false 41 314 278 true 5717668 read 2 true 2082874 currently-reading 34 true 2082873 to-read 6 false 4590631 favorites 0 false 8579301 wishlist http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78104746 The Spirit of the Disciplines - Reissue: Understanding How God Changes Lives (Paperback) by Dallas Willard
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76343755 to: The Graveyard Book (Hardcover) by Neil Gaiman
Fun read by the author of Coraline. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76101691 to: Water for Elephants (Paperback) by Sara Gruen
Probably any tale set at a travelling circus is going to be wonderfully colorful, but this one surpassed my expectations. I was so engrossed in what was going to happen with all the characters, and just absolutely loved the whole thing. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73591004 to: Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently (Hardcover) by Marcus Buckingham
In his latest non-fiction book, Marcus Buckingham shares some good old common sense advice and maybe some not-so-common sense secrets about (as the subtitle declares) “what the happiest and most successful women do differently.” He advices his readers not to seek perfection or balance or even a happiness rating of 10; but instead, he illustrates ways to find what your real strengths are and how you can capitalize them in the workplace, in your home, and in your life.

And who doesn't want to be one of the elusive “happiest and most successful women”? I know it sounded appealing to me. The problem is success is pretty difficult to rate. Buckingham uses a Maya Angelou quote in one of his chapters that captures this idea: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” My issue with this book, as a Christian woman, is that some of the paths Marcus Buckingham suggests you follow in order to achieve success would not leave me liking myself in the slightest. For an example, he has ZERO positive things to say about being a stay-at-home mom – in fact, most of his examples of unhappy, unsuccessful women were those who traded career for family. I was and am uncomfortable with the thrust of this book teaching a “me first” way of thinking that does not align with what I believe the Bible teaches (“He must become greater, I must become less” - John 3:30, NIV).

My recommendation: take the test at StrongLifeTest.com, find out what your role(s) are, apply some of the principles in this book, but rely on the Bible for truth.

-Katie Casey
Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger
http://brb.thomasnelson.com/ ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73432606 to: The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3) by Rick Riordan
Maybe my favorite of the series so far. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71947001 to: The Book of Lies (Hardcover) by Brad Meltzer
Very interesting blend of historical elements and a fiction that could be real. Who would have thought Superman comics and the Bible could be so linked? ;-) ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71054044 to: Catching Fire (Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins
All I can say is thank goodness Book #3 is not out yet, so I can get some things done! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/65832500 to: The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium, #2) by Stieg Larsson
The 2nd in a newly published trilogy. Unfortunately the third one is not available in English yet. Oh how I wish I could read it in French right now! Pick it up, you won't be disappointed. I loved it as much as I enjoyed the first one (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68143797 to: Heart and Soul (Hardcover) by Maeve Binchy
So many colorful characters who weave in and out of each other's life with one common thread - a heart care clinic. This was my first Maeve Binchy, but I think it's likely I'll be back for more. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68038375 Dark Star (Paperback) by Alan Furst
bookshelves: to-read
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