(Un) Qualified - by Steven Furtick

This was a good book to wrap up the year with. I've been thrust into a number of situations that I feel supremely unqualified for, and I wrap myself up in crazy expectations of perfection. If nothing else, this book was encouraging.

I'm a "fixer" by nature. I scramble to fix whatever I can (in myself and in others), and what I can't fix, I cover up. I'm all about flawless performance, and it causes a lot of problems in my life and in my relationships.

This book was yet another reminder to find my identity in God. When I do so, then it's ok to be broken, to be flawed, to be unqualified.

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

Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber

I squirm when someone proudly declares themselves a Liberal. Of course, staunch Conservatives tend to bring the same reaction out of me. I just can’t see things in such a black and white way, so when an author adopts one label or the other, it makes me wonder if they’re really considering all sides. And mixing political affiliation with religious belief just tends to make things worse.

But it’s hard to find fault with someone who so honestly bares their soul. I’ve seen more than one pastor/preacher flaunting one adopted persona or another in order to appeal to the masses. There are the super-liberal, cussing, tattooed pastors. There are the uber-conservative, Bible-thumping types. And there are all the in-betweens. I was rather surprised to find that Nadia didn’t fall into this category. She seems truly genuine as a person, and you can’t help but love that.

She reminds me a whole lot of Anne Lamott. She’s full of snark, sarcasm, and plain old humanness. With each new chapter, I found myself nodding along, recognizing my own ugly traits and inclinations. It’s a lot easier to find help from someone who’s been where you are – and that’s something that I loved about this book.

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

Apartment Therapy - Complete + Happy Home

This is a great primer for anyone new to interior design. If you’ve just moved into your first apartment or you’re gearing up to buy your first home, this book has some pretty solid tips and advice.

Unfortunately, the title is a bit of a misnomer. I understand that the title is based off of the website, however, there’s not a lot of “therapy” in here for apartment dwellers. A lot of space is dedicated to choosing the right floor plan for your lifestyle – something that isn’t really realistic if you’re renting an apartment.  In most cases, an apartment dweller actually needs some “therapy” to help them utilize the space that they have available.

That being said, the advice does come in handy if you’re looking to buy a home (or an apartment, for that matter).  There’s some practical advice on the various types of homes, basic floor plans, etc. and how to choose the right style for your lifestyle and preference.

I also quite enjoyed the practical approach to addressing each area of the home. There wasn’t anything particularly groundbreaking, but for the average homeowner, the advice is concise, clear, and easy to follow. Unless you’re aiming for a serious career in interior design, you’ll find plenty in here that’s helpful.

From a design standpoint, the cover is absolutely gorgeous. The letterpress title, the cover imagery, and the binding are all really beautiful. Unfortunately, there are some fairly significant flaws in the interior layout (i.e. cut off text, etc.). I did receive an advance copy, so hopefully these issues will be addressed before the retail copy is released.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Black Earth - Timothy Snyder

If you are just beginning your study of the Holocaust, this probably isn’t a great place to start. In fact, I’d venture to say that you should probably have a solid background of reading on Holocaust history before you delve into this one. I do have to say though, that there are better books on the subject.

It’s a fascinating, detailed book, certainly. It was very compelling, well-written, and thought-provoking. Unfortunately, it clearly shows that we’ve learned very little from history. As a result, we may be set up to repeat many of our past errors.

There’s a lot in this book that’s worth the read. I do think though, that readers should go into this one understanding that Snyder is presenting a number of hypotheses that are just that and no more. Perhaps he’s trying to put a new spin on the Holocaust (seeing as there are numerous books on the subject already), and it does work to an extent. 

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.

Plumdog by Emma Chichester Clark

I haven't been so absolutely charmed by a book in quite some time. I wasn't aware of Emma's blog, so I picked this book up on a whim. It's not hard to see why she's garnered such a following.

This is a must-have book for every dog lover out there. Somehow, Emma perfectly captures the effervescent attitude of a dog, and every page is a delightful, hilarious, entertaining surprise. The artwork is gorgeous, the writing is clever and witty, and I think readers of all ages will love this book.

Five stars all the way.

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

The Art of American Whiskey, by Noah Rothbaum

This isn't so much a book about drinking whiskey as it is a history lesson - and I loved it! It's literally a book on the ART - the brands, the labels, the names - used on American whiskey bottles throughout the decades.

I picked this book up purely out of curiosity. I'm not a whiskey drinker myself, but I figured it might make a nice gift for one of my many whiskey-loving friends. I AM a designer though, and that's why this book fascinated me so. The deconstruction of the names, labels and artwork was stunning. There are so many interesting little bits of history wrapped up in modern labels, and I don't think I'll ever dismiss a label so casually again.

Suffice it to say, I'm not giving this book away any time soon. It's sitting proudly in my living room, and it's always a great conversation starter.

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

Five Years in Heaven, by John Schlimm

I had a hard time with this book. The premise is wonderful, and the author does capture some sound, valuable wisdom. Unfortunately, it's couched in so much purple prose that it's a little hard to stomach. I don't really need to know that the snow crunched underfoot "like toasted bread crumbs". I also didn't need numerous pages dedicated to cat descriptions.

I truly wanted to love this book. I was hoping for something along the lines of "Tuesdays with Morrie" (though, of course, that book too has its detractors). I just found a lot more fluff than substance here, and that's unfortunate.

I think perhaps the author (as a food writer) is prone to focusing a lot on descriptions. While that might be ideal for a cookbook, it doesn't really suit a book like this.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Between the Dark and the Daylight by Joan Chittister

Quite beautiful, and a very thoughtful look at several poignant matters. Joan Chittister's approach is interesting, yet I found it a bit vague and distant - almost a clinical look at the issues.

This perhaps is a book that is worth reading during the good times and then reflecting upon in dark times. There is a lot of truth offered, yet the book is just a little too heady to offer any real comfort to a sufferer. I suppose that these are concepts to learn in the light so that we have something to hold on to when the darkness comes.

Chittiser does write beautifully, and she expresses concepts in a very poetic, profound way that will stick with you. You may find yourself mulling over phrases or ideas days later.

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

Find out more about the book and author here:

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The Barefoot Queen, by Ildelfonso Falcones

This book really runs the gamut. Some parts were absolutely engrossing, but other parts were an absolute drudgery. Be warned reader: this book is LONG. If you’re one who just can’t get enough of historical fiction, then this book is for you. You’ll find over 600 pages of a beautifully described, well-researched story line. It’s a rambling, detailed read that will keep you enthralled for pages. Unfortunately, there are also pages upon pages that are just dull.

Many reviewers have commented on the violence toward women. Readers should be aware that this is a very prevalent theme throughout The Barefoot Queen. If this is something that you are sensitive to, then this is a book to skip. However, Falcones is merely staying true to the period and the setting. Life was tough for women – particularly for Gypsies and (former) slaves. To ignore this aspect would, perhaps, be worse than giving it the attention it warrants.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.