The Science of Cleaning Audiobook by Dario Bressanini, PhD

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Hmmm. This is a completely different kind of book/resource than I usually review. However, I live part-time in the tropics. If there's anything that's considered a wild idea, it's sustainable chemistry for cleaning. 

Garbage is everywhere (except in bins), toxic chemicals are used on food crops, and "the harsher the better" seems to be the motto for locals who buy cleaning supplies.

This interests me for educational as well as practical purposes in a home and office where neither doors nor windows are sealed (handmade with large gaps). The winds blow smoke from garbage fires, dust, and pollution into spaces. The critters run in and out (lizards, roaches, ants, and more), leaving poop and tracks behind.

Thanks for this one. Going to put some of the ideas into my own bag of cleaning tricks - and see how much safer we can make the environment. 

Deep Reading: Practices to Subvert the Vices of Our Distracted, Hostile, and Consumeristic Age by Rachel B. Griffis; Julie Ooms; Rachel M. De Smith Roberts

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
 Oh dear me. I've always been a skimmer and a surface-scratching reader, who only takes the plunge into material when doing research for a specific class. I guess this one is written for me. (And for you, if you use a similar skip-and-glean technique.)

For me, reading as a spiritual practice is mostly confined to the Bible. And I hardly read it - I listen through it 5-6X a year. My husband the theologian reads for breadth and depth as well as entertainment.

So whatever your style, read and consider this admonition. It's your encouragement to find a book that others have found meaningful. Use it as a spiritual drink, a sabbath rest, and a spiritual reflection to see God, others, and self more clearly.

A Short Guide to Spiritual: Formation Finding Life in Truth, Goodness, Beauty, and Community by Alex Sosler

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Reflecting the recent interest in spiritual life and formation, Sosler adds to the new collection of "what and how to" books on spiritual formation. This one gets a gold stamp from those interested in history and the reasons for existing spiritual disciplines and practices. 

You can read these chapters as devotionals, instructional 1-2-3s (one after the other or in random order), or for the pure enjoyment of diving into the history of Christian living.

Recommended for practitioners, young and old disciples of Jesus, and spiritual directors.

The Art of the Interesting: What We Miss in Our Pursuit of the Good Life and How to Cultivate It by Lorraine Besser

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
 Dr Besser examines what it means to live an interesting life that includes psychological richness, meaning, and happiness. Are you most determined to have a life that is fulfilling, interesting, or pleasurable?

Each choice we make leads in the direction of our future. Each choice brings consequences, some known but most not even on our radar. This book explores how our decisions, our goals, and our lifestyles determine how satisfying and purposeful our lives will be to us and others.

Worth reading. The quizzes and worksheet at the end are thought-provoking and will help you read the direction you have chosen in life. If it's time for a shift or an evaluation, get a copy of this book.

The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
 If you're not like everyone else, you won't expect the same things of life. And if you're a teen on top of it, anything can happen. This mystery, thriller, growing up novel takes you on a wild ride.

Add to the mix a kidnapped mom and a dead dad who might or might not have had a missing document or paper, and you've got the makings of a gripping adventure. Hang on.

(How many kids know their parents? My own sure didn't know me in their teens, and I was just starting to understand my parents when I hit my 20s. That twist made it more interesting for me, too.)

Recommended for a nail-biting commute or break at work. Maybe tuck it into your tote bag when you hit the beach or mountain cabin.

The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
This was funny. And fun. Turner explores how our values are shaped by our history and how our values shape our future. 

If you like a quirky romance with some genuine life decisions thrown in, you'll have a great time reading "The Secret Life." If you're wondering what to do with things that are not good for you, but bring you pleasure and rewards, this is for you.

Enjoyable Christian fiction.

Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis; John Eldredge

 ★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review

Curtis and Eldredge examine the relentless pursuit of humans by God, who seeks to satisfy the longings and fears of the human heart. This book exposes the need to be known and to know, the quest for love and intimacy, and the ways God comes near to us personally and in community.

Eldredge is known for his call to a personal relationship with God, and I found this book summed up best in this verse: 

But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Galatians 4:9

Watch What She Can Do by Nicole Brooks

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Marriage is a contract, a covenant, and a commitment. Sometimes it's also chaos. It shapes you, trains you, and makes you who you are - at whatever point of marriage you find yourself. 

When it's more exhausting than fulfilling, it's tempting to give up or wish it away. Willie lets Stan die instead of calling 911. She's had enough. Yet as she moves on, her new choices are shaped by her old life.

This story sings with the personal relationships that mold us, make us reflect on who we are and want to be, and the value of family.

The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Family is family. But how well do you really know them? Do they know you?

This back-to-home-together story tugs at the heartstrings. What does it mean to have someone's back? To explore the past of someone who cannot defend themselves or their "stuff?" 

