The Road to Unafraid: How the Army’s Top Ranger Faced Fear and Found Courage through by Jeff Struecker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was such an inspiring book about facing fears and acknowledging Christ Jesus as Savior. I actually had the opportunity to hear Jeff Streucker, the author of ‘The Road to Unafraid’ speak, and I was so moved by his story and his words that I bought this book a day later.

What I loved most was that this man had real struggles, and faced very real fears. Yet he had the strength (and I’m not talking about his physical strength), to overcome those fears in a realization that even in the face of death, he could emerge victorious because he was firm in his faith. He realized that life or death situations were ‘win-win.’

Even if you aren’t a Christian, or religious in any way, I’d recommend this book just because it was such a great read. It gave an inside look at the U.S. Ranger missions, including Black Hawk Down and more. What made this book even more interesting was the fact that it was told through Struecker’s perspective, and reading about his reactions and emotions to certain dangerous situations made me realize that some of the toughest men in the military struggle with the same things I do – fear of losing friends, fear of failure, and fear of death.

It was a short and easy read – very worthwhile!!

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Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is my dear, dear friend. I am totally in love with Anne of Green Gables. Orphaned, red-haired, skinny and ‘homely’ Anne Shirley is a delightful, cherished, and beloved character. From start to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed Anne of Green Gables.

Let me tell you why – Anne is so unique that I find myself caught up in her imaginings, and her exploits and ‘scrapes.’ I want her to find a ‘bosom friend’ and kindred spirit. I want her to stay ahead of Gilbert Blythe, but now I want them to fall in love!

I was so sad when I finished the book – and surprised when I realized that Anne was already 16, and five years had gone by since the first chapter when she arrived at Green Gables as a gangly 11 year old.

L.M. Montgomery walks you through Anne’s life as an adolescent, and makes you smile, laugh, and cry as you read. Some of the highlights were when Anne blew up at Mrs. Lynde, set Diana drunk, almost drowned, dyed her hair green, and flavored a cake with liniment. But the best part was watching Anne change as she grew older to become a young women.

Can’t wait to read Anne of Avonlea. 🙂

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The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was really cute, sweet, and lighthearted. It was about the relationship between 4 unlikely friends (who don’t start out that way), and the relationship between these girls and their mothers. It was an easy read, and definitely enjoyable.

The references to Little Women, the book chosen as the first read of the year’s Mother Daughter Book Club, and the ties that the author made between the girls and the March family, gave the book something extra.

The book made me think about my own middle school years, because Emma, Jess, Cassidy, and Megan go through their own 6th grade trials and tribulations, all the while trying to find where they belonged and more about who they were. I’m looking forward to reading ‘Much Ado About Anne,’ during which the girls read Anne of Green Gables. 🙂

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The Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love the Artemis Fowl books, because Artemis is such a different and interesting character, and so are every one of his adventures. However, after reading the past two AF books, Atlantis Complex was a little bit of a let-down. First of all, Artemis has developed Atlantis Complex, a mental disorder with many side-effects that keeps Artemis from being his genius self. Second, I wasn’t extremely pleased with the plot itself. I don’t want to give too much away, but the ‘problem’ of the book basically solved itself! There was definitely action, but I really considered the plot to be a little weak when compared to the other Artemis Fowl books. The book also ended with a cliffhanger, which was troubling, so there must be another book. Hopefully the next book makes me remember what makes the Artemis Fowl books special! I must say, though, that this book wasn’t a complete disappointment. I’m only comparing it to Eoin Colfer’s other works. I brought the book on vacation and was motivated to finish it; all I’m saying is that (in my opinion) the other Artemis Fowl books were better.

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Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board by Bethany Hamilton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I thought this was such an inspiring novel about a real girl who has been forced to learn life lessons very early on in life.

I’m going to write this up front: I only gave this book 3 stars because the writing was very simple, and the story itself was very simple. If I were rating this book based on it’s empowering message, I would give it 7 stars instead of the max of 5!!

I find it so amazing that a girl who had her arm bitten off by a shark could make such a comeback. You can tell by reading this book that Bethany Hamilton is selfless, strong, determined, and spirited. I very much admire her. I thought the book was great, not only because Bethany was able to tell her story firsthand, but the book was more like a journal, with pages here and there listing her favorite surf spots and surf language, as well as pictures. Bethany described the calm before the attack, the attack itself, and the mayhem that followed. Reading about Bethany’s comeback as a surfer was really humbling, as well. It makes you think about how many times you’ve wanted to give up (and have!) and how many times you complain about petty everyday issues.

Bethany wrote about her family, her career as a surfer in her Hawaiian home, and her spiritual life.

I think Christians especially will really love this book (or anyone with religious beliefs) because Bethany is a devout Christian, and God was her rock throughout everything. God was her anchor, and I loved reading about Bethany’s struggles, and her realizations about Christ and the things He has in store for us. Everything about the book was realistic and inspiring, and I think it is more likely for people to listen and take Bethany’s advice than to listen to anyone else, because she was able to go above and beyond even when faced with a traumatic experience like losing an arm.

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P.S. The movie was great, too. It stuck to the story and was truly beautiful and inspiring. 🙂

The Big Four by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Agatha Christie is brilliant, as always. Although this was not one of her best (my opinion), it was very intriguing and I couldn’t put it down. The Big Four are diabolical masterminds who could, potentially, take over the world, but they hadn’t bargained on Hercule Poirot’s genius. The Big Four put Poirot to the test, and page after page I had to know who had won the next round – it was Big Four vs. Poirot all the way, and I don’t want to give the book away by letting you know who won. 🙂 All in all, amazing book. Great read.

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