Great Books Read in 2011

Last year I began Net's Book Nook just as a place for me to document the books that I read and listen to throughout the year.  You can go there for a more complete book list.  I read over 30 books, including the ENTIRE BIBLE.

Many of the books I read were very good, but here are the great books that I highly recommend.  Each link is to my thoughts on the book.

Words: A Novel by Ginny Yttrup

Words was an incredible read.  A ten year old girl no longer speaks because of horrific abuse, but she collects words.  A woman meets the girl and both are changed...

Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace

Emily of Deep Valley is definitely one of my all-time favorite books.  Just go read it.  It's so good.

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

Pearl in the Sand was incredible.  It is a fictionalized story of Rahab.  I thought Tessa Afshar's writing was seasoned, though it was her first book.  I really loved it, and it made me think a bit more about biblical fiction-something that can be done well (like this) or not so well...

God's Priorities for Today's Woman by Lisa Hughes

God's Priorities for Today's Woman is a must-read for Christian women, but be prepared to be convicted!

Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace

Well, I am a Maud Hart Lovelace fan, right?  Betsy's Wedding was the perfect ending to the Betsy-Tacy series.

Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman

Don't Make Me Count to Three gave me great ideas in this crazy thing called parenting to help focus on heart attitude/behavior.  I will be re-reading this one!

Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland by Roseanna White

Colonial Maryland.  A book I couldn't put down.  A well-written, not-your-standard-romance!

The Bible (NIV, 1984)

That's right.  I read the whole Bible (with a few days to spare) in 2011!  You can read about my experience here.

I listened to some INCREDIBLE audio books this year, too.  Some were so good that I feel compelled to read them for myself though I already know the story!  (Click the link to see the titles.  If you haven't read them yet...go find them!)


Knowing my favorites (including audio favorites), do you have any reading suggestions for this coming year?? Please share!

Books I Wish I Read in 2011

In addition to the books I read, I listen to a lot of books on CD.  It makes the time in the kitchen washing dishes and preparing meals so much more pleasant!  I have tried to keep track of the books I listen to, but haven't done a very good job.  I created Net's Book Nook for the purpose of documenting the books I read and listen to, but I often forget!

I highly recommend each of these books!  I listened to each of them this year and wish I had taken the time to read them instead.  (I listened to them on CD instead.  I hope to read them one day for myself though.)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer


The Help, by Kathryn Stockett

The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford 

Sarah's Key, by Tatiana De Rosnay

Two of these books have been made into movies, but I haven't seen them yet.  All but The Help are set (at least partially) around World War II.  The Help takes place in Alabama in the 1960's.  Can you tell I love learning about history through fiction?

Honorable Mentions go to Anne of Green Gables and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, two books I own and love.  Savvy by Ingrid Law and Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.  Both were great!  All four of these are considered books for young readers...yet another theme of my reading.

My apologies for not including descriptions.  Links are to Amazon for you to read more there since I never actually reviewed them.  Please forgive me, but time is limited, but I really wanted to share!  If you want to see the reviews for my top favorite books read (not audio) go here.

What books are your favorites?  I'd love to hear and add to my must read list!  Please leave a comment (and link to a blog post if appropriate) and share!

Christmas Gift Ideas

Sometimes it takes talking to friends and reading friends' blogs to come up with good Christmas gift ideas.  I thought I'd share a few ideas of items we are purchasing this year (and a few items that we already love).

Need a gift for a...

Reading enthusiast~Light Wedge
Last year I didn't get the Light Wedge for Christmas...so I bought it for myself.  (By purchasing a color other than black, I bought it for about $15.)  Later I also purchased the case because it does scratch very easily.  I LOVE this book light!








Little boy who has plenty of trucks and cars and loves diggers~Excavator
We recently ordered this excavator for our three year old son.  We fully anticipate him loving it.  He recently was given a Hot Wheels jump track that he loves, too.

