Book Review: A Standard of Grace

Book Title: A Standard of Grace: A Guided Journal by Emily Ley

Leave it to Emily Ley to produce yet another beautiful book! I was expecting this book to be just that - a book, much like her first two books. It's actually a guided journal with not much to read, but plenty of space to write. I wish it was actually a book and not a journal, but I am still excited about it. The cover is beautiful and so are the pages - with lots of full color images. A lot of the pictures look like the same ones from some of her other books, I think it would have been nice to use some more new pictures, but oh well. It's still a lovely journal that I'm looking forward to using.

Book Review: Unwrapping The Names of Jesus

Book Title: Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional by Asheritah Ciucui

This is such a beautiful little book. While I don't necessarily celebrate or even observe advent, I've been wanting to find something to remind me of the true reason why we celebrate Christmas - the coming of Jesus Christ our Messiah! I am looking forward to going through this book the next time Christmas rolls around, and using it as a tool to prepare my heart to celebrate the true meaning of CHRISTmas. ♥

Book Review: I Think You're Wrong But I'm Listening

Okay, so when I first read about this book, it sounded really good I wanted to give it a try. Unfortunately, after I received this book in the mail and started reading over and skimming through the pages, I just did not feel like this book was at all worth my time. I get the authors' goal but honestly, it sounds pretty unrealistic to me.  Maybe someday I will get around to reading the whole book...

Book Review: Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend

This is seriously the cutest book ever. This book talks about several different super foods and then gives two recipes- one to eat and one to use on your body (a beauty recipe basically). The illustrations in this book are so cute and very well done. I feel in love with the cheery, yellow, hard-back cover of this book. I was so excited to get this one. It's unique and very well done!

Book Review: In All Things

Book Review: In All Things

In All Things is a devotional book about the Epistle of Philippians. I thought the cover was well done, although it could have been better. Looking through the book, it looks well written, and rather comprehensive too. I wish the author would use the KJV but I realize very few authors use that  version these days. Overall I'm excited about owning this book!

Book Review: Beneath A Prairie Moon

Okay, so this book looks and sounds absolutely intriguing! I haven't gotten a chance to read it yet, but just the backstory alone sounds sooo good! The idea of mail-order brides has always sounded so adventurous, scary, fascinating, and risky. So, reading a book about it to me is fascinating. The cover is very well done, can't wait to dive into this book!

Book Review: 30 Days to Peace

Once again this is a delightful little book! I received 30 Days to Joy the other week, and because it was such a neat little book, I decided to request 30 Days to Peace as well. These books are very nicely put together... I love the design and overall look of both books. They would make great gift books. The only thing I don't like... is that Kings James Version of the Bible is not used.

Book Review: Thirty Days to Joy

This is such a pretty and delightful little book! I love studying the word joy (it's my middle name!). I am excited to go through this book with it's pretty lettering, inspiring quotes, and Scripture verses. I only wish the verses could be in the KJV version! I'm planning to request the "sister book" thirty days to Peace.

Book Review: Daring to Hope

This is the most recent book I finished. I read Katie's first book Kisses from Katie several years ago after hearing SO much about it. I enjoyed her book very much, so when I saw Daring to Hope, I jumped at the chance to get a free copy through blogging for books. (I occasionally use this site to get free books to read and review – if you're a fellow blogger, check it out!) This book arrived just before our wedding, and I only read a few pages. Surprisingly, it was the first book I reached for once we were settled in and I had time to read again. There were a few days this past month that I just didn't want to put this book down! Even though I may not agree 100% with everything, there is something about Katie's lifestyle and her relationship and walk with God that is very inspiring, even motivating. The lifestyle she has chosen is one that is full of joys and sorrows – and so much different from what we know here in America. What she writes is open and real – and she truly shares her heart in the pages of both of her books. This book brought both tears to my eyes and joy to my heart as I read it. If you enjoyed Katie's first book, you will love this one as well.

Book Review: Eat Beautiful

Title: Eat Beautiful

I honestly did not care for this book much at all. The book itself was big, heavy, bulky, and just awkward. The pages were nice and crisp and clean... but not much of it seemed very appealing to read. Also, some of the photos were too inappropriate for my taste. I skimmed the book several times, but it just did not interest me.

