About Me

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I'm a reader who enjoys posting comments and recommendations about the books I read. You will not find a synopsis with my recommendations because you can just click on the book title for a link to www.goodreads.com for a synopsis and reviews by other readers. I prefer the 3 Reason format: the reason I chose to read it; the reason I liked (or disliked) the book; and the reason I recommend it.

Monday, August 28, 2017

A Measure of Mercy (Home to Blessing, #1)A Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

During my move, I either lost this book or prematurely donated it. I used the Hoopla app to download it from my new local library. It is the first of the Home to Blessing series which is still part of the Bjorklund novels that began with the immigration of this Norwegian family in An Untamed Land.
I'm a fan of most of Laurain Snelling's Bjorklund novels and I recommend them to all readers. My 90-year old father continues to praise all of them.


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Saturday, August 26, 2017

 Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn't SayHalf Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn't Say by Adam Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was read and recommended by a Goodreads friend, and it intrigued me because advice given to me has often come to me as several of these five half-truths, and I have often repeated the same cliches when I was at a loss for words to others.
The five half-truths discussed in this book are:
1. Everything happens for a reason.
2. God helps those who help themselves.
3. God won't give you more than you can handle.
4.God said it, I believe it, That settles it.
5. Love the sinner, hate the sin.
Hamilton analyzes the half-truth for Biblical verses that others might use to support it, suggests some different interpretations, and gives us choices about phrases that might be better when we try to offer comfort and support.
I recommend this book for all readers and book clubs that have an interest in discussing the topics.


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Thursday, August 24, 2017

The Constantine CodexThe Constantine Codex by Paul L. Maier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This ebook was free from Barnes and Noble when I downloaded it to my Nook library in 2012.
It just gets dropped to a three-star rating because I would not recommend it to my friends because I doubt they have enough interest in the information about documenting the discovery of the ancient text and what it could mean for the Christian communities.


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Sunday, August 20, 2017

The Self-Compassion Diet: A Step-By-Step Program to Lose Weight with Loving-KindnessThe Self-Compassion Diet: A Step-By-Step Program to Lose Weight with Loving-Kindness by Jean Fain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This ebook was recommended to me by members of Eat4Health group because they discussed the book before I joined, and many continue to refer to it.
There are five parts: self-compassion; hypnosis; mindfulness; social support; and continuing education.
I plan to re-read parts of it to help me make some better habits. I recommend this book to all readers.


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Friday, August 18, 2017

Rogue LawyerRogue Lawyer by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I borrowed this ebook from my local library because it was available when I learned to use the Libby app with my Kindle. I have almost given up reading books by Grisham because I was disappointed by the last three books by him for not being the page-turners I expected them to be.
I could give this one another half star.


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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Surrender the WindSurrender the Wind by Rita Gerlach
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I downloaded this ebook to my Nook library when it was free in 2012. I like historical fiction. I was disappointed in the characters as they seemed to be stereotypes who went from one crisis to the next.
I recommend it only to fans of the author and this genre.


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Sunday, August 13, 2017

Fire Ice (NUMA Files, #3)Fire Ice by Clive Cussler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was given to my home library by my uncle and aunt who passed it on after reading it. They know I enjoy books by Clive Cussler. This was the first Kurt Austin novel I read.
I enjoy these adventure stories and the wise-cracking heroes.


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Wednesday, August 09, 2017

  All My Friends Are DeadAll My Friends Are Dead by Avery Monsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I downloaded this in order to try the Libby app. It is a phrase I often hear from my father.
It is a picture book for adults but I have difficulty recommending it to other readers because I do not want to trivialize feelings of others.


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Tuesday, August 08, 2017

The TumorThe Tumor by John Grisham
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I downloaded this ebook for free for my Nook library from Barnes and Noble. It is 67 pages long. It is not a thriller; it is marketing material for focused ultrasound technology to raise awareness about the hopes this technology encourages.


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Monday, August 07, 2017

Hoist on My Own Petard: Or: How Writing 10% Happier Threw My Own Advice Right Back in My FaceHoist on My Own Petard: Or: How Writing 10% Happier Threw My Own Advice Right Back in My Face by Dan Harris
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Free promotional item.


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The Thirst (Harry Hole. #11)The Thirst by Jo Nesbø
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I waited more than 3 months to borrow this ebook from my local library. There is only one reason I wait so long for a book with so much violence, and that reason is I like the craftsmanship of the author.
I really like these books but I have difficulty recommending them to others who would only stop reading due to the violent content.


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Shadows in the Sun: Healing from Depression and Finding the Light WithinShadows in the Sun: Healing from Depression and Finding the Light Within by Gayathri Ramprasad
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This ebook was free when I downloaded it to my Nook library from Barnes and Noble.
It is a creative nonfiction type of memoir because the author must fill in her memories, lost to ECT shock treatment for her depression, with stories told by her family members.
I recommend it to readers who want to understand behaviors of others who need better mental health treatments.


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