The Non-Obvious Guide to Emotional Intelligence by Kerry Goyette

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
How do you read and respond in situations that are unknown, uncomfortable, or out of your area of expertise? How do you come to an agreement without compromising your values and ethics? And how do you consider the needs of others while promoting your agenda?

You start by reading the people in the room with you.

Goyette explores three areas where it is key to understand the emotions, background assumptions, and other factors present: decision-making, activity, and relationships.

This book felt as though it was designed for a team workshop. I'd take it on a team retreat and work through it, asking for agreement and observations, disagreements and challenges from team members. Worth considering - might be revolutionary for a dysfunctional team IF the leader was willing to be empathic and open to sharing and receiving the emotional observations of others. (The problem with a low EQ team often stems form a leader with low EQ - who is thus unwilling to be criticized or receive input without completely redefining it from his/her POV.)

I recommend it.

A Theology of Love: Reimagining Christianity through A Course in Miracles by Richard Smoley

★★☐☐ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
What would it mean to do theology with the assumption of God as ultimate mystic? Smoley explores the human adventure described in scriptures through the lens of input from various philosophical and religious traditions. He explores the limits of our imagination and understanding - and asks, what is reality if we don't understand much about anything (besides what we can experience with our senses)? It's an intriguing and dangerous idea - an one that leaves room for a lot of speculation and wild imagination.

Perhaps my biggest concern is the supposition that we can place limitations on God's revelation of himself in the Bible. Is what he tells us enough? Did he reveal himself to us in a true and provable way? Or is it our responsibility as humans to go beyond what we read to speculate on what God might be like and what the universe could be about?

Do we need to add some wildness and unlimited possibility to our theology?

Maybe - but here's my caution: without  the anchor of a vibrant relationship with God through Christ, are we cliff-jumping into academic and philosophical silliness? Smoley's mixture of invention and mystical traditions makes this a no-go for me. It's interesting, but too far from the God who reveals himself in scripture to make it a serious contender for a way of life ... or as wisdom that could lead to a more profound or accurate theology of God-with-us.

Louis L'Amour's Lost Treasures: Volume 2 by Louis L'Amour, Beau L'Amour

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. I have a complete leather-bound collection of Westerns on our cabin shelf. They're barely read because we bought paperbacks of the same books so we could dog-ear the corners, flip them upside-down, and take them to the lake without worrying about their condition.

They're Louis L'Amour novels. A friend introduced us to L'Amour as a favorite author - so I started reading. And kept reading. I get lost in the stories, though they can be formulaic.

And here comes another set, introduced by Louis' son Beau - along with a biography of his father's writing career and connections. I learned a lot, enjoyed the stories (and broader genres), and observations of his writing process.

I'll say it - if you're a fan (old or new), get this volume. You'll feel the familiar cadence in L'Amour's writings. He's a great storyteller and entertainer. But you'll also be surprised by the breadth of his observation of life around the world - beyond Westerns. Recommended.

Publish with Purpose by Tara R. Alemany

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
So many of today's books feel aimless. They wander through a story or landscape with half-formed characters and no point to reading them beyond an interesting observation or two.

Alemany aims to change that with her categories of selection - audience, purpose, methodology - to make writing books a purposeful exercise. This results in reading that is more fun, more challenging, and more useful to those who pick up your book.

This book reminded me of explanations of using social media, selling online / in person, and other ways of connecting your expertise to a wider audience. So it's a sales book in that sense.

But its DIY focus is clear. Following its steps will result in more satisfaction in getting yourself and your information to the public. Recommended for writers.

How Can I remember that? by Tracy Packiam Alloway

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

Some kids have trouble remembering - maybe because of a brain disfunction, a learning gap, or other challenges. This book aims to provide reassurance and tips for improving working memory.

However, it also provides information and help for adults with learning disabilities or who struggle to build working memory. Highly recommended as it's from a professional who works in the field and has ideas for personal practical application.

I'm going to use some of the tips as I learn a new language.

Global Arts and Christian Witness by Roberta R. King

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
This is part of a series on Mission in Global Community for students and others. Music and other arts are an integral part of culture. They have always been part of the worship of the Church and part of the way we tell God's story. As a musician, this topic is dear to my heart. Though there is nothing startlingly different here, the book is encouraging and comprehensive about creative and proven ways to intersect culture.

With many illustrations, King encourages artists and musicians to create space for God's work in and through their art. She also promotes the idea of engaging and understanding cross-cultural settings by listening and looking at the art of other places, particularly in non-reading cultures.

Art is always a two- (or more-) way conversation. Showing, telling, and playing through voice, instruments, and artistic mediums allows a deep heart engagement, which nonetheless comes with some parameters and cautions. King gives a good overview of the process and the possibility of offering Good News through the arts. Recommended.

Nine Thoughts That Can Change Your Marriage by Sheila Wray Gregoire

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Marriage is no easy relationship. It is not something that can be treated lightly after the white dress is hung up, the flowers have wilted, and the new furniture is moved into a house.

This, written in an easy-to-read style, could be called "The nine secrets of a happy marriage." Gregoire examines damaging assumptions with which women enter and maintain their marriage.

She encourages wives to continue to pursue health and strengthen their marriages by changing their thinking ... and thus their actions. There are chapters on treating our husbands as friend and neighbor, accepting them as they are, not competing, and being a person of peace.

If you have been struggling in marriage or if you need a book that offers hope for a wife who wants to bring health to her marriage relationship, pick this us.