The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Review

The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green

I bought and read this book on a whim, because I'd heard many friends tell me about John Green and his talent. However, I was doubtful upon first glancing over the summary on Barnes & Noble's website:

"Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten."

It sounded like nothing but an inevitable sob story, and I dislike sob stories because I prefer to be happy when I'm reading a book, not sobbing into a box of tissues. Still, I persevered and downloaded it to my Nook anyway.

It took me only three days to read the entire book, and it would have taken less if I didn't have other priorities in the way. This book was brilliant. John Green's tale is sad--it is about a girl with terminal cancer, after all. But there's so much more to it than a "pity her" story. The character of Augustus Waters is one that really stands out, and is genuinely unique in the world of fiction. He was heartfelt, funny, and really quite beautiful. Even Hazel was a very amazing character, because she never let cancer be her weakness (but never spent too much time consumed in her battle) and made amusing comments about the restrictions of breakfast foods.

Furthermore, John Green's talent is clearly evident--he is a master of words. The diction in this story was fantastic, and I'm very picky about the diction in fiction. Someone who writes with boring or difficult-to-follow diction will lose me as a fan. But not John Green.

The Fault in Our Stars is a beautiful love story that elicited a wide variety of emotions from me as I read: joy, heartbreak, frustration, glee--you name it. This book is absolutely a 5-star winner for me.

John Green has written four other books: Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson. I hope to read them all in the near future.

Upcoming Review: 1,000 Days by Jonathan Falwell

1,000 Days: The Ministry of Christ
by Jonathan Falwell

Preview from Booksneeze:

"An opportunity to meet Jesus Christ like never before.

Have you ever thought that when Jesus Christ came to earth more than two thousand years ago, he could have simply given us salvation—period!—and never done another single thing? Jesus Christ could have chosen to be born of a virgin, live for 33 years in relative obscurity, die on the cross, be buried, and rise from the dead three days later, and still give us the opportunity for salvation without doing any of the things we read about in the gospels.

Yet there was more.

For three years—roughly 1,000 days—Jesus served in public ministry while on earth. He didn’t need to do this ministry, yet he did anyway, and that’s the key for us. This intentionality implies that there is a lot of information in Scripture that we need to grapple with. We need to understand what Jesus said and did during his 1,000-day public ministry, so we can apply his teachings to our lives today.

What makes these 1000 days of Christ so vitally important?

Jesus’ public ministry was to help us understand what true love is all about—both for God and for other people. When we love God and others first, the rest of life falls into place: our possessions, our ambitions, our hopes and our dreams. Jesus modeled everything he taught, and his invitation is to make his mission our mission too."
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Johann Sebastian Bach by Rick Marshall

Review

Johann Sebastian Bach: Christian Encounters Series
by Rick Marshall

I found this eBook about Johann Sebastian Bach to be extremely eye-opening. Before, I knew of Bach and his work but I had no idea that his musical talent sprouted from his devotion to God. I found this book to be quite educational and a good read for those who might be interested in their musical favorites or in the famous Christians of our past.

I knew going into this read that it would not be a very exciting book, considering its biographical nature. Nonetheless, I was very intrigued and felt that the author, Rick Marshall, did an excellent job in walking his readers through the life of Bach and surprising them with new facts about how deeply rooted in Christianity he truly was. However, despite being interesting, I was correct in its lack of excitement. I found it all too easy to walk away from the book for weeks at a time and only recall it when spotting it on my computer desktop. I admit that biographical books are quite dull in nature, but Marshall’s diction was just a bit too bland for my liking. I doubt I would recommend it to anyone unless I knew they had a deep interest in music and musical artists of the past, but should I have an acquaintance like that I would immediately thrust it upon them.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Curiosities of the Civil War by Webb Garrison

Review

Curiosities of the Civil War:
Strange Stories, Infamous Characters and Bizarre Events
by Webb Garrison

I have always been a fan of interesting war facts. I wouldn’t call myself a war enthusiast, but I do find them interesting. That’s why I thought that Webb Garrison’s Curiosities of the Civil War would be an interesting read. After reading the book, I have decided that I will always have a mixed opinion about it.

I had assumed, from the title, that this book would have bizarre and interesting facts that would make me say, “Wow!” But that was not the impression I took away from Curiosities of the Civil War. Some of the facts weren’t incredible or amazing—they were just bland and somewhat interesting. I assume that a true war buff would find all of these facts and stories interesting. They might recognize names that most normal people like me wouldn’t, and be able to identify better with the stories. There was only one section with the truly “bizarre” and “strange” facts I was looking for.

