Alabaster by Chris Aslan (Book Review!)

Alabaster

By Chris Aslan

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / History

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- 2016

Number of pages- 208

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN: 978-1-78264-228-2

Maryam and the rest of her family are living in a overly religious village in the first-century Middle East..  Her father helps a dying leper and contracts the disease himself.  He’s exiled from the village, but is able to leave an alabaster jar of an expensive perfume, given to him by that leper.  Maryam and her brother and sister experience shame because of their father.  Maryam lives with her in-laws in an abusive marriage, her brother has left the village, and her sister lives alone.

Will they ever feel hope again?  Who is this mysterious doctor that everyone has been hearing about?

About the Author-

Chris Aslan currently studies in Oxford, guides tours around Central Asia, and lectures on textiles.  He grew up in Beirut.  He has written a book, A Carpet Ride to Khiva: Seven Years on the Silk Road, about life in Uzbekistan.  

My Thoughts-

Alabaster was an interesting book.  I don’t know a lot about the first-century Middle East, but I feel that I learned a lot about what society could be like.

I discovered that during this time, women didn’t have much of a say in their own lives.  Maryam was raped, became pregnant, and had to marry the man, who then abused her.  It wasn’t until much later, when the doctor/teacher came that she finally was able to have some hope. 

The storytelling was done so well that I felt I was there with Maryam and her family.  I could feel their hope and their pain.  I think that women will especially enjoy this book, because they can learn how the teacher can help them with any pain in their lives.

I recommend it!    

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Alabaster, by Chris Aslan, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Welcome to College by Jonathan Morrow (Book Review!)

Welcome to College: A Christ-followers Guide for the Journey

by Jonathan Morrow

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Nonfiction / Religion / Christian Life / Social Issues

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 416

Age Group- Young Adult (those ready for college)

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $21.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4488-3

Welcome to College is filled with helpful information for those who are headed to college.  College is full of freedom, new friends, and other experiences which can affect a young adults future.  This book covers everything from A to Z dealing with life at college:

• eating right
• dating
• being more like Jesus
• how to read the Bible
• true tolerance
• and more

In this second edition each chapter has been updated and there is a new chapter of Christianity, homosexuality, and the Bible.  There are also discussion questions, a section called “The Big Ideas” at the end of each chapter, and each chapter has a list of resources for more information.

About the Author-

Jonathan Morrow (DMin, MDiv) is the directoror cultural engagement at Impact 360 Institute.  He is also an adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University.  He has written several other books and is married with three children.  His website is www.jonathanmorrow.org.

My thoughts-

I was very impressed when I opened the package and began skimming through this book.  What I first noticed was the short chapters and each chapter had a “The Big Ideas” section and “For Further Discovery” (long list of resources).  At the end of the book was a section that held the discussion questions from each chapter.  The one thing that was missing, and I thought it needed to be there, was an index.  It would be very helpful to have an index to look up topics, rather than relying on the table of contents.

As I read this book I thought of what I would think of the book as a student going to college and as a parent of one who would be going to college soon.  I thought the information was current and very helpful.  It gave me a lot to think about as a Christian and how I want to raise my children.

Welcome to College is:

• worth the price.
• great for small study groups at home, school, or church.
• very full of information, so it needs to be read slowly and carefully.
• needed in the hands of high school students, so pass it along.

I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Welcome to Collge, by Jonathan Morrow, for free from Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A Trail of Crumbs by Susie Finkbeiner (Book Review)

A Trail of Crumbs: A Novel of the Great Depression

by Susie Finkbeiner

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Historical

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 312

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4446-3

It’s now 1935.  Pearl and her family have continued living in Oklahoma through the Dust Bowl.  There is a family tragedy that sends the family to Michigan where the depression has set in.  Aunt Carrie and Uncle Gus are there to welcome them to Bliss.  Pearl is glad to be where there is no dust and life is better for them.  Her father will have a steady job and there will be a wonderful house for them to live in.

What sent the family to Michigan?  Why is Ray living with them?  Will their family ever be able to recover or will there be too many tragedies?

