Rising Above Lyme Disease by Julia Greenspan

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Lyme disease is becoming more and more common. Treatments vary, but some have a lot of side effects and nothing seems to cure the disease.

Dr. Greenspan examines the symptoms and causes before offering holistic solutions. She includes food and a healthy lifestyle in her recommendations. If you know someone with Lyme disease, this is a must read for consideration of various techniques to manage your illness.

Hand Sewing Magic by Lynn Krawczyk

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
Ever wondered what to do with a needle and thread? Maybe you've tried it and things bunched or turned out lumpy.

With very limited materials, you can make all kinds of fun embroider and connect fabrics and and other items to fabrics. The book offers clear instructions on buying threads and yarns. It shows you how to make and use utility stitches, and demonstrates a lot of fancy stitches, including dimensional embroidery. You'll like the projects, from easy to more challenging - book covers, a scarf, jacket, etc.

Recommended - esp if you're a young professional with time to relax in the evening OR a young mom who feels like she has nothing to show for the day ... after dishes are washed - again, laundry is folded - again. I remember how much fun crafts were at that stage of life. Pick up a copy.

Calligraphic Drawing: A how-to guide and gallery exploring the art of the flourish by Schin Loong

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
Move letters into shapes and have the time of your life. This book will show you how to combine lettering with pictures.

You'll learn basic calligraphic strokes and methods. The materials are clearly explained, from nibs to pens and paper. The sample projects will make you look like an accomplished artist. 

Put one of these on the back of an envelope or on the front of a card and you'll wow the recipient. Highly recommended.

The New Color Mixing Companion Explore and Create Fresh and Vibrant Color Palettes with Paint, Collage, and Mixed Media by Josie Lewis

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Love color and pattern but don't have a clue? This book offers templates for using color and simple geometric projects that are a lot of fun. You can use many materials to mix colors, and the instructions are clear and illustrated well.

It's simple and easy. If you've wanted to do something artistic - say for a book cover or journal - this might be the way to go. Enjoy it!

A Dangle a Day: Lettering Alphabets and Seasonal Designs with Charms by Angela Porter

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Very cute book - if you like lettering in a journal or sketchbook, you'll get lots of ideas here. The supplies, page layout, and color options augment monthly and seasonal graphics. Whimsical drawings and alphabets will make you smile - and add zip and life to your bullet journal or letters.

Recommended!

How Rude by Clare Helen Welsh and Olivier Tallec

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Perfect for our grandkids - they'll laugh while they learn good manners.

The illustrations are amusing and attractive. The words are easy to read, so it is good for early readers as well as in the classroom. Recommended.

Common Cents A Budget Workbook by Earn Spend Live

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
Wow - if you're a young adult with no clue about money, you need this book.

Do you get confused by spreadsheets and thick books on finances, this one's for you. The sort, easy and simple explanations, clear graphics, and loads of worksheets will help you get a grip on what you're earning and spending. With this help, you'll be in the savings and future business before you know it.

Highly recommended.

We Build Our Homes by Laura Knowles

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.

What a charming book! The children in your life will love this - especially when they become interested in animals. It's filled with charming illustrations and clear language.

This would make an amazing gift for a primary teacher or for a child learning to read. It would also be a great gift for a child who is moving from one home to another. Recommended!

Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook by Lucy Vaserfirer

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 150 One easy One Pan meals.  What's not to love?

You'll enjoy the recipes - they're classics like Yorkshire pudding, Dutch Babies, Hot Wings, and Potstickers. The tools and methods are clearly and simply laid out. There are pictures that explain the procedures, too.

I recommend this if you have a small apartment or limited storage - why not grab this book and a skillet - and learn to cook a few favorites?

Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook

More Than 150 Recipes for One-Pan Meals for Any Time of the Day

by Lucy Vaserfirer

Fearless Prayer: Why We Don't Ask and Why We Should by Craig J. Hazen

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
What does bold prayer look like? The author explores what it means to have abiding trust so that we are able to ask God for what we need and want?

What stands in your way when you pray? Hazen explores the ways we can approach God with fearless hearts. Recommended.

Letter to a Grieving Heart by Billy Sprague

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
How do you deal with grief? What happens in the heart when the impossible happens to someone we love? When we lose the person we dearly need?

