"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I know, I know...I'm a little late on the bandwagon. Everyone has moved on to The Hunger Games, but I just had to publish a review of The Help. I have no excuse for my tardiness-- I got my hands on the book just before the movie was released and finished it within a few days. I just couldn't put it down. Eagerly turning each page, I devoured Kathryn Stockett's easy prose and enthralling storytelling. She wove such a convincing story that when I finally (and quite reluctantly) closed the book, I wanted to host a bridge club and cook everything with Crisco.

The Help transports readers to civil-rights-era Jackson, Mississippi. This heartwarming tale contains all the right ingredients for a best-seller: romance, drama, heartache, a coming-of-age story, endearing characters, and a larger moral lesson. The story unfolds from the perspectives of black maids and their employers. Skeeter Phelan, an aspiring writer who grew up in Jackson, decides to do the unthinkable: write a book from the perspective of the help. She sums up the heart of the story and the motivations behind her endeavors when she says,"I was raised by a colored woman. We love them, and they love us, but they can't even use the toilets in our houses." Skeeter secretly petitions her friends' maids to share their experiences working as housekeepers. The women reluctantly agree, but wish to remain anonymous. A touching story ensues as the women breach invisible boundaries during a time when racial tensions ran especially high.

Stockett delicately addresses a shameful part of Southern history while managing to weave an uplifting story of triumph over adversity. The Help reads like a beach novel with more serious undertones. This is a book for anyone who enjoys a story of redemption mixed a bit of scandal and humor.

"The Little Red Book of Wisdom" by Mark DeMoss

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Author Mark DeMoss tells the story of a businessman named Allan Emery who gave a pastor a ride from the airport. When Allan tried to compliment him for some of his church's impressive achievements, the pastor simply shrugged. "Allan," he said, "when I was schoolboy, from time to time we'd see a turtle on a fence post; and every time we did, we knew he didn't get there by himself."

This story is just one of DeMoss's many illustrations, bible verses, and other tidbits regarding the importance of wisdom. Divided into two sections, "Wisdom for Your Professional Life" and "Wisdom for Your Personal Life," The Little Red Book of Wisdom contains timeless pieces of biblically-based advice. Within 23 short chapters, DeMoss hails the art of letter writing, instructs readers to just "shut up and listen," and encourages a daily reading of Proverbs.

The Little Red Book of Wisdom is a quick read that addresses many important aspects of living a purposeful, simple, and honest life. Readers can glean a new appreciation for the older individuals in their lives and the wisdom they have to offer. DeMoss is an engaging writer whose illustrations are clear and concise. The concepts he offers are relatively applicable to one's life.

While DeMoss's book is well-written and insightful, he does come across as slightly arrogant at times. Bordering on self-promotion, many of his examples of wisdom pertain to him operating as president of his public relations firm. Sprinkled among valid points regarding wisdom are instances of name dropping and references to money. It seems many of his stories begin with the name of an accomplished individual and how much they are worth, as if validating their success or wisdom by their bank account.

Despite the occasional pretentiousness, The Little Red Book of Wisdom would be a great addition to your library. It's the type of book that you could consult countless times and continue to reap new insights. If you're interested in such topics as disconnecting from the hooks of technology or preventing a deathbed regret, then I definitely recommend flipping through the pages of The Little Red Book of Wisdom.

For more information, visit The Little Red Book of Wisdom's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Young Colton Burpo will tell anyone Heaven is for real. But how can he be so sure? Because Colton has been there.

At the age of three, Colton was rushed into emergency surgery with a ruptured appendix. Not long after the surgery, the boy began sharing stories of floating above the operating table and seeing his dad, a Nebraska preacher, praying alone in a hospital room. In great detail, he recounted going to Heaven, sitting in Jesus's lap, and meeting John the Baptist. He even described seeing his miscarried sister, something his parents had never revealed to him.

In one particularly moving passage, Colton's father, Todd Burpo (the author of Heaven is for Real), recalled asking Colton what Jesus looked like. Colton responded, "Jesus has markers."

What are markers to a little kids?

