Bookshelf: Dennis and Barbara Rainey's Two Hearts Praying as One

I got this book as a gift at my wedding shower, and instead of waiting to read it, I figured the best time to tread would be before I got married next week. Since me and my fiance share the same belief we are focused on making this a practice in our relationship, and I believe that this book covers the topic very well. I feel it's very brief, but I also don't know what they could have done to expand on it as well. They get straight to the point and personal enough that this book feels like a one on one talk.

Summary: Dennis and Barbara are founders of FamilyLife, a Christian radio talk show. In this book they try to help married couples establish the daily prayer routine to strengthen their faith and their marriage. With each chapter a new little prayer challenge is given for the day for the husband and wife to do. In the hopes of establishing a regular prayer life, the author's believe all it takes is 30 days to make something new apart of your life, so with 30 days of something in your prayer life to try they make a small book to get the reader in the habit.

Bookshelf: James Dickey's Deliverance

The movie Deliverance is coming up on my list, and I got to say I'm quite excited. It was one those movies I heard a lot about growing, but I wasn't allowed to watch it, understandably since there is rape and sexual language in the book. Anyways, I didn't know this movie was based on a book till a few months ago while browsing a book store, and I was on board with reading it before I got the movie. I have to say that my thoughts are still conflicted on what I thought, but there is something very poignant about the story yet I felt it needed more.

Summary: Ed, Lewis, Drew, and Bobby are suburban guys who want a taste of the wild. They plan a trip in North Georgia where they can canoe and camp, and be well men. Once arriving they get the feeling this community is really tight and folks from around there aren't too welcome. Things only get worse when the guys get going on their canoeing trip, and Ed and Bobby are attacked by two men. This is only the beginning of worse things to come though as a hunt in the woods begins.

Bookshelf: E.L James' Fifty Shades Darker

So you might recall I read the first book, and gave it higher stars, which was 5 of 6, than some might have thought it deserved. Well that is because it was entertaining, and well it did keep you wondering where it would go next. Now this will give you spoilers in this blog if you don't want to know where the first book goes, so stop reading now if you don't want that. Anyways, at the end of the first book Christian and Anastasia had parted ways, so a huge enough cliffhanger was left to keep us reading till the next book. Now upon arriving to the next book you see that the plot was completely useless. There was no reason to continue writing these characters. The BDSM disappears, the story, everything.

Summary: Anastasia and Christian are back together after a very short break. Now they have discovered they want the real thing, or least Anastasia does. Christian seems still on the fence about whether he can commit since he can't say he loves her just yet. When an ex-submissive shows back up who has gone crazy, and Elena, the woman who was Christian's first submissive, begin to over crowd Anastasia's existence in Christian's life she is unsure she can commit to a man with such a past. Not only that, but Christian still has many issues he is dealing with from childhood that prevent him from being touched. Anastasia thought she was ready to commit, but is she?

Bookshelf: Stephen King's Joyland

I'm a bigger Stephen King fan with each read. Even the weaker novels have something to offer. Even the dialogue is always superb, and King has a talent for capturing dialect. I will admit I was expecting a lot more out of Joyland though, and perhaps it proves these sorts of novels are best read in the fall when fair season is hopping. A lot of the novel though felt it was garnering some direction, and well to be honest enjoying the characters a lot more than any plot, but isn't bad, but the novel cover implies a lot of something more.

Summary: Devin Jones is reeling from a tough breakup from his girlfriend, Wendy. She's moved away to college and found a new boyfriend, and all but forgotten him. Devin has not forgotten her though, and believes the best way to recover is to take up a job at Joyland, a carnival that runs throughout the summer and some of the fall.  Once arriving there though he finds the place has plenty of mystery, including a ghost story revolving around one of the park's most popular rides, Horror House, where the ghost of Linda Grey still haunts. In this tale, Devin is coming of age upon a frightful time.

Bookshelf: Amanda Hocking's Hollowland

I have to say this is probably one of the most well crafted self published books I've read. The author has really edited this book very well that it reads better than some that have professional editors at publishing companies working on books. Don't get me wrong, the book has typos, but it reads well enough that for me I wasn't too aware of it, and was more enthralled by the story. There are some little bumps in the story like a pet lion, which was a problematic distraction.

Summary: After the government run facility she is staying at is over run with zombies, Remy King, is determined to find her brother, Max, who was airlifted away from the chaos because of he is being protected by the government. Along the way though Remy is going to see a lot of how the world is changing now the zombies are running it. With marauders out to loot and kill, cults forming, and others just looking to survive against the threats it has become a dangerous and cautious world to live in with no law. She will also meet new friends who are looking for a group as well.

