here added some clarity.

In hindsight, there is still some fog, but there is also some sunshine. I can see areas where I have changed and been stretched. It's exciting in some ways...knowing that my faith is still strong, in some ways stronger, but that my world view has been broadened.

There will be more reviews on here, I guarantee it. And hopefully, I'll keep making time for these entries too. But even when I don't, I will still be living in the far country, striving to be like Christ.

The Encore Effect

Mark Sanborn, author of "The Fred Factor," has written another book outlining the characteristics of a person who makes those around him keep asking for more...the encore, as it were.

Like many of his contemporaries, he talks about the actions and traits necessary to achieve success in any area of life, but specifically, in the workplace.

Unlike other similar books, however, Sanborn includes what he calls "Intersections." These chapter conclusions link the real world priniciples with biblical truths. Some, honestly, are a stretch. Nevertheless, the effort is worthwhile, although it might seem out of left field to a nonChristian reader.

There are no "eurekas" in this book, which Sanborn readily admits in his introduction. And that isn't really his goal, he says. Rather, he wants to enlighten those who have strayed from committing to excellence and get them back on the path to a more fulfilling career and/or ministry.

This is a good refresher course for anyone with a career or ministry, especially if you've reached a point where you are either questioning what you're doing or wondering where to go next.

A parable in dog training

I just finished a new book called "Saturdays with Stella." Written by fiction author Allison Pittman, it uses the concepts of training a puppy to compare with how God trains us to sit at His feet, wait in His time, and be the obedient one He wants each of us to be.

Each chapter is centered around a certain command that mutt Stella learned in her obedience class. Pittman then goes on to use a Bible example, along with some personal revelation, to make her point.

The book is a quick read, and fun for the animal lover. You'll easily see the comparisons, but you might also find them a little simplified. A fun book for a rainy day, it's worth the look.

To purchase the book at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1601421397

Enjoy!

Children's books

If you're looking for a few books to keep your kids occupied, take time to look at these books:

God Loves Me More Than That - Help your little one (and yourself!) understand the measure of God's love in the words of Dandi Daley Mackall.
http://www.amazon.com/Loves-More-Than-Dandilion-Rhymes/dp/1400073162/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218755325&sr=1-1

When God Created My Toes - Show your child how God made him or her special.
http://www.amazon.com/Loves-More-Than-Dandilion-Rhymes/dp/1400073162/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218755325&sr=1-1

God Gave Us Heaven - A marvelous book that helps a child understand heaven and what happens after someone or something dies.
http://www.amazon.com/God-Gave-Heaven-Lisa-Bergren/dp/1400074460/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218755286&sr=8-1

Love as a Way of Life

If you've read anything by Gary Chapman, you know that he talks about love unlike a lot of other authors. He weaves together practical tips, biblical principles, and emotional smarts in a way that just makes sense.

His newest book is no exception. "Love as a Way of Life" chronicles the characteristics of real, authentic, no-holds-barred love, in a way that is Christian and human at the same time. Reading this book, it seems like it is the prequel to his best-selling "Love Languages" books. How can you determine a love language if you don't know what love is?

Be prepared to walk away from this book different. And perhaps, more like Christ.

To get your own copy, check out this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Way-Life-Transforming-Aspect/dp/0385518587/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215792028&sr=1-1

With Endless Sight

Cover art:


I just finished reading Allison Pittman's latest, With Endless Sight. It takes place around the time of the Civil War. Main character Belinda, the voice of the novel, and her family are setting out on an adventure to the West. When tragedy strikes, Belinda is forced to rely on her faith to get her through the many challenges that are thrown at her.

From the minute I started this book I was hooked. The characters were engaging and interesting, and the plot had multiple twists and turns. Allison does a great job of helping you see beyond the surface of her characters, and even the darkest character has a light.

My one qualm was the end of this book. It seemed a bit abrupt and unfinished to me. I'm not sure if another book is in the works (this is the third in a series) but I left with more questions than answers and I needed more resolution.

