Thursday, May 31, 2012

Wait No More: One Family's Amazing Adoption Journey

Wait No More is a family's adoption story. John & Kelly Rosati learned that there were so many children in need of families right here in the U.S., so they became foster parents. They adopted 4 kids right out of the foster care system.

Most things you read say how horrible the foster care system is. Or, on the other hand, they say how incredibly wonderful the foster care system is (or can be). This book does neither. It's just one family's honest view based on experience. Which I find refreshing.

I really enjoyed this book. It's very easy to read. I did get teary eyed at several points. This book is such a testimony to God and his gift of adoption. The book outlines the trials and tribulations the family goes through on their road to adoption, as well as their triumphs.

A must-read for anyone considering foster care or adoption - or just for anyone who wants a heartwarming story.

I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Almost Amish

Almost Amish: One Woman's Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life. I'm all for simple. I love 19th century times (except I can't live without my indoor plumbing - lol) and I've tried to emulate their lifestyle as much as I could. But there's one problem: technology. We're so addicted to it in my house! (As well as most of America is.)

When I saw this book, I was so excited to get it because I thought it would be just the manual I was looking for. Ways to unplug. How to get the kids to be more friendly to each other. Most importantly, what's God's view on how a family should function and live their daily lives.

I was most disappointed by this book. From Tyndale's website: "It’s time to simplify our lives, make faith and family the focal point, and recapture the lost art of simple living." This is not really what the book is about at all. It's about conservationism. I'm all for being kind to the environment, but this book felt like a liberal "tree hugger" standpoint with conservative window dressing.

I'm not usually so negative with my reviews, but I really didn't like this book at all. It was so, most definitely not what I thought it was. :(

I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Switched!

This is book #5 in the Time Stumblers series. I have the first, and i borrowed the others from the library. Good thing I did, or else he'd be totally lost. But, I have to say that I like that feature. I tend to grow tired when reading a series, and have to read in book number (say) 7 all about what happened in the previous books. I already read those books, I don't want to have to reread it all again in future books. (Get what I mean?) This series isn't as bad at that as others I've read.

In this book, TJ switches bodies with her nemesis, and the Time Stumblers try to use that to their advantage. This book is quite funny and my son and I had a great time reading it together.

The book has good underlying lessons on forgiveness and... but they're not overly sappy or "preachy." I like that. I try to let my son have fun while learning, and this book does just that. It's fun (to hold his interest) and it has moral values that I feel are important for him to learn.

I did have to underplay some of the boy/girl interaction, though, because he is only 7. But, overall, a good book. We liked it. :)

I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.