The Quotable Rogue - 4 Stars

If you are a fan of Sarah Palin, you need to pick up a copy of "The Quotable Rogue". I am a conservative woman, mother, and wife, and I believe that a lot of the things that Sarah Palin has said are close to the heart of people like me. In "The Quotable Rogue", you can find a variety of Palin quotes on nearly every topic she has ever spoke on!


I loved that this book is well organized, so if you are looking for a particular subject it is easy to find. This is a great resource, especially for those Palin quotes that seem to get turned around, or twisted in the glare of the media headlights. 


I think this book would be a great addition to the bookshelf of a Palin fan, or just a conservative in general. I loved it, and plan to use it as a reference!

Same Life, New Story - 4 Stars

"Same Life, New Story" follows influential and admirable women in the Bible through their journey. Written by Jan Silvious, this book tells the stories of some of the Bible's most loved female figures. I found it fascinating to read the stories of these women, and really put into perspective the choices they made, and the risks that they took in order to do what they believe God had called them to do. Some of the stories covered in this book are: Ruth, Rachel, and Rahab.

Jan Silvious tries to tie in some practical stories that are related to the theme of creating a new story for ourselves, the way that these Biblical figures created new chapters in their lives. I appreciated the theme, but thought that the way these stories were placed - right in the middle of Biblical references to the featured woman were a little distracting. I thought that the Biblical writings and references were fascinating, but it felt like the personal stories Silvious was trying to share were just a distraction.

Also, the chapters themselves are a little bit long, so it isn't like a devotional, where it will easily fit one chapter into your day.

Overall, I liked the premise of the book, and loved the Biblical women and their stories. But I could have done without the interjecting personal stories in the middle of the Bible stories.

Enemies of the Heart - 4 Stars

From the moment you start this book, you will read things that will make you think, "Yeah, that does sound a little like me". I think that Andy Stanley did a great job of narrowing down the four poisons to the heart: guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy.

I think that if you even think for one second that you might feel guilty or angry, you should sit down now and start turning the pages. Stanley uses a biblical approach to these secular problems, and I found his book to be useful in giving my own heart an honest assessment.
I think this book is ideal for nearly anyone who wants to life a happier life, free of guilt, anger, greed, or jealousy. Stanley's wisdom and biblical vantage point make a great combination. His tone isn't demeaning, but rather empathetic and understanding. Loved it! Great job, Andy!

The Living Bible

I have to make a quick post here about  The Living Bible, published by Tyndale. I have an older copy that has been in the family for years, but I absolutely LOVE it. I really enjoy the simplicity of the wording. It is so much easier to read than a traditional version, and a million times easier to actually follow what is going on, who is speaking, and what the actual content is. I have several versions of the Bible in my home, but this is by far my favorite one! Love, love, love it! If you are thinking of getting a new Bible, I would highly recommend The Living Bible - you will not be disappointed!

"Why God Won't Go Away" - 3 Stars

"Why God Won't Go Away" by Alister McGrath was my most recent read, and I found it to be a very interesting book.  The book can basically be broken up into three sections: past, present, and future. There are discussions of the four men who spearheaded the new atheism movement, and brief histories of their contributions. These short biographies of Richard Dawkins, Sam harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens help to understand the key principles of atheism. 

I also found that the atheism movement is founded on false doctrines and generalizations about faith. There were definitely moments where I wanted to argue with Mr. Dawkins or Mr. Dennett about these generalizations.
I was truly fascinated and a little bit disappointed at how these atheists can make definitive claims about religion that are so far off, such as religion causes violence, or religion is irrational.

Overall, a good book with a concise explanation of this atheism movement and explanation of the founding principles.