Little girl who loves to create and wants to do more independently~ Stamp Set
We picked up a Melissa and Doug set filled with butterflies and flowers a while back.  Our five year old loves to make little projects, but my time is limited these days with what I can do with her.  She'll love the little box and having all the little stamps (and finally her own pad) in one place.



Star Wars enthusiast~books
Actually, I bought two books for my husband...one for the content and the other because he can share the pop-up book with the kids until they are old enough to watch the movies.  I picked The Jedi Path based on this review.  Then a friend...a librarian friend told me about the pop-up books!  She had ten copies in her library because the kids loved them so much!  After looking around Amazon a bit and watching the video in the link, I chose Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy.  I think he'll really enjoy it.  (One book will be for Christmas and the other for his birthday.)


Person who is always cold~ electric blanket
  Last year I bought us a king sized electric blanket for $35!  (It was a black Friday deal, from Boscov's and made by Sunbeam.)  It has dual controls which lets my husband who is always warm and me (never warm) be much more comfortable!  I wish we had it YEARS ago!  I love it!








Maud Hart Lovelace fan~ more books!
The Betsy-Tacy Treasury was just released.  It has the first four books in it...just waiting to be read!  In addition to that, Discover Deep Valley: A Guide to Maud Hart Lovelace's Mankato was just released last month!  It's available through Minnesota Heritage Publishing. 


 If you end up clicking through an Amazon link here at LLL, a tiny percent does come back to me at no additional cost to you if you purchase ANY item.

Counting Down to Christmas Part 3: Advent Book Calendar

This is our third (and final, I think) part of Counting Down to Christmas!  Be sure to check out our homemade Jesse Tree and how we enjoy Christmas books throughout the month!

We LOVE the tiny little books that comes with The Story of Christmas Book Set &Advent Calendar.  The books tell the story of how the birth of Jesus using scripture.  Each of the twenty-four board books is just four pages long (with small print) and attached is a silver loop, making these books easy to hang!  The Story of Christmas Advent Calender is perfect for families with younger or older children who want a daily reminder of what Christmas is all about.  Each book is numbered, too, so they are easy to keep track of the books.  Some families may choose to hang a book daily on a tree, but we use them in a different way.

I use The Story of Christmas Advent Calendar with a homemade mini-craft stick manger.  I place a piece of brown yarn and the appropriate day's book in a small, decorative box with a lid.  The children check the box throughout the day to see if the "hay" and book are there.  The "hay" is preparing the manger for Jesus.  As you might suspect, Jesus arrives Christmas morning.  You could use a Little People (or even just a drawing) Jesus, but I made a special little felt "doll" to represent Jesus, swaddled in his manger.

Jesus was made with two gray felt ovals and a medium brown oval.  I stitched eyes, nose, and a mouth onto the brown oval and then stitched it to a gray oval.  To make it appear that Jesus was swaddled, I also stitched some simple lines, as you can see (I hope) in the photo above.  I used cotton balls to stuff this little Jesus doll, if I remember correctly.  Below you can see another view of the manger.

My five year old recently brought up the ways that we celebrate Christmas!  They certainly left an impression on her last year and she is eager for the little ways (not just the gifts!) we celebrate throughout the month.

How do you celebrate Christmas during the month of December?

Betsy's Wedding, by Maud Hart Lovelace

Honestly, I had decided I wasn't going to review Betsy and the Great World  or Betsy's Wedding though I enjoyed both a great deal.  The big problem is that I finished them a few weeks ago...

(Please note that these are the final books in a lovely series that I highly recommend for young readers and adults who enjoy learning of another time period.)

 But I still wanted to document that I really enjoyed these books, so I will write some brief thoughts.

In Besty and the Great World, Betsy is 21 and her parents have decided to send her on a tour of Europe.  It seems that this adventure will be a great way to improve her writing and see the world-all the while trying to forget about her old sweetheart Joe.  The year was 1914, and it's obvious that Betsy is ignorant to the hostility in Europe and even the thought of war despite what her new European friends think- until the worst happens and war begins.  With the war's arrival, Betsy must seek her own departure to America.

