90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper

From the jacket: On the way home from a conference, Don Piper's car was crushed by a semi that crossed into his lane. Medical personnel said he died instantly. While his body lay lifeless inside the ruins of his car, Piper experienced the glories of heaven, awed by its beauty and music.
Ninety minutes after the wreck, while a minister prayed for him, Piper miraculously returned to life on earth with only the memory of inexpressible heavenly bliss. His faith in God was severely tested as he faced an uncertain and grueling recovery.

What I thought: This was a good book - not great writing by any means. It didn't help that it took me almost a month and a half to read it because I have been too busy to read lately. So, I was into it in at the beginning but not so much by the end. It is an amazing story what all this man lived through to tell. What I got most out of the book is that it reinforced for me that God has a plan for each of us. When we are experiencing trials, God is still with us. He is using those trials for us to share our stories with others and help each other.

The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson

Preface from the author: Dear Reader, I want to teach you how to pray a daring prayer that God always answers. It is brief - only one sentence with four parts - and tucked away in the Bible, but I believe it contains the key to a life of extraordinary favor with God.
This petition has radically changed what I expect from God and what I experience every day by His power. In fact, thousands of believers who are appying its truths are seeing miracles happen on a regular basis.

What I thought: Before reading this, I always felt a felt it was selfish to pray for myself but had no problem praying for others. I would recommend anyone to read this...I read it as my Bible companion for the past week. It has really made me think about my prayer life.

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

From the book jacket: Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of teh good life - boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his close buddies - he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is until Gabby Holland moves in next door.
Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the attractive redhead seems to have a grudge against him...and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Still, Travis can't stop trying to ingrtiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage, adn family, THE CHOICE, utimately confronts us with the most heartwretching question of all: How far should you go to keep the hope of love alive?

What I thought: Well, I wanted a light, easy read after my last book and I got it right up until the end. I have literally been bawling while finishing this book!! Thoughtout reading the book, I thought it was exactly what I needed a light, predictable love story. But I didn't see that ending coming and the tears...my eyes are going to be swollen tomorrow from crying. But as one of my students said last year when I came to school with puffy eyes after finishing Marley and Me, "Ms. J, a good book will do that to ya!"

Hour Game by David Baldacci

*2nd book this year and it's only the middle of January!! yes!

From the jacket: A woman is found murdered in the woods with a very special watch on her wrist - and what seemed a simple case soon escalates into a nightmare. The criminal methods of some of the most infamous killers of all time are being replicated by a new predator who stalks and strikes victims with a cunning brilliance. No one can understand the murderer's motives or who the next victim will be.
Drawn into this violent affair are two Secret Service agents turned private investigators, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. Both have been hired to prove a man's innocence in a domestic burglary involving an aristocratic, if dysfunctional, family. soon stunning secrets will lead the partners into the middle of a frantic search for a killer unlike any they've confronted before.
As the Hour Game barrels forward, Sean and Michelle face a macabre puzzle and uncover one horrifying revelation after another. Nearing the truth, they will find that their own lives are in danger. And then they're hit with the biggest surprise of all.

What I thought: LOVED IT! This book had me hooked. I could NOT figure out how all the pieces would connect or who was doing it. I didn't know until they revealed the killer who it was!! I love that because I read so many mysteries that usually I have someone in mind. Last night, I had about 80 pages to go and after school today hurried home to finish. I NEVER do that! So, if you like a good mystery, I recommend it.

God's Power to Change Your Life By Rick Warren

**Book #1 for 2009 challenge! :-)

From the jacket: Actually, I think you could see more of what the book is about just by listing the chapter titles. Chapter 1 - The power to change your life; chapter 2 - God's part & my part in changing me; chapter 3 - becoming a more loving person; chapter 4 - the choice to rejoice!; chapter 5 - peaceful living in an uptight world; chaper 6 - developing your patience; chapter 7 - putting on a little kindness; chapter 8 - living the good life; chapter 9 - the one who can be counted on; chapter 10 - a gentle approach; chapter 11 - developing self-control; chapter 12 - a productive life

What I thought: I love Rick Warren books and have just started to try to branch away from him a bit to read others also. This book was my companion book to the Bible for the past few weeks. After reading my verses and my daily bread, I would read a chapter or half a chapter from this book. I really liked it - some chapters really stuck with me throughout the week and would help me stay calm in situations where I might want to loose my patience! :-) Mainly, I need to remember to praise God in every circumstance.

The Shack by WM. Paul Young

From the jacket: Mackenzie Allen Philips's youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later, in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.
Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.