Rebekah

{Book Review} Q&A a Day for Writers

Title: Q&A a Day for Writers

I love these Q&A a day journals. I have the five year one, so I was really excited about this one year journal for writers. Each day has a new question for writing inspiration and a nice size page for writing your answer. I am not sure when I will use this journal - it might make a better gift. A great journal for anyone who loves to write.

{Book Review} Shaken by Tim Tebow

Title: Shaken
Author: Tim Tebow

I got this book to give to my brother... he basically read and review it for me. He LOVED the book. He said Tebow shared a lot of personal experiences and was very transparent with his readers. He was very open about his faith and clearly explained the Gospel in the book. Again, my brother was very impressed - I'm looking forward to the day I get a chance to read the book myself!

I received a free copy of this book from blogging for books.

(Book Review)

Book Title: The Women of Easter
Author: Liz Curtis Higgs

Last year I read the Women of Christmas by the same author and really enjoyed it. So, I was happy to receive The Women of Easter to review. Things I like about the book: very nice design, and layout. The content is appealing, especially since it is about women in the Bible (and I am a woman myself!). Things I do not like: the author does not use the KJV version which is the only version I use. I plan to read this book cover to cover when Easter rolls around - I need to appreciate and celebrate Easter more than I do.... since it is the most important holiday for us as born again Christians! 

{Book Review} Alexander Hamiltons Guide to Life

Title: Alexander Hamiltons Guide to Life
My Rating: 1 and a 1/2 stars

Honestly, this books IS interesting.... However I do not like the perspective it's written from. It's such a worldly take on the life of one of Americas brilliant, and hardworking, founding fathers. I do not care for the swear words, innuendos, and the immoral picture this books paints of his life.

I received a review copy of this book from blogging for books.

Book Review: Radical Beauty

Book Title: Radical Beauty
My Rating: 4 Stars

I am loving this book!  I am soaking up all the natural health and beauty advice from these two authors. I love learning about whole foods, natural living, etc. so this book is right up my alley. I'm already putting what I've learned into practice!  I took away one star because of a few things I don't care for - such as evolutionary thinking (I believe in Creation) and some other things I don't believe in or agree with. Other than that - I like the book a lot!

{Cook Book Review} Nourishing Meals

Title: Nourishing Meals
My Rating: 4 Stars

I am pretty happy with this cookbook!  My mom already made a recipe - chicken nuggets! We didn't have all the "whole" ingredients so we made some substitutions. The recipe turned out great! I can't wait to try more recipes from this book that are (hopefully) healthy, delicious, and satisfying for my future family.

Home Cooked {Cookbook Review}

I didn't really care for this cookbook. It just wasn't my "type" I guess. The photography was great, but I didn't see any recipes that I REALLY wanted to make, and many of the ingredients were things I never even heard of and would have know idea where to get. I guess this cookbook just didn't meet my original expectations.... that's all.

Good + Simple {Cookbook}

Title: Good + Simple
Author(s): Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley

This is a big, and very nice, hardback cookbook. The photography is great -nice clear pictures and delicious looking food.  I love that all the recipes are for healthy, wholesome foods... and each ingredient is healthy and wholesome.

What I Don't Like: A lot of the ingredients are things that cost a lot in my area and/or are hard to come by. In a quick glance, I did not see too many recipes I would be able to make with out doing quite a bit of shopping!

Rebekah Joy

Eating in the Middle {Cookbook}

Title: Eating in the Middle: A Mostly Wholesome Cookbook
Author: Andie Mitchell

I LOVE this cookbook. I received it in the mail today and have been enjoying it ever since.  The photography is amazing, everything is crisp and clear.  I love the personal thoughts and stories the author shares throughout the book. I also like the healthy balance of wholesome foods with some more indulgent ingredients and recipes in the book.

What I Don't Like:
The author has a few slang and curse words sprinkled throughout her writing.  All of the recipes are kind of involved and have ingredients that are a little more expensive and "unique" or harder to find. Some of these recipes I would only make "once in a while." I don't think I will find a ton of go-to recipes from this book, however, there are quite a few I want to try... I may find more "winners" than I think!

Rebekah Joy