The Rose Conspiracy — This is the second fiction book I’ve read this month. If you know me well, you know that is very out-of-character for me, but I’ve been trying to break out of my non-fiction rut a little bit. And Craig Parshall’s book was good enough to capture my attention and keep it. In fact, I knew I was going to enjoy this book after I didn’t want to put it down after the second page.
If you enjoy legal fiction, you should definitely check this book out. It’s intriguing, thought-provoking, and overall well-written. Some of the plot was a bit weak, but it was still very engaging.
Forgotten God — In typical Francis Chan style, this book will make you think, examine your heart, and plumb the depths of your beliefs about the Holy Spirit. You may not agree with all of the author’s conclusions, but I can guarantee you that it will make you think and re-examine Scripture in a new light. Highly recommended.
By the way, if you’ve not read Crazy Love, I’d heartily recommend that book as well. One of the best books I’ve read this year.
Don’t Make Me Come Up There — If you are a mom or care for children on a regular basis, you will find this book hilarious. Kristen is an incredibly gifted writer who knows how to communicate spot-on truth in a laugh-out-loud-funny manner. I hope this is the first of many books she writes. I will definitely be buying them all!
Read-Alouds:
Paul Revere — I read this book when I was a youngster, so it was fun to get to enjoy it with my children. The Imagination Station: Showdown With the Shepherd — Another book in our well-loved Imagination Station series. And once again, the children were so captivated by it that I could have read the whole thing in one setting!
Currently reading: EntreLeadership, He Heard Hannah, Kisses from Katie, In Search of Balance,and listening to Purple Cow audiobook. You can see all of the books I’ve read in 2011 so far here. Read all of my book reviews here.
Have you read any good books recently?
(Note: The Amazon.com links in this post are affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.)
Honey Smith says
Yes. Same Kind of Different as Me was a great book!! And I also read Night by Eli Weisel which was devastating.
Janine says
You would really like Liz Biehl books- great crime mysteries, but very clean written from a woman’s perspective. Based on the “Triple Threat Club” a woman prosecutor, another FBI agent, an another news reporter that are all best friends- there are 3 & I can never put them down & can’t wait for the next one!!
Davonne says
I just received Kisses from Katie AND Entraleadership in the mail yesterday! I cannot wait to dive into them soon.
Amy f;) says
Francis Chan’s books have been life-changing for me. I almost offered to send you one but figured that you’ve probably already got a huge stack of other things to be read.
I got to hear that Forgotten God one on the free CHristian Audio site quite a while ago after you posted it and I loved the challenge it seemed like God was offering through it.
Danielle B says
For the first time I actually have a book recommendation for you! 🙂 Most of the time I’m just taking notes from you to help guide my reading!
Have you heard of the book “Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever” by Bill O’ Reilly? It is flat out one of the best books I’ve ever read. All of the details and facts in the book are completely true, based on actual documentation, but it’s written in story format. You will never never never see Lincoln or his assassination the same way again. I think your husband would probably love it too.
Regardless of whether you like Bill O’Reilly for his political and personal views or not, this book has nothing to do with that. It’s simply an excellent revelation on all those details of the actual event that tend to slip through the cracks as time goes on. I could go on and on about this book, but I won’t! 🙂 Trust me, it’s worth the read!
Crystal says
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve seen the book and wondered if it were good. Off to check if our library has it…
Barbara says
Do you get most of your books from the library or do you receive them to review? I can’t imagine you purchase all these books!
Crystal says
I get most of my books from the library, get some from PaperBackSwap, get a few books free from publishers, and then I do buy some books from authors (especially first-time authors) whom I want to make sure and support.
KATIE says
I am reading Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Eirenreich right now and I just can’t put it down. It is great. Anyone working a low wage job or anyone who wants to know how that feels can appreciate this book.
Amber Cullum says
Girl, you blow me away with how many books you can read in a week.
Nisrine says
I love when you have these book reviews and recommendations. Like you, I don’t read fiction much so I am always on a lookout for a good non-fiction book to read.
I read the “other 8 Hours” after your recommended it and it was one of the most inspirational books I’ve read so far this year. Thank you for the recommendation. I requested the “in search of balance”. Did you read it yet? if so, what did you think? 🙂
Crystal says
I haven’t read it yet, but hope to have it finished by next week, so expect a review in the next 1-2 weeks.
I’m so glad you enjoyed The Other 8 Hours.
Michelle says
You should make a category for books on your blog like you have with DIY and Recipes. That way it is easy to find your book reviews, recommendations, etc…
Crystal says
You can find them all here: https://moneysavingmom.com/tag/book-reviews
Karla says
Did you ever receive the free copy of Crazy Love and/or Forgotten God they offered a few months ago? I signed up but never received it 🙁
Kim@Going Thrifty says
Karla,
I posted that offer for the free books on my blog and just the other day thought, “I never did get those”. I went back to the post and linked to the deal and there was a message from vendor stating their appreciation for the overwhelming response but they had reached their limit on shipping free books. They are, however, offering a discount to those who registered for the freebies. Hope that helps.
Karla says
Oh, I see. Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Davonne says
Thanks for letting us know – I’d been wondering the same thing (my FIL and I both signed up for two separate books to read and swap). That is disappointing, as I signed up within an hour or so of the deal being posted, but I am glad to know not to expect it.
Tammy L says
I was just thinking this same thing! I didn’t get a copy, but I can’t remember just how quickly I “jumped on” that deal… it could have been a couple days after it was posted… 🙂
Heather says
When I read the blog title as it ran through my Facebook feed, I thought it said you had read a book called “God, Don’t Make Me Come Up There!” I was very curious to find out exactly what kind of book that was… Apparently, I completely missed the break between “Forgotten God” and “Don’t Make Me Come Up There!” 😛
Crystal says
Too funny!
Nicole says
Have you ever read “Overload” by Richard Swenson? I’m working through that book right now, and it’s been helpful, so I’m curious to hear what you think of “In Search of Balance.” Way to go on reading all those books!
Crystal says
No, I haven’t. Off to see if our library has it…