Reading Goals for 2011

My reading goals for 2011 are as follows:

- Thinking With Type, by Ellen Lupton
- The Elements of Typographic Style, by Robert Bringhurst
- Good to Great, by Jim Collins
- Logo Design Workbook, by Adams Morioka
- Design Elements, by Timothy Samara

If I can fully grasp the principles presented in these books by the end of the year, I'll be one happy camper. If I can take those principles and properly apply them to my design, I'll be absolutely giddy.

Wish me luck!

Love on Assignment

I often enjoy historical romance, and that's what I assumed I was getting with this book. The story is set in 1900 Rhode Island. Charlotte Hale, an aspiring reporter is sent to investigate Daniel Wilmont - a professor, and more importantly, a columnist for a local paper. Daniel's column directly attacks many business practices of the day, and the big businessmen aren't happy about it.

Charlotte goes undercover as a nanny for Daniel's children, as she tries to dig up some dirt on him. Instead, she ends up finding God.

It's a sweet story, and mildly amusing, but poorly written. Much of the language - as well as other aspects of the story - don't accurately reflect the time period. This made it hard for me to read. I didn't particularly enjoy this book, I'm sorry to say.

However, it seems that it could be a good book to use with young teenagers, as it does pose some interesting discussion topics on choices, moral standards, and integrity. In this respect, I would recommend it.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through BookSneeze.com - their book review bloggers program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

Voices of the Faithful, Book 2

After my husband requested the first volume of The Voices of the Faithful, and I found it so inspiring, I decided to get the second one as well. What you're getting here is a daily devotional based on the lives of missionaries around the world. What I found so fascinating about these books is that they're not focused on the lives of the "Heroes of the faith" type missionaries - the David Livingstones and C.T. Studds - but rather on people today who have answered the call and have given their lives to spreading the good news.

These are real people, who face real, down-to-earth difficulties on a daily basis. They're modern and relatable, and their lessons are easily applied to our lives.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through BookSneeze.com - their book review bloggers program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

Heaven is for Real

"Heaven is for Real will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see, and believe, like a child." - Book Jacket

That is exactly what this book will do for you if you read it with an open heart and mind. It details the story of Colton Burpo, a four-year-old boy who visited Heaven and was sent back to tell us about it.

I've read several books along these lines - Intra Muros, Embraced by the Light, and others - but none from a child's perspective. The simplicity of this story, explained in the words of a four-year-old, are beautiful and touching.

With the outspoken boldness of a small child, Colton tells of how "really, really big" God is, and how Jesus had to die so that we could all go "live with His Dad." He talks about how "You can't belieeeeve how much He (God) loves us," and how "Jesus really loves the children." He tells of meeting John the Baptist, Jesus' "rainbow horse," and Pop - his own great grandfather.

His candid accounts can leave no doubt in anyone's mind that Heaven is, indeed, for real. This book would make a beautiful and encouraging bereavement gift.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through BookSneeze.com - their book review bloggers program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

"Big Red" Holy Bible

I requested this Bible from Book Sneeze initially because I thought it was a picture Bible for real little kids. The description said that it was a Bible with comic book style art, which i thought was pretty cool.

Unfortunately, when it arrived, I found that it was simply a children's translation of the Bible with a few pictures interspersed. It also has a simple paperback binding, which I don't feel would hold up well under the use that a Bible would receive - especially since it's meant for children. This wasn't what I was looking for.

I would recommend this book for kids between 8 and 12, who already have a good reading comprehension level. The translation is quite good, and the pictures are lively and interesting, done in a 3D style which would be appealing for children of that age.

If you're looking for a conventional "picture Bible," then don't go with this one. However, if you're looking for a good children's translation of the Bible to use in a Sunday school, or for reading with your children, this could be just what you're looking for.

The Nativity Collection

It has been a tradition in my family for years to spend evenings during the Christmas season reading Christmas stories. We’ve read from Guideposts, from Chicken Soup books, and from magazines. We’ve pretty much exhausted our library of Christmas stories – reading them over and over, year after year.
When I saw this book up on Book Sneeze, I was flipped! I ordered it right away, and enjoyed it immensely. I won’t be with my family this Christmas, as I recently moved, but I plan on giving it to my mom so that my family can enjoy these wonderful Christmas stories together.
This beautiful gift book is filled with heart-warming short stories that show the true meaning of Christmas. The stories are well-written and the characters are well-developed and truly loveable. This book will make you laugh and cry, and knock any “Scrooge” right out of you.
I was given this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson’s Book Sneeze program in exchange for my honest review. The opinions I have stated here are my own.

The Skin Map by Stephen Lawhead

This fast-paced book – the first of a three-part series – is sure to be another hit for Stephen Lawhead. As with the rest of his books, this one is well researched and put together in such a way that you are immediately drawn into the story. From the clever opening lines to the last sentence, this book kept me hooked. I’m reading it to my husband now!

The story is based around Kit Livingstone – a character with no life and less personality – who runs into his great-grandfather, Cosimo, during a freak thunderstorm. The old man appears, then promptly sweeps Kit into a world of ley lines, alternate universes, and a hunt for the “skin map” – the guide to the roads between worlds.

One explorer of these alternate worlds had discovered the secrets to traveling through the ley lines. Because of his fear of being unable to find his way, he tattooed a coded map into his skin. The map was eventually lost, and now there is a desperate competition to find it.

Think Narnia meets Wheel of Time and you’ll have an idea of what this book consists of. Perhaps as a loyal Stephen Lawhead fan, I’m a little prejudiced, but I would highly recommend this book to others. It’s a fascinating, thought-provoking read. My only complaint is that I have to wait a year for the next book!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through BookSneeze.com - their book review bloggers program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.