This little book examines and explores the ways we grieve in a healthy way. What can we say to ourselves, to others, and to God while we are not yet ready for comfort?

Highly recommended.

Start with Praise by Cyndie Claypool de Neve and Sally Burke

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
This book is full of encouragement. In just 40 days, you'll be renewed and your faith boosted. Trading off chapters, several female leaders lead us through the scriptures, prayers, and a story of how God is at work.

If you're feeling discouraged, less than able, not willing to take risks, this will help you to trust God more, to love him better, and to deepen your relationship with God.

Counseling Insights (ed.) Vicki Enns

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Enns has gathered experts to weigh in on counseling situations with case studies and practical advice. This book is especially helpful for those who are not experienced professional counselors but have to counsel others.

The subtitle is "practical strategies for helping others with anxiety, trauma, grief, and more." And that pretty much sums up the book - here are not only stories that will sound familiar, but real ways to move people through their past or present blockages.

What are the issues your friends or counselees face? Are they developmental or situational trauma, anxiety and depression, self-injury, suicidal tendencies and grief, substance abuse, or gender issues? This book should be within arms reach in every counseling and pastoral library. Highly recommended as a way to process life and draw out healing for others. Note: some of the conclusions will not be the same as mine.

Fire from Heaven by Mark Bubeck

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
This book encourages the Church and its leaders to anticipate and participate in church revival. Guarding the congregation from spiritual warfare, being full of the Spirit, and immersing oneself in prayer and scripture are just a few of the themes.

It's easy reading, so if you are tired, in the thick of a battle within a congregation, in transition in ministry, or just wondering about the next steps in spiritual leadership, this is a worthy read. Thoroughly enjoyed and will pass it on.

Note that this is from a non-Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition

Diary of a Canadian Nobody by Paul James

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Oh Canada!

Laughed my way through it. As a Canadian expat, I forget the unique humor and thinking of my fellow Canadians - and this made me homesick for Canadian neighbors. Lots of details but will keep you amused on a commute or at the beach.

Here in Spirit by Jonathan K Dodson

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.

Many of us think of the Holy Spirit as an abstract force that swirls around the work of God in us and in the world. Dodson examines what it means to have the living, breathing, creating Holy Spirit among us, in us, and working in God's creation as the Presence himself.

As a Pentecostal, I found it thought-provoking, scripturally imaginative, and a worthwhile text to pass along to my doctoral students. The discussion questions at the end and the highlights for meditation and further consideration are helpful as well.

I recommend it.

The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement by Debbie Kitterman

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
What a timely read. I'm teaching an international class on Pentecostal Spirituality and Ministry, including the 5 functions of pastor, teacher, apostle, prophet, and teacher. Kitterman's book couldn't have arrived on my desk at a better time.

The author offers a practical yet engaging look at the gift of prophecy - and how it can be exercised in a loving and learning context. Kittterman asks Christians to be listening to God's voice and then to share that encouragement with others.  She makes accessible the mysterious ways that God speaks to his children through the Church. I liked the exercises and deeper reflections at the end of each chapter and will be asking my students to engage with this text.

Geninne's Art: Birds in Watercolor, Collage, and Ink by Geninne D. Zlatkis

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
This is a book to make a visual artist sing... or at least smile and reach for supplies. Enjoyed every page. Clear photos, good ideas, and lots of inspiration.

You'll find how-to on how to see birds, how to use different mediums, and how to collage. For the nature-lover or if you just like colors and birds, you'll enjoy this. Recommended.

Learning to Lead Like Jesus: 11 Principles to Help You Serve, Inspire, and Equip Others by Boyd Bailey

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Ever wondered how today's leadership models fit into your Christian life or business? Boyd takes aim at qualities and characteristics to see how Jesus himself would think as your boss. How would his attitudes influence his decisions? How would his actions serve in leadership?

I liked the Points to Ponder, the Takeaways, and the chapter summaries. You'll get wise counsel on what it looks like to follow Jesus closely and have his life transform your inner life and interactions with others. There are some practical applications, but since every business, church, or organization is specific in its needs, this is more of an alignment for general, good practice.