About the Author-

Susie Finkbeiner is currently from Michigan.  She is a blogger, stay-at-home mom, author, and speaker.  Her other books include My Mother’s Chronicle and A Cup of Dust.  Her website is www.susiefinkbeiner.com.

My thoughts-

I liked how this cover had a rainbow like A Cup of Dust.  It helps ties them together.  It shows the reader that the books belong together and are part of a series.  I also liked the discussion questions at the end of the book.  Discussion questions always help tie the book together and help the reader remember the book for a longer period of time.

When I started reading A Trail of Crumbs, I really thought life was going to be better for them after the tragedies of the first book and Beanie’s (Pearl’s sister) death.  I thought that the move to Michigan would bring the family peace.  It didn’t.  Pearl’s mother was unable to have peace.  She wasn’t able to make peace with the move, Beanie’s death, and the fact that Ray was still living with them.  She left.  I’m wondering now if there is a trail of crumbs that will be able to bring her back. 

I don’t think that Pearl and Ray would have been able to adjust so well to the move if Aunt Carrie and Uncle Gus hadn’t been there for them.  They helped make the move to Bliss fun for them.  I liked that God wasn’t forgotten about by Pearl and everyone else.  He was always important to Pearl and Meemaw (her grandmother).  We can know that He is always there for us.

I recommend A Trail of Crumbs to all adult readers.  It would be a good idea to read A Cup of Dust first, so you’ll learn more about Pearl and her family.  If you’re unable to, you’ll still enjoy this one. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received A Trail of Crumbs, by Susie Finkbeiner, for free from Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Andi Lassos Trouble and Andi to the Rescue by Susan K. Marlow (2 Book Reviews!)

Andi Lassos Trouble

(Circle C Stepping Stones #3)

by Susan K. Marlow

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction / Historical / Christian / Juvenile

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 112

Age Group- Juvenile (ages 7-10)

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $7.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4432-6

Andi’s family ranch, the Circle C, is going to host a rodeo with two other local ranches.  The cowboys are excited and so is Andi.  She wants wants to compete just like the cowboys.  Will her brother, Chad,  and their mother let her?  Will the rodeo be safe for everyone?  What happens when Andi’s guests arrive?

 

Andi to the Rescue

(Circle C Stepping Stones #4)

by Susan K. Marlow

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction / Historical / Christian / Young Adult

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 112

Age Group- Juvenile (ages 7-10)

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $7.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4431-9

Mother is going to be the substitute teacher at Andi’s school until Miss Hall is well.  Andi’s embarrassed, but soon that will be the least of her problems.  Outlaws think that Andi and her mother are someone else and kidnap them.  Mother is supposed to teach the outlaw how to read.  Andi’s scared, but her mother tries keep her safe.  Will the outlaws hurt them?  Will Andi be able to escape?  Does anyone know where they went?

About the Author-

Susan K. Marlow currently lives in Washington.  She writes books, teaches writing workshops, and shares information about being a homeschooling parent.  Her website is CircleCMilestones.com.

My thoughts-

I thoroughly enjoyed both of these books.  I know that these books are for younger girls, but I really get a kick out of reading about Andi.  She reminds me a little bit of Mandie, from the book series by Lois Gladys Leppard.  They both have spirit and are girls that every girl should strive to be.

I really liked the definitions at the beginning of the book.  I was glad that they were at the beginning of the book, so that the readers will know the words before they read them.  They were also words that some children may not know.  I also like the table of contents.  It’s so helpful when books have them, because if you want to go back to check something it’s easy to do.  Other than the story, the other good part in these books is the small section containing historical information at the end of the books.  I liked the information about rodeo history and that about Black Bart, a gentleman outlaw. I wish she had included a little bit of information about the troubles between the ranchers and sheepherders, since it was a subject in Andi Lassos Trouble.

These books are excellent for young girls.  I’m sure that they will become classics for this generation and those to come. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Andi Lassos Trouble and Andi to the Rescue, by Susan K. Marlow, for free from Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.