A Review: "Good Man" by Nathan Clarkson

I have been a fan of Sally Clarkson's books and podcasts for a number of years now. Her ministry has helped encourage me in my own journey of motherhood and given me a biblical foundation for what mothering should be. On one of her podcasts, she hosted a conversation with her son, Nathan, and they discussed his new book called "Good Man:  An Honest Journey into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be".  As a mom of two boys, I knew this would be a good book to dive into to help me gain some perspective on encouraging my preteen boys into manhood. 

In a time when culture looks down on and even desecrates what a good man is, this book is desperately needed. I appreciated each chapter taking a deep dive into one particular character trait and then flushing that trait out with stories and Scripture. Each chapter concludes with a few meditation questions, a Scripture verse to reflect on, and a prayer. There is great encouragement and reminders that perfection is not required to be a good man, but the pursuit of becoming a good man in wholly worthwhile and a lifelong journey. I would highly recommend this book for boy moms and all men in general. 

(I’ve received this complimentary book through the Baker Books blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)

A Review: "Don't Overthink It" by Anne Bogel

I have been a fan of Anne Bogel's for a number of years now. Her blog and podcast are part of my regular routine. I was intrigued by the concept of her new book, "Don't Overthink It" because I am a chronic overthinker who desperately needs help in this area! Anne shares candidly with her signature warmth about her own struggles with overthinking and the strategies she employs to decrease those struggles. Each chapter focuses on a different area of overthinking:  analysis paralysis, decision fatigue, values, and the like. Questions at the end of the chapter help the reader apply the ideas and framework to their own lives.

My favorite chapter, titled "Limit Yourself to Free Yourself", focuses on setting boundaries and limiting the options available in order to bring more mental space and less decision fatigue into your life. I love (and employ several of) the techniques of streamlining choices and technology input. The entire middle section, "Take Charge", was incredibly helpful in a practical way. Overall, the book was filled with plenty of ways to establish a framework for capturing your thoughts and putting a plan in place to help you stop your overthinking habits.

(I’ve received this complimentary book through the Baker Books blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)

A Review: "Breaking Anxiety's Grip" by Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Family. Marriage. Finances. Social media. The nightly news. The sources of anxiety are endless. Dr. Michelle Bengtson's newest book, "Breaking Anxiety's Grip:  How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises", is a wonderful deep-dive into the root causes of anxiety and the journey to true freedom.

I found this book to be very helpful and encouraging. Dr. Bengston did a wonderful job of sharing her anxious struggles and weaving Scripture throughout. She includes plenty of vignettes from others who share their stories and how they have overcome anxiety in their lives. With a heavy emphasis on the role of faith in finding freedom from anxiety, she encourages memorizing Scripture to truly immerse yourself in the words of truth from the Bible. At the end of each chapter, she includes some reflective questions that are great to go through on your own, but would be even better with a close friend or counselor. She also shares some songs that have been instrumental in her journey that may be beneficial for the reader.

This is a wonderful resource for people who suffer from anxiety, and will be a wonderful tool to use in conjunction with her first book, "Hope Prevails:  Insights from a Doctor's Personal Journey Through Depression", since anxiety and depression tend to go hand-in-hand. Highly recommended!

(I’ve received this complimentary book through the Revell book blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)

A Review: "The Next Right Thing" by Emily P. Freeman

Making decisions. For some people, it comes so easy. For others, decisions can be fraught with difficulty. "The Next Right Thing" by Emily P. Freeman is designed to help the reader through decision fatigue, overcoming the challenges of making decisions (big or small), and find the right next step to pursue. Each chapter is a beautiful call to slow down, engage with our own hearts and souls, and find the space we need to make that next decision with peace.

Each chapter includes a thought on particular topic related to making decisions and concludes with a prayer and a pathway to action. My personal favorite chapters included decluttering your soul, naming the unnamed narratives in life for what they truly are, and finding people who can speak truth into your life and help you find clarity. It was a wonderful book, full of fantastic practical advice. I look forward to applying it in my life when I am faced with my next big decision. But, until then, I can practice doing the next right thing in even the small ways of life.

