Corey Parker of Arlington, VA recommends Deliverance from Jericho (Six Years in a Blind School) by Bruce Atchison

Name of publisher: self-published

Genre: memoir

About the book:
The joys and tribulations of a legally blind child surviving in a Canadian institution for blind children

How did you find out about the book?
I began corresponding with the author through a Google writers’ group

What did you like about it?
The author has a plainspoken, matter-of-fact style that is nevertheless gripping and always engaging, pulling at your emotions while making you laugh

Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?
Anyone who knows a partially sighted or blind individual or wants to imagine what life would be like for such a person; also, people interested in government education and institutions

Where can others find it?
At Bruce’s website

Thanks for the recommendation, Corey! Sounds like a very interesting book.

Liesel Spicer adds:

Bruce Atchison shares very vulnerably about his childhood experiences while attending a school for sight-impaired children. He portrays his experiences with various teachers throughout the years, illustrating the significant input adults have in children’s lives. On the unfortunately rare occasions that Bruce had a caring adult showing time and interest in his life, he responded to that as the body responds to nourishment. In contrast, the times where adults were not actively involved in the children’s lives in a positive way, the effects were devastating, contributing to restrictions of individual learning processes and perceptions of self-unimportance. As adults reading this book, it should emphasize the importance of pouring life into those around us and the relative simplicity of doing this through significant acts of love and kindness…through upbuilding words, simple acknowledgements of individual characteristics or circumstances, gentle acceptance of the growing process through mistakes, or with gifts as simple
as a Kraft caramel.

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Bonnie Way from southern Alberta recommends West Nile Diary by Kathleen Gibson.

Genre: nonfiction

About the book:

Using excerpts from her diary, emails, and regular column, Kathleen takes us with her and her husband on their journey through his West Nile Neurological Disease.

How did you find out about the book?

Kathleen’s website; ICWF Fall Conference

What did you like about it?

Kathleen’s humour; it’s a dark, tough story, yet Kathleen’s humour helped lighten it and make it readable

Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?

Anyone struggling through any sort of difficult time – Kathleen has a way of making us see the bright side and see God at work in the tough stuff

Where can others find it?

 Kathleen’s website or Christian bookstores
Amazon.ca

 Any other comments?

Excellent read – but not for one sitting!  Best taken a few doses at a time, and have the Kleenex box ready. 

Thanks for the recommendation, Bonnie! It seems like a great book for these difficult times.

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Joyce Harback or Calgary recommends Make Love, Make War: NOW is the time to worship by Brian Doerksen  

Name of publisher: David C Cook

Genre: Non-fiction, devotional, how-to

About the book:
A collection of stories behind some of the greatest worship choruses ever written out of the author’s walk with God and study of God’s word. Additional how-to and other helps are given at the end of each chapter for songwriters. This book shares an intimate look into how great music is born out of knowing God, being still before Him and learning to walk with Him through the crisis and the mundane.

How did you find out about the book?

I was asked to write a profile on Brian Doerksen for Maranatha News and my editor arranged for me to receive a preview copy of his book. The article about Brian and the book is scheduled to appear in December. www.maranathanews.com

What did you like about it?  

It has become one of my most treasured reading experiences. True stories of Doerksen’s life experience are woven into thought provoking challenges to our current Christian status-quo. It is genuine, transparent, inspirational and God-focused. Reading this book draws me closer to God and ignites my desire to know Him for who He is.

Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?

Songwriters. Worship leaders. Writers. Artists. Pastors.

Where can others find it?

Christian retailers or online (Amazon, Christianbook.com)

Any other comments?

Brian Doerksen at age 44 is a multi-award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter/author/pastor. More than 85 of his original songs are listed with CCLI and sung around the world. He lives in Abbotsford BC with his wife and six children, two of whom have special needs. His hope is “that when people remember what they saw and heard of God in my life and my songs they’ll see that he became greater and I became less.” (quote from http://www.prairie.edu/servant/InnerviewBrianDoerksen.pdf, accessed November 12, 2009).

