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This Month on FaithfulReader.com |
May 2008
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Honoring Our Veterans and Our Fathers
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For me, the summer always begins on Memorial Day weekend. As we do every year, my family and I attended the town parade honoring war veterans, both young and old. I am always moved by the sacrifice of the men and women who serve our country in uniform.
While Memorial Day has now come and gone, another important holiday is quickly approaching. Father’s Day falls on June 15th this year, and we here at FaithfulReader.com are celebrating the dads in our lives with our annual Father’s Day Roundup. Featuring stories of inspiration and devotion, this selection of titles venerates the countless roles of fathers everywhere and honors the men who serve as a family cornerstone.
We have many more exciting features to share with you this month. We are holding TWO special contests for BY REASON OF INSANITY by Randy Singer and THE VOICE by Bill Myers. Read on to find out more about the books and contest details.
For those of you in book clubs, we have seven new study guides this month, including BY REASON OF INSANITY, a suspenseful tale about a series of unknown murders; AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by Laura Hayden, the start of a new series that focuses on a woman’s run for president; SUMMER SNOW by Nicole Baart, which revolves around an unexpected mother-daughter reunion; THE MOON IN THE MANGO TREE by Pamela Binnings Ewen, a story about a woman’s journey to Siam; THE DUCHESS AND THE DRAGON by Jamie Carie, a sweeping love story that crosses two continents and encompasses two different worlds; HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT, a memoir by Trish Ryan about finding faith; and MOVING UP by Suzan Johnson Cook, an inspirational book about enhancing your life.
With The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian now in theaters, Cindy Crosby has put together a collection of titles that are excellent companions for any Narnia fan. Read on for more details.
For all of you fiction fans, click here to see the nominees for the 9th annual Christy Awards. Established in 1999, the Award recognizes excellence in Christian fiction. The winners will be announced in Orlando, FL on July 12th. For those of you who, like me, love fiction, these are some titles you want to note.
We also share with you the 2008 Christian Book Award finalists, which you can view here. This Award recognizes both editorial excellence and sales achievements in Christian Literature. The winners will be announced on July 13th during the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, FL.
Among the reviews in our Faithful Fiction, Christian Living and Marriage and Family Life sections this month are SISTERCHICKS GO BRIT! by Robin Jones Gunn, the seventh installment in her award-winning Sisterchicks series; FINDING OUR WAY AGAIN: The Return of the Ancient Practices by Brian McLaren, a book that explores the ancient practices that help ground believers embarking on an authentic pilgrimage of faith; and FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN WHAT?: Challenging Your Assumptions on Dating, Love and Commitment by Kimberly Beair.
We encourage you to respond to our new poll, which asks about your home book collection, while our question asks what books in your personal library reflect you.
While May here was cooler than usual, the warmer weather and longer days have me eagerly looking forward to the months ahead. As kids begin returning from school and summer activities start getting underway, this can be a very busy time of the year for many of us. As we march on into June, may we take a moment to honor the father figures in our lives who helped shape us with their love, discipline and knowledge. To all of the dads out there, have a happy Father’s Day.
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
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Revisiting the Land of Narnia
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May 16th marked the release of Prince Caspian, the second movie adaptation of C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia series, which holds the challenge of adapting a tougher story than THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.
The seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia series were first published between 1950 and 1956, and have been translated into almost 50 languages and sold more than 100 million copies. Since then, they’ve captured the imagination of children and adults, and have spawned numerous commentaries and guides.
With the film in mind, FaithfulReader.com’s Cindy Crosby browses through a few of the new books about all things Narnia. Grab some popcorn, settle into a comfortable chair, and enjoy discovering more about this enchanted land and its characters.
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Click here to see Cindy Crosby's roundup of books about Narnia.
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FaithfulReader.com's Father's Day Roundup
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Provider, counselor, caretaker --- a father’s role is complex and his duties are countless. Our annual roundup of Father’s Day titles is filled with books as diverse as the males who raised us. In it, you will find true stories of faithful men, role models from the Bible, inspirational fiction and powerful devotionals. Taken together, these selections, with their varied perspectives, offer a more complete picture of what it means to be a dad.
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Click here to see our roundup of Father's Day titles.
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Special Contest and Feature: BY REASON OF INSANITY by Randy Singer
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We are celebrating the release of BY REASON OF INSANITY by Randy Singer --- a suspenseful tale about a series of unsolved murders and a woman who knows too much --- with a special contest. Ten readers will have the opportunity to each win one finished copy of BY REASON OF INSANITY, which is now available in stores.
BY REASON OF INSANITY by Randy Singer (Suspense)
After a series of kidnappings and murders in Virginia Beach, newspaper reporter Catherine O'Rourke experiences disturbing dreams that detail each crime. Catherine's intimate knowledge of the crimes immediately makes her a prime suspect. When scientific evidence corroborates her guilt, she's arrested and charged with murder. As she begins to doubt her own innocence, Catherine turns to Las Vegas lawyer Quinn Newberg, a high-priced specialist in the insanity defense.