If you like women's fiction, generational connections, and stories of living and dying well, you'll find this one has heart. If you want family beginnings, middles, and endings, you'll love this one.

Stay Awhile: Advent Lessons in Divine Hospitality by Kara Eidson

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
There are many Advent devotionals, from many approaches. If you love the hospitality of God, if you enjoy the company of people, and if you want new ways to celebrate the birth of Christ, you will enjoy this one. There are meditations, activities, and prayers ideal for small churches and small groups.

You might even want to get your extended family on board for this one. Christmas will be here sooner than you think.

Where the Light Fell by Philip Yancey

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review 

 What if you are known as an explorer and expositor of the Christian faith? Would people expect your background to be neat and tidy? Yancy dispels the myths of that followers of Jesus are only those with perfect stories. We don't all come from regimented, rule-abiding, and rigid religious backgrounds. Some of our families are hurting, messy, and have lost their way. That doesn't 

Do you suspect that all Christians are whitewashing their life by professing faith in Christ? That they're bound by laws of behavior or good works? Not every believer grows up that way.

The author takes the reader on a compelling journey through the cultural and religious South of the USA. As a Canadian, I find these reflections revealing about how many Americans have shaped their worldview. It explains some of the hostility to the Church and to the communities of faith. 

He explores how childhood, family, and community values shape how we approach and know God. And ... as many of us have asked, why do some people walk away broken-hearted and why do some find genuine deep-rooted faith in God?

Recommended if you've been in victim mode, but are ready to move past your culture and hurts into a new season of loving relationship with God. 

"He will be found by those who diligently seek him with all their hearts," says the prophet. And that might be you. Worth reading.

Greek Gods for Kids by Monica Roy

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Well, it's labeled as a book for kids. But how many of us read the classics and forget who's who in the thicket of words and old-fashioned translation? I found this a fun reminder of ancient tales - and wondered anew at how myths form and which ones speak to us.

Whether you're brushing up or just want "smart ideas" from the past, this might be worth a narrow spot on your bookshelf.

The Home Reset by Karissa Barker

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Pretty, practical, and personal. What more can you ask for in a home decor book? This manual of how-to and DIY advice is full of ways to make your house a home - and your own home, at that. 

Barker gives reasons as well as advice for living in spaces that please as well as serve you well. Accompanied by beautiful photographs, you'll enjoy this one.

Alchemy of Praise by Wendy Kieffer

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
I don't read much poetry anymore. That said, much of this book gripped my attention in spurts of worship and curiosity. 

I found myself praying, reflecting, and nodding at times. Kieffer offers meditations and observations on spiritual life and formation. 

So, if you have a hard time noticing the world and the Presence of the Creator, you will find breathing space here. 

Rewrite Your Rules by Morgan DeBaun

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
 If you're burning out in pursuit of success, DeBaun offers insights and strategies to take control of your emotional, vocational, and personal well-being.

I found this one a bit young for me: I'm secure in my calling and career, have a stable marriage with a we-love-to-work partner, and our kids are grown up. So we have nowhere to climb and nothing to prove.

That said, this would have been useful earlier. So ... if you're in the throes of career adjustments, entrepreneurship, or advancement in your working life, you'll find some sound advice here. Recommended for those who are thriving at work and dying inside, for those who want to be more intentional in life and career, and for those who would benefit from cautions as you start climbing the ladder at work.

In Too Deep by Lee Child; Andrew Child

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Oh boy. Hang onto your seat for another wild ride with Jack Reacher. I enjoy the series (is this almost #30?) because of the story line, which I find unpredictable. There's always a crime - moral or legal trouble, a beautiful woman in distress, and Reacher drifting through nearby. From there it turns into a tornado of action.

Like most of the Reacher novels, this one kept me up late at night. I never knew what was around the bend. You'll turn page after page ("Just one more") and sigh with satisfaction when the end comes.

I'm always thinking, "What's the next one going to be about?" And, "When's it coming out?" 

If you enjoy thrillers, unexpected heroes, and a touch of romance, Lee and Andrew Child serve it up in a riveting story. Have fun. (And keep the porch light on if you're scared of the dark.)

In Pursuit Of Him by Reginald Holmes

 

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Do you have a spiritual vision for your future? What do you picture in your mind about where God may be leading you? Holmes begins the book with an insistence that you must see what God wants for you and recognize what you are looking to - or for - before you can pursue a relationship with God.

The appetites we cultivate and how we satisfy them indicate if we are ready to draw near to God. Holmes is a writer-preacher - using stories from scripture and explanations from biblical languages to encourage readers to take a deep look at themselves and whether they are making progress in their friendship with God.

The invitation to step into God's glorious presence, to create space for intimacy with him, and to humble oneself is from a Shepherd's heart. I recommend this as a Bible study for those who desire a deep, abiding, and personal relationship with the Living God.

