Zealous Love by Mike and Danae Yankoski

Genre- Religion/Christian Life/Social Issues

Zealous Love A Practical Guide to Social Justice  Edited by  Mike and Danae Yankoski

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2009

Number of pages- 248

Age Group- Young Adult/Adult

Description of book- softcover, list price $16.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-29076-6

Extra- Discussion questions at the end of each chapter, www.ZealousLove.org

Are you looking for a new focus for your passion for helping others?  This is the perfect book to help you decide what your new focus will be.  Zealous Love focuses on human trafficking, unclean water, refugees, hunger, lack of education, creation degradation, HIV/AIDS and economic inequality.

As you read this book the contributors will inspire you to help your neighbors both locally and globally by telling their story about their issue.  Some of the contributors are Dave Batstone, Scott Todd, Sean Litton and Marva Dawn. 

About the authors- Mike and Danae Yankoski enjoy backpacking, hiking, good books, among many other things in the Pacific Northwest with their dog.  Mike has written, Under the Overpass.  Danae has written Crazy Love and The Forgotten God with Francis Chan.

My thoughts-

I thought this book was very good.  I enjoyed having something I can hold in my hands that lists and describes different social issues and gives me different ideas on how I can make a difference.

The lay-out of the book was very good with the introduction of the issue, four field notes (written by different people) and the “Now What” section.  My favorite part of the book, was the “Now What” section at the end of each issues because it made me think and gave me ideas on how I could help.  The sections of “Now What,” were reflect, respond, spread the word, share your ideas and discover more (websites).

Would I recommend this book?  Yes!  This book is perfect for anybody who is interested in learning where the help is needed and how to do it.  It is perfect for organizations, young and old.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan. 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.

Life In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson

Genre- Inspirational, Biography

Life In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson with Tricia Goyer

Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah

Copyrighted- 2010

Number of pages- 209

Age Group- Teen/Adult

Description of book- hardback, list price $23.99, ISBN 978-1-60142-252-1

Extras- Afterward by Kristen’s mother, Resources to recognize suicide warning signs, and address of Kristen’s organization, Reaching You Ministries (www.reachingyou.org)

One day night, seventeen-year-old Kristen Jane Anderson decided that her pain was too much and she wanted to die.  She left a note for her mom and went to lay on some train tracks.  Thirty-three freight cars went over her, she lost her legs and her depression continued, but God had bigger plans for her life.

Kristen was in and out of the hospital and had several different counselors.  Her family, friends (old and new), and professionals helped her to regain her confidence in life.

About the authors-  Kristen Jane Anderson is a graduate from Moody Bible Institute and has been featured on Oprah.  She is the founder of Reaching You Ministries, where she helps those who need help.

Tricia Goyer is the author of many articles, novels, and nonfiction books.

My thoughts-

Kristen Jane Anderson is a remarkable young woman.  She has been through so much yet she has been able to reach an inner peace and through God help others.  I am so glad she has been able to heal and write the story for us to read. 

I think this book would be a good book to have in offices where they help people to deal with suicidal thoughts and other issues of desperation and also for those who have lost a limb.     

Would I recommend?  Yes.  I would recommend this book to everyone, because Kristen is so inspirational and her writing can lead us to know that we can get through it all with God’s help.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the WaterBrook Multnomah “Blogging For Books” 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.

Izzy’s Pop Star Plan by Alex Marestaing

Genre- Religion/Christian/Social Issues

Izzy’s Pop Star Plan by Alex Marestaing

Published by- Thomas Nelson

Copyrighted- 2010

Number of pages- 229

Age Group- Juvenile

Description of Book- paperback, list price $9.99, ISBN 978-1-4003-1654-0

Extras- www.izzyspopstarplan.com

Izzy Baxter has been planning to become a pop star since she was six-years-old and she now at sixteen she has that chance. Izzy has been selected to compete on the show, International Pop Star Challenge. This book has Izzy’s blog entries as she goes on the show to places like Tokyo, Paris and Buenos Aires. Will Izzy go with her own plans or will she do the plans that God has for her?

About the Author- Alex Marestaing lives in California with his family. He has written for The Walt Disney Company and the Los Angeles Times. In July he will be releasing a sequel to this book called, Izzy’s Pop Star Plan: The Album

My Thoughts-

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6 (New King James)

I recently had this has a memory verse and I thought it was perfect for this book, because as a pop star this is the problem that Izzy is facing. Izzy is a girl who does her best at following God in all of her ways and she has the support of her family and friends to help her through the hard times. She knows that God has specific plans for her and even though she detours sometimes she knows where she needs to go, which is what I like about her.

I liked how this book was set up like a blog, so that it worked both as a devotional and novel.

I would recommend this book and I can’t wait for the next one.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://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.