-Click here to see the study guide for BY REASON OF INSANITY.
-Click here to read more about BY REASON OF INSANITY.
-Click here to read an excerpt from BY REASON OF INSANITY.
-Click here to read Randy Singer's bio.
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Click here to read all the contest details.
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Special Contest: THE VOICE by Bill Myers
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We are celebrating the release of THE VOICE, Bill Myers’s 100th book, with a special contest. Twenty readers will have the opportunity to each win one finished copy of THE VOICE, which is now available in stores.
THE VOICE by Bill Myers (Suspense)
Charlie Madison is a burned out Special Forces Agent and his world is about to be turned upside down. When his 13-year-old niece barges into his reclusive life, Charlie must come out of retirement to rescue her parents and a computer Program that has recorded the actual Voice of God --- the implications of which have shaken the world's religions to their core.
-Click here to read more about THE VOICE.
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Click here to read all the contest details.
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Study Guide Now Available: AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by Laura Hayden
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AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL: America Series, Book 1 by Laura Hayden (Fiction)
Emily Benton has spent her entire life immersed in politics. Having been raised in the industry, she has the kinds of contacts that it takes most politicians decades to build. She knows that she can win the race for president of the United States, but only if she destroys her rival first, before he can find and use hidden ammunition on her.
-Click here to read more about AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.
-Click here to read an excerpt from AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.
-Click here to read Laura Hayden’s bio.
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Click here to see the study guide for AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.
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Study Guide Now Available: SUMMER SNOW by Nicole Baart
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SUMMER SNOW by Nicole Baart (Fiction)
Julia DeSmit is finally learning to accept her new life. Optimistic and anxious to begin again after dropping out of college, she is taking fumbling steps down a challenging yet hope-filled road. But the careful existence Julia has begun to build falls hopelessly to pieces when her estranged mother, Janice, appears on the front porch one icy March night.
-Click here to read more about SUMMER SNOW.
-Click here to read an excerpt from SUMMER SNOW.
-Click here to read Nicole Baart’s bio.
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Click here to see the study guide for SUMMER SNOW.
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Now in Stores: FOSSIL HUNTER by John B. Olson
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FOSSIL HUNTER by John B. Olson (Suspense)
This is one breathtaking ride! Beneath Iraq’s sandy floor lurks more than oil and some will kill to get it first.
In this mind-twisting thriller, Dr. Katie James is in an exciting race against time when she discovers clues to the origin of life on earth. |
Click here to read more about FOSSIL HUNTER.
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New Discussion Guides for Christian Book Groups
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In addition to BY REASON OF INSANITY, AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL and SUMMER SNOW, we are featuring the following discussion guides for Christian book groups this month:
THE MOON IN THE MANGO TREE by Pamela Binnings Ewen (Fiction)
Set in the Roaring Twenties, a woman is faced with a decision to follow her dream of becoming an opera singer and her responsibility to follow her husband to Siam. When she chooses her husband, Barbara finds herself on a journey to take on the role of missionary doctor’s wife. There she encounters the local people and Buddhist culture and the missionary workers trying to bring Jesus to this remote location.
-Click here to see the study guide for THE MOON IN THE MANGO TREE.
THE DUCHESS AND THE DRAGON by Jamie Carie (Historical Romance)
THE DUCHESS AND THE DRAGON is a sweeping love story that crosses two continents and encompasses two different worlds as Serena Winter, a humble Quaker girl from Philadelphia, meets and falls in love with a man she thinks is an indentured servant. Against the rich backdrop of Regency-era England and a young America, two passionate, seeing hearts find in each other the strength to face hard truths --- and confront an insidious web of deceit that may destroy all they hold dear.
-Click here to see the study guide for THE DUCHESS AND THE DRAGON.
-Click here to read a review of THE DUCHESS AND THE DRAGON.
HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Hope, and Happily Ever After by Trish Ryan (Memoir)
While recovering from yet another breakup, Trish Ryan set out to find the key to making love --- and life --- work. She stocked up on advice books, pored over self-help articles, hired a life coach and vigorously applied every suggestion to her life. After years of trying everything out there, she hesitantly decided to give God a try. Honest, moving and laugh-out-loud funny, HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT is Ryan's story of how her search for the right guy turned into the search for the right God.
-Click here to see the study guide for HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT.
