My Review of "A Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God"

Larry Osborne's A Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God:  Spirituality for the Rest of Us is a must-read for those who aren't sure a relationship with God is possible for ordinary folks.  In a no-nonsense style, Osborne offers real words of hope for those who struggle.  What readers will find here is a clear spirituality with a deep connection to the real world -- that world in which we live, and the one God loves so much.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.

My Review of "How to Be a Perfect Christian"

The Babylon Bee's How to Be a Perfect Christian:  Your Comprehensive Guide to Flawless Spiritual Living brings the satirical style of The Onion into conversation with Christian culture -- and the product is hilarious.

This book is a satirical look at what passes for cultural Christianity, particularly in America.  There's plenty of humor and sarcasm to go around here, and I love the chart that gauges the reader's progress toward "spiritual perfection" at the end of each chapter.  What some readers will miss, sadly, is just how much genuine Christian faith you glimpse in these pages, even while poking fun at the sacred cows of that cultural embodiment of the faith. 

I've been a fan of The Babylon Bee's website for a long time.  This book did not disappoint.  In fact, it was a real treat!  (And the free coloring page on p. 115 is totally worth the price of the book!)

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.

My Review of "Open to the Spirit"

Scot McKnight's Open to the Spirit: God in Us, God with Us, God Transforming Us explores one of the most misunderstood and underrepresented beliefs of the Christian faith these days:  The Holy Spirit.  Who is he?  What does he do?  What difference does the Spirit make in our everyday lives?  McKnight explores those questions with all the depth of a New Testament scholar while also making sure what he says "meets the road" in the lives of everyday believers like himself.

It's a must-read for Christians.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.

My Review of "L'appart"

David Lebowitz's L'appart: The Delights and Disasters of My Paris Home is a tale of the miseries and woes of buying and renovating a home in Paris.  In spite of his attempts to convince readers how much he still loves Paris -- when describing being able to run down the street for a freshly made baguette or getting to know the ruggedly handsome man at the little café close by, for example -- Lebovitz peels off the plaster to reveal a Paris beyond tourism.  Lebovitz's stories shimmer with despair, distress, and regret, but he nevertheless embraces life with all its flaws in the city he loves.

It was, overall, a depressing little book, whose only real redemptive value are the genuine French recipes scattered throughout.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.