Monday, May 30, 2011

Beyond Opinion - Book Review

I've had this book for a LONG time and am just now getting around to posting the review. The time in between receipt and review should in no way imply that I didn't like the book. This is a hard-to-read book but in a good way. It is packed with well researched, well written material but takes a long time to digest completely. I found myself having to stop, re-read and then process what I'd read. I loved that the book is a compilation of writings of other authors including such scholars as Alister McGrath and John Lennox. It is without a doubt an excellent book on apologetics. I like the format Ravi Zacharias used to set the book up, using chapters based on questions from groups of challengers including youth, atheists and Islam. This format allows the reader to read through the entire book or to choose the topic based on a particular interest area. I think it would be especially helpful for those who may be building relationships with particular groups of people and want to further their ability to answer questions relating to theology and the gospel. Make no mistake, this is a hard book to read but it is worth it on so many levels. I can't recommend this book enough for believers who work to share their faith by building relationships with people.

Thomas Nelson Publishers gave me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Amy Inspired - Book Review

This may be one of the worst named books out there. Inspired is not the word I would use to describe Amy. Annoying, whiny, or complacent would be better choices but those wouldn't make good book titles. I was just not pleased with this book. I actually got annoyed with the main character and the choices or lack of initiative Amy took throughout the book. She keeps wanting to change things about her life but through most of the book makes no attempts to do so. The end tried to wrap things up but it ended up being too trite and forced. I really attempted to like this book but even though I finished it, I had to force myself to.

I was also left wanting a little more in terms of inspiration for me as the reader. Most books I've reviewed for Christian publishing houses have a little more inspiration in terms of how the characters interact with church, their relationship with God, etc.. It doesn't have to be overt to satisfy me but in this particular novel, it seems forced and doesn't come across as "real."

In short, I was disappointed in the book overall. It is not going in my recommend pile.

Bethany House gave me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review of the book.