Books!

I am an avid reader. It is one of my favorite things to do, I get lost in fantasy worlds, laugh, cry, feel joy and sorrow with my fictional friends. I have decided to do posts when I finish a book (or in this case just want to talk about) just for fun :)

• Plot: This is a (loose) retelling of the book Hosea. The main storyline is about a man named Michael who has an extremely strong faith in God. He sees a woman, Angel, in town while selling produce and feels God telling him that she is the woman he is to marry. Angel is a prostitute thanks to a disturbed childhood and unfortunate circumstances. She is skeptical of Michael but in the end he is able to bring her to his home and try to start a life together. She is hardened by a life of abuse from men and is skeptical of Michaels intentions, she runs away multiple times and Michael persues her. This is a wonderful love story and an excellent example of God's love for us. No matter how many times we run from Him he still seeks us.
• Love: This is most definitely a love story. Michael is an amazing male character that will make your heart swoon and watching their story unfold is beautiful.
• Action: There isn't really any "action" in this book. There is drama but no explosions etc.
• Faith: This book is heavily laced with faith. It is a feel good read that leaves you feeling happy and fulfilled. God is present throughout the book.
• Stars: ★★★★★ I couldn't put this book down. I was up until 4 am reading it!

• Plot: This is the first book in a series about a mismatch of women who meet at a prayer conference and are put together in a small group. The main character is a Christian woman who has never really understood grace. In her mind she's always been a "good person" so she in some ways takes her salvation for granted. At the prayer conference the small group experiences an emergency with one of their members they decide to keep the group going beyond the conference. The main character experience a horrendous tragedy and begins to realize that she is just a "sinner saved by grace." The group rallies around her and they all begin to grow in their faith. The series continues on with multiple books, each one wonderful in their own way.
• Love: This isn't a romantic love story by any means but it is a story about love. Sisterly love, husbandly love, and most importantly God's love.
• Action: There is perhaps a little "action" in this book but not manly action.
• Faith: This book is an excellent read for those of us who have been Christians since we were young, as well as a great read for people new in faith because it has such a wide array of characters. Each one is different with different backgrounds, different levels of maturity, and different ways of worship.
• Stars: ★★★★ I love this series. My only problem was that it ended!

• Plot: Ummmm duh. If you haven't read this book you haven't lived, therefore everyone should already know the plot. Since that's the case I'm just going to give a bit of a refresher. This series is written from the point of view of Katniss Everdeen. The hunger games are a sadistic ploy by a controlling Capitol to remind the districts under it's rule that they are all powerful. The first book focuses on Katniss volunteering for her sister who is chosen as one of the 24 tributes age 12-18 for the Hunger Games. The book follows her journey to the Capitol, her time in the arena and her time with Peeta aka the boy with the bread. It's wonderful. Go read it...again.
• Love: This book has a definite love triangle between Katniss, Gale and Peeta. Katniss is conflicted with her feelings for both of them and in some ways uses romance with Peeta in the arena to garner favor with Capitol residents. We see her feelings develop from survival to genuine (although confusing) and we are left cheering her and Peeta on.
• Action: This book is so full of action it will keep your head spinning! Twists and turns, fight sequences and intense mental turmoil keeps you reading.
• Faith: This book does not have any aspects of faith and does have violence in it, but there is no overt nastiness other than some graphic descriptions.
• Stars: ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ Ok that may be a little too many stars, but I seriously love this entire series. Seriously.

• Plot: I have loved this book since I was in 5th grade when it was introduced to me in school. It is about a boy and his coon hunting dogs which he saves every penny he has until he is able to afford them. The book covers his journey through training the dogs, hunting with the dogs, entering them in contests and ultimately how they save his life. It is a sweet story with an ending that makes me cry every single time.
• Love: The only love in this book is the love between a boy and his dogs. No romantic love at all but it is a sweet story of a special bond.
• Action: There is a little action in this book towards the end and littered throughout the book are small sequences during hunts that could be considere "action."
• Faith: This book does not have any aspects of faith in it but there is very little violence and is a clean read.
• Stars: ★★★★ This book makes me smile, cry, laugh and cherish my puppy dogs. I've read it multiple times and I still enjoy it every time I pick it up.

• Plot: This book is set in a dystopian society in which people are divided into 5 factions. Tris is the main character who at the age of 16 chooses to change factions rather than stay with the one her family is in. The book follows her initiation into the faction, her blossoming love with a boy nicknamed "four" and her efforts to hide a secret that could end up killing her. This is the first book in a trilogy, only the first two have been released and I am anxiously awaiting the third!
• Love: There is a love story in this book that feels forbidden but is also sweet. Tris falls for Four who is a teacher figure (they are very close in age, no creeper) and their love blossoms through her initiation process.
• Action: This book has plenty of action because the faction Tris chooses is the fearless faction. Lots of sequences in which there are fearless stunts performed.
• Faith: This book does not have any aspects of faith in it but it is a clean read and with only a little violence.
• Stars: ★★★★ I really enjoyed this book. It is very reminiscent of The Hunger Games type setting and is a very interesting read.

• Plot: This is the first Jennifer Weiner book I read and it was the beginning of an addiction. She has become one of my favorite authors and I would recommend any of her books! This book follows four women, one a plump chef, one a beautiful pro basketball players wife, an event planner and a former movie star hiding from her past. All the women are in the midst of raising children and finding out things about their lives. It's a great read!
• Love: Obviously the most overwhelming love in this book is for the babies. There are moments of sweetness between the wives and husbands as well.
• Action: It's Chick-Lit, there is no "action."
• Faith: This book does not have any aspects of Christian faith but it's not a lude book.
• Stars: ★★★ I love this author and this book is wonderful! I've read it multiple times and it's so good!