Month: September 2019

Book Review · Books

Flying Alone

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I am not into airplanes or flying. Reading about the intricacies of flying sounds a tad dull to me, but Flying Alone, is a memoir that not only educates on flying, but takes you into the world of aviation from a women’s perspective back when female pilots weren’t as common. Beth wanted to fly a plane since she was younger. In her twenties she started her dream by taking different flying jobs and along the way she fell in love with her instructor. Steve was not only cocky, but piecemealed his affection towards Beth.

This memoir focuses on how sometimes to gain our confidence we have to go through life trials. Beth struggled with a possible MS diagnosis and survived some very harrowing flights for her job, had colleagues who didn’t make it back from their flight and had to deal with moody Steve.

I received my complimentary copy of Flying Alone by Beth Ruggiero York from FSB Associates. The views and post are of my own accord. This is a satisfying book filled with action, adventure, love, personal growth and success. If you love planes, flying and memoirs, then this book will be perfect for you.

Book Review · Books

Dare To See

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This book cover does not do the meat of this book justice. Dare To See is a collection of vignettes from Katie’s life and how God has changed her life. Each chapter is unique and covers different subjects from fitting in at school growing up, to being single and buying your own home, to going through the journey of adoption. Katie writes in such a way you feel as though she’s your best friend sharing with you.

If you are new on your Christian walk, a seasoned believer, or wondering what it all means this is a great book to pick out. Katie shares her faith through the different life stories she shares and doesn’t dumb it down, or go over your head. I found each chapter relatable to my own life and things I have gone through. I am at an interesting place in my faith. This book wasn’t Christianese in verbiage, which could have been triggering for me, so I’d even recommend it to those burnt by the church. This book is actually spiritually comforting.

I received my complimentary copy of Dare To See by Katie Brown from Faith Words. The views are mine and of my own will. I don’t have TV (shocking!), so I have never heard of Katie Brown and her TV show, but this woman of faith is the real deal. She is not showy, fake, but genuine in her love for God and her faith story is relatable. I have read a lot of Christian Living books and this one is a new favorite of mine. I look forward to reading more books by Katie.

Book Review · Books

The Only Skill That Matters

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Do you crave to learn more in less time? The Only Skill That Matters tackles ways in which we can learn quicker, easier and have fun doing it. Super learner author, Jonathan Levi provides different ways we can help make recalling material in a fun way. Some examples he provides are to assign an image that will help you remember a piece of information you are learning. Another example he gives is if you are wanting to learn a tough subject to use a variety of learning means: books, podcasts, documentaries, etc. Mr. Levi also, talks about how we can speed read. Since I love to read this is a skill my ears perked up on. I’ve never thought of previewing something I’m going to read before I read it. There are many other examples the author provides.

This book may be super short, but the contents may take a few rereads to have this helpful information sink in. I’m still marinating the information I’ve read. This book was easy to read, challenging to comprehend some of the skills shared and gives me hope to know I can learn quicker implementing the skills shared.

I received my complimentary copy of The Only Skill That Matters by Jonathan A. Levi from Lioncrest Publishing, care of TLC Book Tours. The views expressed are of my own accord and mine. To purchase a copy click here for Amazon and to connect with Mr. Levi check out his website.

Book Review · Books

Once You Go In

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Some memoirs you read and wonder where has this particular author has been all your life. If you have been disenfranchised by the church, dealt with spiritual abuse, or are wanting to find a different church expression then this book might be calling out to you.

Carly takes you into her homeschooled world of Northern California. She’s always felt different, wanting to belong and one day when she discovers Pine Canyon Assemblies Of God Church she thinks she may have found a place to fit in.

This book is Carly’s journey into the world of the charismatic church. Her descriptions of what the services can be like is spot on and the peer pressure to speak in tongues even when you may think the whole idea to be weird is huge. When Carly does finally speak her special language she describes the spiritual high she gets from it and how everything else in life sort of fades away when she’s in that mode.

I recall when I visited a charismatic church and there was pressure to be slain in the spirit. When the piano player timed the music a little too, planned I sensed the whole sham that I felt it was. Were church goers truly under the Holy Spirit’s power, or was it a false spirit? Is having what looks like seizures truly a move of God, or demonic? I left that service with my charismatic interest snuffed out.

This church is Pentecostal and on fire for Jesus which includes speaking in tongues, long prayers and being monitored by the leadership. It’s all in love right? Carly’s parents are believers, but not as intense as this church body is. She longs for approval and to be seen as worthy, to be as spiritual as her youth pastor’s wife, that befriends her.

