LDS Women's Book Review – Page 35 – Good reads that don't ask you to sacrifice your standards.

Power to Become by David A. Bednar – Blog Tour

Posted by Shanda Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Mar 172014

Power to Become: Spiritual patterns for pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ

Author: David A. Bednar

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: March 2014

Hardcover: 194 pages

Genre: Religious Nonfiction

ISBN# 978-1-60907-859-1

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a free hardcover review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Summary (Deseret Book)

As followers of Christ, our desire is to become like Him. In fact, we have been commanded to do so. But how?

In Power to Become, Elder David A. Bednar explores how the Savior makes possible His divine commission, “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (3 Nephi 12:48).

Chapters in this thought-provoking book highlight the importance of the Atonement, the spiritual gift of personal peace, the importance of priesthood ordinances, and the responsibility we have to obey willingly and endure valiantly.

“As we increase in learning about the Savior and His gospel,” Elder Bednar writes, “as we strive with ever greater consistency to act in His doctrine, ordinances, and covenants, then we are blessed with power through His Atonement to increasingly become like Him.” Power to Become introduces vital tools we all can use to invite these eternally significant blessings into our lives.

Review

Power to Become expands on the principles taught by Elder Bednar in his previous books, Increase in Learning and Act in Doctrine, but readers need not have read these first two books to be inspired and taught by this one.

Power to Become is formatted to be studied section by section, with large margins for notes, questions to consider at the end of each chapter, and pages for documenting the reader’s questions, answers, thoughts, and inspirations. At first I hesitated at the thought of writing in this beautiful book, but soon I was putting my pencil to use. Nearly every page is marked with underlines, stars, brackets, and comments in the margins.

I love Elder Bednar’s approach to learning and studying the gospel. It is plainly spoken and easy to understand. I have been focusing on obedience the last few months, so “Chapter 3: Power to Become, Priesthood Ordinances, and Willing Obedience” is the most heavily marked chapter in my book. Elder Bednar speaks of finding peace, having faith in Christ, praying for strength to endure rather than to be spared our trials, and enduring valiantly, as well as the importance of priesthood ordinances and covenants.

There are relevant quotes and hymns shared in each section, and the questions Elder Bednar asks after each chapter made me ponder and take time to seriously consider my answers. They would also make great discussion questions for family time around the dinner table or in Family Home Evening with older children, couples, or groups.

I appreciate the new perspective and the strengthening of my testimony that have come from studying this book. I highly recommend Power to Become, as well as Increase in Learning and Act in Doctrine, as a way to better understand the gospel and grow closer to the Savior.

Watch Power to Become video discussions at http://seek.deseretbook.com/ldspowertobecome

Find Power to Become:

Cragbridge Hall: The Avatar Battle by Chad Morris

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Mar 132014

Cragbridge Hall: The Avatar Battle

Author: Chad Morris

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 4th, 2014

ISBN13: 9781609078096

Hardcover: 352 pages

FTC FYI: Received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

The adventure continues when Abby and Derick begin second semester at Cragbridge Hall, the most prestigious secondary school in the world. But when Grandpa Cragbridge admits them to the Council of Keys–a secret group of people who have keys to travel back in time–strange things begin to happen. One by one, members are found unconscious and unable to wake, their keys stolen. Now Abby and Derick must scramble to figure out who is behind the attacks before they become the next victims, which would give their enemy the power to change the past forever.

A page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing you can do hard things, and valuing history.

Author Video by Chad Morris.

My Review

The Avatar Battle is another reason why I love, love, love Middle Grade books. Chad Morris has got himself a hit with this series. The Avatar Battle is even better than The Inventor’s Secret. The action hits you right at first, and develops a great mystery that had me guessing until the end, which I love! There are very fun twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting that kept me turning pages fast!

One of the things I liked the most was the conflict Abby was having with herself. She doubts how great she is because of her grades. I can relate to that in my own family with one of my daughters. After some challenges and set backs, Abby starts to realize that she is needed and important. Derick also tested with challenges to overcome. He wants to join a club at school and feels he will never be good enough either. The twins probably don’t even realize they have this in common. Abby also asks her grandfather an important question as to what is happening on the Bridge and adds to this exciting adventure as Abby, Derick, and Carol race to figure out the threat to Cragbridge Hall.

5 out of 5 stars. If you are new to this series, definitely start with the first book, The Inventor’s Secret.

Author Links

Twitter / Website

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

Discovering Peace by Jennifer Ann Holt — Blog Tour

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Mar 122014

Discovering Peace

Author: Jennifer Ann Holt

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: March 11th, 2014

Paperback: 240 pages

ISBN13: 9781462114139

FTC FYI: I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Placing her baby girl for adoption isn’t the mistake Ally is running away from, but everyone else seems to think it is. As Ally tries to move forward in her life, her past keeps pulling her back, and she wonders if she will ever find true love again. Only holding onto hope can help Ally find the peace she’s seeking.

My Review

Discovering Peace is another triumph for Jennifer Ann Holt. In reading this book, I enjoyed seeing the other side of adoption. What happens after the mother gives her child to strangers to raise and love as their own. I really enjoyed the alternating points of view from Ally and Livy. While I was reading, I found that Livy amazed me. She is a great character and what she does for someone in this story brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t put this book down at times. It is usually not too often that I will stay up way too late to read, but I easily slipped into Ally and Livy’s world because they are such easy characters to love. While reading their stories, I found that they weren’t the only ones that needed peace, others did too. Hope, love and peace can be found through Christ and the Atonement.