Recommended.

Sacred Signposts Words: Water, and Other Acts of Resistance by Benjamin J. Dueholm

★★★☐☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
I'm not sure what to think about this - I've passed it to a few friends who teach about social justice with a "you've got to read this." The out-of-the-box, Jesus in the world in new ways, thinking is not in itself radical. That's who Jesus was and is ... fully engaged in his community through us.

But some of the means of resistance? I'm not so sure about supporting morality that the Bible disagrees with.

Nah, I'm sure. Supporting amoral or non-biblical groups is not a good thing. But some of the beautiful examples made this a worthwhile read.

It's worth reading and will make for lively discussions in our classrooms. I recommend it for those who wonder what difference the Christian faith makes as we engage the world.

Find Your Awesome: A 30-Day Challenge to Fall in Love with Your Playful, Imaginative & Colorful Self by Judy Clement Wall

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Did you ever suspect there was a lot of fun under the serious and belabored you? Here's how to find out if it's true. This book will bring out the playful self.

I recommend it if 

You're not sure what to journal about.

You want to do Morning Pages but can't think of anything to write.

You'd like simple art projects to get your creativity unlocked.

Yeah, and if you just want to ramp up your sense of humor - that too.

Grab a copy and enjoy the next 30 days.

Doodled Dogs Dozens of clever doodling exercises & ideas for dog people by Gemma Correll

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Ok, now you're in for some fun. This is one of the cutest books I've reviewed in a while.

If you have a boring commute on transit, have a few minutes a day to play with a pencil or markers, or otherwise need a boost - or just a diversion - between calls and emails - GET THE BOOK. I laughed my way through it.

Fun instructions, great doodles, and most of all, space to unleash your creativity. What are you waiting for?

The China Study Cookbook: Over 175 Whole Food, Plant-Based Recipes by LeAnne Campbell

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
So now you don't know what to eat? Maybe you read the China Study and were stumped. Maybe your teen has decided not to eat meat or dairy. Perhaps you're someone who'd love to try a starch and vegetable-based diet (like recommended @ drmcdougall.com), you may be scratching your head. Here's the solution.

You'll find good recipes and suggestions for substitutions so you don't feel like you're being deprived of your favorite foods. It's packaged in a pretty format with clear text and descriptions - and good photos.

I became a vegan year ago - not by choice but because of a health crisis. I wish I'd had this book when I started. You'll be glad you picked up a copy. And your body will thank you.

Youthful Aging Secrets: life better for longer by Mary Jakesh

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
"All you have to do is keep going and then rev up!" That was the advice given on aging. (He did 70 pushups on his 70th birthday. Whaaaat?!) What great stories of youthful aging.

Don't let your physical health and mind go to waste: use it and keep it sharp. Each chapter starts with an inspiring true story and ends with a reflection for personal application. I was going to read enough to review it and couldn't put the book down. It's short. It's deep. And it's funny.

I highly recommend it - if you're sailing into the sunset at 55 or 75 (or 95) and think life is over, get inspired. And buy a copy of this book.

Laughing All the Way: Wit, Wisdom, and Willpower for the Golden Years by Karen O'Connor

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Not all of life is fun, but how we respond may determine our well-being, physically, mentally, and spiritually. The Bible is full of puns and humor; it encourages its readers to be full of happiness and laughter for good health and long life. Even in seasons of grief, laughter is coming.

O'Connor offers some joyful and practical suggestions for tackling the challenges of aging. She recommends blending humor and inspiration. Look at the funny side of life, she encourages us.

If you're getting older and life is getting you down, consider picking up a copy - and looking at the bright side for a change.

Remake Your Brain by Dr Leonid Altshuler MD

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Do you have metabolic syndrome, caused by insulin swings? Feeling depressed, stressed, unable to cope, or overweight? Is your mental and physical health under siege?

Dr. Altshuler wants you to consider a change in diet (to meat and fish only), stress-reducing exercises, and a lifestyle that is continually renewed by nature and healthier thinking. He makes it easy with practical suggestions.

I found this worth reading. I'll try some of the suggestions - and some of them may not be as good a fit. Certainly, it's worth a month of two of experimenting to see if this method will produce awareness of what makes me function well and think positively. You in the same boat? Pick up a copy today.