When something goes terribly wrong on a mission trip Carly tries to chalk it up to her not listening to the rules for the trip. Other things happen where logically she feels the leadership is being overly legalistic. Carly wants so badly to do the right thing that she brushes off her gut reaction.

How do you know when a church is unhealthy, or spiritually abusive? How do you stand up for yourself when your spiritual leaders have you under their spell of sorts (not an actual spell)? Carly deals with these vital topics and more.

I received my complimentary digital copy of Once You Go In by Carly Gelsinger from She Writes Press, care of NetGalley. The views expressed are of my own will and mine. I commend Carly for writing so candidly about her church experience and faith journey. It’s not easy to share such personal moments. Thank you for baring your soul, so others know they aren’t alone in their journeys to find their spiritual home, whether that’s in a church or in a park.

Book Review · Books

Find Your Mantra

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Positive thinking can seem a tad woo woo, but is being grumpy really going to change your life for the better? This short little book of mantras are a bit stereotypical, but there are grains of truth in this book. The chapters are broken up by different themes like love, peace, etc. There are gorgeous illustrations and photos throughout this beautiful book.

I’ve always been mainly a positive and upbeat person. I do have my own don’t want to adult moments. Can I just get paid to read books and review? This little book will help remind you that you do matter and that with diligence we can accomplish so much with our life. It’s not about keeping up with the Jone’s, but staying in the moment good times, or bad and being thankful we get to experience our unique life.

I received my complimentary digital copy of Find Your Mantra by Aysel Gunar from Quarto Publishing Group, care of NetGalley. The views are mine and of my own choice. If you like inspirational books then you just might want to add this title to your library.

Book Review · Books

The Transformation

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Everyone deals with some kind of trauma in their life. No matter how large, or small all types of trauma are valid. The Transformation by James Gordon, MD is a book about ways we can tackle our trauma in healthy, creative, engaging ways.

Some examples provided in this book are:

Drawing a picture of how you see yourself now, then drawing how you see yourself with your current challenge, and finally drawing a picture of what you’ll look like once that challenge is resolved. I’m not the greatest artist, but I love to doodle and I think this is a great way to visualize how we see our trauma and how we can unearth a solution by being artistic.

Dancing and shaking stress off. I am not a dancer. I have to two left feet and always feel weird dancing in front of people. I believe this idea could help us get exercise, allow ourselves to be silly and literally shake away our trauma.

Visualization can sound woo woo. This example is a way for you to discover your place that you feel safe at/in. I recall doing a visualization exercise in around 1st grade. It does take some decent imagination, but as an adult I have visualized I was laying in a warm bath and it helped me relax so I could fall asleep at night.

Finding your guide to give you guidance. This idea is one I’m personally not comfortable with.

Be part of a healing circle or group. This suggestion made me think of going to PFLAG, which is similarly run. It’s confidential and laid out in a similar way where you can share if you want to, but not required and there’s no pressure to.

Creating a genogram. To me a genogram is like a family tree that you detail with personal information about who you are able to, to see any generational themes. I think this example is fascinating as it helps us see how our ancestor’s choices affected our lives today.

There are other great examples, but I want you to be inspired to read the whole book. I am glad I read this book. It’s not long in length, but thick in information. I would recommend reading it with a highlighter and note tabs because there is a lot to absorb. I received my complimentary copy of The Transformation by James Gordon, MD from Harper One, care of FSB Associates. The views are mine and of my own will.

Book Review · Books

The Fading Of Kimberly

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This novel takes place in the early 1900’s when Kimberly Weatherspoon is born to a rich railroad tycoon Warren Weatherspoon. Sadly Kimberly’s mother doesn’t survive the delivery and Kimberly is left to be raised by her aloof father. Kimberly is given anything she wants except what she truly needs, her father’s love. When she becomes school age her father whisks her off to go to boarding school, where a female headmistress can oversee Kimberly’s care.

At the boarding school Kimberly witness a tragic event that will shape her life. She is like her father more than she knows, butting heads against authority. After being kicked out of boarding she spends her time going out to flirt with men, drink and be wild. When one of her lovers disses her she takes justice into her own hands. Due to her choices Kimberly lads in a mental hospital. Will her wealthy father rescue her?

I received a complimentary digital copy of The Fading Of Kimberly by Kit Crumpton care of the author through Booktasters. The views are mine and of my own will. This novel tackles topics like family relationships, mental illness, crime and more. This is a fast paced novel that keeps you on your toes. If you enjoy historical fiction this novel may become a new favorite.