Reading, Writing & Pondering

  The Inkwells Chronicles continues with the second book in the series, Race to Krakatoa . This is a magical book aimed at middle grade readers, ages eight to twelve. In the Race to Krakatoa , Everett and his younger sister, Bea, are drawn deeper into the world of the inklings. Magic Ink is beginning to disappear around the world. is a new substance called Inkanto the solution? Everett and Bea aren't sure. They race around the world trying to find out the answer and they face villains and make unexpected friends in this fun series. I would recommend that readers start with the first book in the series, The Inkwell Chronicles, before reading Race to Krakatoa . For readers who already started the series, I am sure they were anxiously awaiting this installment. It is a fun fantasy series with a lot of adventure that middle grade kids will enjoy. It may be one that they would read on their own or it would be fun in the classroom. This is a series I would have had my son read if we were...

  Are you a Christian that is also pursuing healing in some area? Sue Detwilder hosts a popular podcast entitled Healing Rain . Now she has released a book with that same title. Healing Rain is aimed a charismatic audience. This book offers a mix of Bible-based wisdom, testimonies of other Christians who sought healing or were healed, prayers, Bible verses and keys to healing from Jesus' life. This book also helps with holistic healing in heart--mind, body and emotions.I like that it covers every area of your life that may need healing. Some of us need healing in more than one area too. I also like that there are discussion guide questions and helps in the back of the book. Healing Rain would be a great book to do with a group of like-minded Christians, although it can also be read and used on your own. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

  Are you a sports fan? I'll be honest, I'm not a huge sports fan although I occasionally watch some. However, I really enjoyed Lucky Girl by Scout Bassett. Some people, like Scout, like to watch sports all the time--when they aren't participating in them. When you look at the cover of Lucky Girl , you probably noticed that Scout Bassett's legs don't look alike. Scout's story begins in China where she survived a fire that took her right leg. She also spent many years in an orphanage before being adopted and coming to America. While that may sound like a dream come true, it also is a dream that comes with a bag full of trauma and struggles as Scout felt different than other people, as a minority and a disabled person. In this book, she shares her story from her beginning until now. She also shares how she learned to accept herself as she is and many of the things she has overcome throughout her life.  I found Lucky Girl to be an inspirational book. I enjoy mem...

  Do you enjoy reading novels with unique characters? The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner has several unique characters. Pete Ryman and his pot-bellied pig, Pearl, live in the small Montana town of Sleeping Grass. Pete struggled through the foster care system when he was growing up and is a high school drop-out. Currently, he is working as a garbage pick-up man. Pete has mellowed a lot and has a few friends in town--Wilma, Windy Ray and Lily. His sister, Dani, also comes back to town with her son, Braedon, and moves in with Pete.  Katie Powner is one of my favorite authors. I enjoy her books because they have unique characters. This book is a character-driven novel so I don't think it moved real fast. However, each of the characters were fascinating in their own way. Powner does a great job of character description. The reader does want to know how things will turn out for all of the characters as they get to know them and their problems. They nearly all have var...

  Blessed in The Mess: How to Experience God's Goodness in the Midst of Life's Pain by Joyce Meyer is the latest release from an author who has written over 140 books. That is a LOT of books! Many people today say they are in the middle of a mess or their life is a mess. That may be true but Meyer reminds us that we are never in a mess alone. God is with us.  Blessed in the Mess+is divided into three parts. The first part, God Can Bless Your Mess, is where Meyer explains what she sees as messes in our world today. She also shares what she sees as blessings amidst the messes. She shares a lot of her own stories here and throughout the book, but she also shares from the Bible too. In Part Two, Living a Bless Life, Meyer talks about how to choose to be blessed as well as how to remain patient, grateful and trusting of God in the midst of your mess. In Part Three, Meyer focuses on the Beatitudes, which she calls the Keys to Blessing. In this section, she teaches from The Beatitud...

  I think there has always been a lot of pressure on adults and children to "do" something big with their lives in the way of career. We do often ask children, What do you want to Do When you Grow up?" Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? by Paula Faris changes the tone and the outlook for children with this book. I am not sure I can begin to tell you how much I love this book, but I will try. Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? has beautiful bright illustrations. I also love that the illustrations are inclusive and show children of all colors, cultures and backgrounds. I think that background adds to the appeal of the book. This is a large children's book, measuring about 9 1/4 by 9 3/4 inches in size and 32 pages long. It is aimed at children ages four to eight but it really is a timeless message that could appeal to people of all ages.   Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? features a girl named Lina who doesn't know what she wants to "be...

Joyce Meyer is a popular Bible teacher with a bestselling book entitled, Battlefield of the Mind . Meyer wrote this book to help Christians change their thoughts and renew their mind. The Battlefield of the Mind Journal is a blank ruled journal with one quote on each page from Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind book. There is also a chess piece on some pages in the bottom corner, reminding Christians that it is up to them to make the "right" moves. It measures about 6 1/4 inches by 8 1/4 inches in size and is 160 pages long.  Meyer said she hopes "this journal along with her book Battlefield of the Mind , will help you firmly establish in your heart forever that you can think the way God thinks by renewing your mind with His Word and lining up your thoughts with His thoughts. It's a process that will bring you into the life of freedom, peace, and joy that God has created you to live!"With that in mind, the book the journal is based on would be helpful fo...

  Are you looking for a Christmas book that is also a fun rom-com? All's Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon definitely fits that bill. This book made me smile and giggle and was just a great "feel good" read. Mackenzie Graham is a graphic designer at a small firm. Jeremy Fletcher is her cute co-worker. One day that get called into the boss's office before Christmas. Together they find out that they are in competition for a promotion--a promotion based on generating Christmas spirit in the office. Mackenzie is a quiet, shy person and she just isn't sure she even wants the promotion. However, her mom has early-stage Alzheimer's and needs professional care that is expensive so the raise would help a lot. Jeremy is a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew. He is a good guy but he knows he wants the job to fulfill his career goals and to help care for his young family. With that in mind, the friendly competition begins. I enjoyed All's Fair in Lo...