By Faith, Not by Sight

I received a copy of By Faith, Not by Sight by Scott MacIntyre from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.
A moving story of hope, faith, persistence and the power of dreams.
A piano prodigy, a nineteen-year-old college grad, a Marshall scholar, and an
American Idol finalist. This guy had it made. He could sing.
He could ski blind. What couldn’t he do?
Even if you saw him in concert, you might not believe that Scott MacIntyre is
blind, and you’d never guess that at nineteen, he faced a diagnosis that rocked
his family and nearly took his life.
So how did he do it? How did he overcome the odds?
This is Scott’s story, but he’d be the first to tell you that it’s not really
about him. This is the story of how God used a dedicated family, a selfless
acquaintance, hardship, and a host of characters to give him life, faith,
determination, and experiences most can only imagine.
Peek behind the scenes to see how he learned to overcome his disability, how
he made it in the music industry, how he found the love of his life, and how God
taught him that in all things, we can truly achieve our dreams By Faith, Not
by Sight.
This is a very inspiring story. Scott by the age of 23 had indured more than most people twice his age. It helps to put things in your life into perspecive and helps you to realize you can rely on God for everything.

All That Glitters

I received a copy of All That Glitters by John Gapper and Nicholas Denton from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The definitive, classic account of the fall of the House of Baring, the oldest merchant bank in London, in 1995 and the ultimate rouge trader, Nick Leeson, who brought down the venerable institution with speculative investing.

John Gapper, associate editor of the Financial Times, and his coauthor Nick Denton, now founder of Gawker Media, interviewed all the major players involved in the collapse of one of England's oldest banks.

All That Glitters reveals the Faustian deal struck between the whiz-kid derivatives traders who seemed to be bringing in huge profits and the old guard who were happy to pocket them without asking too many questions. Gapper and Denton present a thrilling, in-depth account of Nick Leeson's motives and methods for hiding the unauthorized speculative trading as well as the final days of Barings and the last-ditch attempts by politicians and bankers to save the bank.

This book is very in-depth going into the back ground of the House of Baring. I didn't enjoy the book as much as I had hoped. One reason is it's all about happenings in England that I can't relate to much.

Simple Secrets to a Happy Life

I received a copy of Simple Secrets to a Happy Life by Luci Swindoll from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Is it possible to stay full of life, laughter, love and the Lord through eight decades in this crazy world? Is that even realistic? There is hope, and Luci Swindoll is living proof.

With heart and humor, this best-selling author and beloved speaker lays out the truths that can help us all become a little more creative, organized, healthy, and happy. This is not a complex prescription for how to become superwoman. These are simple secrets, the wisdom produced by years of walking with God and living well.

We don't need more tips for "having it all," but we could all use insight on "having what matters" and there is no better guide than Luci Swindoll.

Luci has spent eight decades accumulating the stories, memories, verses, and practical tips that make up Simple Secrets to a Happy Life. Whether traveling the world or building life-long friendships, singing in the opera or working for Mobil Oil, every step has taught her a little more about how to love God, love her neighbor, and love herself.

The result is both personal and universal. Organized into fifty short chapters, her reflections form a simple and profound outline for making the most of the lives God has given us.

We could use a little more joy in our lives, which means we could all use a little more Luci. Visit her through these snapshots of wisdom. You'll find yourself drawn back again and again.

Luci has titled each chapter with five words each starting with a verb. She breaks things down into easy to read and apply premises. She has a very broad background and uses it to show how she learned or apply each premise in the chapters.

Becoming Fearless

I received a copy of Becoming Fearless by Michelle Aguilar from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As the Season 6 winner of The Biggest Loser, Michelle Aguilar goes beyond her grand-prize victory to inspire readers to overcome fear. Becoming Fearless is a story of reconciliation between a mother and a daughter, a testament to the power of forgiveness, and a reminder that the journey is even more important than the destination. It is an encouragement to "feel fear" in any situation without being paralyzed by it. Will you have faith in God when you've lost faith in yourself?

As the Season 6 winner of The Biggest Loser, Michelle Aguilar inspires people globally with her powerful story. Since winning the show, she's been featured in national magazines and made appearances on hit television shows including Today, Larry King Live, Ellen and Rachel Ray. Staying true to her Christian roots, Michelle is also a prominent voice for the I Am Second movement and was a featured speaker for the 2010 Imagine Tour of Women of Faith. She lends her voice to several wellness campaigns, including Got Milk. Today, a resident of Texas with her husband Micah, Michelle continues traveling the country as a motivational speaker. Her website is www.MichelleAguilar.me.

I've watched The Biggest Loser and wondered how the contestants did after leaving the ranch. Michelle goes into detail about how it was for her to keep up the exercising and eating plan she learned. This is a wonderful book about how paralizing fear is and how you can overcome it.

Through My Eyes

I received a copy of Through My Eyes: A Quarterback's Journey by Tim Tebow from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Meet Tim Tebow: He grew up playing every sport imaginable, but football was his true passion. Even from an early age, Tim has always had the drive to be the best player and person that he could be. Through his hard work and determination, he established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of college football and as a top prospect in the NFL. Now, in Through My Eyes: A Quarterback's Journey, he shares the behind-the-scenes details of his life, on and off the football field. Tim writes about his life as he chooses to live it, revealing how his Christian faith, his family values, and his relentless will to succeed have molded him into the person and the athlete he is today.

Living with a football loving husband and brother-in-laws I'd heard the name Tim Tebow. Other than his name I knew very little about him. I'm glad to learn that he stands up for what he believes in and is doing his best to be a good example. I really think he's one of the few NFL players that understands the power he has and what comes with it.

MOMumental

I received a copy of MOMumental by Jennifer Grant from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A longtime former writer for the Chicago Sun-Times and now a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, Jennifer Grant is no stranger to the common reader. MOMumental is a foray into the enormously, creative, and taxing process of raising a family and a starkly honest memoir that mothers everywhere can identify with. With narrative that is chock-full of humorous, poignant stories drawn from her everyday adventures as a mother and wife, Grant presents an entertaining and inspirational book that will give readers uncommon insights about being an intentional parent.
There are so many things/stories in this book that I could relate to. Reading them helps me to be able to take a step back and see the humor in many of the situations. It's nice to know that someone else shares in your struggles and can relate. It helps to know you're not alone.

Life Promises for Couples

I recently received a copy of Life Promises for Couples by Gary Chapman from Tyndale Media in exchange for an honest review.

Everybody wants a strong, loving, God-centered marriage. In Life Promises for Couples, New York Times bestselling relationship expert Dr. Gary Chapman provides trusted words of wisdom designed to encourage and inspire couples, alongside key Bible verses that illuminate God's plan for marriage and for nurturing healthy, happy relationships. Whether you are a young couple just starting out or you've just celebrated your 50th wedding anniversary, your marriage is sure to benefit from the timeless wisdom contained in this beautifully designed two-color gift book.

Every two pages comes with three scripture readings and a note from the author putting those scriptures into a small paragraph or two. This makes the book a quick read and a very enjoyable experience. The verses from the Bible are nice, well chosen and the authors words are encouraging and well said. The advice contained in the book is ranging from how to be a better listener to how to have better sex.