Loving Yourself in Style by Shabana Feroze

★★★☐☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Hmmm. I'm not a fashionista and I'm not a drudge. Written for the young and adventurous at heart, Feroze presents the basics of looking good, emotionally, mentally, and physically. There are cute illustrations and good tips on everything from watching your money and designing your closet to shopping for foundational and enduring pieces.

I don't agree with her "chuck everyone's expectations" but I do agree that others' opinions are not a healthy way to get affirmation. Lots of ideas, very practical, and kinda fun to read through. Go for it, esp if you're not sure what to wear tomorrow morning.

Professor at Large: The Cornell Years by John Cleese

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
Well, I never expected to be absorbed into an academic volume. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentations by Cleese, a deep thinker with a humorous delivery. If you like exploring the world in unconventional ways, want to have your assumptions provoked in new directions - this might be a volume for you.

You'll want to take your time to work through the sessions. Maybe take it along on a retreat or nibble around the edges for a few months. You'll say what I did, "I never thought about that before," and "I've never thought about that just this way." It's like taking your mind to an amusement park and extreme challenge at the same time. Hang on for the ride.

Art Starts with a Line: A creative and interactive guide to the art of line drawing by Erin McManness

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Seriously? I haven't had this much fun - and looking forward to practicing "lines" in a long time. The illustrations, short text, and clear explantations make this a great book to take on the bus or play with during work breaks. One of the most helpful things in the outline is the blank space beside demos, for your own efforts. Draw - or paint - and compare.

You'll enjoy the playfulness and the information if you are a beginner or intermediate draw-er. Pick up a copy and let the fun begin.

English from Afar: How to learn English the less painful way by Bruce Peterson

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review
I'm learning (not English, but) another world language. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a book that promises to teach a language in a ways that is "speedy, effective, communicative, and interesting" for the student.

This book presents a thoroughly modern view of current resources, including tutoring, internet programs, imitation, and practice. I found the concepts and progression - plus the sheer effort involved - in learning a new language to be accurate - and helpful in marking progress.

If you are aiming for fluency in presentations and business, this is a must-read. Though the vocabulary is advanced, the ideas for smooth communication and deep engagement are sound. I recommend it and will transfer some of the ideas to my own language learning.

Gardenlust: A Botanical Tour of the World’s Best New Gardens by Christopher Woods

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
From the wild glass shapes of the Chihuly gardens near Seattle to the formal calmness of the Tree Museum in Rapperswil, Switzerland, you'll turn the pages with appreciation. You'll travel the continents to see innovative and sculptural gardens.

If you view gardening as art, love the shapes and colors of nature, or just need ideas for taking your own yard or property to the next level, you'll enjoy this book of beautiful trends.

One of the cardinal rules of educating the eye in design is to look at the best, the most precious, and the most innovative that top designer have to offer. Then your own ideas will be richer, more beautiful, and better thought out because you have a sense of what can be done.

Make this book part of your education.

The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships by Suzanne Stabile

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
There are a lot of books about the Enneagram lately. This one is valuable in letting us understand interactions with others and between individuals with various personalities.

How do we negotiate individualities in a common space? This examination of the types in the Enneagram will help you understand yourself and others, and how you interact together and separately.

I recommend it, especially if you've been wondering how valuable this look at human characteristics can be.

The Minimalist Home A Room-by-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused Life by Joshua Becker

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Becker is on the forefront of the minimalism movement. I've read his writing over the years, and been astonished by how easy and fulfilling the "less-is-more" ideas are. What is the emphasis of our life - to live, or to acquire things that make us seem like we are alive?

With this book, he charts a course for creating a fulfilling and pleasing home. I enjoyed the charts and research put into this book (for example, the needs of various ages of children). Also, I felt that the practical tips could be personalized for each reader.

I recommend this and will be putting some of his ideas into action in my own place. Thanks, Joshua.

Upcycling Outdoors: 20 Creative Garden Projects Made from Reclaimed Materials by Max McMurdo

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
If you're a DIY hacker, bored with the same-old, same-old in your yard and garden, you'll be happy to  pick up this book. It's summer, and project time! I flipped through it and wished I'd found it 20 years ago, when I was still pulling together out-of-the-box creativity for yard and home.

