Unsinkable, by Abby Sunderland & Lynn Vincent

Unsinkable tells the amazing true story of a 16 year old Abby Sunderland, who in January 2010 attempted to become the youngest person ever to sail solo, nonstop, around the world. It is told from three different perspectives: that of Abby herself, a third-party narrator, and eventually a rescue team. It chronicles Abby and her family's history, the preparations that led to her trip, and the entire journey right up till her return home.

Abby's saga is a compelling one, as is that of her family. The book really takes you inside of the inner workings of the Sunderland family, and answers the questions that have been on the mind of many people since her story first hit the news waves last year. How could anyone let their 16 year old sail solo around the world? Did she really have the skills and maturity for such a trip? What was the experience like for her all alone out on the sea?

As a mother, and particularly as a homeschooling mother, I really enjoyed this book. It was both fascinating and inspirational to read about the trust, freedom, and support that they gave to Abby (as well as the rest of their children) as they followed their life-long passions and pursued their dreams. This is clearly a loving and close-knit family, and Ms Sunderland is without doubt a mature, intelligent, and skilled sailor.

The sailing information was captivating, and the entire book - especially the latter half - read like a gripping novel. Even though I knew the ultimate outcome ahead of time, I appreciated being taken along for the ride.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Final Summit, by Andy Andrews

Time is running out...

The Final Summit tells the story of David Ponder, a 74 year old man who at the beginning of the book is questioning is own will to live, and his journey to convene with several other time travelers - everyone from Joan of Arc to Abraham Lincoln to Anne Frank to Winston Churchill. Their mission is to answer one single question: What must be done in order to save humanity. The answer is only two words, and they only have five chances to get it right. Racing against the clock (or the hourglass, as it were) David and this group of some of the most important people in all of history must work together to discover the answer before it is too late.

Rife with historical references and stories, the book takes place almost entirely at this meeting, this "Final Summit", as the characters discuss possible solution to the question. While Mr Andrews took some liberties with the Travelers' words, the historical facts given are indeed very true. They are also very interesting, very inspirational, and most likely pieces of information you've never learned anywhere else.

I read this book in its entirety in one weekend. It is at once suspenseful and heart warming. I have never been especially interested in history, but Andrews keeps me interested. I've never been a fan of things like time travel, but Andrews makes me a fan. He draws me in, and holds my attention until the very last word (and beyond it) I think the best writers are those that inspire you to continue thinking about their books long after you've finished them, and Andy Andrews is that writer.

This book will touch, inspire, and enlighten you. It's also just a really great edge-of-your-seat story, and I would recommend it to all.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Power Based Life, by Mike Flynt

Mike Flynt is a former college football player. He was kicked out of college after too many fights, and he later returned to play out his senior year at the age of 59 (becoming the oldest person to do so in NCAA history.) He committed his life to Christ, and to helping others realize their own personal dreams and goals, no matter what they may be. This book is a realization of his desire to help others by showing them how to tap into their own "power base," and live the life that they were called by God to live.

At its heart, The Power Based Life is one big pep talk, and a good one at that. Flynt uses numerous personal stories, sports stories, biblical references, and other illustrations (I'm still thinking about his little story about Sylvester Stallone) to take the reader through twelve different steps to both figure out what you were called to do, and to do it. His advice is both practical and inspirational, and it will have you fired up and excited to go out and chase your dreams.

When I first starting reading this book, I was excited about the message, but not quite as excited about his style of writing. As I got into it however, the writing didn't matter anymore, because his enthusiasm and passion rose above it. I finished it in a matter of days.

I truly loved this book, and gained much from its pages. It's a book I would recommend to anyone struggling with "finding" themselves, and it's a book that I will read again.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Time To Embrace, by Karen Kingsbury

A Time To Embrace is a story about family, faith, and forgiveness. John and Abby are a long-time married couple who have recently reconciled after being on the brink of divorce. Their rekindled relationship is strong, as is their relationship with their three children. John is a high school football coach and teacher who at the start of the book is being met with a difficult season and a complicated backlash from parents.

An accident involving both John and two of his students suddenly and violently changes everything, and forces them all to draw on their faith and their strength as they navigate through the resulting aftermath.

This was a touching book, and a quick read. The characters were strong and likeable, especially John, and the message was inspiring. My only real complaints are 1) some unnecessary and confusing subplots (for example, a son with a porn addiction. It was introduced, then quickly dropped, and really added nothing to the story) and 2) the miraculous and neatly tied up ending. I understand what the author was trying to do - demonstrate the power of prayer - and it was evident in the way everything unfolded. But prayers don't always turn out the way we want them to, as we aren't the ones in control. I felt that the message could have been even more powerful if she'd gone in another direction, and shown the characters' acceptance of a different outcome.

