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Monday, July 18, 2005
Tom Swift and His Airship
by Victor Appleton
"Tom Swift first appeared in 1910. He became known to millions of boys and girls as a bright, ingenious youth whose inventions, discoveries, and thrilling adventures arried him to many strange places."
"The autho whose name appears on all the Tom Swift books, Victor Appleton, was a pseudonym created by Edward Statemeyer. The company that he founded in the early part of this centrury, the Statemeyer Syndicate, produced over 1200 books, including Tom Swift, the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and the Harddy Boys."
When we first started this book I was excited. It called the main character "our hero" and the adults were addressed by "Mr. and Mrs." and it was just fun. But as we got along in the book, although those things didn't change, we also noted a dated vernacular, and an exaggerated Southern twang on some characters. The story line was not a bad one, and it did keep the boys pretty entertained while we read it, but it was not something that just drug us in and wouldn't let us go.
Tom, the "youth" who must be in his early twenty's, flies an airship, fights the bullies, and clears his name of robbery charges. The book's story line is connected to the book that comes before, and the one that follows, but is fairly easy to follow along despite that.
I do believe young children would enjoy the book, but you might have to explain a few terms that were ordinary for the 1900's but aren't so much so a century later. Mine did enjoy, and since it was a read aloud I just left most of those words out because that is very easily done, and I was much more comfortable with it.
Posted at 03:02 pm by Vxnmom
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Friday, July 15, 2005
by Joyce Meyer
This book came out near the end of my working through my insecurities and need for human approval. It seems whenever I am working through something there is a book that ties everything together at the end, and this was the book for me. It is also a book that can start you down the path of releasing those insecurities and need for approval as well.
I am believing that more people could benefit from this book than might think. It is wonderful and shows how in so many ways our approcal addiction shows through in our lives. The book is broken down into three sections. Part one is accepting who we are. It helps us realize who we are in Christ Jesus, how we can face our fears, accept our freedoms, and love ourselves. Part two is addressing our addictions. Where do they come from, how do they show themselves in our lives, and how to stop placing blame on others. THe third section is breaking the pattern for the future. It aids in how we can change those negative behaviors, replace the bad ones with good ones, and shows us how we can allow God to use the pain in our lives for His good.
I used to be very insecure, and would make the people around me miserable. I would desire constant attention, approval, and agreement or I would pout, mope, and whine. I allowed hurts from my past to justify my actions, when in reality there was no justification. Those hurts controlled my life in a negative way and although I thought I was relying on Jesus there was part of me that wasn't satisfied unless people approved of me. Through this book Joyce Meyer speaks of her insecurities and how she behaved before God taught her that He was enough. Having just gone through much of what she speaks of in this book, I can say that this would be a great help to seeing your behaviors in a different light, and realizing how to live more abundantly. Whether you believe you are insecure, just angry, or controlling this book will help you see what God wants for your life and how you can be set free.
Posted at 07:13 am by Vxnmom
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Saturday, July 02, 2005
by Jodi Picoult
I don't know why I chose this book, but I think it was because of the statement in the jacket cover:
"ultimately questions our assumptions about family, security, and love."
There were parts of the book that I did not want to read, but did. I prayerd they weren't too graphic, but they didn't have to be. It must be hard when you write about horrible things. Trying to find the line between enough and too much information. I think she did a good job at balancing.
I was more an observer of the story rather than a particpant and I"m not sure why. It never fully drew me in, but that may have more to do with me than the author. There were a few plot surprises that I saw coming, and I was frustrated that they would use one of the climax situations as the prologue, but overall it wasn't a bad story. It reminded me why we need God's standards to live by. Life can get complicated without them.
As you read about this family, their tragedies, their struggles, and their situations it's hard not to think about it and wonder what you might do if you were there. It gives you a lot to consider and think about, and all I can say is, "but by the Grace of God."
Posted at 06:35 am by Vxnmom
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Friday, July 01, 2005
by Francis A. Schaeffer
The Rise And Decline Of Western Thought And Culture
This book is now one I want on my shelf. Although I have often stated that all things are connected, this book brought that idea home even more so. Ideas, art, mmusic, scoiety, science, and religions: our belief system in one will affect on the others. Francis Schaeffer shows clearly what others have said/shown about their own belief system and how it has affected society as a whole. He has connected the dots to leave us with the knowledge that without Christianity as the base belief system things will go awry and our lives lose their sense of purpose.
