Book Review: Thrive by Mark Hall

Book Title: Thrive

Author: Mark Hall

Publish Date: February 11, 2014

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Taking the Next Step in Your Faith Life to GROW DEEP AND STRONG The only way to be the hands and feet of Jesus is to love him and serve others out of our love for him. But to do that we must first be deeply rooted in our life with God. In Thrive, Mark Hall, lead singer for the popular band Casting Crowns, shows us what it really looks like to walk with Jesus. In part 1, Digging Deep, Hall demonstrates how to truly engage with the Word and a community of faith, worshiping and pursuing God wholeheartedly as our hearts and minds are transformed. In part 2, Reaching Out, we see the fruits of our engagement with the Word and the community, the grateful giving back of service and love. Using relatable stories, grounded teaching, and great application, Hall helps everyone who wants to take the next step of faith and see their life grow deep and strong.

Why I Read this Book: I received a free electronic copy of the book for review purposes from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This in no way influenced my review of the book.

 

Review 

This book is amazing.  It teaches us how to thrive through life and not just survive.  I loved the ideas that Mark Hall presents on why we should dig deep and reach out.  This book revives your spirit and reminds you to seek God and do His will.  It reminds us of God's love and urges us to learn more about God so that we can look more like Jesus.  This would be a great book for new Christians and Christians who are hoping to become even closer to God. 

 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: Any Age

Overall Rating: 5/5

Book Review of Chameleon by Cidney Swanson

Book Title: Chameleon

Author: Cidney Swanson

Publish Date: September 6, 2011

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Series Name: Ripple

Plot (from Goodreads): Sixteen-year-old Samantha Ruiz has a lot on her mind. The crush who kissed her but changed his mind. The BFF who thinks Sam is in an abusive relationship. The geneticist who wanted Sam dead but now wants her ALIVE. And of course, Sam’s still dealing with a tendency to disappear into thin air.

When Sam learns of her nemesis Helmann’s Nazi-like plan to establish a Thousand-Year Reign, she’s determined to fight him. Along with Will and Mickie, Sam flees to France to meet Sir Walter—their best hope for stopping Helmann’s brave new world.

But Sam isn’t any safer in France. Someone is following her. Someone invisible. Sam will have to figure out how to hide from an enemy she can’t even see.

Why I Read this Book: I received a free electronic copy of the book for review purposes from the author.  This in no way influenced my review of the book.

 

Review 

I really love this series.  It has a rich plot and dynamic characters.  Although the plot has some scifi/fantasy elements, it is realistic.  The romance aspect is a little cheesy and predictable, but it is still suspenseful and lovely. Every page is filled with action and suspense.  This book has a few new characters that are introduced and I really enjoyed them.   I cannot tell you too much about this book without giving away parts of the series because it is a sequel.  Just know that this series should be on your TBR list if you have not read it yet.

 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: Any Age

Overall Rating: 4/5

Throwback Thursday Book Edition #4: The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker

General Analysis

Series Title: The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White)

Author: Ted Dekker

Publish Date: June 3, 2008 (The 3-in-1)

Genres: Christian Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller

Related Series: Lost Books Series

Plot of Black (from GoodReads): An incredible story of evil and rescue, betrayal and love, and a terrorist threat unlike anything the human race has ever known. A virulent evil has been unleashed upon the people of Earth. The only man who can stop it is Thomas Hunter, an unlikely hero whose life is stretched between two worlds. Every time he falls asleep in one reality, he awakes in the other. Soon Thomas no longer knows which reality is real. Yet it quickly becomes apparent that his choices in each world impact the other--and that the fates of both rest in his hands.

Why and When I Read This Book: I began the Circle trilogy when I was in middle school.  A friend let me borrow the books and this is when I fell in love with Christian fiction (especially the action-packed kind). 

