October Reading

I read quite a bit. I have a lot of time to devote to it, so that makes it easy for me to finish more than a few books a month. I started writing down everything I read in January of 2007, and I thought it might be fun to list the books I've read at the end of every month. Let me know what you think! =)

• The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
• Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan
• The Whispering Statue by Carolyn Keene (still love the classic Nancy Drew!)
• Less Than Dead by Tim Downs
• The Haunted Bridge by Carolyn Keene
• The Clue in the Crumbling Wall by Carolyn Keene
• Refiner's Fire by Sylvia Bambola
• The Mermaid in the Basement by Gilbert Morris
• The Widow of Larkspur Inn by Lawana Blackwell
• Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan

What have you read over the past month?

[The Tallest of Smalls] by Max Lucado, Illustrated by Maria Monescillo

In Max Lucado's latest book, The Tallest of Smalls, 6:00 in the evening is a very important time. It's when everyone gathers to see who will be chosen to get a new gift...a pair of stilts.

You see, if you get a pair of stilts, you really are pretty cool. Classy. Special. Important. Everyone wants their own pair of stilts.

A little boy named Ollie wants a pair. And finally, his day comes! However, stilts aren't all they're cracked up to be. And then Ollie meets someone who shows him why he's special without stilts.

Even though I'm not a kid anymore, I enjoyed this book. I believe it's message is important to all ages! I know the 5 year old in my house will love it. I love that the story really represents life. If you're not cool, you're not good enough. But no one needs a pair of "stilts" when they are loved by the Savior!

Maybe your child is struggling with feeling insignificant or unimportant? I'd encourage you to pick up The Tallest of Smalls and enjoy reading it together. Max Lucado's words really are an encouragement!

**I received a review copy of this book, but I was not paid in any way for my review. The review is my opinion of the book. Thanks!**

[Green] by Ted Dekker

First there was Black. Then Red. And finally White. But now you can go full circle with Ted Dekker's latest, Green.

The Circle has lost hope. A cherished son turns his back on his father, gathering evil for a final battle. And his father is desperately seeking the one elusive hope that just might save them all.

I will tell you right now that I am an avid fan of Ted Dekker. As in I've-read-every-single-one-of-his-books-at-least-twice-but-I-read-them-again-anyway. It's pretty bad. I loved the original Circle Trilogy. So when I found out about Green, it was definitely on the top of my "must read" list. And I can't say I was disappointed.

I think the most appealing thing about Green is it's versatility. You've read the Trilogy? Great! You haven't? Dive in anyway! You won't get lost because you haven't read the other books.

I also found the story to be engaging. It's a classic "good vs. evil" kind of story, but in a different light. You won't want it to end. But when it does end, you'll want to continue the Circle; which is probably the point.

[I am a Book Review Blogger for Thomas Nelson]

**I received a review copy of this book, but I was not paid in any way for my review. The review is my opinion of the book. Thanks!**

[A Million Miles in a Thousand Years] by Donald Miller

Stories.

We read them, watch them, read them, dream them, write them...

And we live them.

Donald Miller's latest book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, is a story. About his life. He is given the chance to rewrite a book he wrote into a movie. Basically, he edits his real past into his movie past. And then he decides that he needs to change the story he's living now.

I'm honestly not quite sure how I feel about this book. I found it to be an interesting read, to see someone else's point of view. But there are some things that I just don't agree with.

For example, Mr. Miller relates his experiences as he is living his story. And they amaze me. It also made me feel that if my life is not necessarily amazing and exciting, then I need to change my story.

But really? Does my story really not matter unless I bike across America, or go hiking in Peru, or dig wells in Africa?

Of course, that may not have been what Mr. Miller was trying to convey at all. I think that I may give this book a second shot. But I'm not sure it'll have a permanent place on my bookshelf.

You can purchase A Million Miles in a Thousand Years here.

**I received a review copy of this book, but I was not paid in any way for my review. The review is my opinion of the book. Thanks!**

[Faces in the Fire] by T.L. Hines

A pair of shoes. A catfish. Black Tar. Fire. 1595544534.

Seemingly senseless. And then it all comes together in the end.

Four people. Living four very different lives. You'll meet Kurt, a truck driver and sculptor who can't remember his past. Corinne, an email spammer with a deadly problem. Grace, a tattoo artist with an addiction. And Stan, haunted by his terrifying gift for killing.

I had never read any of T.L. Hines work, so I honestly had no idea what to expect when I received this book. But it blew me away. It was different than books I've read before. And yes, at first I was a little confused. But once I found myself immersed in the story, the rest was easy.

There are four distinctly different stories in this book. Each character finds his/her own problems, solutions, fears, addictions, etc. And then you realize that the more you read, the more it fits. I began a guessing game of how the stories intertwined. As I neared the end, I think my heart began beating a bit faster, excitement building to the very last page.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. I'm planning on reading it again sometime to catch some of the subtleties. Perfect if you need a little suspense in your reading adventures!

You can purchase Faces in the Fire here.

**I received a review copy of this book, but I was not paid in any way for my review. The review is my opinion of the book. Thanks!**

Welcome

The name says it all. To read and review. I read a book, and then I write what I think. Simple as that. =)