It was still overall a good book and an inspirational story, especially for anyone struggling with their faith.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Uncle Sam's Plantation: How Big Government Enslaves America's Poor and What We Can Do About It, by Star Parker

This book takes an extremely unflinching look at: poverty in this country, the flaws in the current welfare system, and the steps the author believes we need to take to take the power away from the government, and put it back in the hands of the people in the form of personal responsibility. Having spent much of her life using and abusing the system herself, Ms Parker draws from her own experience, and recounts the freedom she experienced at turning her life around and no longer relying on government handouts.

She makes a strong plea for a return to personal responsibility, moral living, and old-fashioned family values. She also makes many compelling points about the problems with our current system, and sheds some light on what it would take to change it.

Unfortunately, whatever useful information is contained in the book - and I concede that it is indeed there - is eventually lost in what turns into a bitter diatribe against the liberal left. The author lost me about a third of the way in, and never really got me back.  The tone of the book comes across as sarcastic and arrogant, to the point that I had a difficult time finishing it.  I disagreed with her stance on a few big issues, but I disagreed more with her delivery.  No matter where one's political beliefs lie, it gets exhausting reading a one-woman attack on, well, anyone and everyone who isn't a conservative Republican.  I do not believe that any one group has the definitive answer (to this or any of our nation's problems), and I do not believe that slinging mud at anyone will ever truly further a cause. 

If you're a fan of Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity (both of whom gave the book high praise), you will likely love this book. If you're not, you may well glean some good information from its pages, but you might want to tread with caution.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Butterfly Effect, by Andy Andrews

"Every single thing you do matters.  You have been created as one of a kind.  You have been created in order to make a difference.  You have within you the power to change the world."  ~Andy Andrews

The Butterfly Effect is based on a theory that was first presented back in 1863:  That a butterfly could flap its wings, which would move molecules of air... which would move other molecules of air... which would move other molecules of air.. which could eventually start a hurricane on the other side of the world.  Taken a step further, it follows that the decisions we make, both large and small, MATTER, and have a far-reaching "butterfly effect" not just on our lives, but on everyone - and everything - around us.

In this beautiful and thought-provoking little book, Andy Andrews perfectly illustrates this butterfly effect, first with the story of a man named Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, whose actions over 100 years ago greatly affect how we all live today.  Chamberlain was a Colonel in the Union army, and the decisions that he made during just one battle literally changed the course of our country.  Andrews then goes on to recount the contributions of another (connected to another, connected to another...): contributions that changed, and continue to change, the lives of billions of people.  He challenges the readers to remember that we too serve a purpose, and that our actions are far greater reaching than we can even imagine.  We are all connected, and just like the butterfly's wings, our most innocent decisions can affect the lives of countless others.

This is truly a lovely book, both aesthetically and in its message.  It is a book that encourages and a book that inspires.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Same Kind of Different As Me, by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Same Kind of Different as Me is a first person account of the true story of a friendship that formed between Denver Moore, a poor sharecropper who grew up as a modern-day slave and eventually became a hardened and angry homeless man;  Ron Hall, a wealthy and privileged international art dealer;  and Ron's wife Deborah who, largely as the result of a divine vision, created the homeless shelter that eventually brought them together.  The story is told from two voices, alternating between both Denver and Ron's perspectives.

This was a compelling story and a quick read, but I felt a vague sense of disappointment when I'd finished it.  I think I ultimately didn't like it as much as I wanted to like it.

Denver's point of view had my interest right from the start.  Despite his history (or perhaps because of it), he immediately drew me in and tugged at my heart.  I couldn't help but root for him, and I truly enjoyed watching his transformation as he grew from the beginning of the story to the end.  Ron underwent his own transformation, to be sure, but I had a hard time emotionally connecting to his side of the story.  He held many prejudices throughout the book, and while he eventually let go of them as he forged a friendship with Denver, many of his epiphanies felt like they just came a little later than they should have.  He certainly made great strides, but I wanted him to get there faster.

Regardless, this was a good book, and an interesting story.  It was a bit heavy-handed with the religious tone, which might be off-putting if you're sensitive to feeling like you're being "preached" at.  The message was a solid one though, and it is worth a read, if for no other reason than to hear Denver's inspirational triumph over adversity.
 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”