September is Roald Dahl Month!

As a child one of my favorite authors was Roald Dahl. My sisters and I made it a point to read anything of his we could. But my obsession started with a book that is still one of my favorites today: Matilda.



I've had my copy of Matilda since I was in the 4th grade (it's been with me for 18 years now), and it's one of the few books that I can sit and read over and over. Surprisingly this is also one of my favorite movies.

I don't know why this book is so dear to me, other than I was going through a lot when I first read it, and I think it was the first book that I was truly able to escape into. It helped me to forget about my parent's separation, it helped me deal with a step-mother and step-sister, and it helped me loose myself and not think about the rest of the stuff a normal 10 year old goes through.

If you and/or your children haven't read Matilda I would recommend it. It's a great story. All of Roald Dahl's books that I have read have been great. He's a great storyteller and is able to spark a child's imagination in a way that only a few authors can.

I would argue that Roald Dahl should be place right up there with Dr. Seuss and Judy Blume as far as being a great childrens author.

If your looking for something to get your children into reading I would recommend any of his books. He has books for just about any age level.

To find out more about Roald Dahl or to find some fun activities to help celebrate Roald Dahl month visit his website. There's a list of all his books, fun activities to print off and share with your children, games and more.

If you're not familiar with Roald Dahl I hope you enjoy a new author, if you already love Dahl I hope you enjoy the fun games on his website.

While Roald Dahl month only lasts for a few more weeks remember that reading can last a lifetime!

Review: The Forgotten Man by William Graham Sumner

I won this on Library Thing's member giveaways.



My Review:
This book is actually a speech that was given in 1883. The concept of this speech is that the lawmakers ask for help for the poor and overlook the class of people that make life in the country possible, the forgotten man.

There were a few ideas and beliefs that the author talks about in which I don't agree with, but he makes very valid arguments for his ideas. I also did agree with some of what he mentions, however I don't know how feasable his ideas are, and if they would work in the society that we live in today.

One thing that surprised me is that even though this speech was written over 100 years ago it was still pertinent to today. I don't know if that is a sign of a great speech writer, to write something that holds true for over 100 years, or if it is a sign that our country really hasn't changed that much in 100 years.

It was a quick read, and if nothing else it makes you think about our social and political structure. It was a bit on the rough side to read, because it was pretty dry, but I think more of that was because it was written as a speech rather than a book or a story. I think it was interesting and was worth the hour or so it took me to read it.

To find out more about the book or where to purchase it please visit Sparks Media's website.

Blog Tour: Stray Affections by Charlene Ann Baumbich

Let me thank Ashley for letting me participate in this blog tour.





My Review:
I really liked this book. As I learned about Cassandra's past I felt sorry for her. I don't think pity is the emotion this book was trying to elicit but for some reason that was all I could feel. I think some of it was because I related to a few of the things she went through. The guilt she went through with her dog Toby was touching to me because I am a dog lover. The warnings from her cautious and seemingly "cold" mother were similar to those I've gotten (not from my mother) from people in my life. So maybe pity isn't even the right emotion, maybe it was more an understanding of why she felt the way she did.

Either way this was a pretty good book. Cassandra was a very well develop character, I really connected with her. I got a good sense of Cassandra's husband Ken, her best friend Margret, and her mother Betty, but I didn't feel that they were as developed as they could have been.

I did enjoy the book. Trying to figure out the "story" behind the snow globe was intriguing. It was easy for me to just escape into this book, I didn't feel like I was there, but I was pretty engrossed with what was going on. Overall I'd say this was a good read.

To find out more about Stray Affections please visit Random House

Review: Fearless by Max Lucado

Let me thank Thomas Nelson Publisher's for letting me review this book.



In Fearless Max Lucado sends the message that with fear in our lives we can be our own worst enemy. He also shows us how with faith and prayer we can overcome this fear. There are many examples of fear in the Bible and many examples of Jesus telling us not to fear. If we can trust our faith and know that there is nothing to fear through Jesus then we can live without fear. That is Lucado's message.

I've read a lot of spiritual/self-help books, not one has connected with me like Fearless did. I saw myself in so many of the examples of fear taking over one's life. It seemed as if Lucado was writing this book just for me to read. I think that for the first time while reading a book I actually sat the book aside and prayed. I liked the message and I've taken much from this book to heart.

There was also a companion booklet that came with this. The booklet was done well, it covered the most important topics from the book. I also liked the scriptures being grouped together at the end. It was nice to read a whole list of scriptures together rather then have them all spread out through the book.

To find out more about Max Lucado please visit his website
To find out more about Fearless please visit The Fearless Times
To find out where to purchase Fearless please visit Thomas Nelson Books

Review: Blue Like Play Dough by Tricia Goyer

I need to thank Liz at Random House for letting me read this. I apologize that my review is so late.



I'm not a parent, and I've never read Tricia Goyer before, so I wasn't sure I was going to like this one. But I ended up really liking it.

The book jumps a bit, she'll make her point and then jump to a story that relates to what she's trying to say. I think it takes a very skilled writer to jump around like that, and to not loose the reader, and Tricia does it perfectly. The "jumps" are used as background and they were almost all quite humorous.

I liked her writing style, she doesn't use much description at all and somehow you can see her stories come to life. She writes in a relatable way, even if we've never been in these situations we can imagine what it would be like to be there.

In addition to being a book about parenting, it is also a book about letting God into your life and being able to make time for him and his plan for you. While just about all her stories relate to her church, her relationship with God, or her families ministry work this book was not preachy or pushy. Tricia tells about her struggles in her relationship with God, and how she deals with them.

I think this was a very well written book and I'm glad I got to read it. I really liked the humor and the way she tells a story. I already recommended this one to my little sister (who doesn't have children either) simply because it was a good book. And if you are a parent struggling with raising kids, maintaining your relationship with God, and all the other responsibilities you have I would recommend this one for you. Well, really I'd recommend this one even if none of the above apply to you. The wit and humor is enough to make this enjoyable even if her message doesn't necessarily apply to you.

To find out more about Blue Like Play Dough or to get your own copy please visit Random House

For more information about Tricia Goyer please visit her website