Betsy's Wedding begins with Betsy's return to America...and Joe Willard.  Obviously, they marry.  It's really the only way this Betsy-Tacy series can end, you know!

I personally loved reading about Betsy trying to learn to cook and clean and be a wife.  Even when her friends would make fudge at her home, she never really helped...so she was truly starting from scratch!  Thankfully, her old friend Tib has some helpful hints for her.  My favorite was to have a "company dinner" meal that you can make for company.  I don't really do this...just kind of figure out what I want to serve based on the guests.  (I'm thinking that the Bacon Ranch Chicken might be it since it can be made in the crock pot...and no gravy needed!)

Despite how hard it was for Betsy, I loved her perseverance...even when offered a job writing.

"...You might enjoy working in a publicity office."
Betsy was very pleased by her answer came promptly.  "Oh, Mrs. Hawthorne, I know I'd love it!  Joe has told me how delightful your office is.  But Mrs. Hawethorne, I already have a job."
"You have?" She sounded surprised.
"Yes.  An it's important, and very hard.  It's learning how to keep house."
Mrs. Hawthorne swept her arms around Betsy with laughter.  "That's the girl!" she said.


She also had to learn to let Joe lead the way...this was not easy, especially when it came to a long-term visitor.  I loved reading how she changed her attitude from grudgingly agreeing because it is what she should do to accepting and loving the idea.

That's all for now...but keep in mind the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge over at Library Hospital!  It's worth checking out...and do check out Betsy-Tacy and all of MHL's books!

ABC's and 123's

Tiger Tales recently sent me a box of books.  Immediately, I saw two books that I knew BOTH of my children AND I would love.  I was right!

A Is for Apple and 123 Count with Me are fabulous!  Both sturdy board books are interactive with "tracks" to trace the letters and numbers and flaps to lift.  (Arrows help to know the direction to go and the numbers help the child to know which order to go.)  Both books are geared for ages 2-5, and I think that is a great age for these books.

 In A is for Apple, each capital and lower case letter is shown, and the capital letter has a low-lying, different colored "track."  Each letter features a simple sentence, complete with illustrations such as, "Gg is for goat and gate."  Under the flap, is the second illustration and the end of the sentence.  My son (age 3) likes to trace the letters and say "Up, down, up, down."  Sometimes he says the letter, and sometimes he doesn't.  But he always names the pictures.  My daughter (age 5) traces the letters and reads the book aloud.  The other morning she saw A is for Apple and exclaimed, "That's my favorite!"  This is definitely a book I would consider giving as a gift and is a family favorite.

123 Count with Me uses the same techniques as A Is for Apple for the tracing of the letters with tracks and arrows.  Each page features a number, 1-20.  For the number eight, there are 7 trains showing and another hiding  under the flap.  Also visible on the page, it says "8 eight trains."  Under the flap, it says "Number eight is late."  I like the variety of objects featured in this book (socks, ducks, crayons, strawberries), but do wish that each page's illustrations were a bit more varied.  (For example, all 12 socks are purple and green striped.)  This is still a great tool for children to use to enjoy forming the numbers though!

Tiger Tales is known for their quality books, and these did not disappoint.  I love that they are alphabet and number books that are still engaging for for the young (age 2) and old (age 5).  Often similar books don't engage an older child that recognizes letters and numbers well.

Thank you, Tiger Tales, for providing us with these books for review purposes.