In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question: Where is God in the a world so filled with unspeakable pain? The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him.

My thoughts: First of all, I have to THANK YOU to my Aunt Kim for telling about this book and telling me I needed to read it. Having just finished it, I am not sure I have the words yet to justify the intensity of this book. Wow! The first day of reading, I had to just put it down and let some things soak in. The second day of reading, I just cried. I am sure we have all asked ourselves when horrible things happen, why did God let it happen? This book gives some insight and really gets you to thinking about things. I am sure that it will affect different people differently depending on your life. I am not one to read a book twice, but this is one that I almost want to read a second time to make sure I didn't miss anything! Awesome!!

Cross Country By James Patterson

From the jacket: Detective Alex Cross is called to the worst murder scene he has encountered in all his years on the force. Someone with less than zero regard for human life has slaughtered a family - and then more killings, each one more ruthless than the last, quickly follow. One of these deaths comes terrifyingly close to home, and Alex realizes that he is chasing a horrible new breed of killer.

As Alex and his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, dig deeper into the case, they become entangled in the deadly African underworld of Washington DC. What they discover there is so shocking that they can barely comprehend it: a strongly organized gang of teenage thugs headed by a diabolical warlord known only as the Tiger. When the elusive killer's trail turns up in Africa, Alex knows that he must follow. Alone.

My thoughts: The Alex Cross series is my absolute favorite mystery series to read and this one does NOT disappoint. I started it last night and finished it today. So - to my other Cross fans (Peggy and Christie), this is a MUST read!!

Keeper of the Keys by Perri O'Shaughnessy

**Finally, a good book! woo-hoo! It's been a few reads for me. And, you know I started keeping track of what I read on here this year because of my New Year's Resolution to read more. I think this made book 12 this year, so one a month....not bad for a girl working on her master's. Patting myself on the back!

From the jacket: For ambitious, troubled architect Ray Jackson, the nightmare begins one sultry California night when his wife disappears. No phone call, no ransom note, no body, reveals whether Leigh is dead or alive.
Then suddenly, a woman shows up on Ray's doorstep demanding answers: Kathleen, an old friend of Leigh's. Ray wants answers too, but his questions seem strange and shady to Kat. Suspected by his wife's friend and the police, Ray launches a desperate and alarming search of his own. Using a collection of keys he has held on to since he was a boy - keys to homes he and his mother once lived in - Ray quietly yet boldly enters each house, one by one, hoping to unlock the secrets of his past. As past and present collide, as a chilling mystery begins to unravel, Ray is suddenly confronted with the most agonizing decision of his life - to face his own violence-laden past, acting to prevent another horrendous act of violence, or not. His choice will leave nothing and no one the same.

What I thought: I loved it! I kept changing my mind about what I thought happened to his wife through the entire book. I wanted to read more and find out what happened...couldn't put it down! If you love a good mystery, this is a good read. It also made me want to change all the locks on my house! ha!

Sunday at Tiffany's by James Patterson

*I am a reading fool these days! Hee-hee! I love it! I just hope my next selection is better!!!

From the jacket: Jane Margaux is a lonely little girl. Her mother, a powerful Broadway producer, makes time for her only once a week, for their Sunday trip to admire jewelry at Tiffany's. Jane has only one friend: a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael. He's perfect. But only she can see him. Michael can't stay forever though. On Jane's ninth birthday he leaves, promising her that she'll forget him soon. He was there to help her until she was old enough to manage on her own, and now there are other children who need his help.

Years later, in her thirties, Jane is just as alone as she was as a child. And, despite her own success as a playwright, she is even more trapped by her overbearing mother. Then she meets a man, a handsome, comforting, funny man. He's perfect -

What I thought: You all know James Patterson is my favorite author. That is the ONLY reason I read or even finished this book. He needs to stick to his mysteries - Alex Cross and the Women's Murder Club series. I just couldn't swallow a love story with an imaginary friend from childhood that is suddenly becoming humanized. What!?!? So, Christie and Peggy - skip this one! I know you are Patterson fans too, but trust me on this one!

Two Reviews

Ok - I went to see Bolt, the new Disney movie with the dog that thinks it has super powers (voice is John Travolta) and "his person" is the voice of Miley Cyrus. The hamster, Rhino is hilarious too. Well, the cat was too. They all had their moments. I honestly laughed out loud several times. You gotta go see it. I promise if you don't laugh, you will at least smile! Thanks to Sandy and Kayce for inviting me to go with them!!