It's a fun complication of 20 easy project ideas that use common or found materials for creative solutions. I recommend it if you have time on your hand and need a boost to find your own solutions and get your mind whirring with possibilities. Have fun!

The Holy No: Worship as a Subversive Act by Adam Hearlson

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
"To speak the Holy No is to refuses to be complicit in the oppression and violence of the ruling power. It is the courageous critique of the present and its claims of immutability. ... The Holy No is also a courageous YES to the future that God has promised."

Thus Hearlson introduces the idea of worship in many forms - explored in various chapters - is the change agent of the Church and culture by the weak and disempowered. I was particularly interested in his exploration of the preaching and lack of liturgical expectations that fueled early Pentecostalism.

While I disagree with the positive voice given to some of the subversive acts, this is a thought-provoking book. (For example, I do not applaud closing a YMCA for a LBGT prom to provide a safe space for alternate genders to celebrate.)

Yet, only within Christianity and its influenced cultures is there such freedom to examine so closely what we believe and to question every part of it without repercussion. Because God is creative and gives free will to humans made in his image, we respectfully can explore - and allow others to explore - possibilities of how God may be at work among us.

An interesting read for philosophy and history grad students who want an alternative look at the role - and shaping of history - of believers and those in Christian culture.

The Qur'an and the Bible: Text and Commentary by Gabriel Said Reynolds

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
A fascinating look at the parallels and differences between the Christian scriptures and the subsequent writing of the Quran. The researcher takes a unique approach by beginning with the Quran texts and comparing those to the texts of biblical scriptures.

The emergence of Muslim traditions is examined in light of Muslim readings over the centuries. For example, the author postulates that the choice of Mecca may be because it matches descriptions in the Quran, rather than being established from the beginning. The overlap of vocabulary from various versions of the Bible may have determined the choice of Quranic words, which influenced how Muslim exegetes interpret the Quran (since some of the terms used do not have Arabic roots).

Read this and enjoy the similarities and contrasts presented between the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic holy books. Well worth considering for scholars and also for those interested in understanding the migration of Muslims and how they adapt their religion to their surrounding cultures.

The Innovator's Field Guide by Jeff Standridge

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
The common ordinary person with a big dream needs encouragement as well as ideas. With quotes from successful entrepreneurs and thinkers, each chapter starts with accelerators - a boost to get you moving.

This book is chock-full of role models, how-to, and tips on moving forward from dreams or ideas to action. I highly recommend it, especially if you need something to read on a "down" day when your plans aren't working out the way you'd hoped.

Christian Ethics An Introduction to Biblical Moral Reasoning by Wayne Grudem

★☐☐☐☐The publisher has provided a copy for review.

I very rarely give such a low review, and then only if I fundamentally disagree with the premise of a book. Here's an example of why I cannot recommend this.

By the time I got to Grudem's views on the roles of men and women (and the way the author twists scripture to fit American patriarchal culture), I was ready to give the book one star.

I will leave the reader with this one example, though others caught my attention. Anyone who claims authority to teach believers how to think, and in the same breath says God voluntarily becomes our subordinate as our "helper" in the Old Testament - for whatever logic or proof of his ethics and gender presuppositions - is a danger to young minds. Making up theologies is a peculiar pastime of academics; it's their job to think deeply. Yet Grudem's statements about the Son being "eternally subordinate" to the Father (not just in his incarnation) give an indication of cultural hierarchy that goes beyond the biblical revelation and mandate.

To prove his point on male headship in every area, Grudem refuses the clear meaning of Paul's instruction of "mutual submission." He extends his model of hierarchy to create a subordinate chain of authority in the family, with the wife slightly higher than the children in a serious case of scriptural re-wording.

He excludes the possibility of husbands and wives as peers, serving in the gospel, despite scriptures about the empowerment of the Spirit on male and female, Jew and Greek, etc. All are empowered for ministry, without limits as to who can serve. So, can a Greek preach to a Jew? Can a slave preach to a master? Can a woman preach to men? Grudem would say no to the latter and perhaps to the second as well, since his hierarchy is so ingrained. Women are only advisors to men, mothers to children, and therefore constrained against serving in full gifting and capacity.