Betsy Was a Junior and Betsy and Joe

 I've written about Maud Hart Lovelace before, including the Betsy-Tacy series.  The series is based on MHL's life in Mankato, Minnesota and her growing up years.  Oh, I highly recommend it!  (If your library doesn't have the books, don't forget to request them; they are now re-released and quite affordable...two books/1 volume for about $10 on Amazon.)  This summer when our family went to camp, I took along the single book that includes the third and fourth books of lovable Betsy's high school years, Betsy Was a Junior and Betsy and Joe.  I couldn't put it down.  I just love reading about the town of Deep Valley along with Betsy and her friends in the early 1900's.  (Want to hear something really funny?  My friend who also attended camp brought along a MHL book, but she brought along Betsy's Wedding!  We had a bit of a laugh over this as we were relaxing and reading MHL outside our cabins at the same time.)

In Betsy Was a Junior, Betsy's sister goes away to college.  When she comes home, she tells of the sororities who are rushing her.  It's not long before Betsy gets the idea to begin a sorority of her friends.  She thinks that sisterhood can't have any downfalls.  As I was reading and loving the book, I was also very frustrated that Betsy didn't listen to her inner thoughts more.  (And I'm definitely not a sorority girl, which didn't help my opinion, though I could understand Betsy's reasons for appreciating the sisterhood.)  She really wanted to get to know a classmate better, but all of her time was spent with the sorority sisters.  In the end, Betsy and the girls learn their lesson, but not the easy way!

I had fully intended to put the book down when Betsy Was a Junior was completed, but these books are so refreshing and fun, I just had to continue the story.

Betsy and Joe surprised me.  As a MHL fan, I of course know (SPOILER if you don't know) that Betsy and Joe marry.  I was expecting Betsy's senior year of high school in Betsy and Joe to be filled with their romance.  Well, I was wrong!  Betsy "dates" both Tony and Joe.  I love that though Betsy was interested in boys, she was not interested in kissing.  Oh what lessons we can learn from Betsy!

"She thought it was silly to be letting first this boy and

 then that one kiss you, when it didn't mean a thing."

So though she spent a lot of time with Joe and Tony, it wasn't what many call dating today.  It was refreshing...even if it was with two fellows.  Seriously.  (Though her dating two guys was frustrating...) 

Oh, I would love to have The Betsy-Tacy Companion.  Even used (on Amazon) it is $45!  It would help me to know that really, "Betsy" didn't even meet "Joe" until well after high school in real life.  So all of my frustrations didn't have to be due to these books being based on real life.

Now if you have never read Maud Hart Lovelace before, please do!!  (As much as I enjoyed these, Emily of Deep Valley, linked to review, is still my favorite.)  These books are fabulous.  In a few days my daughter will turn 5 and she will get the very first book in the series, Betsy-Tacy.  I can't wait to share it with her!  And the books will grow up with her with more developed plot, character, and even language as the characters get older!

Now, I just need to figure out when my daughter will get to read the rest of the books...

I will be sharing these thoughts over at the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge at Library Hospital!!

Read more of my thoughts on Deep Valley , then go out and get yourself a copy!

Betsy-Tacy

Heaven to Betsy
Carney's House Party/Winona's Pony Cart 

 Emily of Deep Valley ~ My all time favorite!!

"Don't Make Me Count to Three!" Giveaway

If you have been in Christian parenting circles, you have probably heard about Tedd Tripp's books Shepherding a Child's Heart  and Instructing a Child's Heart.  I highly recommend both books (and reviewed IaCH here.) because they really help a parent to understand the need for biblical discipline to be focused on the heart NOT the outward behavior.

Tedd Tripp's books were really good...they definitely made me think.  BUT for this momma, neither book really gave me the examples I needed to really be able to implement heart-oriented discipline for my young children.   In their defense, that was not the purpose of either book.  Ginger Plowman answered that concern in "Don't Make Me Count to Three!": A Mom's Look at Heart-Oriented Discipline.

If you find that you count misbehavior and are put off by the title of this book, "Don't Make Me Count to Three!", let me encourage you to still read it.  The idea is that the statement "Don't make me count to three!" and many other similar statements have the parent avoiding discipline, she doesn't say that that counting behavior is wrong.  But threats...not effective. 