Bookshelf: Candice Watters' Get Married: What Women Can do to Help it Happen

Yes, this book was sitting on my shelf. More out of curiosity than needing the advice though. I was already with my now fiance at the time I bought this book. Some of this advice is practical, and other parts of the book are cringe worthy. Mostly because of the the emphasis on the mandate to Adam and Eve to reproduce. Watters seems to really believe if a married couple chooses to not have children they are in the wrong. I have no idea why some Christians like to single out that verse to multiply, but like to ignore countless others like how a woman should be secluded during her menstrual cycle. Plus, it's common sense God would tell them to make babies! If they hadn't the population wouldn't have grown, and today we don't have a problem with that, but we do have a problem with family structure.

Summary: Almost any woman you've met has dreamed about the day she will marry, though there are those who haven't. This book is more so for those who believe they are trying to marry in a world that doesn't place the value on marriage that there once was though. Women tend to be focusing on the negatives of men and prolonging marriage for educational and financial security as well, and this does push back the chances of babies if you want that sort of thing. Though women are making choices that will delay marriage they still complain about being single. Watters provides some truths and tips to staying content but also pursuing the idea of marriage while you're single.

Bookshelf: Stephen King's The Wind Through The Keyhole

If you've been following with the books I've read you know I got to the fourth book of The Dark Tower series, and before reading Wolves of Calla I was recommended to first read the book that King intended to tie in to the novel series way later on in 2012. King does a good job of making the book flow into the series. For Dark Tower fans particularly though it will be exciting to have a new book in the series exploring the mid-world that Roland resides in.

Summary: Roland, Susannah, Eddie, Jake, and Oy the billy-bumbler are on their way to the Outer Baronies, but a storm halts them in their path as they travel. As they are stormed in Roland tells a story within a story. He begins with one that accounts his early days as a gunslinger when he was sent by his father to find a shape-shifter than had been terrorizing the village. He meets Bill Streeter, the only boy in the village who has lived the attack of the shape-shifter and may be the only one who can identify him. To calm him he tells him the story of a boy named Tim from a popular childhood story his mom would tell him from a story time book.

Bookshelf:Bret McCracken's Hipster Christianity: When Church and Cool Collide

Just the word hipster can stir up annoyance in someone. Most will probably not read this book because the title includes hipster in it. I felt pretentious just carrying the book around. The thing there are some good observations in the book that apply to people beyond hipsters. Most teens may not identify as hipsters, but most of them have the want to be cool to the point it can over ride other aspects of their life like their spiritually, the thing is this book is going to be mostly only be picked up by who identify with the term hipster even if they don't call themselves that. The book has much to offer to a wider audience though.

Summary: Can the church and cool coincide? Christianity is being embraced by people who may conform to hipster ways, but this could mean adopting some questionable lifestyles that include things not conducive to the Christian lifestyle. In order to appear in with the crowd they will come off as if they aren't even living a Christian lifestyle. Not only is it affecting individuals though, but the church is also trying to appeal to the cool crowd, and this means they are involving more arts and pop culture in their programs, and sometimes it fits, but sometimes it makes the vibe very forced. So how do you appeal to a crowd who's mindset is to be cool without trying to look as if you are trying too hard?

Bookshelf: Stephen King's The Dead Zone

I'm a Stephen King.  I believe he is my favorite author. No one else really jumps first to my mind as his writing does. The Dead Zone is one of King's earlier works, wrote near the end of 70's, and one of my favorites that I've read from him. It veers off a bit from his usual horror that he is known for, and while maintaining an edge of the supernatural, it also dives a bit into the fantasy realm that King writes in as well. If you're not a fan of fantasy though this book is still very enjoyable. The only difficult parts for me to read through were the parts regarding all the politics.

Summary: Johnny Smith is a man who seems to have great luck. Since an accident as a child he has had hunches that sometimes lead to getting the right feeling so he can lots of money. After a car accident though, Johnny is left in coma. His coma will span enough time for his fiancee to meet another man and his career as a teacher to stall. When he wakes up though he finds himself with the ability to tell when a man is bad, and to see in the future. Either he can follow what maybe the chance to save a lot of lost lives from the evil of one human being, or he can deny it and try to live a normal life.

Bookshelf: Chris Seay's The Gospel According to Lost

Maybe you watched Lost, and if you did you probably puzzled along with the rest of the world regarding the mysteries of it. If you haven't watched the show then this book is useless to read. It heavily relies on having at least watched the first five seasons of the show. Also, this is a show that explores some of the themes that could relate back to Christians. Mostly the book reads a recap though. A recap that makes me want to rewatch the show.