Suddenly, I had it. "Colton, you said Jesus had markers. You mean like markers that you color with?" Colton nodded. "Yeah, like colors. He had colors on him."

"Like when you color a page?"

"Yeah."

"Well, what color are Jesus' markers?"

"Red, Daddy. Jesus has red markers on him."

At that moment, my throat nearly closed with tears as I suddenly understood what Colton was trying to say. Quietly, carefully, I said, "Colton, where are Jesus' markers?"

Without hesitation, he stood to his feet. He held out his right hand, palm up and pointed to the center of it with his left. Then he held out his left palm and pointed with his right hand. Finally, Colton bent over and pointed to the tops of both his feet.

"That's where Jesus' markers are, Daddy," he said.

This true story contains a simple message: Heaven really does exist, and it's a great place! Heaven is for Real is a convincing book written in simple prose, making it hard to put down. The beginning of the book keeps readers on the edge of their seat as Colton suffers from a mysterious ailment that nearly kills him. As the story progresses, readers will be touched by Colton's straightforward and unwaivering descriptions of Heaven and its inhabitants.

Though a long-time Christian, I approached this book with a certain amount of skepticism. However, I kept an open mind and was not disappointed for the most part. Several passages in Heaven is for Real brought me to tears. I found many aspects of Colton's experience to be backed by Scripture, and the book did a decent job of drawing those parallels. However, Heaven is for Real should not serve as a replacement for God's true Word.

I recommend this book to both believers and doubters. If nothing else, Heaven is for Real will force you to ponder the afterlife and consider where you might end up.

For more information about the book, visit the Heaven is for Real website.

"Message in a Bottle" by Nicholas Sparks

4 out of 5 stars

Nicholas Sparks captures readers' hearts once again with his second book Message in a Bottle. The love story begins on the beach when Theresa Osborne, a divorced mother of a 12-year-old boy, discovers a bottle washed ashore. The bottle contains a deeply touching love letter, simply signed "Garrett". Theresa is a Boston newspaper columnist and decides to publish the letter. Using her connections at the newspaper, she tracks down the mysterious author, Garrett Blake, in a coastal town in North Carolina.

Garrett, a boat restorer, is still grieving the death of his wife, Catherine. To cope with his loss, he began writing deeply personal letters to her and throwing them out to sea in bottles. As Theresa spends time with Garrett, she develops feelings for him, but decides not to mention the letters. The two begin to form a bond, but both must overcome emotional baggage from their pasts. When Garrett discovers Theresa's knowledge of the letters, the couple faces yet another hurdle in their relationship. In the end, they must decide whether they are ready to pursue love, even if it can't last forever.

Message in a Bottle is a captivating story of love lost and regained. Sparks displays a remarkable talent for capturing both the pains and triumphs of the human heart. This happenstance story is sure to resignate with readers and their deepest hopes of finding true love. Sparks takes readers on a journey through a broken man's innermost thoughts and his healing process. They also get a glimpse into the world of a working, single mom and the struggles she faces on a daily basis.
As readers are swept up by this emotional tale, they are regaled with vivid descriptions of a beautifully quaint coastal town, clearly dear to the author's heart. From the ocean waves to Garrett's charming beachfront home, Sparks invites readers to explore a simpler, more relaxed way of life.

Sparks effortlessly weaves a heart warming story that keeps readers on their toes with a twist at the end. Although slightly cheesy at times, Sparks never fails to redeem himself with the easy, natural flow of his writing and his uncanny ability to invoke strong emotion. For those who loved The Notebook and its emotional intensity, Message in a Bottle will not disappoint.

For more information on the author and his other books, visit Nicholas Sparks's website.

"The Well and the Mine" by Gin Phillips

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Set in a small Alabama coal mining town, The Well and the Mine wastes no time grabbing the reader's attention. It's the summer of 1931, and nine-year-old Tess Moore is relaxing on her family's back porch. Suddenly a strange woman appears from the black night, carrying a bundled up baby. Not seeing Tess, she climbs the stairs to the porch and splash! The stranger tosses the baby into the family's well and disappears into the night.