Honestly, I thought this book was exactly what I needed!  Ginger Plowman's book reads very quickly, yet filled with what I needed to read to better understand disciplining in better way that would honor God.

" It is my calling, my priority, my struggle, and my goal.  

I will rise to the occasion and accept the task at hand.

  I will love, nurture, and train my children the way that 

God has called me to do." ~ page 21

Plowman really helped me, through examples and discussion, to better understand (oh, not perfectly!) how to get to the cause of the behavior.  You know, the heart of the matter.

One thing that I have been able to somewhat easily implement (though, oh, I need some more work in this) is to have my children (especially my daughter who is nearly 5, though a bit harder with nearly 3 son) go back and do the correct thing...you know, show love, obey, use a different tone...I help them with the words if they don't know it.  Then they do it.  You know...like role play or practice so that the next time they might make a better choice.

Throughout the book examples of dialogue...and even mistakes parents can make...are shared in a way that parents can utilize.  

Despite the controversy of spanking, I appreciated Plowman's distinction between childish behavior and foolish behavior.  She explains that childish behavior becomes foolishness when a child understands the clear instructions that have been given, and yet still chooses to disobey.  In her opinion, and I personally agree, direct disobedience and defiant attitudes need to be disciplined.  And she would say that the "rod" (spanking) is the means of this discipline.  She then gives many thought-out guidelines for biblical chastisement.  Oh, this is hard!    I've heard some of them before, but seeing them all together was very good for me.   

My overall thoughts on "Don't Make Me Count to Three!" are very positive.  I highly recommend it, and quite honestly, I think it is a book I need to revisit at least once a year for the next many years.  Ginger Plowman suggests that we are not to control our children's behavior, but to understand their hearts.  As we discipline them, their hearts can change...and eventually there will be outward changes in their behavior, too.

Tough stuff, huh?  Well, parenting is not for wimps.  (And I mean all of it, not just discipline...it truly is tough stuff...I began saying that after our first life-threatening situation with our children.)

GIVEAWAY (Be sure to check out all of our giveaways this week!!  There are more!)

Shepherd Press provided "Don't Make Me Count to Three!" AND they want to provide one Live, Learn, Love reader (who resides in the US) with a copy, too!  

• To enter, just leave a comment below!  Be sure that I have a way to contact you through email.
• Giveaway will run through Tuesday, October 11th.

Extra Entries~ Leave a separate comment for each!

• Follow LLL through Facebook or Google Friends Connect.
• Share about this (or any of this week's) giveaways through Facebook, Twitter...
• Visit Shepherd Press and tell me another book you'd love to have for yourself.

Winner is #12, Mozi Esme!  Congratulations!

Giveaway (4 Books) and Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge

Read to the end for the giveaway info!

I'm excited to participate in the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge again this year!  I just love her books.  MHL is well-known (at least in some circles) for her fictionalized autobiographies called the Betsy-Tacy series.  The books take place in the early 1900's and chronicle Betsy from age 5 through the first year of her marriage.  DELIGHTFUL!

Check out my thoughts/reviews on the Maud Hart Lovelace books I have read so far.

Betsy-Tacy

Heaven to Betsy
Carney's House Party/Winona's Pony Cart 

 Emily of Deep Valley ~ My all time favorite of MHL!!


This month I will be posting about my thoughts on the books Betsy Was a Junior, Betsy and Joe, Besty and the Great World, and the final book in the Betsy-Tacy series Betsy's Wedding.  (I actually completed Betsy's Wedding earlier today.  I just couldn't wait...these books are SO good!)  


I intend to take Betsy and Tacy Go over the Big Hill to the hospital this month when the youngest family member arrives.  I won't promise a post about it though...Who knows what I will have time to do after the baby's arrival.  AND the baby could arrive tomorrow...but hopefully we won't be waiting until November for the arrival.  In case you are new here, I'm due on the 20th.  Both of my other children were a full week late though, and I'm hoping to not be induced (though the baby may be a bit big according to a recent ultrasound and measurements).  I have hope though because this baby seems to have dropped.