I also finished the book I've been reading this week - woo-hoo! I haven't gone back to see how many I read this year yet. The year is coming to a close and my New Year's Resolution was to read more throughout the year and not just on holiday breaks. I've done a little better, but it's hard when I am taking classes to read for fun! :-(

Ok - the book: The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

From the jacket: When US Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman half-buried in the dirt during his third tour of duty in Iraq, his first instinct is to toss it aside. Instead, he brings it back to the base for someone to claim, but when no one does, he finds himself always carrying the photo in his pocket. Soon Thibault experiences a sudden streak of luck, winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat that kills two of his closest buddies. Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explantion for his good fortune: the photograph - his lucky charm.
Back home in Colorado, Thibault can't seem to get the photo - and the woman in it-out of his mind. Believing that she somehow holds the key to his destiny, he sets out on a journey across the country to find her, never expecting the strong but vulnerable woman he encounters in Hampton, North Carolina - Elizabeth, a divorced mother with a young son - to be the girl he's been waiting his whole life to meet.

What I thought: I was in the mood for somthing light and this was a good, light read. I admit it was a bit predictable and the ending wraps up all nice and neat. But, it was a feel good romantic story, so that's sort of why we read them. Right?

Book Talk: God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions by Rick Warren

I finished this book last night. It is by the author of The Purpose Driven Life. I loved both of these books. To give you an idea here are the chapter titles:
1. How can I cope with stress?
2. How can I rebound from failure?
3. How can I defeat depression?
4. How can I live about average?
5. How can I have peace of mind?
6. How can I handle discouragement?
7. How can I overcome my problems?
8. How can I be confident in crisis?
9. How can I ever change?
10. How did I get myself into this mess?
11. How can I overcome loneliness?
12. Why is this happening to me?

No one's life is perfect. No matter how much some people try to pretend they are. We all have problems. There isn't a person alive (in my opinion) that at least one of these chapters can't help. It is a short book, an easy read, and a reminder of what is most important in life.

The best line from the chapter I read last night is what I will leave you with: Turning your life over to Jesus Christ does not mean that he will always take you out of the storm, but it does mean that he will give you the courage and strength to weather it.

Booktalk: Sail by James Patterson

From the Book Jacket: Barely out of sight of land, the Dunne family finds its summer getaway to paradise already turning into the trip from hell. Carrie, the eldest, has thrown herself off the side of the boat in a bid for attention. Sixteen-year-old Mark is getting high belowdecks. And Ernie, their ten-year-old brother, is nearly catatonic. It's shaping up to be the worst vacation ever.

Katherine Dunne had hoped this trip would bring back the togetherness they'd lost when her husband died four years earlier. Maybe if her new husband, a high-powered Manhattan attorney, had been able to postpone his trial and join them it would all have been okay....

Suddenly, a disaster hits-and it's perfect. Faced with real danger, the Dunnes rediscover the meaning of family and pull together in a way they haven't in a long time. But this catastrophe is just a tiny taste of the danger that lurks ahead: someone wants to make sure that the Dunne family never makes it out of paradise alive.

What I thought: A++ Wow! I thought that I would read one more book before the kids came back to school, and I started having stacks of papers to grade. I thought I would read it over the next week. I finished in a day and a half. I couldn't put it down. It was action packed - never a dull moment. I loved it! Mark my words, this one will made into a movie. You have GOT to read it!!

Check this out!

For one my assignments in my Master's class, we had to investigate 5 books on the list of highly banned or challenged books. I was surprised at some of these books on the list,and others I knew had controversy. As a lover of books and reading, I thought this was interesting. Check out this list from the American Library Associations website. Do any on the list surprise you? How many of these books have you read? I highlighted mine.


The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–1999
Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Forever by Judy Blume
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Giver by Lois Lowry
My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Sex by Madonna
Earth’s Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
The Witches by Roald Dahl
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
The Goats by Brock Cole
The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
Final Exit by Derek Humphry
Blubber by Judy Blume
Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
The Pigman by Paul Zindel
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
Deenie by Judy Blume
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
Cujo by Stephen King
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Ordinary People by Judith Guest
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
Fade by Robert Cormier
Guess What? by Mem Fox
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Native Son by Richard Wright
Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women’s Fantasies by Nancy Friday
Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Jack by A.M. Homes
Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
Family Secrets by Norma Klein
Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
Carrie by Stephen King
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
Private Parts by Howard Stern
Where’s Waldo? by Martin Hanford
Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
Sex Education by Jenny Davis
Jumper by Steven Gould
Christine by Stephen King
The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
That Was Then, This is Now by S.E. Hinton
Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain
Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