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
A story of true friendship. If you had a friend like the two main characters, the future might be possible. Empathy, listening, response, no judgment - wouldn't we all want to have "that person" in times of loss, grief, and healing.

Bastone provides a deep examination of trauma and renewal in a compelling story. I enjoyed the story and the progress of wholeness that emerges through the kind companionship of someone who understands.

Recommended if you're wondering how to be a good friend. Recommended for those wants in be a good friend.

Recommended for this who want a good story.

Share Your Joy by Sarah J. Gardner

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
So you want to send something quick, cute, and personal to a friend or family member? Here are some good ideas for mixing up artistic ideas and crafts for something to send through the mail or hand off at lunch.

Learn how to express your emotions and warmth on the page with paints, collages, stencils, and other supplies. Step by step projects and ideas for customizing your own "play" with text and photos.

Have fun! while you learn the basics or step to the next level.

The Urban Sketching Handbook Panoramas and Vertical Vistas by Mario Linhares

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

Remember the time you tried to sketch a scene and cluttered it up with lines and colors that made no sense? 

Remember how you tried to capture a vista and the perspective was so off that you threw it out?

Ah, whether you're starting on urban sketching or beginning to master the basics and intermediate stages, this book will provide clear direction for the next level. Recommended to those who want to see and record - and to those who wonder what makes one sketch come alive and the other fall flat.

Financial Accounting Essentials You Always Wanted To Know by Kalpesh Ashar

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
 If you're a financial dummy like myself, you may be curious about the systems that make sense to managers and business owners. 

If you're a working professional who is mystified by terms you'll learn a lot.

If you're an entrepreneur who needs to get in touch with the financial side of running your business, this is for you.

Get it if any of these categories apply to you! It's not exciting. In fact, for me it's a s boring as its cover. So it's not going to keep you awake at night with delight and color.

But it will explain what is involved in accounting - the basics and nuances of managing money. If you need that help, here you go!

A Woman in Search of ... by Lynne Brightman Horn

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

Yikes. Shades of my teen years when the whole world went crazy on drugs, "free love," and other shedding of morality. 

"Oh. I hope you find what you want." 

"I hope so too."

Those two phrases describe a woman's quest for purpose and meaning after her divorce in the 1970s. In the process of undoing her expectations, she falls into the trap of quick fixes, transitioning through multiple partnerships, and drug experimentation. Working through her emotions, Wendy depends on her nursery business, her relationships, and her friend Cindy.

It's a book that reminds me of the search for self and the desire to make a difference outside of the world of faith. When you have only yourself to depend on, it's a hard path.

The Writer's Garden by Jackie Bennett

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review. 
 If you want to expand creativity in your yard, farm, or garden, this book offers 30 outstanding spaces. You can browse these private places without a ticket or pass. You will learn how creativity is supported by nature. And if you're a browser of beautiful things, you'll enjoy the photos and landscaping ideas that make these gardens special.

Recommended for writers, readers, designers, landscapers, the creators, and the curious. You'll find something new in the explantations and well as the photos.

The Accidental Oligarch by David Hoffman

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
 It's a novel. It's also what we might call "creative non-fiction." And it's an interesting book.

If you've followed the war in Ukraine and the nation's  challenges to sovereignty, this will provide a fascinating backdrop to today's news. 

How do world powers play out their aggressions and develop strategies when they are threatened? They manipulate the governments of those less powerful but yet vital on the world stage.

This look behind the scenes of Ukrainian politics will have you shaking your head, sucking in a deep breath, and considering what it means to be caught between the ambitions of powerful men.

Drawn to the Garden by Caroline Quentin

 

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
If you love to be in control, if you're driven to succeed, or if you're just plain worn out, this book may help you unwind just a little!

Quentin explores what it means to live within the limits and wonderful creativity of nature. She gardens - from seed to harvest - with open curiosity. The process refuels and refills her.

If you're worn out and considering how to recover from burnout or too many decisions, get this book. Enjoy the stories. Feel the joy of being in a garden - whether from your sofa or balcony, or from a new little pot or plot of your own.

What It Takes to Heal by Prentis Hemphill

★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Hemphill examines what it means to be whole from the perspective of a gay, Black American therapist. Thoughtful questions include, does my body tell me what needs healing? Do my emotions show what needs maturing - do they offer guidance so I can respond in a healthy way? In what ways do our relationships and collaborations affect how we develop?

All these are more are explored in this book. I recommend it for its emphasis on community, which is especially important for those trying to "go it alone." It will pull you into the ramifications and joys of overcoming past and present challenges ... as you live in the social, communal, and extended human family.

However, note that this is written from the worldview of a non-traditional American who believes "God is change," rather than adhering to the biblical worldview that God is unchanging, even when human experiences and circumstances are in transition. Perceptions of racism and other experiences, including gender inclusion, may be offensive to some.

Recommended for therapists, those in therapy, and the curious who are curious about how others strive to make the world a better place by how they live in the world.