Oh, and I happen to have a daughter celebrating her fifth birthday this month.  Guess what she'll get!?  She'll be getting Betsy-Tacy in her very own monogrammed tote bag that I already made!  I can't wait to read it with her!


GIVEAWAY!!!
I happen to have extra NEW copies of Betsy Was a Junior/Betsy and Joe AND Betsy and the Great World/Betsy's Wedding.  (Silly, I am  not willing to give my copies away, though I'm always happy to loan MHL.)  These are the new books that are two books in one (so four books total in two volumes), AND they have wonderful MHL biographical information, too.


To enter the giveaway, please be a follower of my blog with GFC.  Then leave a comment telling me why you want these books.  Trust me, you do want them!!  I'd also love to hear if you have ever read MHL before and which books you did read.  If you follow me on facebook, leave an extra comment for a bonus entry.   I will contact the winner by email, so be sure I can contact you.


Giveaway will go through Wednesday, October 5 so that I can get these mailed out in time for you to participate in the MHL challenge-if you so desire.
Giveaway is now closed.
Congratulations, Amy!  I will contact you for your mailing information!  Enjoy!

God's Priorities for Today's Woman- GIVEAWAY

As women, it can be difficult to understand just what God desires for us when the world teaches us drastically different things.  (It can be equally hard to follow His lead, too!)  Written by Lisa Hughes, God's Priorities for Today's Woman focuses on Tituse 2:3-5 to teach about God's calling for our lives in regard to characer, relationships, and home. 

Women of all ages and stages of life can benefit from her teachings of growing in godly living.  God's Priorities for Today's Woman utilizes much of the Bible to teach about godly living, not just the well-known verses of Titus.  Also included is a study guide to help the reader dive deeper into God's priorities.

"The world would have us believe that God's ways cannot exist in today's culture, that they are unnecessary and outlandishly archaic.  Yet God's priorities for women are neither outdated nor irrelevant.  God's purposes for us were created out of His wisdom and love.  They are perfect and just right for us no matter who we are or what circumstances we face."
     ~ Chapter 1, page 12


Personally, I loved this book, despite the way it exposed my sin.  Lisa Hughes has a friendly and realistic way of writing and sharing...and yet quite convicting-too convicting at times.  So much of my life is not about what it should be.  Being a Christian is hard; seeking God and making His priorities mine is even harder.  

"You need to fight against neglecting your husband while you see to the needs of the little ones in your home." 

     ~ Chapter 8, page 120   

Tough stuff for me, but the author doesn't just say do it, she really does share practical ways to help you to accomplish this.

"The goal of our discipline is to teach our children right from wrong, to instill in them a love for righteousness and a hatred for sin.  But that can never be accomplished if we aren't parenting in the fruit of the Spirit."

     ~ Chapter 9, page 142

Then she goes on to say that we can't obey God and train our children if we are not under control...and that is sin.  Oh my.

Though I just recently completed God's Priorities for Today's Woman, I am really thrilled to get to use it with my Bible study this fall.  We'll be getting a bit deeper than I did with my first read.  (I didn't complete the study guide, yet I still learned much.)  Obviously, the quotes I share touched me for a reason. 

I just pray that I will allow God to truly use it as a tool in my life to help me get my priorities aligned with God's.  


Winner:  Pyria, #18!  Congratulations!  I have emailed you and will pass along your contact information after you contact me!


Thank you, Harvest House for providing me with this book!  I highly recommend it!  I urge you to get your hands on this book, too.   Harvest House is helping you do that by offering a copy to one Live, Learn, Love reader !  Please leave a comment below (with email address so I can contact you unless you know it's in your profile). 


For additional entries, be a follower of this blog, follow on Facebook, or share about the giveaway.  Leave a separate comment for each additional entry.  This contest is open to US residents only and will be open through September 12th.