Thanks for the recommendation, Joyce! Music has an ability to move us in ways that nothing else can. This book sounds like a great way to learn about the man behind the music.

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Maureen Miller of Kelowna, British Columbia recommends Beauty Unleashed: Transforming a Woman’s Soul by Heidi McLaughlin

Name of publisher: VMI Publishers

Genre: Non-Fiction -Women-Christian Living-Devotional-Spiritual Growth

About the book:

Whether speaking in a crowded auditorium or sitting across the table over a good cup of coffee, it quickly becomes clear, Heidi loves women and longs to see them be free in all that God intended. As a 21st century woman she candidly draws on her experiences to open our eyes and see where we have bought into the notion this is all there is. Are we wearing our busyness as a badge of honour no matter what the cost? With truth and humour we are challenged to look at these misplaced values and through prayer be transformed.

How did you find out about the book?

I bought it at a book table at a Women Alive Conference.

What did you like about it?

The authenticity and genuine love that is evident in every chapter. It is almost as if the author is mentoring the reader.

Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?

Every single woman – 18 – 98 – Christian or non-Christian

Where can others find it?

Your local bookstore; Amazon.ca; Amazon.com; or Heidi’s web page

Thanks for the recommendation, Maureen! I’ve read this book too and believe that it’s a useful tool to help women to unleash their potential and reveal their true beauty.

**

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Eric E. Wright of Salem, Ontario recommends Christianus Sum by Shawn J. Pollett

Name of publisher: Word Alive Press

Genre: Historical fiction

About the book:

Christianus Sum is a compelling story set in AD 249, a time when corruption and incompetence threatened the stability of the Roman Empire and ravenous barbarian hordes began to tear at its weakened frontiers. A new emperor, Decius, comes to power determined to annihilate the Christians whom he blames for the deterioration in the Empire’s fortunes. His henchman in this atrocity is Valerianus, a ruthless and depraved North African landowner.

Against the background of this maelstrom of forces, Pollett sketches a vivid picture of the life and trials of Christians in these waning days of the Empire. Damarra, a beautiful slave girl in Valerianus’ household finds herself attracting her master’s lust while she, herself, is being drawn to Christ. Meanwhile, Julius Valens, a widowed and respected senator whom Valerianus hates, is captivated by her.

Christianus Sum is a powerful and gripping story full of plot thrusts with an authentic setting and strong characters. The story does not lag nor does the romance overpower a story that reads as powerfully authentic.

How did you find out about the book?  

At the June The Word Guild Awards ceremony

What did you like about it?

I appreciated the balance of plot and character development combined with fascinating descriptions of life at this time. It was well written. A good read. Highly recommended.

Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?

Both Christian and general readers of fiction

Where can others find it?

Through Word Alive Press  , Christian bookstores or Amazon

Any other comments?

I approached this book with some skepticism and a masculine aversion to historical romances. I was also concerned lest the story suffer from a heavy-handed dose of Christian jargon. The book won me over.

Thanks for the recommendation, Eric! I’m discovering that historical fiction is one of my favourite reads, so I’ll have to pick up my own copy of this book.

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Kim Burgsma of Goderich ON recommends the Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill

Name of publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Historical Fiction

About the book:

The story of a young girls journey from Africa to the America’s and Europe and back home to Africa. Her story of slavery is riveting, and her journey out is full of triumph.
 

How did you find out about the book?

It’s had great media reviews.

What did you like about it?

I loved how the author, being male, was able to write this girls story in the first person, and I truly believed her thoughts and emotions. (If he’s that in tune with his wife, they must have an incredible marriage!)

Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?

Anyone.

Where can others find it?

Any book store or Amazon.ca

Any other comments?

This book made me embarrassed to be white and reminded me to pray for racism as it still exists today.

Thanks for the recommendation, Kim! I’ve heard the name of this book in media circles but never stopped long enough to read a review.