However, the format of this book is extremely pleasing. It could be a great reference book, because it’s so easy to flip to specific section and topic you want. It’s simple to glance over a few topics while drinking your coffee and not feel so engrossed that you can’t put it down and continue with your daily routine. For some, that is exactly what they want in a book. For others, they may want for a more captivating read, considering the topic.

All in all, I think the quality of this book truly depends on who is reading it. A fanatic for the stories of wars would find this book incredibly interesting, I believe, and enjoy it immensely. However, a normal, everyday person would probably find this to be a fairly bland read, with names they’ve never heard of and facts that don’t really seem relevant. I, myself, found it to be a mediocre read. It was nothing like what I was expecting considering the title. Not bad, but not good. It was just “okay.”

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against the Resurrection of the Christ, by Charles Foster

Review

The Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against
the Resurrection of the Christ
by Charles Foster

I was very curious about what Charles Foster would show me when I received his book, The Jesus Inquest. It’s legitimately rare to come across a book that shows both the Christian and non-Christian views on crucial, foundational beliefs--and the resurrection of Christ is quite possibly the most foundational belief there is. Even Paul himself stated such in 1 Corinthians 15:14, proclaiming, “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.”

What I discovered in The Jesus Inquest was very thought-compelling. I could tell right from the start that this was not the type of book a new Christian should read. The facts presented could easily shake the core beliefs their recently-received faith is built upon. Questions are raised and so-called “evidence” is revealed that could cause any Christian to doubt if they are not resolutely rooted in their commitment to God. However, on the other side of this frequently-flipped coin, a non-Christian could pick up this book and just as easily educate himself or herself on the religious arguments that they may have never seen before. Many rumors and objections that I had never been faced with were revealed to me and just as quickly argued against within the same pages.

The book’s presentation is very appealing. On one side is X--the non-Christian--who presents many alternative views to the resurrection of Christ. X uses a variety of methods to refute the Christian belief--from the revelation of scientific evidence, to reasoning, and even to comparisons of the Bible to myths. Granted, they are well researched. X did his homework, and made many compelling cases. However, as soon as X was finished, Y, the Christian, stepped in. Y goes through each of X’s accusations and pieces of evidence and disproves or counters them using almost the same methods: scientific evidence, reason, and facts. Y, too, did his homework. He does not simply splutter Scripture in Y’s face and puff up his very large egotistical Christian chest to defend his Savior. He is reasonable, level-headed, and makes a good case in favor of orthodox Christian beliefs of the resurrection. Any Christian would be satisfied with his representation of their beliefs.

Many topics are explored in this book surrounding the resurrection of Christ, and these topics are divided into smaller subtopics of interest. Some of the topics were more common: the death of Christ (whether he really died or not), for example, or the empty tomb (was a body ever in there at all?). But some of the topics I had never even thought of: Did the authors of the resurrection get their “story” from the influence of Greek myths? Did the early church actually believe in a literal resurrection, or was it merely some sort of poetic metaphor? I was quite surprised with these topics and equally eager to see what X and Y would say about them. Some arguments shocked me. Some made me wonder. Still more made me nod in agreement. I felt as if I was looking at the ideas of the resurrection of Christ in a whole new light.

In the end, Charles Foster did something I didn’t expect--he doesn’t pick a side. He doesn’t finish off his book by saying, “While X made some great points, in the end, it’s obvious he’s an absolute nutter. Y is obviously the one who is right.” Rather, Foster leaves the reader with all the evidence he can present--for and against the truth of the resurrection--and essentially lets them loose into their own minds to decide for themselves how they feel about what’s been laid out before them. Furthermore, the book doesn’t end there. There are appendices of extra information, a section of pictures and diagrams to accompany the readings, and a list of additional literature for the inquisitive mind. Foster intends for his reader to get the most out of this book, and to equip them with as much knowledge as possible on this very controversial, very significant matter in the beliefs of Christianity. He will not make a decision for the reader. That is up to them and them alone. He is merely an informant, and he does an excellent job of presenting the case in the pages of this excellent book.