Instructing a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp (Giveaway)

In my Friday morning Bible study this year, we read Instructing a Child's Heart.  (A few years ago we read and studied Shepherding a Child's Heart...it was also excellent.)

Both books are amazing, and the focus is on teaching our children truth, not just controlling and limiting unwanted behavior.  We are to direct them and teach them (and their hearts) God's ways.  It is solid, biblical teaching.

These paragraphs from chapter 13 Instructing a Child's Heart are convicting for this mom, but it's important that I do not let conviction and guilt stop me from doing all I can do to be a godly mom.  I can still strive toward the goal of teaching my children God's ways so that they can make the choice to follow Him.  I feel that it is a terrific summary of the entire book.

"We don't shepherd our children to assure that our children will 'turn out right.'  We shepherd our children to be faithful to the work God has given us.  Consequences do not serve as power plays to prove our role or power or strength or to put the kids in their place for our convenience.  They are designed by God to display the reality of God's ultimate rule in affairs of men and to extend mercy while there is time to repent and trust in God.
"Discipline is not an opportunity for us to show our children who is boss or hand out punishments that will change their behavior.  Even when our consequences are appropriate and underscore God's truth and our standards, discipline is primarily an opportunity to remind our children of their need to repent and believe in Christ, and forgiveness and provision available from God through Christ.  We are really declaring God's sovereignty and involvement with all he has created, offering relationship with God through Christ.  Show them the beauty and goodness of confession to God and others, and warn them of the coming judgment for unbelief." ~Chapter 13, IaCH


If that speaks to your heart, and you desire to be a godly parent, consider either of these books (or the DVD seminar series...great for a group study) by Tedd Tripp.  (In my opinion, IaCH has more application, but you may want to begin with SaCH.  I'm glad I did.  Both are invaluable resources for this mom.  I seriously need to read SaCH again now that my daughter is not a toddler.)  These books are invaluable resources, and I highly recommend them.  For those of you who like audio books, like me, they are available in audio, too!  Great for listening to as a couple!


Though both of these books were my own copies, but I am excited to tell you that Shepherding Press is offering a copy of either Shepherding a Child's Heart OR Instructing a Child's Heart for one Live, Learn, Love reader.  If you are not a parent, but know a mom or dad that desires to bring their child up in a godly way, do enter anyway and share this great resource!  


Giveaway
To Enter: Check out both Instructing a Child's Heart and Shepherding a Child's Heart and tell me which book you would prefer if you win.  Be sure that I have a way to contact you through your Blogger profile, or just leave an email address in your comment!  Giveaway is open for US residents.


Extra Entries:
~ Follow Live, Learn, Love (through email or GFC).
~ Like Live, Learn, Love on facebook.


Giveaway goes through June 20th.  Winner will be emailed and announced in this blog post.  
Winner of the book of her choice is comment #2, Michelle!  Congratulations!

A Must Read: Pearl in the Sand, by Tessa Afshar

I just read an absolutely fabulous book called Pearl in the Sand.  It's the first book by author Tessa Afshar, but you would never know it.  May I suggest that you reserve this at your library, order it, or do whatever you need to get this book in your hands?  It is that great of a book!

First, I have to tell you that this is biblical fiction.  Not everyone likes to read biblical fiction.  Because really, the Bible is our only real source for knowledge of the events and people.  Biblical fiction uses the few facts that are known and creates a story.  But what I love about Tessa Afshar is she says the following in the introduction.

"The best way to study the Bible is not through a novel, but simply to read the original.  This story can in no way replace the transformative power that the reader will encounter in the Scriptures.  For the biblical account of Rahab, refer to Joshua 1-10, the book of Ruth, and Matthew 1:1-17."


That's right, this incredible book is about Rahab, the well-known prostitute from Jericho.  Tessa Afshar brings to life the fictional story of how a prostitute living in a land of child sacrifices and idol worship could come to live in Israel permanently and even marry an Israelite man of position.  Later she mothers Boaz, and is also an ancestor of Jesus.

