A Few Recent Reads

I need to recap some of my recent review reads so I figured it'd be best to just do post with all of them. I've read some good books lately!

First up is this one...

10 Choices Successful Couples Make: The Secret to Love That Lasts a Lifetime by Dr. Ron Welch

You guys...this book is so good. I have read many books on marriage in the past and this one is truly one of my favorites. In fact, after I finished I told Matt that I wanted to read it together ASAP. What sets it apart from other books on marriage? It's not silly/cheesy and it has practical application exercises that can be done as a couple.

This second point is exactly why I want Matt and I to read the book together soon. I think application in this type of book can be majorly helpful. If I just out of the blue recommended that Matt and I complete all of the exercises he'd probably respond with "Why?" (and I'd respond that way, too!) but when a book tells us what to do, how to do it and gives us the tools to complete the task, it makes it so much better.

I also enjoyed that this book was practical and not overwhelming. I've read marriage books in the past that were just simply overwhelming - too much information for me to process and that doesn't help me! This book was straight-forward. Welch offered experiences from his own life but also included experiences of couples he worked with in the past. Real life examples are so helpful. It makes us feel less isolated in things we may be going through!

I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to Matt and I reading it together soon.

**Revell sent me a complimentary copy of this book.**

Next up...

The Way of The Warrior: An Ancient Path to Inner Peace by Erwin Raphael McManus

This book is HEAVY. Super heavy, in my opinion. McManus's goal in this book is to give practical tools to help the believer live in victory and walk in peace. While I do think this is achieved in the book by exploring ancient biblical principles, it is a hard read. It's intellectual and full of many complex thoughts and it is intense. Does that mean it was bad? NOT AT ALL! In fact, I think this book is incredible. It just isn't a book you can breeze right through and catch all of it. I think this book would be best read in small chunks (5-10 pages with a highlighter!) so that the reader can really digest the information.

This book is difficult for me to explain (as I'm sure you've already seen!) There is no doubt that McManus is passionate about what he is teaching and I think that despite the heaviness of this book, it is what kept me reading. You can feel the passion in the pages.

I also feel like this book is great for men. The tone, to me, is masculine and the stories are more appealing for men. I kept thinking of Christians who have maybe grown stagnant in their walk and this book helping to revive them and move to a new place with God.

I hope all of that makes sense.

**Waterbrook sent me a complimentary copy of this book.**

Third book...

Brave Love by Lisa Leonard

Lisa Leonad's  debut book is incredible. I was honored to be a part of the launch team for this book and I'm serious when I say that I could not put this book down! Lisa's story is raw and real and genuine and I felt like I was sitting right beside her and she was pouring her heart out to me. Lisa's life has been beautiful but also hard. She and her husband had been married a show time when they found out she was expecting their first child. On the day he was born, they found out he had a unique syndrome that would impact his and their lives forever. Lisa shares how she put herself on the back burner in many ways and, in the process, lost herself. I love the beautiful story of redemption and healing she shares. I have already passed this book along to a friend and cannot wait to keep telling people about it!

**As a part of the launch team, I received this book for free.**

When I Pray for You by Matthew Paul Turner 

The newest children's book from Matthew Paul Turn, When I Pray for You, is absolutely incredible. From the writing on each page to the illustrations, you'll be oohing and ahing and crying! It's a special book for sure.

Turner has a way with words that draw in people of all ages. Both of my boys (5 and 2.5) have enjoyed reading. The concept of praying for our children is an important one and I try hard each day to pray for our boys. This book put to words what I often pray for in my heart. It's incredibly neat to see the illustrations which are beautiful and inclusive. Children of all races are included and children with different uniquenesses are included as well and that is important and special. This book is definitely worth checking out! 

**I am glad I was able to be a part of this launch team.**

Jax's Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry {A Children's Book Review}

Jax's Tail Twitches; When You Are Angry is another book in the Good News for Little Hearts series and it is incredible, too! The other two books I've read have read and reviewed addressed failure as well as anxiety and this one addresses anger.

I think this one was harder to read because it was intense and don't we all struggle with anger at times? It was difficult to see the Dad in the story become angry and see how his children reacted and to see how they all worked through it. 

I think this book is monumentally important for all of us to read and apply in our lives. If a child deals with anger issues, this is especially needed for them. 

Zoe's Hiding Place: When You are Anxious {A Children's Book Review}

Zoe's Hiding Place: When You are Anxious is a book in the Good News for Little Hearts Series and it is such a great book. While I'd much prefer for children to never be anxious, it is a reality and when it happens, they need a book to help this. This is one such book. 

Zoe becomes anxious and begins to worry about many things as she prepares for a class trip and when she interacts with her mom, her mom helps her to learn and remember that God is always with her. That Zoe can turn her worries into prayers to God and he will help her.

When the event comes, she remembers what to do when she begins to worry and get anxious. She is able to overcome and grows stronger in the process. 

The end of the book has a bullet-point section of tips for helping a child who is dealing with anxiety and there are some pocket bible verses as well. 

This book is real while also being on the child's level. I highly recommend this!! 