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Darlene Oakley of Kemptville, Ontario recommends Starborn by Ann O’Bannon

Name of publisher: Lachesis

Genre: Futuristic Romance

About the book:

Starborn is book 2 of this futuristic romance series. Book 1 will be released as an ebook Fall 2009. David is an “astronaut” of the future as the human race is still mastering space travel. Through an amazing cosmic twist, Zara, a Shimuran from another galaxy lands in the Milky Way and finds David. Book 2 happens when David and Zara arrive on earth. Not everyone is excited about this new spacial contact. As the romance between David and Zara develops and the relationship between Earth and Shimura is revealed, tensions mount between those that want to embrace this new race and those that like their “earth” the way it is.

How did you find out about the book?

Ann O’Bannon is a friend of mine. I’ve read book one and book two.

What did you like about it?

I love Ann’s imagination. Ann has created an entirely new race of beings, their language, their technology, and weaves an intriguing story about Earth’s possible connection to this world in another part of the galaxy.

Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?

Those that enjoy a little romance thrown in with their sci-fi. Those that enjoy exploring new galaxies and planets and discovering new and fascinating aliens. Appropriate for an audience over 18.

Where can others find it?

Orders can be placed through Lachesis Publishing  or Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Thanks for the recommendation, Darlene! I’ve never read sci-fi books although I used to watch Star Trek – The Next Generation.

**

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Bonnie Beldan-Thomson of Pickering, Ontario recommends So the Moon Would Not Be Swallowed by D.S. Martin

Name of publisher: Rubicon Press

 Genre: poetry

 About the book:

In this short book of poems based on letters from missionary grandparents, D.S. Martin distils situations of life and death uncertainty into poignantly beautiful cairns.

How did you find out about the book?

I read a review in Christianity Today.

What did you like about it?

The language, the stories and the faith they reveal.

Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?

Anyone who enjoys reading stories of spiritual heroism, has interest in early twentieth century mission work in China and enjoys lovely word usage. 

Where can others find it?

Amazon.ca or from his blog

Any other comments?

Check out his website

Thanks for the recommendation, Bonnie! I don’t often read poetry but you’ve intrigued me with Don’s book.

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Donna Fawcett/ Dawson recommends Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove

Name of publisher: David C. Cook Publishing
 
Genre: Suspense/mystery
 
About the book:

The story is of a woman, Kate, who finds that her husband continues to talk to her–even after he’s dead. It is a journey of twists and turns that take us through mourning, personal issues, marital struggles, screwy friendships and even screwier family relationships.
 
How did you find out about the book?

I was asked to review it.
 
What did you like about it?

I never knew what to expect next and Bonnie did a great job of dealing with areas of life that we tend to shy away from.
 
Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?

Anyone whose family member is dealing with past abuse, depression, infidelity and anger issues. And for those who just love a good mystery–this fits the bill.
 
Where can others find it?

Bookstores across Canada and the States and on Amazon.ca

Any other comments?

Bonnie takes a number of tough subjects, inserts her incredible humour, plays with word craft until it comes off as believable and leaves the reader with a book that teaches as much as it entertains. Well done!

Thanks for the recommendation, Donna! I’ve just finished reading Bonnie’s book and absolutely loved it! I can’t wait for her next one!

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Where Fitness & Family Meet Faith

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Donna Fawcett recommends Because We Prayed by Mary Haskett

Name of publisher: Word Alive Press
 
Genre: Devotional
 
About the book:

Because We Prayed is a collection of ten points pertaining to the effective use of prayer and the importance of making prayer our first line of defense.
 
How did you find out about the book?

I was asked to review it.
 
What did you like about it?

It pulls no punches. The chapters are filled with practical application, Biblical explanation and common sense knowledge from the author’s own life.
 
Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?

Anyone who takes their Christianity seriously.
 
Where can others find it?

Many Christian bookstores have access to the book as do Chapters, Coles and Barnes & Noble
Any other comments?

Once again, Mary Haskett has put out an excellent faith-filled book. Her years of spiritual experience and wisdom are drawn upon for the purpose of preparing the next generation of spiritual warriors. This book would make a wonderful Bible study guide.
 
 
Thanks for the recommendation, Donna! I’ve read Mary’s other book, Reverend Mother’s Daughter, and it’s nice to know that she’s got a new one on the market.

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Where Fitness & Family Meet Faith

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