Perhaps you’re curious as to just what is going on out there in the world concerning Jesus’s resurrection. Maybe you’d like to know what the Christians are saying about their Jesus, or maybe you’re a Christian who wants to know what everyone else has to say about your belief. Either way, The Jesus Inquest will provide you with practically everything you need to learn about the resurrection. But, it will be entirely up to you in the end to discover what you truly believe. Evidence only goes so far before faith has to step in.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (NKJV) by Max Lucado

Review

The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (NKJV)
by John MacArthur

In the past, I have never owned a very good study Bible. However, I think The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible might have just changed that. My parents have always been big fans of Max Lucado, and though I’ve never read any of his books, this study Bible piqued my interest.

I have to say that am pleased with The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible. For starters, the overall layout of the Bible is very appealing to the eye. The font size is neither too small to strain the eye, nor so big that it looks obnoxious. Each book starts out with an introduction that contains many bits of information. It starts off with a small piece of text—either a small scenario to consider or just a few sentences and a question, all correlated to the topics covered in the chapters. There is also a section about the author (or authors, or anonymous authors!) of the book, as well as the main themes and a condensed table of contents.

On the margins of this Bible are lessons that pertain to a section of scripture within the current book. These lessons contain a small “devotional” that pertains to the scripture, as well as some further readings elsewhere in the Bible if one wishes to dig deeper. All of these lessons are laid out in the front of the Bible in a two-year plan to read and study the entirety of God’s Word. Also, scattered throughout this Bible, there are some themed lessons that take up a single page. These are more focused on specific themes (such as Grief, Vengeance, Peace, etc.), and give you a “study guide” to really dig in to their importance.

There are other features of this Bible that I enjoy. For instance, there is a Devotional Index, which is in the front of the Bible instead of the back—a “plus” in my opinion, so I can flip the Bible open and immediately start searching for a topic I need instead of digging through the back. And speaking of the back, the Index of this Bible is very nice. It includes a small section called “He Did This Just For You Verses,” which contains a list of topics and verses evidencing how great God’s love is for us and how He cares for us in every situation. Following that section, one of my favorite parts is the “New Believer Studies.” This section is a few pages long and contains a 30-day study devotional for new believers in Christ who want to learn more about God, Jesus, prayer, facing temptation, and all of the other topics that new Christians are curious or confused about.

All in all, I find this to be a fabulous study Bible. Max Lucado did an excellent job shaping this Bible into something that all ages and all maturities can utilize. There are many, many more features in this Bible--too many to list without making this review lengthy--that add to its usefulness in studying God’s Word. Naturally, the Bible is the number one book on my reading list, and I will always give it ten stars out of five. However, my review is judging Max Lucado’s crafting of the study guides and devotions this Bible offers. But even in that aspect, I must say, Lucado still gets top marks. He did a marvelous job.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”

Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity In Christ by John MacArthur

Review

Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity In Christ
by John MacArthur

So many times during Sunday School class and even while sitting in the sanctuary listening to the sermon, we will hear verses of servitude being preached. What we never realize is that “servant” is not the word that God wanted us to hear--we are not supposed to be choosers of our faithfulness to God. No, the original Hebrew translation, ‘ebed, means “slave.” John MacArthur shows us in his book, Slave, that a simple change in translation can lead to very different views of our dedication to Christ. We are not meant to follow him by choice. God will call us, and we will relinquish everything to serve him on this earth as his wholly committed slaves.

MacArthur walks the reader carefully through his explanation of this “slave” word. After all, in today’s society (particularly in America), the word holds a bad connotation. Slave explains to the reader what the word originally meant for the common Roman society during Biblical times. A slave was bound to its master, to be faithful and loyal in every task. In return, a slave was cared for; they were provided with shelter, provisions, and other basic needs that even the free poor people of the times were not assured. MacArthur shows the reader that God is our good and benevolent master, who will care for us and provide for us, while we dedicate our lives to pleasing him as his faithful slaves.

I enjoyed Slave thoroughly. I was a bit weary to the idea of viewing Christians as slaves--no matter how true and right it is, it can be hard to understand (and explain to others!). But John MacArthur explained it in a way that made sense, by guiding me through the actual meaning of the word in Biblical society and showing me how it applies to my life now. Slave provides the foundation for much deeper studying and research with annotations in its pages for further readings. It is a good read that provokes a lot of thought and intrigue. I read this book in one sitting in front of a fire in my living room, and enjoyed every minute of it. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand and appreciate the paramount paradox of being a Christian: that there is ultimate freedom in being a slave of God.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”