Live Like You Mean It by T.J. Addington

Publisher: NavPress

Publication Date: 2010

Binding: Hardcover

Pages: 171

ISBN: 978-1-60006-673-3

List Price: $17.99

Busyness does not equal productivity. Sure, we can fill each of our waking minutes with non-stop work, but what we really achieving other than stress and its consequences? In his book, Live Like You Mean It, T.J. Addington challenges his readers to examine our lives and prioritize what truly matters. In order for us to have meaningful lives, we must live out what God has planned for us. To guide us on this journey, Addington instructs his readers to reflect on the following ten questions:

1. Why am I here?

2. What is my sweet spot?

3. What will I live behind?

4. What really matters?

5. What is my plan?

6. How do I best recharge?

7. How can my life have a ripple effect?

8. How do I relate to God?

9. Will I say yes to God?

10. What shall I do next?

Each of the questions is dealt with in its own chapter, in which Addington provides his personal answer. He gives practical advice that leads to a fulfilling life. It is nearly impossible to finish this book and not be affected by its message in some way. Addington touches on so many topics, including marriage, employment, education, the loss of a loved one and time-management, that each reader is bound to identify with some aspect of the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress as part of their 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."

Posers, Fakers, & Wannabes (Unmasking the Real You) by Brennan Manning and Jim Hancock

Publisher: TH1NK Books

Publication Date: 2003

Binding: Paperback

Pages: 182

ISBN: 978-1-57683-465-7

List Price: $12.99

Teenage years can be brutal. There is a constant pressure to fit in and be liked. Unfortunately, this pressure often causes teenagers to conform to what they believe others want them to be. In his book, Posers, Fakers & Wannabes, Brennan Manning shows readers the problem with developing false personas, and the freedom that can be gained when this activity is stopped. His main premise relies on the fact that God loves us just as we are. There is no need to hide who we are from God, or anyone else.

Although the book is intended for teenagers, it does not read like a typical self-help book meant for this age group. In fact, most teenagers probably will not be familiar with many of Brennan’s references. For example, he only alludes to older movies such as Woody Allen’s Zelig (1983) and Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). Brennan also relies heavily on anecdotes from classic literature, a feature I personally enjoyed. At some points, the amount of quoted material distracted from Brennan’s main points. Nevertheless, Posers, Fakers, & Wannabes is a great book for teaching both teenagers and adults to remove their masks and accept who they are.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress as part of their 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."

Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron

Publisher: NavPress

Publication Date: 2006

Binding: Paperback

Pages: 256

ISBN: 978-1-57683-812-9

List Price: $14.99

In his historical novel, Chasing Francis, Ian Morgan Cron explores the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Instead of simply writing another biography of the early Catholic priest and friar, Cron retells the story through the perspective of a modern evangelical minster, named Chase falcon, who has lost his faith. Midway through a service, Chase breaks down and admits his growing doubts about Christianity. Shocked and outraged, the church elders advise Chase to take a leave of absence from the church. Chase travels to Italy where he is lead on a spiritual pilgrimage that introduces him to the ancient teachings of St. Francis.

Cron seamlessly incorporates theology lessons and history into his novel without distracting from the plot. The novel includes several of Chase's journal entries that reflect on what he is learning about Francis. Although Chase is a minster at a megachurch, he comes across as somewhat childish with respect to the Catholic faith. Early in his journey, he often jokes about religious activities the priests engage in. By having other characters correct and explain things to Chase, Cron is given more opportunities to insert historical information.

The book's plot is entertaining and enjoyable. Most characters are dynamic and believable. Maggie's story, however, is slightly cliché. She is an ex-convict whose young daughter has recently died. Instead of returning to drugs and crime, she becomes an important figure in the Chase's church. Nevertheless, Chasing Francis is a great read for anyone interested in learning about St. Francis, or wanting to read a Catholic conversion story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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 Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The TAD Diet: Tasteful, Amazing, and Digestive by Eleanor B. Tuttle

Eleanor B. Tuttle's The TAD Diet provides an eating plan for people suffering from digestive problems. The short book is based on Tuttle's own struggle with digestive issues, and desire to lose weight. The majority of the book consists of plans for three meals and one snack. The same meals are meant to be consumed six days a week, and the seventh day is a "free meal" day. Although the meals are creative and healthy, they are very small. For example, lunch consists of Jell-O, a spoon of lite whipped cream and a glass of water. This diet will definitely lead to weight loss. However, no information is given that proves the diet provides sufficient nutrients and calories. While I cannot imagine following the diet six days a week, it is a good plan for one or two days of light eating.

You can pick up a copy at the online bookstore:

http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?dorrance+vWVLFn+index.html+

I received a complimentary copy of The TAD Diet as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

I Quit! Stop Pretending Everything is Fine and Change Your Life by Geri Scazzero with Peter Scazzero

As Geri Scazzero explains in her book, I Quit! Stop Pretending Everything is Fine and Change Your Life, quitting is vital to gaining a healthy spiritual and psychological state. Quitting is not simply admitting defeat, but rather "dying to the things that are not of God." Over the eight chapters of her book, Scazzero outlines the areas in her life in which she needed to finally quit: being afraid of what others think, lying to herself and others, dying to the wrong things, denying natural emotions, blaming herself and others, overfunctioning, faulty thinking, and living someone else's life.

Overall, I Quit! is a great guide that teaches readers to give up the things in life that are draining happiness and threatening relationships. Scazzero's advice is practical, and can easily be implemented into real life situations. Although the book is geared toward Christians, secular readers can easily benefit from it. Scazzero addresses God and religion, as well as the need for deep prayer. However, the majority of the book offers self-help advice and anecdotes from her personal life. At times, the numerous personal stories were a bit distracting. Many, however, contributed because they illustrated how Scazzero's quitting method improved her life significantly.

One of my favorite sections of the book examined the nine Enneagram personality types. These are the perfectionist, the giver, the achiever, the romantic, the observer, the dutiful, the adventurer, the asserter, and the peacemaker. While each of these personality types appear positive, they are actually unconstructive, and must be given up in order to live the life intended for us by God. Like all other problems addressed in her book, Scazzero provides a useful solution for each of these problematic personality types. I highly recommend this book to others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan as part of their Blogger Review 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 Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."