MOVING UP: Dr. Sujay’s Ten Steps to Turning Your Life Around and Getting to the Top! by Suzan Johnson Cook (Inspirational/Self Help)
Described by the New York Times as “Billy Graham and Oprah rolled into one,” Suzan Johnson Cook shares her winning formula for facing life’s transitions with confidence and faith. Utilizing personal and Biblical examples, Dr. Sujay urges readers to embrace the kairos moments in their life; that is, those moments of opportunity and change. Following each lesson with practice exercises and helpful suggestions, Cook pushes her readers to break free of the chains of life, embrace the moment and move up!
-Click here to see the study guide for MOVING UP.
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Faithful Fiction Reviews
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SISTERCHICKS GO BRIT! by Robin Jones Gunn (Fiction)
In the seventh installment of Robin Jones Gunn’s award-winning Sisterchicks series, three women with unfulfilled dreams and wishes take off for England, unaware that their little trip will lead them to some life-changing decisions. Along the way, Kelly and Liz tour many well-known attractions in London and Oxford while taking a few unexpected excursions. Reviewed by Susan Miura.
DEAD HEAT by Joel C. Rosenberg (Political Thriller)
For Jon and Erin Bennett, the world seems to be spinning dangerously out of control. In the wake of a horrific war in the Middle East, President James MacPherson's second term is coming to an end. Now the battle to succeed him is heating up into one of the most fiercely contested presidential elections in American history, and the Bennetts realize the stakes could not be higher. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
ROMEY’S PLACE by James Calvin Schaap (Fiction)
Despite their disparate upbringings, Romey and Lowell were like brothers, inseparable in their pursuit of adventure. But events were brewing that would force them to confront the reality of their differences for the first time. James Calvin Schaap renders a coming-of-age tale about friendship, fathers and sons, and, most of all, the grace that saves us from the darkest places. Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel.
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Click here to read our Faithful Fiction reviews.
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Christian Living Reviews
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FINDING OUR WAY AGAIN: The Return of the Ancient Practices by Brian McLaren (Spirituality)
Readers of the engaging and controversial Brian McLaren will discover that his excellent new book explores ancient practices (many of which go all the way back to Abraham and the establishment of Israel) that help ground believers embarking on an authentic pilgrimage of faith. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
THE END OF REASON: A Response to the New Atheists by Ravi Zacharias (Christian Life/Social Issues)
When Sam Harris wrote his book LETTER TO A CHRISTIAN NATION, stating that Christians display “murderous intolerance,” Dr. Ravi Zacharias felt called to answer. THE END OF REASON is a clear and powerful response to the “utter bankruptcy” of Harris’s New Atheism as it explains the true nature of God, the foundation for evil in the world and the basis of true morality. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
JESUS FOR PRESIDENT: Politics for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw (Current Events)
JESUS FOR PRESIDENT is a radical manifesto to awaken the Christian political imagination, reminding us that our ultimate hope lies not in partisan political options but in Jesus and the incarnation of the peculiar politic of the church as a people “set apart” from this world. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.
THERE’S GOTTA BE MORE!: Enjoying the Spirit-Filled Life by Donna Gaines (Christian Life)
Step by step, Bible study leader Donna Gaines uses Scripture and personal stories to remind women that they were created for more than this world offers, saved for more than what the world values, and destined for more in their Christianity, marriage, motherhood and friendships. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.
MY BEAUTIFUL IDOL by Pete Gall (Memoir)
Idols are good for two things: making us feel important and making us feel loved. But the idols keep crashing --- even when Pete Gall turns to his own Christian faith to construct an identity that will give him the life he craves. Through a variety of experiences, he learns the difference between pursuing “holy hero status” and discovering the unpredictable and uncontrollable love of God. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
CRAZY LOVE: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (Christian Life)
Pastor Francis Chan, creator of JustStopAndThink.com, wants everyone to come to terms with the impossible, relentless, crazy love of God. God doesn’t want your begrudging leftovers or even your good intentions. He wants you --- heart, soul and mind. Reviewed by Margaret Oines.
WOUNDED BY WORDS: Healing the Invisible Scars of Emotional Abuse by Susan Titus Osborn, MA, Karen L. Kosman, Jeenie Gordon, MS, MA, LMFT (Mental Health)
In WOUNDED BY WORDS, the authors explore how emotional abusers isolate, disorient and indoctrinate their victims and how their unkind words leave lasting scars. Sharing stories of people from the Bible and from contemporary life who have suffered verbal abuse, they offer tested, scriptural advice for breaking the cycle. Reviewed by Michele Howe.
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Click here to read our Christian Living reviews.
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FaithfulReader.com Poll
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How many books are in your home library?
Under 50
50-249
250-499
500-999
1,000 to 2,499
2,500 to 5,000
More than 5,000
I do not keep books once I have read them.
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Vote in our Poll here.
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As always, here are a few housekeeping notes. If you are seeing this newsletter in a text version, and would prefer to see the graphics, you can either read it online or change your preferences below.
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Thanks for reading....and don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend.
--- Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
The Book Report Network
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