Ignite Your Passion for God by Kay Arthur and Mark Sheldrake.

I've been looking for a study that would able to give me more insight and conviction toward my faith.  I decided to check out this book Ignite Your Passion for God by Kay Arthur.

I didn't know much about the author but from what I read, their books have been well received.

This book is about igniting a believer's passion in six weeks, on the following topics:

1. Idolatry
2. God’s Word
3. Prayer
4. Worship
5. Sharing the Gospel
6. Suffering

The above topics are very relevant in our culture today and the study helps gives us insight on what God wants desires from us from the above topics. These following in an inductive style bible study, which I love. 

I really like this study and look forward to trying the other book from the authors. 

Here's a link to more info about this book

More Info

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Asian Dumplings by Andrea Nguyen.

Who can resist dumplings?  My kids love dumplings and can devour plates of dumplings.

So when I saw this book, Asian Dumplings, how could I resist not picking it up?  I have read Andrea's other books and I really appreciate her cookbooks.

Here's a link about Andrea

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/105105/andrea-nguyen



I usually make my dumplings with the same fillings so it was great to read a book that gives me options for other types of fillings. but this book isn't just about dumplings, it's about spring rolls, samosa and other asian wrapping type of food.  It covers a wide range of dumpling style food.

Although making dumpling can be time consuming, Andrea give tips and suggestions to fit making dumplings into our busy lifestyle, though I'm not sure about making my own wrappers.

This is a book I would highly recommend to everyone who loves dumplings and it's siblings.  After all, who can resist dumplings.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Donabe by by Naoko Takei Moore and Kyle Connaughton

"Don what?"
"It's Donabe."
"What's Donabe?"
"Donabe is Japanese clay pot (donabe) cooking that provides a one pot meal."




That my friend, is what a donabe.  I own a Chinese claypot and always wanted to expand my clay pot recipes.  This book is exactly what I was looking for.  For the cold winter nights, donabe is perfect.  It's a very healthy way to cook with minimal fat and you can't complain when some of the donabe dishes brings a warmth to your body.

This books is beautifully photographed and great explanation of the history of donabe, different types of clay pot vessels and recipes ranging from rice, soup and hot pots.  I love reading about Naoko's family history with the Donabe and the artisanal Donabe from Japan.

Even if you don't own a donabe, this book is for a cookbook collector and would be a great collection to anyone's cookbook.


I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho

I love Chinese food, eating and cooking it.  I've always been interested in learning how to better my Chinese food cooking skills so this book caught my eye.

When I received the book, I love the feel of it.  It's a heavy duty book and lots of gorgeous pictures.

I tend to read cookbooks like a novel and this is one cook book that feels like a novel.  Mr. Kho make this book novel like.  He goes through the history of different types of Chinese cuisine, delves into Chinese cookware (wok, knives, etc) and ingredients.  He talks about general techniques and the theory behind it.

This book is broken up into twelve main chapters on cooks, from wok (stir fry), to braising and a section on sweets.

I love how it takes very simple techniques and encourages you to experiment with it and then move on to more difficult techniques and recipes.

I really like the pictures and especially like the note boxes sprinkled throughout the book, like ones such as what to do with left over oil.

I would highly recommend this book for all those who want to learn more about Chinese cooking.

More Info about this book

Author's Info

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Food52 Baking by Editors of Food52, Foreword by Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs.

I've been following the Food52 blog and site for and was excited to see this book on baking that they released.











Upon receipt of this book I cracked it open like a novel from beginning to the end.  I bookmarked several recipes, most of them from the breakfast goods and cookie section.  What I noticed, the recipes in this book are not very difficult in terms of the ingredients needed or amount of time.

For example, one recipe that I want to try is the Yogurt Bread, which sounds like such an odd mix but it sounds so simple, only flour, baking powder, salt, plain yogurt and milk. That it.  How easy could it be.

This book is great for baker for any skills because there are recipes ranges from ridiculously easy, like Yogurt Bread, to something a bit more complex.

It will make a baker out of all of us.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

The Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg

This is a must read book.  It's a powerful narrative about how a country steeped in a culture is able to dictate a life of a girl.

As a father, reading this book made me very sad.  To think that girls lives in Afghanistan is valued less just because they are girls.  It's really hard to wrap my finger around this.  Having a girl of my own, I could not imagine asking my girl to be a boy, to suppress all natural her feminine traits and to take on a boyish traits just because.  As difficult as it it, I'm sure the cultural pressure is so heavy that families but have their girls become "boys" in order for them to survive growing up. It's not something that I can understand but it's real.  Even people in powerful position are dressing their girls as boys.

Someday I want my daughter to read this book, for her to understand other culture and to appreciate the freedom she has is being who God created her to be and to be able to make her own choices and decision.

This is a must read book for all.














I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Searching For Sunday by Rachel Held Evans

Having been a Christian and churchgoer for a better part of my life, the title of the book intrigued me. Why, because I believe as a believer, finding a church is one of the most difficult things, actually finding an church that's authentic and in touch with the imperfect nature of humans is hard to find.




I love the journey that Rachel went on in her search of finding the church.  Most of what she said really resonated with me, how the church shouldn't be a place where everything is in place, nice and neat with a smile every Sunday, but it's a place where's it's messy, people are free to come as they are before God and to experieince God's grace, healing, redemption and joy.

It's refreshing for me to hear her journey and struggles, which I can resonate with as I too have and am going through the same struggle.

This should be required reading in Seminary, not everyone has to agree with what Rachel wrote but pastors and potential leaders of the church should understand what people are looking and seeking in the Church.  In fact, I have recommended this book to my pastors for them to read.