The Broker by John Grisham

From the book jacket: In his final hours in the Oval Office, the outgoing President grants a controversial last-minute pardon to Joel Backman, a notorious Washington power broker who has spent the last six years hidden away in federal prison. What no one knows is that the President only issues the pardon after receiving enormous pressure from the CIA. It seems Backman, in his power broker heyday, may have obtained secrets that compromise the world's most sophisticated satellite surveillance system.
Backman is quietly smuggled out of the country in a military cargo plane, given a new name, new identity, and a new home in Italy. Eventually, after he has settled into his new life, the CIA will leak his whereabouts to the Israelis, the Russians, the Chinese, and the Saudis. Then the CIA will do what it does best: sit back and watch. The question is not whether Backman will survivie - there is no chance of that. The question the CIA needs answered is, who will kill him?

What I thought: DON'T even start this book! I was on a roll until this book. It took me forever to get through and didn't get good until the last 80 pages or so! urgh!

Book Talk: Case of Lies by Perri O'Shaughnessy

From the book jacket: For Nina Reilly, the mountain town of Lake Tahoe is home. It's where she made a successful career as a tough, resourceful attorney - and raised her tennage son, Bob, alone. Back from a stint in Monterey, where her love life took a tumble, Nina has returned to her Tahoe law office with her old friends Sandy Whitefeather and Sandy's son, Wish. It isn't long before she has a new client whose wife was shot and killed during a casino-district robbery two years before. The police have no suspects, and the robbery victims, three students, lied about their identities and are hiding outside California and the reach of the court.

What I thought: I have read all the books in the Nina Reilly series and usually enjoy them. This was good, but not their best. At times, it was too detailed in character development for one of the robbery victims that was a mathematician. It got WAAAY into describing what math theory he was solving...so into it that I would find myself skimming paragraphs until it was over and back to the good stuff. I was disappointed and would only recommend someone read this if they read the other Nina Reilly books to keep up with some changes. Overall, I give it a solid C (if I were grading it! ha!).

Book Review: Lifeguard by James Patterson & Andrew Gross

**My next read for the year towards my New Year's Resolution and trying to make my pile of "to read" books go way down! :-)

From the book jacket: Working as a lifeguard at a Florida resort, Ned Kelly meets a woman he is wild about, the woman of his dreams. It feels perfect in every way - except that she prefers caviar and Manolo Blahniks, and he is used to burgers and flip-flops. She is a guest at the luxurious hotel - he lives above a garage.
So when Ned's cousin offers to cut him in on a rich deal he's been commissioned to execute, Ned can't turn him down. The plan is simple, just a fast break-and-enter. The risk is high, and the reward is even greater - $5 million. But on the night of the heist, something goes devastatingly wrong.

Ned walks away from his job, his town, and the woman he's fallen in love with. Runs away, actually, knowing that only velocity and secrecy can save his life. But who is pursuing him? The FBI? Whoever sabotaged the heist? Or is it all somehow tied into his new love - and his oldest enemies?

What I thought: Wow! I finished this book last night and don't know how I missed it when it first came out (2005). It is the best James Patterson book I have read in awhile. I never even had an idea how it would turn out. Yesterday, I couldn't put it down!! I loved it!! The pace never let up and there were turns and unexpected everywhere...it would make a great movie. I highly recommend it if you haven't already read it!

Book Review: 7th Heaven by James Patterson

**4th book for my New Year's Resolution (I am not doing as good as I wanted but will read ALL summer ~ yay!)

From the book jacket:
California' "Boy with a Broken Heart," the teenage son of a recent governor, has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Michael Campion, born with an incurable heart defect, has grown up under the watchful eye of an adoring public. The pressure on detective Lindsay Boxer to learn what happened to Michael is overwhelming. When she finally does get a lead, it's devastating - and for Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano it lead to the biggest trial of her life.

While working on the Campion case, Lindsay and her partner, Rich Conklin, also try to catch whoever is setting fire to some of the most beautiful homes in San Francisco, leaving their owners to perish in the flames. Lindsay enlists her friends in the Women's Murder Club to help her find the arsonist - and suddenly the fires start raging much too close to home.