When I read through the Old Testament, I often wonder how in the world these people lived, especially during the forty years of wandering through the desert.  Pearl in the Sand was extremely well researched to help a person understand such things.  It was a story of real characters with depth, emotion, and conflict.  I appreciate this work of biblical fiction, not just as book that explains what may have happened with Rahab and Salmon, but as a book that spoke to my heart and mind.  This is another book that shows me how a person can become trapped in a bad situation that is foreign to me.  For that alone I like this, but really, I like this book for the story telling and even how it taught me about the Israelites and especially the main character, Rahab.

I know I am not really saying too much about the plot of Pearl in the Sand.  If you know the story of Rahab from the Bible, then you know the main summary, but the book is SO MUCH MORE.  Why don't you go and read the first two chapters for yourself?

As I said, get your hands on this book.  You won't regret it.  I'm certain it will be one of my favorite books of the year and will not be forgotten!  I have some great news for you, too!  Moody Publishers is offering a giveaway copy to one reader!!  


Giveaway
To Enter: Leave a comment telling me another book (fiction or nonfiction, but not the Bible) that has given you insight to something in the Bible.  Make sure I have a way to contact you through an email address or your blogger profile.  This is open to any resident in the US.


Extra Entries: (Leave a separate comment for each.)
Follow Live, Learn, Love with Google Friends Connect or subscribe by email.
Follow Live, Learn, Love on Facebook.


Giveaway runs through Tuesday, May 31, 2011.  
Giveaway is now closed.  The winner is #12 Michelle!  Congratulations.


(This is my own copy, not provided for review.  After reading so many positive reviews, I knew I wanted it for myself and am thrilled that Moody is offering you a copy, too.)

A Must Read: Strictest School in the World

I had The Strictest School in the World books on my "want to own" list for quite some time, and when Mr. Whitehouse offered each autographed, hardback book for just $5 plus shipping ($21 total for the three books-autographed!) I jumped at the chance.  You may not know this, but I really don't buy many fiction books.  I typically use the library for them...and review books that I like to pass along, too, of course.  I was excited to buy these books for ME, though I can't wait until my kids are older so that I can share them with my own children.  (If you are curious about the review the convinced me to want these books, read it here.)

Check out the title!  The Strictest School in the World-Being the Tale of Clever Girl, a Rubber Boy and a Collection of Flying Machines Mostly Broken or the Mad Misadventures of Emmaline and Rubberbones.  

The title really explains it all, but if you let the title get you, you will miss out on an incredible book!  Emmaline is a very clever girl who creates flying machines though she is terrified of dying in one.  So enters her new friend, Rubberbones, who just can't be hurt!  He is willing to fly her machines.  Unfortunately, she is soon sent to truly the strictest school in the world-which keeps the students there with fear of the "birds" that are really not birds at all, but something much more terrifying!

I actually read this book a while ago (as you might know if you like to keep track of all the books I read over at Net's Book Nook).  I wanted to savor the series and not read it all at once, though really, I want to devour this adventurous children's book-that is lovely for adults, too.  So I have not completed the series yet.   However, I instead of waiting to share these books with you until I finish the series, I wanted to tell you now for a couple of excellent reasons.  I HIGHLY recommend these books (okay, I've only read the first).  If our library has it, yours likely will, too!!

1. I don't know how many more books Howard Whitehouse has to offer with his incredibly kind deal.  You can email him at professorbellbuckle (at) yahoo (dot) com to discuss it in detail even if you are only slightly interested.  (How can you go wrong?)

2. You can actually win these books!  Remember the great giveaway I mentioned?  Well, I blogged about it before I knew all the goodies Reading to Know was offering!  Well, Howard Whitehouse is offering a set of his signed books!  Check it out here.  (And then don't forget to check out her other giveaways, too.  There are 10 total.)