Summary: Lost grew into a show that had many people puzzled over the direction it would take. Would it have a scientific explanation? Is the show more spiritual? This would be some of the questions that audiences asked as they approached the final season of Lost in the year 2010. Chris Seay is a Lost fanatic, and he can give you a lot of information regarding certain episodes, and what he related to each one of them, particularly Biblical. He dedicates each chapter to one of the main characters, and what the viewer can receive from their character relating to the message of Christianity.

Bookshelf: Matthew Paul Turner's What You Didn't Learn From Your Parents About Politics

Politics aren't the most welcoming of subjects to always talk about, and depending on how you were raised it can either be a very uncomfortable thing to talk about, one you enjoy, or one you feel apathetic toward. More than ever it seems that the next generation is approaching it with apathy. Matthew Paul Turner provides reasoning and issues to get passionate about though. This one involves a little less humor than his other series though, so it wasn't quite as enthralling, but then again politics isn't that exciting anyways.

Summary: Matthew Paul Turner with the assistance of others who are in the political field guide in explaining faith and politics, and how they have been together in history. Everything from the taxation from Caesar in the Bible to the issues we face today, we see what we can learn from how characters then dealt with politics, and how we should handle it today. Beginning with a little overview on the political parties, and the guiding the book into various issues, Turner provides good reasoning behind each viewpoints perspective.

Bookshelf: Matthew Paul Turner's What You Didn't Learn From Your Parents About Sex

Let's be frank. Reading about sex can be fun! Especially if you're from a faith that rarely puts out books such as this one. Anyways, most people have questions about sex, and this book does a good job of tying back in faith and what the Bible says on the topic as well. It's got a lot of interesting information. If you're waiting for marriage the book also has a whole chapter at the end with information, tips, and things to expect from the exciting to the embarrassing.

Summary: If you're like most the sex talk that you had from your parents probably included just the basics or you were given reading material. No one told you what oral sex was, how far was too far, or what the word masturbation meant. Actually, I can guarantee that maybe 1% of parents discuss even the meaning of masturbation. Matthew Paul Turner is here to clarify though. He answers questions presented from young adults, shares a bit of his own struggles and experiences regarding sexual activity, and gives insight on the many Biblical verses regarding sex, whether normal or strange.

Bookshelf: Matthew Paul Turner's Hear No Evil

Matthew Paul Turner has released books that do revolutionize  a way that many people have perceived Christianity, and others who have felt a bit of an outcast from the world because they've not fallen into the American idea of it. While there are some things I agree with him on, and other things I don't, this book can at least get me on the same page with him. I grew up through some of my middle school years, and high school years with a passion for the Christian music scene, but somewhere in college began listening to music outside of that label. I'm glad that I did as well before reading this book because many parts of this book is a dark look of the world of Christian music.

Summary: Turner grew up in a household where anything that involved percussion or electric instruments was banned. Over time though as he grew up, and got out he discovered a lot more music, and the impacts it can all have on people. Turner shares his experience with the Christian music industry while working at CCM, his years at a Christian music oriented college in Tennessee, and his current stance with music and worship.

Bookshelf: Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner

My sister read this book a couple of years ago, and considering her high recommendations of a book that isn't her usual reading genre, I had to check it out. This book instantly pulls you into the characters, and makes you wonder how in the world you're going to be able to like the lead character, Amir. Hosseini has the talent of doing great enough character development to leave that question in the dust as develop with Amir. Not only that but for those not too familiar with the backdrop of what is happening in Afghanistan beyond America's involvement it's quite educational.

Summary: Amir is best friends with Hassan. Hassan's father is the servant of Amir's father, Baba. At first their friendship is simple. The two live in the same place, and their father's ability to seem on the same level when around other doesn't make them aware of their caste differences. As Amir grows older the bullying regarding their friendship becomes more prominent, Hassan's despised Hazara heritage is beginning to cause a cultural strife in the area. Amir also begins to long more for his father's affection, and it seems that making a sacrifice of his friendship is the only way to get it. What he does causes him regret that lasts him into his adulthood leaving him needing some sort of redemption.

Bookshelf: John Green's The Fault in Our Stars

So most teenagers have probably heard of this book, and many have it. Adults like me have even read it. It has become a bestseller, and now it's in the works to be a movie next year with some notable names in it. I can see why this book has achieved popularity though. Green has been building his name for a while in the young adult genre by consistently releasing novels, and teens like them. He does put a voice out there for them that most teens wish they had. And like author's, Lurlene McDaniel, he somehow hits a soft spot that is devastating to read.