Favorite Children's Books {15}

Time for another round of our recent favorite book picks! 

These first several pictures were taken in the car in a hurry so excuse the quality! 

If you aren't familiar with the story of Malala, get familiar. It is incredible, hard, inspiring and eye-opening. This is one perspective of her story. 

A funny book that made us all laugh. #Kids

This book...😭 Just so well-written and encouraging. He speaks to his daughters about the things he sees/hopes to see in the world. Love it. 

Phew...a hard read. Hard for me to say much about it because it's just tough. Look it up, definitely worth checking out. 

A sweet book that tells the story of creation in rhymes. 

This book is so funny. Gabby convinces her grandmother to take her to Never Sleeping City. What happens there is worth the read! 

A neat story about how one player changed hockey. Matt is a hockey fan so the boys are by default. 

Fletcher is so upset about the falling leaves until he learns the reasoning. 

An outrageous tale of a boy following a bubble. 

Poor little stink bug is unstinky. What will he do about it? 

A town has a wall that is unsightly. They work through a way to figure out how to make it more appealing. This is a neat story of teamwork and unity. 

Another book about Malala. We really enjoyed this one, too. 

As Mason leans into learning to read more, these books have been so great for him! 

  

We have read similar books about bugs and beasts. This one is similar but did not appeal as much for whatever reason. Maybe we will try again another time. 

Frida Kahlo is such an incredible person to learn about. We've read several books about her. This book was a neat perspective of her life. If you haven't learned about Frida, do it now!

Hehe, this book is hilarious. Giraffe discusses all of his problems and learns why they may not be problems after all. 

Counting and building. Perfect book for a 2 year old boy. 

This book was great around Thanksgiving. Great to read about the sacrifices they make. 

This book is a bit advanced for my boys but it was fun to flip through. We will come back to it again later on. So much information about cities throughout the country. 

I love stories that are based on true story. This book was educational and fun. 

Oh, poor Bear and Duck. I love it. 

  

We checked out a few books about Jewish families/people after the synagogue shooting. This one was so cool. Love learning more about other cultures. 

Great book for learning about the senses. 

Just like Giraffe, Penguin has problems, too. 

Mason enjoys this series of books and this latest one is no exception. SO relatable to boys especially but all kids. 

The Scott brothers had big dreams and this book shares how they made it happen! 

A new lift-a-flap book in time for Christmas! 

Bear Can't Sleep is so cute. These Bear books always pull us in. We've read all of them. 

Love Does for Kids by Bob Goff and Lindsey Goff Viducich {A Children's Book Review}

Love Does For Kids by Bob Goff and Lindsey Goff Viducich is the most recent book read in our house. Well, mostly read. It's intended to be a book that is read daily and we have read some each week but not finished yet. 

There are 46 "chapters" in the book where the authors share stories from throughout their lives that have helped to shape who they are as adults. While it is neat to read the stories, it is even more interesting to apply those "morals" to our lives now. Great for helping children build character. 

Mason and I both enjoyed this book. I would recommend to 5+ and I think it is a great book to read at breakfast or at bedtime. Those are the best times in our house, anyway. :) 

This book would be great for a Christmas gift for a family with children! 

**Thank you, BookLook Bloggers, for sharing this book with me.**

Buster's Ears Trip Him Up {A Children's Book Review}

Buster's Ears Trip Him Up: When You Fail by Edward T Welch is a great book in the Good News For Little Hearts Series is a great addition to our ever-overflowing bookshelf! 

This book, Buster's Ears Trip Him Up, addresses pride as well as how to recover when you fail at something. This book is definitely for ages 5+ as it is on the longer side and the concepts are for older than toddler-age children. 

Buster and his sister go to summer camp and Buster is looking forward to a race that he is certain he will win. He is boastful throughout the week and so sure of himself. When the race takes place, he looks back to see how far ahead he is and when he does, he trips and falls and loses the race for his team. He is overwhelmed by the loss and he and his sister have a big conversation about pride coming before the fall as well as God loving no matter our failures. The key verse is Romans 5:8 which is one Mason has recently studied in AWANA so it was fun to go back over that verse and see it in a real-life situation. 

I think this book is great for any child but especially for children who are going through a season of boasting/pridefulness. Incredible, incredible resource! 

**Thank you to the publisher for sending this book!**

God Counts: Numbers in His Word and His World {A Children's Book Review}

God Counts: Numbers in His Word and His World is such a great new children's book! The book goes through numbers 1-12 and then includes infinity as it show children (and adults) how God shows his love for us. Each page includes at least one scripture to back up the main point of the page.

For example, for number 1, it says "One tells us that God is the first and best." The scripture that goes along with it is Deuteronomy 6:4: "The Lord, he is God. There is no other. God is the one and only, the only one." 

Mason and Maddox both enjoyed this book. For Maddox, the counting appeals while for Mason, the information is enjoyable and educational for him. 

I highly recommend this book and think it would be a great addition to the the Christmas presents under the tree! 

**Thank you to the publisher for sending this to me.**