In addition, Grudem completely ignores the Pauline practice of biblical inclusion (i.e. instructions to female prophets in the church), relegating women to exercising their spiritual gifts only within the chain of command "below" them. Paul's instructions for orderly worship (for example, in 1 Cor 11:2-16; 14:26+), include men and women and offer a truer model of what was intended. Paul's practice contrasts with the patriarchal models invented by the time of Chrysostom and existing until Grudem. (Chrysostom acknowledged that the practices of his day differed greatly from the New Testament; Grudem is even more extreme, yet claims to be true to scriptures.)

Don't buy it unless you want to set back your understanding of a biblical worldview by 100 years. Instead, use current commentaries with biblical scholarship of how the Spirit shaped the practices of the New Testament Church.

Drawing School: Fundamentals for the Beginner by Jim Dowdalls

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
What I really like about this was the variety: when you think of drawing, what comes to mind? A pencil sketch? An accurate framework for painting? A charcoal rendering?

You'll find them all in this book. Dowdalls explains how to draw with different mediums, not just paints or pencils. I learned from the illustrations and the clear instructions. Whether you working in love color or black and white, you'll find something you can draw following the directions. You'll have the basics in hand once you follow the demonstrations.

The cover isn't very inspiring and may not catch your eye on a bookshelf. Still, it's worth picking up a copy and getting started.

The Complete Photo Guide to Hand Lettering and Calligraphy by Abbey Sy

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
If you have an event coming up and you need placards, a customized art piece, or just want to memorialize a saying, you'll love this photo guide. You'll see the how-to for lettering, find projects to make your own, get practice sheets and spacing grades, and find out how to use and combine various alphabets.

I recommend this for people with great appreciation for beautiful letters but limited skill, as well as for those of us who have taken calligraphy courses before. The nice thing about this is that you'll pull it out again and again: finish one project, put it aside for a while. I promised that you'll find yourself reaching for the book again when you're ready for your next lettering exploits. Pretty as well as practical!

Anywhere, Anytime Art: Colored Pencil by Cara Hanley

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
How long has it been since you colored with pencil? There are all kinds of pencils out there now - ones to use dry or wet (draw or paint), expensive and cheap versions with dense color or just a bit of pigment. Regardless of what level of equipment you have in your bag, take out those pencils and start to record what you see. Entertain your kids with the how-to illustrations - art made easy.

If you wish you could go back to high school and learn how to sketch and play around with colored pencils, you'll enjoy this book. It's like having a basic tutorial without the pressures of making perfect pictures.

Art should be fun. This will help make it so for you!

Brush Pen Illustration: More Than 200 Ideas for Drawing with Brush Pens by Sho Ito

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
What a delightful manual. If you've ever wanted to use a brush pen, this beginner book is for you. Every page is full of colorful instructions and demonstrations. It's a pleasure to browse or to follow the demos step-by-step.

If you're looking for a guide to painting quick sketches for your journal, illustrating notes, or drawing for children, you'll have so much fun with this. The simplicity of line, of how-tos, and ideas will make you smile, and - even for that alone - I'd recommend it.

How to Grow: Applying the Gospel to All of Your Life by Darryl Dash

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
You get a bit of here and there in Christian living books. You apply a bit of this and that, but it's not very satisfying. Dash takes us through the application of the life and principles of Jesus for all areas of life.

That makes it a book worth reading. It's simple (almost simplistic sometimes), so you can read it without having to wade a thicket of theological language. It's an encouraging manual for discipleship groups

or for those trying to figure out this life of faith without friends to bounce ideas around with. Hey, if that's you, go find some friends! This life with Jesus is meant to be lived in community, right?

Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Finally, a decluttering book that makes sense. White combines various ideas about decluttering with an honest look at what did and didn't work for her.

This book of practical how-tos, offered after looking at what makes our spaces so crazy and "full-to-the-max," will help you find ways to clear out the excess.

I highly recommend it - esp if you've gotten snarled in Japanese emptiness, business organization, or other methods that don't make sense in a Western household. Go buy it. And then rehome it when your house is in order.

