Life, in Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice - Kristen Jane Anderson, Tricia Goyer

In Life, In Spite of Me this remarkably joyful young woman shares the miracle of her survival, the agonizing aftermath of her failed suicide attempt, and the hope that has completely transformed her life, giving her a powerful purpose for living.

Her gripping story of finding joy against all odds provides a vivid and unforgettable reminder that life is a gift to be treasured.

Includes notes of encouragement Kristen wishes she had received when she was struggling most.

Author Bio

Kristen Jane Anderson has been featured on Oprah and is a popular speaker at colleges, women’s and youth events, churches, and suicide prevention outreaches. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute and the founder of Reaching You Ministries, Kristen seeks to help those who are hurting, hopeless, lost, suicidal and depressed.
 
Tricia Goyer is the author of three hundred articles for national periodicals, as well as fourteen novels and six nonfiction books, including Blue Like Play Dough.

 This was an extremely good book everyone should read.

Thanks Blogging for Books for the complimentary copy. 

Heart Echoes by Sally John

Product Description: In the aftermath of a massive Los Angeles earthquake, the perfect existence Teal Morgan-Adams has built begins to crumble. Teal's daughter, Maiya, is determined to learn the identity of her biological father, despite the loving devotion of her stepdad, River Adams. But that's a secret Teal hoped would remain buried forever. She has never shared the truth with anyone . . . not her family, not River, not even Maiya's father.

My Thoughts:  This was a good story.  The characters seemed real and it was easy to relate to many aspects of them.  The author did a great job of showing how we can all find grace in God's comfort and how He is always in control.  This was a little different 'read' for me, but I did enjoy it.  It was the first time I've ever read anything by this author.

Tyndale Publishers sent me a complimentary copy for this review.

Switched! TJ and the Time Stumblers Series by Bill Myers

In the fifth book in the TJ and the Time Stumblers Series, Tuna, Herby and TJ are at it again!  While this is a book about forgiveness, the message gets diluted by the action and antics of the characters...it's there, you just really  have to look for it. Tuna and Herby are still making repairs to their crazy futuristic gadgets and there is still a glitch in their Thought Broadcaster Pen - this time it lands in the hands of Hesper Breakahart, TJ's nemesis!  Things get a little crazy when Tuna and Herby give TJ a new look and try to use her new "superstar" power to use.  Because of a mix up, "Hesper" performs a diversionary concert so that Tuna and Herby can sneak on to a nuclear sub to get a plutonium power pack in order to fuel their time pod...it will also get them out of TJ's life.  Bruce Bruiseabone, Tuna and Herby's nemesis, is still having trouble with forgiveness. Will Bruce ever see the light?  TJ also needs to learn this...maybe the walk in Hesper's shoes and body will be just what she needs to learn the lesson.

The characters that Bill Myers brings to life in this series are crazy - in a good-natured, funny kind of way.  Their antics are funny and keep the adventures humorous.  This is a quick, easy read.  While it's a book that most children would enjoy, it's is probably way to easy for any seasoned reader - I've been reading on my own since I was 3 years old; I'm now almost 14 - so it held no real challenge.  I would suggest this book for kids 10 and under.

Thanks Tyndale for the free copy of this book for my review.

Princess Stories by Carolyn Larsen

I help teach Sunday school classes to children ages 4 - 8 and this will be an awesome book to share with the children from time to time.  Yes, it's basically geared to girls, but I think all children will benefit from learning about these 29 amazing women from the bible.  In each of these short, 4 page stories, children get a rhyming style of writing that tells them about each "princess" in the first person - which will definitely hold a child's attention.  I'm excited to begin using this material on my next teaching Sunday!  Special thanks to Tyndale for the complimentary copy of this book for my review.

Departures by Robin Jones Gunn

Departures by Robin Jones Gunn is the first book by this author that I've ever read.  The book contains two slightly overlapping stories that take place one summer when Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen take vacation trips.  Christy  and her family are travelling to Wisconsin to see her grandparents for their 50th anniversary.  While there, Christy runs into an old crush and she sees what life could have been if she'd never moved.  Meanwhile, Sierra, is taking a trip with her friend's family to Montana.  On the way, they have to deal with cancelled flights, the Mall of America (I've actually been there, so it was neat to be familiar with it!) and Sierra knocking out a security guard (I never did that though!).  Sierra finds out on this trip that her friend is blossoming faster than she is and it leaves Sierra wondering.

Both of the girls in these stories are great role models for young girls and they are helpful in showing us young ladies, how to develop a plan for how to respond in certain situations.  These characters and their values really captured my attention.  I'm sure that all my friends, especially my church buds, will love this book because it will help them all stay focused on God as we blossom into young ladies.  I plan on sharing it with them.

Thanks to Blogging for Books for sending me this book in exchange for my review!

Living Close to God (When You're Not Good at It) by Gene Edwards

It was interesting to find out that sometimes praying can be a barrier instead of a bridge to God because we get too occupied with our worries or fears or any number of other obstacles that take our eyes off God.  In this book the author encourages readers to really fix their minds on God and how to grow closer to God by worshipping and praising Him, as well as using His word in our prayers.  The author shares many of his own past struggles and shows small things we each can do to have a better, closer walk with God.  This book was good and not over my head as a 13 year old.  I decided to read this book because I have started taking Bible College classes to learn more about God, the Bible and to draw myself closer in my relationship to God.  If I can read this, understand it and put it into practice...any one can!

Thanks Blogging for Books for giving me this free copy to review :)

 

Oops! by Bill Myers

The characters in this story by Bill Myers are quite as comical as the unique names, which I found to "tickle your funny bone".  The story was a little hard to get into, being that I had not read the first two stories in this series, but I was able to catch onto it rather quickly.  Thelma Jean (T.J. for short) seems to be your average, awkward teen-age, but there is something even more awkward about her...she's the focus of a history report for two "futuristic" characters who are following her around doing research...and getting her into some pretty awkward situations.  T.J. is just hoping that her life will return to normal...but it's easy to see, that's not going to happen...for quite some time!  At the end of this adventure of T.J. and the Time Stumblers is a preview to the next episode in her adventures...and it looks like more chaos is in store.  Oops is the third story in the T.J. and the Time Stumblers series.  This is a laugh-out-loud series for any young reader!

I wish to thank Tyndale Publishers for the free copy of this book for my review :)