(I’ve received this complimentary book through the Revell book blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)

A Review: "Here, Now" by Kate Merrick

I was first introduced to Kate Merrick on "The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey" podcast (episode 133--check it out). She shared about her first book, the death of her daughter, and going off (and staying off!) social media. Her story is compelling and beautiful. After that introduction and discovering her new book, "Here, Now" released, I was eager to jump in. This book is a deep dive into what it means to be fully present in your life as it is, not as you want it to be.

I loved the encouragement found in this book. She shares candidly and openly about what drove her to disconnect from all social media, to get rid of Internet access in her home, and simply streamline daily choices so you can fully experience the life and relationships that are directly in front of you. It is a very thought-provoking book, especially with regard to how many soul-sucking hours are spent on social media, cultivating online relationship while allowing real-life relationships to languish. I appreciated her insights about Sabbath and rest. It was a message I needed to hear as I have been contemplating for some time just how to create more online disconnect in my life and focus on my life, my family, and my community in real time.

(I’ve received this complimentary book through the BookLook program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)

A Review: "Placemaker" by Christie Purifoy

I first encountered the words and work of Christie Purifoy when she did a podcast interview on "The Simple Show" (episode 32--go listen; it's a good one!). I was so captivated by her words that I checked out her book "Roots and Sky" from the library. It drew me in so quickly and thoroughly that I immediately ordered her book because it was one that I needed to own. She came through the pages as a kindred spirit, one who I could count as a friend even though she has no idea who I am! When I found out that she was releasing another book, I jumped at the chance to be on the launch team for her newest work, "Placemaker".

"Placemaker" beautifully shares the love that Christie has for home and trees. She shares the stories of the widely differing places that she has called home. She doesn't gloss over the challenges of many of those places, but she continually draws the reader back to the beauty and peace of each place. Woven throughout is the story of the trees that define each place. I loved the way that nature holds such a prominent place in this book.

As I read this book, my little corner of Minnesota was hit with a blizzard (culminating our snowiest February on record!). The month felt like it had sucked the soul and life out of everything, but this book helped me so much to see the beauty of my outdoors and to look forward to the promise of spring. I loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough!

(I’ve received this complimentary book as part of the launch team for Christie Purifoy's new release, "Placemaker". A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)

A Review: "I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening)" by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers

The popular hosts of the podcast "Pantsuit Politics" recently released their first book, "I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening)". What a gift to our highly charged culture! With politics a taboo subject at many family gatherings and off-limits between people of different viewpoints, Sarah and Beth show us there is a better way. Coming from different political backgrounds themselves, they share how they chose to put aside partisanship and seek to truly understand how "the other side" thinks about the issues.

I have known of their podcast, but have never listened to it before. This book was a wonderful primer on how they interact with one another and discuss issues with plenty of nuance, depth, and true desire to learn from one another. Having these kinds of discussions are not only possible, but they are necessary and vital to improving our neighborhoods, communities, and ultimately our nation. Each chapter ends with "Continue the Conversation", practical reflection questions to help the reader apply the ideas and principles in the chapters to their own lives.

This book should be required reading for every citizen, every politician at every level, every registered voter and those planning to register. Moving political dialogue from shouting matches, insults, and stereotypes needs to be the goal. This book shows us that this really can happen. What a country we could become if everyone actually put this into practice!

"We need to bring our voices and perspectives to the table calmly, with respect for ourselves and one another, recognizing that we do not live alone. America has never been and will never be homogeneous. We are here to bump up again each other. We need to bring our faith and values not just to specific issues but to the process of engaging in civil discourse. We can share our perspectives on even the most controversial and personal topics. Doing so will de-escalate the rhetoric and open pathways for solutions, innovation, and a strong national identity." (p. 4-5)

(I’ve received this complimentary book through the BookLook program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)