I’ve been on such a reading kick lately, with the rainy mornings and quiet afternoons galore that Spring brings.
copy provided for review by Blogging for Books
Find Your Extraordinary
by Jessica Dilullo Herrin
4 stars ****
This was a GREAT book on business and lifestyle by the founder of the Stella & Dot companies. I wasn’t familiar with Jessica Dilulo Herrin’s accomplishments before I picked up this book. I found her to be inspiring, pulls-no-punches and tough-love in her words, but with an absolute conviction that she wants YOU to be able to live an extraordinary life. And living an extraordinary life requires a fire under your tush, which Herrin is happy to give you. It took me awhile to embrace her voice given those things, but once I did, I found the book very inspiring and one I will keep on my business shelf for awhile. I will also check out the Stella & Dot companies in more detail.
copy borrowed from my book illustrator!
Big Magic
by Elizabeth Gilbert
4 stars ****
Big Magic has some great insights into the creative process and the nature of ideas. However, it is mixed with a lot of new-age mumbo-jumbo, so the Christian must read it with a strong grounding in the truth that creativity comes from God, the Creator of the Universe. with that in mind, you can certainly unearth some real gems here from Gilbert. This is a book that invites you to ruminate on the creative process long after you put the book down. And that cover! That cover is just all sorts of goodness. Grab this one and read it at a coffee shop sipping something delicious.
copy from the library!
Do Over
by Jon Acuff
3.5 stars ***1/2
Jon Acuff is one of those writers I WANT to like more than I do. Truth be told, though, I find it…grating at times, and a little too over-done. Now I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Acuff speak in person and I know that is just his way…the over-the-top enthusiasm makes him who he is. This book is chock-full of useful advice for those stuck in a career rut, but I did find it more geared towards 9-5ers instead of those of us in the creative field. Which is fine, since that’s Acuff’s background, despite his switch into the author/expert category. This is worth a read, as it’s a quick read, but I won’t be buying it for my own collection. Although that awesome cover makes it tempting….
provided by bloggingforbooks
Full-Color NKJV Study Bible
5 stars *****
This is a GORGEOUS full-color study bible in paperback. I could not be more thrilled by this. If you combined every huge Bible study tome on my shelf, including the giant Illustrated Bible Dictionary I have from Nelson’s, this Bible would be their child. It’s gorgeous, easy to hold in your hand, and somehow very manageable for the wealth of knowledge it contains. From extra articles, timelines, word studies, maps, and notes, this Bible far surpasses any others I’ve seen. I feel this would be a great gift for any man in your life, perhaps a recent graduate, because it seems to have a bit of a masculine feel, but of course I love it too. The personal size really keeps things manageable and I like that is is soft-cover, although they also offer it in hard cover. A true keeper and a must-have for your Bible resources shelf.
Happy Reading!
Natalie