Shattered Faith

Shattered Faith
By Sheila Rauch Kennedy
0679439951221 p

Finished the book and had to jump online to find out what happened next- the story ends basically as a cliffhanger! But the book- clearly outlines the disturbing practice of annulments being handed out left and right and the psychological damage it does to the children of the marriage/nonmarriage. Emotional. I wonder what Joe's second wife thought of the whole thing.
8/10

The Royals

The Royals: Their Lives, Loves and Secrets
by People magazine
143 p

Heavy on the royals in England, naturally since we have such a fascination with them and they've been on People magazine so much. Gorgeous photos, would expect nothing less from People. Good overview.
8/10

Then + Now

Then + Now
by Stefania and Dominic Perring
0785811168 143 p

I like these books, just a brief overview. Someone should do a series of more indepth ones, like 20+ pabes on each site with numerous painted reconstructions.
8/10

Going All the Way

Going All the Way
By Craig Groeschel
9781590529386 209 p

Full disclosure: I'm a born-again Christian, have been for 12 years, have dated but haven't "gone all the way" in the worldly sense. Dating a non-Christian at the moment.

On to the book, too strict for me in some ways- no flirting? no suggestive comments? What will I do at work all day?? Seriously, everyone at work knows who I am and what I stand for, they certainly don't see me as immoral because of a few comments. It's about walking the walk, flirting is just fun, doesn't mean anything except friendship (of course this is for me, other people are different of course.)

I get what he's saying about no sleepovers, but it's faulty logic that he uses to get there- you shouldn't be in the same bed with someone you're not married to because you wouldn't do that after you married with someone who isn't your spouse. What about kissing? Arm around the waist or shoulder? Dating? You wouldn't do any of those things after you were married to someone who wasn't your spouse (unless you wanted to seriously piss off your spouse), so you can't do them before you're married? Yes, there is a line, but he doesn't use sound reasoning to draw it.

Funny book, many good points. But, and I'm going to sound completely ungodly here, I think he went a little overboard on some of his rules.
7/10

The Christmas Box Miracle

The Christmas Box Miracle
by Richard Paul Evans
0743219422 261 p

I haven't read The Christmas Box, I suppose I should have before reading this. But this was an intriguing book to read anyway. His path, how he learned to listen to that "voice", how he's continued to learn what he's doing wrong. He sounds like a good guy, trying to do the best he can with the crazy rollercoaster he's on.
9/10

How You Do... What You Do

How You Do... What You Do
By Bob Livingston
9780071606127 287p

This book outlines the Service Excellence initiative, how to put it into practice at a company. Much of it focuses on a company called Crossmark, where Mr. Livingston spent 4 years implementing the initiative. Full disclosure: I work for Crossmark, was involved (on the lowest rungs) in the meetings, and was even awarded a service excellence award (the last one given before Crossmark changed their system). So I knew most of what this book was telling to reader, I lived it. But it was still interesting to read, as was the non-Crossmark stuff!
8/10

The Last Battle

The Last Battle
By CS Lewis
0064409414 211p

Wow. Last 2 pages, what a shock. But what of Susan? Amazing end of the series, best ending possible
9/10

The Silver Chair

The Silver Chair
By CS Lewis
0064409457 243 p

(book 6 of the series) The links to Jesus and Christianity weren't as clear to me until the Lady underground with the enchantment that failed. Yet the school in our world should have tipped me off! This book is the closest to our world of the series because of that school, ugh.
8/10

Power to the People

Power to the People
by Laura Ingraham
9781596985162 321 p

Straightforward, though not very specific, on how to put governmental power back where it should be- in the hands of the people. Ordinary people have almost no control in politics, this book shows why that's a bad thing!
8/10

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
By CS Lewis
248 p

(book 5 of the series) I love Reepicheep, he's so funny! Gallant and all that, of course, but also amusing. Aslan, of course = amazing! There's so much more to be told, though. The Voyage of the Kings, the sea people, Ramandu's daughter's story, Eustace afterwards (does he end up back in Narnia? I think yes, 2 more books to find out!)
8/10

Love in the Time of Cholera

Love in the Time of Cholera
By Gabriel Garcia Marquez
97803073871741 348p

I was expecting much more of this, being such a best seller and talked about everywhere. Actually, it was kind of a let down. Weird, too, like Slaughterhouse-Five minus the war plus obsession. Odd book overall.
7/10

The Really Inconvenient Truth

The Really Inconvenient Truth
By Ian Murray
9781596980549

Interesting, very detailed and well-researched.
8/10

Flirting with Pride and Prejudice

Flirting with Pride and Prejudice
edited by Jennifer Crusie
1932100725

Good, not great. Interesting, some more than others. It's hard, because there are sections I would have given a 9 or 10, others deserving of a 5 or 6. Luckily, there were many interesting insights into a favorite author. Pride and Prejudice is also one of my 2 favorites of hers, so I'm a harsh critic of anything related to it (or Emma!). But this book is definitely worth the time for a fan.
8/10