I am looking forward to more of Allison's books, and this is definitely worth the read. Overall it's a nice balance between the suspense of a fiction bestseller and the faith of a Christian novel. See for yourself.

To purchase the book at Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1601420129

Allison Pittman is the award-winning author of Ten Thousand Charms and Speak Through the Wind. Before her recent success in fiction writing, Allison spent seventeen years teaching high school English. Now a full-time writer, Allison serves as the director of her church’s Theater Arts Group ministry. She lives in Texas with her husband, Mike, and their sons.

A Fatal Deduction

This week, I took a trip with a new author (at least to me) Gayle Roper. Her latest, Fatal Deduction, is due to come out any day, and I must say it's worth the read.

It started a bit slow for me....and used a lot of big words. As a writer, I love a big word, but as a reader, sometimes I question the use. Anyway, once I got into the book and the main characters, I found myself attracted to their humanity, identifying with the emotions they experienced.

The story is mainly told through the eyes of Libby, and identical twin who finds herself living with her insecure twin. A crime is committed right at their front door, and exposes them to a world of gambling and violence. At the end of the experience, with the murderer behind bars, Libby finds herself no closer to her twin, but she has learned to love her sister despite her flaws, in a way that would honor Jesus.

While a bit slow, and sometimes a bit too narrative-y (if that's word), Roper tells an original story with characters you want to meet. I would have liked to have spent more time with some of the supporting cast, but didn't leave the journey unsatisfied.

on the edge...

Much later than I planned, but here it is.

As I posted last week, I got the opportunity to read and review Andrew Peterson's new book, "On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness" before it hit bookracks. I was really excited to receive that package in the mail. But I was a little apprehensive too.

What if I didn't like it?

What if I couldn't read it by the deadline.

What if...?

I don't know what I was worried about. From the moment I cracked the cover of the book, I was mesmerized by writing that echoes Andrew's songwriting, storytelling, and true imagination. Everytime I tried to put it down, I was drawn back into the story. I managed to get cover to cover (close to 300 pages), in a matter of hours.

As much as I'd like to compare it to Narnia...it's not. Yes, it's got kids. Yes, it's got creatures that talk. But "On the Edge..." is in a genre of it's own.

The book tells the story of the Igiby children - two brothers and a sister - and their life in Skree. Janner, the eldest boy, longs for a life of action and adventure, far away from the sleepy town he calls home. Through the story, the children learn who they are and what they are made of. They learn that a person is not always what he seems, and that loyalty and integrity are much more important and valuable than fame or fortune.

Andrew's characters are engaging and intriguing. The story travels fast, and before you know it you're entrapped in a world of toothy cows, singing dragons, thwaps, and stinky Fangs.

For those of you familiar with Andrew's music live or via CD, the book captures his lighthearted wit and boyishness. Although I know the story was borne out of bedtime stories he told his own three children, I can see some of the excitement from "Little Boy Heart Alive" in Janner and his younger brother Tink. And baby sister Leeli steals your heart with her confident bravery and sweetness.

The book is sprinkled with anecdotes and footnotes that will make you laugh outloud. Their placement and descriptiveness add shadows and detail to an already well-defined story. If you skip any of the special notations...including the introductions and appendices...you are truly missing out.

The only negative I can say is that now I have to wait until the second book of the trilogy comes out. I don't know that I can wait that long to find out where the Igibys land next.

So the bottom line: get a copy of this book and find yourself lost in the most creative story you've read in years.

Here's how to get it: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073847

get ready for spring

Well, after a very, very long hiatus from blogger, I'm ready to jump in with both feet.

I had a great incentive, mind you. A blog review tour, if you will. The premise is simple: read a book BEFORE it hits the shelves, share your thoughts on your blog, and thousands will pour off the shelves (okay that's giving my blog a little too much credit).

But anyway.

Next week, in this very spot, will be my review of a new book by Andrew Peterson, whose song inspired the name of my blog.

I can hardly contain myself. I don't know how I'll wait till next Monday to post.

I hope you'll join me.