5 out of 5 stars. If you are just finding out about Jennifer and her books, I would start with the first one, Delivering Hope. It is $.99 on Kindle!

Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Power to Become by David A. Bednar — Spotlight

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Mar 112014

Power to Become

Author: David A. Bednar

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: March 1st, 2014

ISBN13: 9781609078591

Hardcover: 208 pages

FTC FYI: Received a hardcover copy.

Book Summary

In Power to Become, Elder David A. Bednar explores how the Savior makes possible His divine commission, “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (3 Nephi 12:48).

“As we increase in learning about the Savior and His gospel,” Elder Bednar writes, “as we strive with ever greater consistency to act in His doctrine, ordinances, and covenants, then we are blessed with power through His Atonement to increasingly become like Him.” Power to Become introduces vital tools we all can use to invite these eternally significant blessings into our lives.

About the Author

ELDER DAVID A. BEDNAR was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2004. Prior to his call, he had served as an Area Seventy, regional representative, stake president, and bishop. He served a mission to southern Germany and then attended Brigham Young University, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He received a PhD in organizational behavior from Purdue University and was a professor of business management at Texas Tech University and the University of Arkansas. Elder Bednar served as the president of BYU-Idaho from 1997 to 2004. His previously published books include the bestsellers Increase in Learning and Act in Doctrine. He and his wife, Susan, are the parents of three sons.

Link for group discussions: http://seek.deseretbook.com/lds-power-become/t

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Seagull Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

One Little Match by Thomas S. Monson

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Mar 052014

One Little Match

President Thomas S. Monson

Illustrated by Dan Burr

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Excepted publication: March 3rd, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-868-3

Hardcover: 32 pages

Reviewed by Mindy

Inside Book Jacket

Thomas S. Monson loved spending summers at his family’s cabin in Utah’s Vivian Park. One summer day, he and his best friend, Danny, decided to clear a field so they could gather with their friends and have a campfire that night. The tall, stubborn weeds would not pull easily. So Tommy had the idea to burn them up instead.

He knew he shouldn’t use matches without permission from his parents. But he ignored the feeling that warned him of the danger and raided the matchbox in the cabin. Back in the field, he lit one little match and prepared to set the parched June grass ablaze…

Readers of all ages will resonate with the wonderful true story that demonstrates the blessings of obedience and “the dangers that can come from something as small as one little match.”

My Review

I loved this talk from Pres. Monson when he gave it at conference. I also love that some stories from conference are later made into books that can be shared often. The illustrations in this book are amazing and the beautifully drawn pages depict so well the story being told. I love the story of the one little match, because I believe we all can relate to it. Hopefully not with the setting of fires, but showing the fact how something in our lives could be set off so quickly by something small. If we but stay obedient to gospel principles and listen to the words of the prophets, we will be blessed.

About the Author

President Thomas S. Monson has served as the sixteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-day Saints since 2008. He was called as an Apostle in October 1963 at the age of thirty-six. After serving as second counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson and then President Howard W. Hunter, he served as first counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley from 1995-2008.

Thomas Spencer Monson was born to G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson on August 21st, 1927, in Salt Lake City. Following his service in the U.S. Navy near the close of World War II, he graduated cum laude from the University of Utah and earned an MBA from Brigham Young University. He had a distinguished career in the publishing industry.

He served as president of the Canadian Mission from 1959 to 1962 and was a member of several general Church committees before becoming an Apostle.

He married Francis Beverly Johnson in the Salt Lake Temple in 1948. They are the parent of two sons and one daughter. They have eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

About the Illustrator

Dan Burr earned his bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the Utah State University and a master’s degree from Syracuse University. He and his wife, Patti, are raising their two children and numerous farm animals on twelve acres of river-bottom land in Tetonia, Idaho. Dan is a well-known Christian illustrator who also specializes in wildlife renderings. A few of the books Dan has illustrated are The Miracle of Wooden Shoes, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, and The Mansion.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

Another “Read ’em All” Challenge Weekly Winner!

Posted by Shanda "Read 'em All" Finalists Challenge, Special Features

Mar 032014

It’s time to announce another “Read ’em All” Finalists Challenge weekly drawing winner!

This week’s prizes are totally awesome. I really mean that — I bought doubles of everything so I could have some for myself. :)

The winner gets a mini Smashbook, which is so fun and actually has pages for tracking the books you read. Also included are two mini Smash pads that can be used to make lists or write quick notes and paste into your Smashbook. And because the winner will need a place to keep the Smash pads, some pens, and an extra glue stick so they can “Smash” on the go, I’m also giving away a handy pencil case that is so pretty it doesn’t even look like a pencil case.

You are eligible for these random drawings as soon as you register for the “Read ’em All” Finalists Challenge. Remember to claim your points for each category as you finish reading for more chances to win the weekly drawings.

The winner of the Smashbook, Smashpads, and pretty purple pencil case (sorry, couldn’t resist that alliteration) is…..

Cathy Jeppsen!!!!

I will be notifying you by email to get your info. Congratulations!

In case you missed it, New LDS Fiction announced the second winner in our “Read ’em All” Finalists Challenge weekly drawing HERE.

If you are a member of the Whitney Academy, it’s not too late to register for the “Read ’em All” 2013 Finalists Challenge. Go register HERE, then go to the “Read ’em All” Rafflecopter and start claiming points!

***You can also find a handy Whitney Reading widget on New LDS Fiction’s site HERE.***

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