Living the Life That You Are By Nic Higham

★★★☐☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
In various seasons of life, we may wish that parts of our lives (or even the whole thing) were different. Most of us have compared ourselves to others, felt alone, or have been confused about who we are, negotiating life.

So we suffer. We try to make life better. That's common to all of us. But how do we respond to difficulties?

If you believe each person has been created as a unique creation, you are confident that we have been set into the world for a reason. God centers us in his wholehearted love and asks us to love and serve others (Jesus: Mark 12:30-31). Therefore, life has great meaning. Christ-followers seek to understand our special personhood and our personal contribution to the world.

This book comes from a different direction. A Western Buddhist, Higham attempts to explain humanity as a vast cosmic flow moving through meaningless cycles of reincarnation. He explores human suffering and aloneness, where a cultivated mindfulness can endure suffering without strivings or passions.

In Zen Buddhism, life at its best means cultivating emptiness, where our efforts bring escape. Attaining nirvana means life's candle winks out into cosmic nothingness. But there's no great attraction for me in viewing humanity as our ultimate limitation (in contrast to viewing humans as God's ultimate and beloved creatures.)

The life and teaching of Jesus offer a radically different path. Jesus said he came to bring "life in abundance" (John 10:10). For his followers, life on earth and into eternity is a gift of utter fullness to be enjoyed by savoring the love of God and others. I'm passionate and thrilled to be alive! not trying to dampen this wonderful and sometimes-terrible life into nothingness.


I believe all truth is God's truth, so in Higham, you will find insights into how a self-centered and emptied life can seem desirable for some people. The book offers a closer look at some aspects that may be present or absent in our lives. Personally, ongoing cycles of reincarnation and escapism in order to attain nothingness make ZERO sense to me. I find nothing attractive in trying to escape from another life cycle, attempting to set aside passions and striving, and ideally gaining less and less meaning with each return. WHHHHAAAT? That's no fun and not meaningful (which is, I guess, the point.)

This book may help you may understand the pull of Westernized Buddhism for those trapped by materialism and over-the-top consumerism. I found this glimpse into a very different vantage point very interesting indeed.

Home Life around the World by Anita Martinez Beijer

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.

Do you ever wonder what other peoples' houses look like inside? Have you ever wanted a peek to see the personality and surroundings that make a house a home?

Here's your chance - come along to become part of the journey to see how people personalize their spaces. These photos include people in their spaces, which helps make the rooms come alive. you'll enjoy the visits.

Portfolio: Beginning Color Mixing by Kimberly Adams

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
If you've wondered why your paint colors are not intense or muddy, this book provides a manual for choosing a basic palate to mix colors. It includes instructions for choosing tools, values, and various color schemes.

The styles demonstrated are varied and interesting. This would be a good primer for those beginning to paint or working with intermediate skills. I enjoyed it and recommend it.

Heavy Duty Sewing: Making Backpacks and Other Stuff by Anton Sandqvist

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Have you ever tried to sew canvas, leather, or thick denim? It can be a challenge - but this book explains the process with clear instructions and photos, and offers tips to make it easier.

Sandqvist includes patterns for the projects shown on the cover. This is a thoroughly enjoyable way to start designing useful containers or garments with your own heavy-duty work fabrics.

The Art of Map Illustration by James Gulliver Hancock, Hennie Haworth, Stuart Hill, Sarah King

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
I loved this book. I wanted to grab a pen and map my childhood neighborhood right away. This is a manual for all kinds of maps. It provides directions for both manual and digital map-making in the most delightful ways. From start to finish, it was full of interesting illustrations, ideas on what to map, instructions on making significant marks, and how to choose landmarks.

Loved it. I think I already said that. Sold. Go get a copy!

Hypertufa Containers Creating and Planting an Alpine Trough Garden by Lori Chips

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
I remember reading about hypertufa and making a pot about 20 years ago - so it was great to be reminded of the simple process of creating a plant container. The rough look, the natural colors, and the flexibility of size and shape make this a worthwhile DIY.

Though the idea is not new, it's still fun. Clear instructions and good illustrations will put you on the way to your own creative garden. Give it a try! This book will help you figure it out.