Tess and her sister Virgie make it their mission to determine the mysterious woman's identity. The family is forced to explore the darker side of their tight-knit community and question their previously held assumptions regarding their neighbors.

Gin Phillips masterfully paints a picture of life during the Great Depression and the struggles faced by a coal mining family. You can smell the heavy sulfur of the mine, taste the sweet peach pies, and feel the cool creek water around your ankles. Through vivid and poetic writing, Phillips transports readers to a time when oranges were considered delicacies, electricity was a luxury, and hardship translated to neighbors and relatives banding together.

Each character takes a turn narrating the story from their perspective. Phillips does an impressive job of creating characters so distinct and realistic that they leap off the page. Whether it's adventurous Tess or beautiful Virgie, readers are sure to connect with at least one member of the Moore family.

Phillips addresses issues of race and poverty while weaving a mesmerizing tale of survival, charity, and hope. While the story begins with a shocking act of violence, it ends with a message of love. The conclusion of The Well and the Mine leaves the reader feeling satisfied, but wishing there was more to read!

"The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

It's a time of innocence when children play outside unsupervised and people leave their doors unlocked. Families eat dinner together, and mothers stay home to raise their children. But on December 6, 1973, that innocence is shattered by murder. Fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon is raped and killed in a cornfield near her home. The crime tears through a tight-knit community, transforming everyone into a suspect.

Told from the victim's perspective, the story offers a unique view of death, loss, and ultimately healing. As Susie adjusts to her heaven, she watches her family members each deal with her death differently. She reflects on her earthly life and watches her former world continue without her-- rumors about her disappearance, her schoolmates' relationships, her killer's attempts to cover his tracks. The Lovely Bones is a story of unspeakable loss that ends with a message of hope.

This beautifully written book grabs your attention from the start and doesn't let go. Be warned: if you pick up this book, you won't put it down until the last page. Author Alice Sebold creates a convincing cast of characters as she seamlessly transitions from reality to Susie's heaven. Her words invoke strong emotion and convey a no-holds-barred picture of death, suffering, and restoration.

The story stretches its credibility toward the end when Susie's spirit enters a friend's body to have one last moment with her high school crush, but Sebold catches herself in time to finish on a more convincing note.

The Lovely Bones is an easy read that addresses a serious topic with candor and even humor while managing to maintain sensitivity. This timeless story of resilience appeals to a wide range of readers, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a solid plot, relatable characters, and page-turning storytelling. The Lovely Bones is truly a wonderfully strange masterpiece.

For information on the film version, visit The Lovely Bones official movie site.

"The Blessing" by John Trent and Gary Smalley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Every person needs to be blessed in their lives through parental approval. This blessing fosters a sense of self-worth and purpose in life. It is essential to one's emotional well-being.

The updated and revised version of The Blessing provides a clear picture of what "the blessing" should look like. Breaking up the concept into five elements, John Trent and Gary Smalley teach you how to bless your own children or any special person in your life.

But what if you didn't receive "the blessing"? Are you destined to forever search for your missing blessing in all the wrong places? Will your children be robbed of "the blessing" as well?

The Blessing offers insights on how to determine if you received "the blessing". For those who didn't, the authors present a comforting and assuring look at how to uncover and overcome past hurts through the healing power of God's love. You'll learn how to receive "the blessing" in your own life and pass it on to others.

The Blessing is a powerful book, packed full of encouraging words backed by Scripture. The authors offer deeply personal stories to illustrate various aspects of "the blessing" and demonstrate how these concepts can be applied to daily living. If applied correctly, the contents of this book have the potential to change your life.

This book is for anyone, whether you received "the blessing" or missed out on it. If you seek to make your loved ones feel valued and purposeful, then look no further than The Blessing.

Note: In this updated and revised edition of The Blessing, the authors issue a challenge to their readers. They are calling one million parents to bless at least one child each. The authors also want to see one thousand churches equipped to create an ongoing culture inside the church to encourage "the blessing." They ask that churches pick any one Sunday in August 2011 and share a special message that encourages families to partake in the "Blessing Challenge." They will provide starter kits, which include sermon outlines and power point slides. For more information, visit The Blessing's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255