Star Wars: Book of List by Cole Horton

 I was really excited to read this book for myself and my kids. We are huge Star Wars fans and have watched all the movies as well as the animated series.

Upon opening this book, my first reaction was, that's it?  This book was organized in "major" categories but I found the categories lacking or not stimulating enough for me to keep my attention.

This Book of List is fun in that it can start discussions among SW fans of what the author selected over what fans think but it's not comprehensive.  I wished they included more SW characters, especially from the Animated Series.  
The pictures, some are screen shots, and doesn't look as professional as I expect it to me.

This book is a fun read but not one that I would consider a keeper among SW books.

Something Needs to Change by David Platt

I am going through a stage in my life where I am trying to figure out how not to just be a pew sitter but be a doer. When I saw the title of this book I was intrigued. I've heard a lot about David Platt, good things from friends. Not only is this book written by David Platt but the title really caught my attention. 

This book is not a book which David gives a sermon/preach about how we need to do something for the world but this book is actually about his own personal journey as he was trekking through Nepal/Tibet and that region. David's journey is brought to light by entries from his journal and his experience with people who he comes in contact with.

I was especially moved by his honesty of his own faith and wondering what exactly is he doing himself for those in the world. You see his angst, brokenness and fear and anger in this trek.

This book really has caused me to ask myself what am I doing; how am being used by God for my community, the world around me. It's a call for us to get off our butts in the pews and take action, to be God's hand and feet in the world.

This is a must read for all, both believers and non believers. Warning, some of the stories are really hard to read but it's a reflection of what is happening in world and how we much rise up to speak up for those who do not have a voice.

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All of Which I Saw by Lucian Read

I remember when I watched Blackhawk Down, I was sitting in the theater and I couldn't stop my legs from moving up and down.  I could feel my heart beat rising throughout the movie.  I told my wife afterwards, "I feel like I was there."  There was such adrenaline surging through me as I was watching the movie.

All of Which I Saw by Lucian Read...I had the same reaction as I had that day I watched Blackhawk Down.

The pictures and his journal captured the essence of the brutality and devastation of the Iraq War, not only for the men and women of the Marine units he was embedded with but also the Iraqi people.

As a photographer myself, I was especially drawn to this book and wondered how Lucian would capture the war.  All I can say is "wow" his pictures to me captured what war is like, the horror, pain, grief, sadness, boredom, humor and devastation of it all.

One of my favorite pictures is the picture of all the 156 Marines and Sailors standing in the skeleton remains of a hotel that they fought for.  

Lucian's recollection of the events and his feelings really tied the pictures together; he was brutally honest and reflective of his time with the Marines.  Especially his "controversial" pictures at Haditha.

This is a great book and it's a book that I want my kids to see. For them to understand the sacrifices that men and women made for our country.

Half the Sugar, all the Love Jennifer Tyler Lee, Anisha Patel

Sugar, sugar and more sugar.  Addictive yet but delicious.  Actually who doesn't like sugar.  So when I saw this title, I was like, really, half the sugar in these recipes, especially for dessert?  How can that be?  I have tried various recipes by decreasing sugar but it didn't always turn out great.


Why not check this book out to see what's it's like? Besides this isn't just a dessert book but it's about cutting sugar out during breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snacks.

What I actual reading was the introduction of why reducing sugar is important for our health and then goes to talk about various myth about sugar, like honey is healthier option  (dummy...it's still added sugar) or no sugar = no dessert.  I really like this portion of the book, it's very educational.

The author goes on to teach us how to read the nutritional labels, which can be pretty complicated. 

the recipes are all simple with easy ingredients that we all have in the pantry. For example, the granola, the only added sugar is a 1/4 cup maple syrup. Rest of the sweetness is from natural dried fruit.

I love how she has pictures of sugar cups on top which tells you with a visual how much sugar in each recipe and when possible compares the sugar in the recipe against what is generally added for the same recipe.

I highly recommend this book for all who are looking to cut back on their sugar but still get the delicious sugar taste in their food.

Core 52: A Fifteen-Minute Daily Guide to Build Your Bible IQ in a Year - Mark Moore

I've read and perused enough devotional book and when I was given an advance copy of Core 52 by Mark E Moore, I was like another devotional book.

But I have to eat crow. I really like this devotional book. It touches on the gospel but make it practical and easy to digest.

Each week it takes one verse starting from Genesis and gives a topic that's related to the verse and on first day of the week, you read that devotional, then rest of the week it ask you to memorize the verse of the week, read more related verses and what I love, it challenges you to put what you read into practice. How rare is that, a devotional book that ask you to put into practice what you read.

This is my goto devotional book now. I would highly recommend it.

Wilder Girls - Rory Power

The premise of the Wilder Girls is about a girls school that is being quarantined due to a breakout of Tox virus on the island. The Tox virus causes physical deformity with whoever catches it. So basically all the inhabitants of the island has some form of Tox virus; it appears the virus also affects the wildlife and nature.

The three main characters are: Hetty, Byatt (Hetty's best friend) and Reese and the premise of the story is really the relationships of the three girls as they navigate surviving on the island, in a way like Lord of the Rings, the strongest girls, like the Boat Shift, are the one who gets the food or have the power, not counting the headmistress and Welch, one of staff.

Note: there are themes of violence and LGBT in this book.

But the twist in the story is when Byatt goes missing and Hetty goes crazy because she can't find her friend so she and Reese sets out to look for Byatt on the island. What they find isn't what they thought.

Let your imagination go because if you catch the various clues along the way, you can sorta figure out where this story is going.

Don't want to spoil it so I'll leave it off. The story gets you think about the world and things that are happening around us, is there something more than what we see?

I enjoyed this book for the most part but something about the book didn't catch my attention as I hoped it would. Maybe I could not relate to the characters, not a page turner for me. I was going to pass this onto my teenager but I don't think she will enjoy this book.

A Contrarian's Guide to KNowing God - Larry Osborne

This title is indeed what it is, it's a contrarian's guide to what we all know about our relationship with God.

It's funny, I have heard all the things that's required to know and draw close to God. Such as being in an accountability group, faith that doesn't waver, discipleship, etc.  It can be a bit controversial given most of these are accepted and loved ideas in the Christian community but Larry is not afraid to stir things up.

I love the fact that he's not afraid to stir things up yet keeps focus on God and the ultimate goal of knowing God.



this is a recommended book for all who are seeking a contrarian perspective on knowing God.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for my review