In Depth Analysis

This series goes along with the Lost Books series very well.  The way that the books are intertwined is just ingenious.  (For more information about how to books relate, see last week's "Throwback Thursday Book Edition".)  The Circle Trilogy feels more like adult fiction, to me, compared with the Lost Books series which is young adult.  Usually, I do not like science fiction, but this is the best science fiction series that I have ever read.  The books are so action-packed and exciting that they are hard to put down.  The Lost Books series is set in a fantasy type world; whereas, the Circle trilogy is set on a slightly futuristic Earth.  This makes this series more realistic than the Lost Books, and I enjoy that.

The character and plot development are some of the best work that I have seen from an author.  In the beginning of the series, the main character is confused about what is happening in the worlds ("dream world" and "reality") around him and that leads for a great opportunity for plot development that Dekker accomplishes really well.  I hope to read this series again very soon, and I am also wanting to finally read Green, "the beginning and the end" of this series. 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age:  Any age

Overall Rating:  5/5

Throwback Thursday Book Edition #3: The Lost Books series (1-4) by Ted Dekker

Picture from GoodReads

General Analysis

Series Title: The Lost Books (books 1-4)

Author: Ted Dekker

Publish Dates: 2007-2008

Genre: Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Fantasy

Plot for Chosen (from GoodReads):  Think with your heart and prepare to die . . . for you have been Chosen.

Thomas Hunter, supreme commander of the Forest Guard, has seen a great evil decimate much of his beautiful world. With a dwindling army and an epic threat, Thomas is forced to supplement his fighters with new recruits ages 16 and 17. From thousands, four will be chosen to lead a special mission.

Unknown to Thomas, the chosen four are redirected to a different endgame. They must find the seven lost Books of History before the Dark One. For these seven books have immense power over the past, present, and future, controlling not only the destiny of their world . . . but that of ours as well.

Why and When I Read This Book: I started reading the Circle trilogy, the companion series to the Lost books series, in middle school and I loved them.  I started reading this series in high school, but I only owned the first 4 books.  I now own the last 2 books as well and I hope to read them very soon!

  

In Depth Analysis

This series is a fantasy series that is just amazing.  The world that Ted Dekker created is so detailed and so beautiful.  The concepts behind this book are so unique.  I don't want to give away too much, but this series and the Circle series are closely related in that the main character in this series is also the main character in the Circle trilogy.  The Circle trilogy is set in the "real world"; whereas, the Lost books series is set in an amazing fantasy world.  I cannot explain exactly how this is possible without giving away too much information about the books, this unique concept is one of the reasons that I love this series.

Another reason that I love this series is that one of the main themes is good versus evil.  Unlike a lot of authors, Ted Dekker makes out evil for what it really is: dark and sinful.  He also illustrates the Love that God has for all of his children and contrasts this to the ideals of the evil character and by doing this shows how great God truly is.  I think it is important to show the darkness of evil not only to warn against it, but also to use it to show what true Love is and that God is whom we should seek after always.

This fantasy novel is great for those who love a good adventurous story full of action.  I would also recommend Ted Dekker's Circle Trilogy to read along with this series.  The chronological order of the books is Green ("The Beginning and the End" to the Circle Trilogy), Black (Circle Trilogy), the Lost Books series, Red (Circle trilogy), and then White (Circle Trilogy), but either series can be read first and still be easily understood.  Next week's Throwback Thursday will be on the Circle Trilogy.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: 10 and up.  There are some violent scenes, but that are not graphic (if I remember correctly).

Overall Rating: 5/5

It's Not About Me by Max Lucado

Book Title: It's Not About Me

Author: Max Lucado

Publish Date: March 1, 2004

Genre: Christian Inspirational













My Thoughts

This book is seriously the best book that I have read in a long time.  The title says it all: It is not about us, it is about God.  This book really humbled me and made me realize what the true purpose of being a Christian is: to Honor God and show His glory.  It is not about us; it is all about Him.  Lucado provides biblical advice about change and shares about God's love.  He provides real life and fictional stories as examples to illustrate his points and always uses scripture to bring the point home.  This book really changed my way of thinking.  The writing style is perfect and the book cover is just gorgeous!  This is a must read for anyone aged 16 and up (it provides advice about some adult situations).

Overall Rating

I give this book a 5/5.