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Book Review: Darwin Awards #6 - The Darwin Awards Countdown to Extinction by Wendy Northcutt

8/10 Somehow there’s never any shortage of new stories for Darwin Awards. In this sixth edition, we have even more stories of stupidity that drastically reduce the life spans of the participants. From stories with dynamite and cars to the unfortunate man who got trapped in an oven (he managed to live, thus no Darwin Award for him), these new stories are sure to leave you feeling superior for…

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Book Review: The Bad Guys #15 - Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! by Aaron Blabey

8/10 You know how unpleasant the dentist is? Yeah, this one’s worse. With time running out, the Good Guys continue to hop dimensions, but now they’re stuck in a terrible dimension with an insane dentist who really wants to stop them. Splaarghon’s minions are determined to kill the Chosen One, but Mr. Wolf is not having any of it. As both teams get closer to their own goals, things aren’t looking…

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Book Review: The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers by Amy Hollingsworth

10/10 A man that was beloved by generations of children, Fred Rogers is a television icon that never wanted to be one. This powerful biography will showcase the most important lessons the author had from her relationship with Fred. A heartwarming read, this will help those with and without the Christian faith to see what made Mr. Rogers the man he was. Recommended for all ages. If you would…

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Book Review: The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis

9/10 One of the greatest nonfiction books of love written in the modern age, The Four Loves explains the four types of love as found in Greek and used in the New Testament. From storgí to filía and from Eros to agape, Lewis distinguishes and explains each type and it’s place in the world that God created. If you’ve ever wondered ‘what is love?’ then please pick up this book. It’s a great place…

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Book Review: Moana Junior Novelization by Suzanne Francis (Disney Books)

7/10 Telling the tale of Moana in book form, this novelization takes the beautiful movie and turns it into a good story to read with the family. I enjoyed seeing the movie be put into words, and the changes to make the narrative flow without the songs was very good. However, some of the story seemed a bit lacking when it came to descriptions. I think a bit more detail would have done wonders,…

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Book Review: Miss Julia #2 - Miss Julia Takes Over by Ann B. Ross

10/10 When Hazel Marie doesn’t come home from a date, Miss Julia has every right to be concerned, at least in her mind. After what happened with their uncle, a very dangerous man, Miss Julia is taking no chances and goes to the police. But they don’t take her seriously, so she decides to do things her way and hires a private detective. As they make their way toward finding Hazel Marie, things…

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Book Review: The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel

9/10 A collection of interviews from other books that focus on Christmas, The Case for Christmas tackles some of the most asked questions about the Christmas season. Full of Strobel’s usual hard-hitting questioning style and his unwillingness to simply skip over the difficult questions that most people don’t want to answer. If you’ve ever wondered about Christmas, this book will give you a great…

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Book Review: The Devil and Karl Marx by Paul Kengor

8/10 A history of the man who invented communism, this book is a dark and depressing look into the mind of a man who so many champion without knowing the full story. Taking a look back at his life and the lives of his friends and family, this book is a sobering reminder that we live in a fallen world. Christians must be prepared to fight the devil and all his schemes, including the devilish and…

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Book Review: On Christian Doctrine by Saint Augustine of Hippo

7.5/10 A classic work on Christian doctrine from an early church father. It’s worth reading for those interested in learning more about how the Christian faith has grown and changed since the early days and how the Lord Jesus has not. A very difficult undertaking, as it can be somewhat dry to modern eyes, but definitely worth reading. If you would like to purchase my book 9 Ways to Normal, you…

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Book Review: The Practice of the Presence of God by brother Lawrence

8/10 A little book full of wisdom, The Practice of the Presence of God is a collection of letters from brother Lawrence concerning the precious practice of his to treat every moment as being lived in the presence of God. A quick read with wonderful advice and reread value, this book is a great work displaying the desire of one man to please God in everything he did. Though I’d read with…

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Book Review: The Things of Earth by Joe Rigney

9/10 Recently in my faith, I’ve brushed up against a wall of discontentment. I should love things/people/life less and God more. That subtle, gnawing guilt has led me to this gem of a book. So many times there are rules saying we cannot or should not enjoy this or that, sometimes simply because we enjoy it. Others think too much of the things and too little of the One who gave them their gifts.…

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Book Review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

7/10 I enjoyed the series as a kid, and I decided to reread it as an adult. I find the book just as hilarious as when I was a kid, and the illustrations bring back fond memories of reading the books in my childhood. Though Greg Heffley appears to be sociopathic and his family is very strange, this book still managed to make me laugh all these years later. I might even read the whole series…

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Book Review: The Afterlife Calls #6 - The Poltergeist’s Ship by K.C. Adams

9/10 After everything that’s happened in the past year, Niamh finally gets a break when she books a cruise. After the time she’s had lately, Edie doesn’t want to go, so it’s Ben volunteers to go with her. Things go awry quickly, however, when a poltergeist begins to mess with the ship’s passengers. Couple that with some insane static from every electronic on the ship, and this vacation is no…

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Book Review: The Bad Guys #14 - They’re Bee-hind You! by Aaron Blabey

8/10 Hopping universes isn’t easy, and you’d better bee-lieve that things are getting even crazier. Still determined to get the One to her destiny, our heroes find themselves in a new universe with a new foe to face. Or a million, because, you know, bees. Meanwhile, the B team is still on the hunt for these mysterious Others. As both teams progress, things get darker and darker. Can they fight…

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Book Review: What’s After Life? by John Burke

9/10 A collection of stories from Burke’s more expansive book called ‘Imagine Heaven’, ‘What’s After Life?’ succinctly explores the experiences of those who have had near-death experiences. Offering just enough to whet the appetite for what’s to come, this book is an excellent, quick read that will stir your heart and turn you toward contemplating the One behind it all. If you’re curious but…

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Book Review: Myrtle Clover Mysteries #25 - Mystery Loves Company by Elizabeth Spann Craig

10/10 It’s Valentine’s Day, but it’s not love in the air. It’s murder. When the florist ends up pushing up daisies, Myrtle is eager to jump in and start interviewing suspects. That’s what usually happens after all. But her sidekick, Miles, is pretty glum about something and isn’t as enthusiastic as usual. Still, he goes along with his friend as they look into Bradley, North Carolina’s latest…

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Book Review: Frozen Charlotte #2 - Charlotte Says by Alex Bell

8/10 Jemima arrives at her new post at a reform school in the hopes of moving past the terrible tragedy of a fire that consumed her mother and stepfather along with most of her belongings. The school, however, turns out to be as far from a safe haven as anything. With a headmistress who seems as strange as she is strict, troubled girls afraid to receive more punishment, and the reunion with an…