Posted at 06:22 am by Vxnmom
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Thursday, June 30, 2005
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons
by Lorna Landvik
Friendship. That's what this book is about. If you enjoy reading books about friends, this book will get you. As you meet Faith, Merit, Slip, Audry, and Keri and watch them get to know one another you get pulled into their world a little. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and thought that it was written well, and had a lot going on. It made me want to form book groups with all sorts of people, because it was amazing how sharing thoughts about a book and how it relates to you allows you to get to know one another a little better.
Posted at 06:11 am by Vxnmom
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Monday, June 20, 2005
by CS Lewis
I had never known what this book was about, and Jojo sent it to me as part of a basket package and it sat on my shelf for a bit. I picked it up yesterday and LOVED it. Some parts seemed familiar to me, and I"m sure it's because Lewis is quoted so much, but the ideas in this book are wonderful. It's fiction but every single chapter had a moral and something to think about. This would be a great book for a book club. Easy read, but LOTS of ideas to consider.
Posted at 03:49 pm by Vxnmom
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Sunday, June 19, 2005
by Anne Lamott
I loved this book. I listened to 3/4 of it on tape and read the end. I know I will reread it again in the future. It was a couple of weeks before I finished it, and I'm just really glad I did. She has a lot of good advice on writing, and she presents the information as if you are attending one of her classes. She does have an occasional curse word in there, and also references to alcohol and drugs, so if those things bother you then this probably isn't the best book for you. I think my very favorite piece of advice she gives came at the end of the book. "If you aren't enough before you are published, then you wont be enough afterwards." She reminds you that you are you, no matter what. For some reason, it relieved me of feeling pressure to do something with my writing, and just enjoy the art of writing.
Posted at 05:59 am by Vxnmom
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Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Beth Moore
I read this book while and after I did the study, so that has to be taken into consideration.
I loved the book. It was a repeat of information, but little things and nuances that, for me, made everything seem a little more. I wish it was MY book to go through again and again, to be quite perfectly honest. The book stresses all the same things that the study does, but it didn't seem like a complete copy which was nice. I highly suggest this book, and if you do the study DO pick it up. It wont be a waste of time at all!
Posted at 06:20 am by Vxnmom
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Wednesday, June 08, 2005
by Trella Lamson Dick
Copyright 1953
Winner of the Charles W. Follett Award for Worthy Contributions to Children's Literature in 1953
Tornado Jones is not a regular little boy. He's someone who is full of mystery and secrets. Who are the men in the canyon, and are they really after what he thinks they are after? Who is the new kid? Who are his "folks"? What's going to happen after the dam is built? This story will keep you in suspense as some mysteries are resolved in the middle, and keep you guessing as some are resolved at the very end. But Tornado Jones will take you in and will become part of your heart.
This book was great. The boys and I absolutely loved it. Although it's not always the case, sometimes those older books are definitely worth it! This is one of those. With phrases such as "jeepers" and "golly" you don't have to worry about the language. It shows Tornado doing the right thing because it was how he was taught, even when he thinks no one is looking. It teaches that caring about others is right and good. It also teaches that we are who we are despite secrets, mysteries, or/and answers. The over all moral of this book was, "Good overblanaces Bad" as it teaches to not give up hope, to keep trying, and to wait and see.
I would highly suggest this book for children of all ages, but it is definitely one that is safe and you can teach all sorts of biblical lessons from if you so choose to.
Posted at 01:05 pm by Vxnmom
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Monday, June 06, 2005
Beth Moore
I did this study online at Lifeway.com and it was fantastic. I highly recommend that everyone do this study at some time, and at least once. Yes, I am considering doing it again one day! As Beth takes you through Joshua as the Israelites reach their promised land and enter in, she teaches us how to know the following five statements:
God is who He says He is
God can do what He says He can do
I am who God says I am
I can do all things through Christ
God's Word is alive and active in me
Go sign up online, or check with your church to see if anyone is teaching it there. This one is NOT to be missed!
Do you believe in God? Isnt' it time you believed God????
Posted at 01:18 pm by Vxnmom
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