Summary: Hazel lives with terminal cancer. She carries an oxygen tank around to help her lungs work, and is attending a cancer support group. Other than that her life is filled with America's Next Top Model reruns and going to college classes three days a week. All Hazel's mom wants is for her to get out a little and live the life she has. After Hazel meets Augustus at the cancer support group she finds just what it seems she needs. Hazel is scared to fall for the guy though considering she doesn't know how long she has to live.

Bookshelf: E.L James' Fifty Shades of Grey

Whether people have read it or not it seems that most people have an opinion about this book. One of my hugest pet peeves is hating something that you've never read, watched, or listened to though. Out of curiosity I finally got around to reading Fifty Shades of Grey. The talk of the movie made it difficult to keep putting off. In 2011 a book that began as Twilight fanfiction hit the scene. It's pretty obvious it has Twilight origins, and I'm sure E.L. James wasn't shocked by the negative reaction. For some reason women can't enjoy things without it being bashed whether it's Twilight or this. I forget that Playboy is scholarly.

Summary: Anastasia Steele is a 21 year old with a promising future. She has hopes of working in the publishing industry. Before graduating college she meets Christian Grey. Grey is a wealthy business tycoon who feels intrigued by Ana from the moment he meets her. She also has become intrigued by him, but Grey has a lifestyle that only those he knows practice the same he lets in a relationship with him. While Grey is interested in Ana she would have to not be put off by his private lifestyle.

Bookshelf: Stephen King's Salem's Lot

Stephen King is a master of writing horror, and his second novel is strong for a new writer. Carrie was a little of a rough novella for me, so I was a little concerned that his second novel wouldn't be that much stronger. It has everything I loved about King's novels though. The content is very dark, the characters can be scary and ones you care for and the novel is lively.

Summary: Ben Mears is returning to Salem's Lot to face his dark past. After witnessing a man hanging in the house where a rumored murder happened he has felt troubled since a boy. Now he wants to write a novel about the town. After arriving there strange things begin happening, and bodies are disappearing. Many of these bodies are turning up at night being sighted. Ben is also growing closer to a woman he has met, Susan, and has made friends with a teacher, Matt. They also have become aware of the situation, but the reality of what is happening may be enough to send them into denial.

Bookshelf: Lee Grady's 10 Lies the Church Tells Women

Depending on some of your theological perspectives you may or may not agree with everything in this book. The book does have some topics that anyone of any sex can agree on. While women preaching is still highly controversial in the church there are other subjects like spousal abuse that takes place under the misinterpretation of the submission verse in the Bible that is quite startling, and the fact that pastors would tell a woman to stay in the marriage and just pray her husband changes even if he is beating her. Personally, I think Grady provides enough evidence to suggest that women preaching in church was highly cultural, and plus other parts of text like women wearing head coverings and completely being in silent in church seem to have been mostly overlooked by most denominations while that one is still held tightly to.

Bookshelf: Stephen King's The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass

So The Dark Tower is definitely building toward something eerie, and developing the characters well enough that you will be devastated if anything happens to them. In the second book we spent a little time getting to know Eddie and Susannah's past and then in the third with Jake. In the fourth though we finally explore Roland's elusive past, and with him being the quietest and most mysterious character in the book most people will be curious as to what this book has to reveal about his past finally.

Summary:  Wizard and Glass picks up at the very intense scene where the last book left off. It also throws us into the past of Roland as he tells Jake, Susannah, and Eddie about what changed the course of his life at 14 years old. He tells them about his first love, Susan. Her world though is very divided among men, so when Roland steps into her led with his two other friends they find themselves in a bit of a mess, and dealing with all sorts of badness including Rhea, a witch. He shares how he found and loss bits of his life very early on in life.

Bookshelf: Stephen King's The Dark Tower III: The Wastelands

With Gunslinger we're introduced to the central character of the novel. Then with The Drawing of the Three we are introduced to the other characters deeply involved, and then with The Waste Lands were are finally on our way to the Dark Tower, but with the arrival of one last crew member. Where the others built up the characters to power the other books in the series, this book finally churns out where we are going, and how we're getting there. Thankfully, I wasn't reading this book upon it's release though, or I would be left with a huge cliffhanger.

Summary: Now Roland, Susannah, and Eddie are in the woods after moving from the beach, and encountering plenty of oddities and dangers of Roland's world. Many things are also taking place with the crew themselves including new paradoxes of the mind, and lots of odd but very telling dreams. Also, things are happening from the world that Susannah and Eddie left behind in New York City that still need to merge over with them to line everything back up again. The three will deal with this though as they continue their pursuit to the Dark Tower.