What I thought:
This is the 7th book in the Women's Murder Club series that James Patterson has out and now has the TV show based on. James Patterson rarely disappoints and didn't this time either...several plots going at once, but you don't get lost. The ending I didn't see coming and I always like that. It says a lot that with all I had going this week with closing out school and the BBQ catering, that I started and finished a book - goes to show that I couldn't put it down. Everyday I give my kids 15 to 20 minutes of DEAR time (Drop Everything and Read), and I took my book to school and read with them. They love it when I do that! :-)

Updates, Rewards & Happenings

Work Updates:

First, the kids are hyper!!! Hello! It is definitely spring & close to summer, but I still love 'em. Also, I have to share that we have just finished an awesome book. Have you heard of A Dog Called Kitty by Bill Wallace? They were hooked!! It was our read-aloud book for the past two weeks, and it is a great feeling when you pick a book that everytime you stop reading, they beg you to read just a little bit more. Well, today we finished it, and I was so into the book myself that I cried a little at the end and had a few kids cry too. It was THAT good! Plus, they ALL passed their Accelerated Reader test on it. It is technically a 4th grade book if you are interested. Ok - enough of that....

Here are my work BFF's...

Yesterday, 3 of us hosted a baby shower for the preggo one...can you guess which one? I noticed that I probably shouldn't have worn that shirt. It's not me - it's the one in the red dress - promise! :-) She had a good turn out, and we had a great time. We had it on the patio of a restaurant after school instead of at the school - much more relaxing!

Masters Update:

I just finished my final ~ woo-hoo!!!! And, I feel really good about it. My grade could go either way ~ an A or a B. I have a low A without the final and my last assignment, so we will see! Fingers crossed, but either way, I am happy b/c I really did my best.

And, the best part is that it is reward time ~ yee-haw!

I will be seeing Sugarland and Little Big Town in concert on Saturday night!!! Kevin update:

How 'bout a picture of us when we were 16 to make you smile? hee-hee Look at that hair!

He is back on track. Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, and emails. I cannot express to you how much it means to me (and him) that people are supportive and don't give up on him. As long as he is trying, then it isn't failure!!! He gets mad at me when I post anything about it (especially a slip), but then he reads all your comments, so I feel like even though he may not like it, he gets something positive from it. Because let's face it, I am not going to shut-up about it ~ I have to get things out there to feel better about it and get to a good place so I can help him!

Anyway - we love ya! Have a great weekend and remember ~ I'll be at the Sugarland concert! hee-hee!

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

**Book #3 for my New Year's Resolution to read more during the school year.**

From the Book Jacket: The Purpose Driven Life will help you understand why you are alive and reveal God's amazing plan for you - both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal 40-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and most important, prepare you for eternity.

What I thought: First, let me admit that it took more than 40 days to read. The goal is to read a chapter a day for 40 days. Well, Kevin and I started this book as a book to read together. We started on January 20th...so we took longer than 40 days! ha! We got off track for a bit and then picked it back up. No matter how long it takes you to read it, it is worth the read. It brings a peace into your daily life while you are reading it. I highlighted alot so that when I get stressed, I can go back and hit the high points.

Book Review of Sorts

**This post has to do with my New Years Resolution to read more during the school year and keep track of what I read on my blog. Due to the class I am taking at the moment, the books have been slow coming! But I am close to finishing another one this week also!**
Here goes:

Get Your Loved One Sober: Alternatives to Nagging, Pleading, and Threatening

What I thought: I bought this book looking for a book to help me understand the disease of alcoholism better. I was hoping for a book of how to help the recovering alcoholic. (We all know that Kevin is a recovering alcoholic and has been in recovery for 3 years.) We have worked past a few lapses in the past two years, but haven't let them stop the recovery process. I really wanted to be armed with tools to help him even more should a lapse occur again. What really captured my attention about this book was the last chapter titled, Relapse Prevention. But, I still read the whole book. It validated a lot of things for me and is a positive book to read for anyone who struggles with an alcoholic in their life and what to do. If anyone is living with an active drinker, this book would be a huge asset to you. Most of the book deals with the "what to do" when living with an active drinker. It didn't really hit on my particular situation, but was still interesting, and I gained from reading this.

Lines from the Relapse Prevention Chapter that could help anyone:
*We enjoy the good times, work through tough times, and generally keep moving forward one step at a time.
*Real life is full of ups and downs, as you well know, and the difference between people who get stuck in the downs and those who do not is how they interpret them.
*Everybody makes mistakes. (sooo true!)

Summary from the book jacket: Here is a book for those who have "tried everything" to get their loved one sober all to no avail. Using this compassionate yet effective approach, spouses, lovers, parents, or children of problem drinkers or drug users can improve the quality of their own lives while making sobriety a more rewarding option for their loved ones than drinking or doing drugs. This book provides the guidance and tools you need to recognize how you and your loved one interact and to change patterns to achieve healthier, happier results.