Category Archives: 10-Week Book Review Series

Inspirational book reviews related to God, family/home, and friendships

Week 5: “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews (FI Series)

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Have you sought wisdom, knowledge, or hope for your current circumstances but can’t seem to find the answer(s)? Perhaps you need a change of heart and a different perspective.

In “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews, author of numerous books, including “The Traveler’s Gift” and “The Final Summit”, he introduces you to a mysterious man named “Jones” who offers wisdom and hope to many individuals who have none and who are caught up in their own demise. Jones is an old man–who appears and disappears throughout a period of time from the lives in one unsuspecting town–who has a gift for seeing people’s unfortunate situations with a “different perspective”–a broader view.

Filled with simple wisdom and hope, you can not help but examine your own heart and change your way of thinking about your own circumstances in life after reading this thought-provoking message.

Happy reading and blessings on you,
Yvonne

“Soul Unfinished” by Robert Atwell (CL/PG Series)

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Have you been planning your retirement for years, or are you already there, but have been asking yourself the age-old question, “What next?”

In “Soul Unfinished” by Robert Atwell, a former chaplain, Benedictine monk, and vicar, he provides insights and encouragement to those who have entered the last “season” of their lives. He explains that in our younger years, we were focused on the “future”; in midlife, we evaluated our options; and in our older years, life hands us a series of challenges that we need to learn to overcome or we become just another “statistic” ending up “without any meaning or purpose” in our “golden” years.

The author encourages us to not only know the Word of God, but we should “live” the Bible daily. Changing our hearts and attitudes will make a tremendous difference in the choices we ultimately need to make in our latter years.

Filled with personal stories, the author also incorporates scriptures throughout the book and encourages everyone to seek God in a greater way in order to find happiness and fulfillment in Him throughout the “third season” of our lives.

A must-read book for anyone reaching the age of 60+ (or anyone who is preparing to retire in the near future), who desires to take risks by trusting God and using their God-given talents and experiences in a greater way during their retirement years.

Happy reading and blessings on you,
Yvonne

Week 4: “The Final Summit” by Andy Andrews (FI Series)

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What if you could “save the world” by just uttering two words? What would you do first? Who would you consult?

In “The Final Summit”, a follow-up novel to “The Traveler’s Gift” by Andy Andrews, David Ponder’s character returns and this time the fate of mankind rests in his hands. Ponder is informed through “divine channels” (Gabriel) that he is needed, and he must meet with the brilliant minds of past history in order to “save the world” before it is destroyed. They are only given five tries to guess “two words” that could save humanity.

Riveting and thought-provoking, the author again uses past history and facts to “show us the one thing” we must do when we don’t know what to do.

An excellent read, full of suspense and mystery, that will increase your faith in the One who knows all things.

Happy reading and blessings on you,
Yvonne

“You’re Made For A God-Sized Dream” by Holley Gerth (CL/PG Series)

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Are you “looking for” more purpose and “listening for” God’s plan in your life? Are there God-sized dreams that are buried in your heart and you don’t know how to realize them?

In “You’re Made For A God-Sized Dream” (a follow-up book to “You’re Already Amazing”) by Holley Gerth, she walks you through a series of chapters to help you examine your deepest desires–the dreams you had for yourself but in living your day-to-day life, you have buried them and forgotten they existed.

In her e-book companion available on Barnes and Noble Nook and Amazon Kindle books, “The Do What You Can Plan”, Holley takes you further in realizing your God-sized dream(s) by guiding you in taking all the necessary steps to overcome and solve the obstacles that have been getting in your way. There are numerous personal stories and scriptures in both books to give you the courage to take the step of faith to “opening the door” to all that God has for you.

Although I found that these books were mainly written with “the women” in mind, I truly believe anyone can read them and realize his or her dreams by following Holley’s thoughtful suggestions.

Blessings on you and happy reading,
Yvonne

20 Writing Resource Books

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Since the 1990’s, I have been journaling short stories and day-to-day events in my life. Not all of the stories in my life have been happy, but they have definitely taught me some valuable lessons. Over the past two years, I have sought out and read a variety of writing resource books to help me to ascertain how to “write from my heart” and to impart valuable insights and lessons that I have learned during the past 30+ years. I want to share the following books that I believe, as a writer, could be helpful to read in order for one to take the necessary steps to become a prolific writer.

1. The Book of Doing – Allison Arden
2. Query Letters That Rock – Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell
3. The Power to Write – Caroline Joy Adams
4. Take Ten for Writers – Bonnie Neubauer
5. The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron
6. For the Write Reason – Mary Beth Whalen
7. Life Writing – Fred D. White, PhD
8. The Right to Write – Julia Cameron
9. Unless It Moves the Human Heart – Roger Rosenblatt
10. The Renegade Writer – Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell
11. How to Publish Your Own E-book – Nik Rawlinson
12. The Vein of Gold – Julia Cameron
13. Walking In This World – Julia Cameron
14. Writing From Within – Bernard Selling
15. You Should Write A Book – Regina Brooks and Brenda Lane Richardson
16. How to Blog A Book – Nina Amir
17. Living Legacies – Duane Elgin and Colleen LeDrew
18. On Writing Well – Willian Zinsser
19. The Elements of Style – William Strunk and E.B. White
20. Thinking Like Your Editor – Susan Rabinor and Alfred Fortunato

The above list is not conclusive but just my suggestions to get you started if you are serious about becoming a writer. Check out your local library and/or book stores for a more exhaustive list.

May the Lord bless you as you seek His will in what He would have you write.

Blessings on you and happy reading,
Yvonne