Rhyme or Reason was a great contemporary interpretation of the Bible. I think that it did a great job making sure it stayed accessible and kept from being offensive while discussing a lot of sensitive topics. I really liked the discussion of some of the different things that were so relevant to today’s society. It was great how L.J. Myers grounded his arguments in the actual Biblical text, because I thought that it made for a really strong and relevant argument.

The gentle mix of wit and humor in this children’s book will keep parents chuckling and kids entertained for multiple reads. Sandi Smith has a great talent when it comes to writing about the hilarious daily life of a little spider who will enchant your children and keep them from wanting to squish the next spider that comes into their rooms. Smith has created an adorable little sneaker-wearing spider that’s sure to ensnare your heart in his web.

This story sheds light on the details of what it’s like to live with a hoarder, and makes people understand what it’s like to be trapped in the mindset of someone who believes that it is necessary to hold onto things because they can’t hold onto people. The Cost of Living is an enlightening tale that teaches while it entertains and will make readers appreciate their relationships with their own mothers; this novel inspires insight in readers’ lives and encourages all to appreciate what we have.

Carrot Field does a great job of blending mythical elements and presenting them in a novel that had me hooked from the first page. I just couldn’t put it down! The characters were great and Asaro has done an amazing job of creating an entire world where they can interact with one another and have their adventures. The level of detail that was written into this novel was phenomenal, and allowed for it to really create a strong mental picture of what was going on as I followed the story line. This could very well be the next must-read epic.

North Carolina is an unusual setting for books, but I thought that Dianna hit her descriptions spot on. The descriptions of the local scenery were highly accurate and I knew exactly where things were taking place-I’m still expecting to walk down the street and see Lelisa coming toward me any day now. The book itself was amazing, but I’m just blown away by the fact that Dianna seemed to capture my world and put people into it. This book is proof that the old advice “write what you know” really works, because she portrayed these communities perfectly.

One of the things that I liked most about this novel was watching the character development of Scottie, who changed a great deal over the course of the novel, almost to the point of seeming like an entirely different person by the end of the book. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a prominent change in a character-though I guess that considering the creepy things Scottie has to endure, it’s not all that surprising that he became a little less selfish by the end of the book. Sedersten definitely did a great job with this one, making sure that neither character nor plot was shortchanged as Scottie fights against forces that have been terrorizing him for some time.

I love the idea of investigating urban legends in a small town, especially paranormal ones, so Lost Mojo blew me away. (It always seems to be the teenagers who get into the most trouble with urban legends, because the adults are either too busy to care or have just written things off as something that they can’t explain; so, I thought the characters in this book were totally believable and maybe even relatable for some people.) The natural inquisitive nature of these characters keeps them guessing about what could be really going on, but they have no idea what they’re really in for as things get darker and creepier with every new discovery.

Before I picked up Lisa’s book, I had never realized that people actually made their own baby food. It’s not that surprising, if you really think about it-after all, somebody has to make it. But this book also contained a wealth of information and several very strong arguments for why making your own baby food is better that were backed up by scientific data and studies, which I found interesting, if a bit distracting from the main topic of how to make the food itself.

After taking revenge for his wife’s murder in Rebecca’s Rising, John’s paper is ordered shut down by Jessica Lodge at the opening of Chain of Souls-a demand which John believes stems from her potential involvement with the Coven. John prepares to go to England to find out her true motivation, and discovers that the Coven has once again taken his involvement in their actions to a personal level. Even more troubling, he unveils, the Coven has multiple groups situated around the world, a force much greater than he can fight by himself. He must find a way to challenge the Coven in round two of a battle that is far from over.

John Andrews, an editor of a modern-day newspaper in Salem, experiences things that he can’t explain. When his encounters with the surreal start to become more common, he goes on a mission to understand what’s going on, guided by the ghost of Rebecca Nurse, a woman who was accused of being a witch during the Salem Witch Trials, who also happens to be his ancestor. Nurse, who was the last person to be tried at the trials, visits John with the intent of setting things straight. As he takes on the stereotypical persona of a journalist, John investigates with a goal of finding out the truth-what really happened in 1692, and does that relate to what’s going on today?

This book is great for anybody who’s involved in the financial realm and is tired of reading audits when you could be reading something much more exciting. Hohn’s characters are great, and his knowledge of the financial realm led to inside knowledge of the field that made tiny details reliable and believable throughout the story. Deadly Portfolio flows well because it travels at a good pace and the complexity of the plot keep the reader wondering.

Carrot Field does a great job of blending mythical elements and presenting them in a novel that had me hooked from the first page. I just couldn't put it down! The characters were great and Asaro has done an amazing job of creating an entire world where they can interact with one another and have their adventures. The level of detail that was written into this novel was phenomenal, and allowed for it to really create a strong mental picture of what was going on as I followed the story line. This could very well be the next must-read epic.

This story is great for slightly older kids who might be interested in history-definitely best for the ones who have already entered grade school, because they’re going to have a little more patience in getting through what’s a book that’s a little bit on the longer side. But most kids are at least familiar with some of the presidents by that point, and if they’re not, this book is a great introduction.

The pictures in this book are absolutely mouth-watering...I’m ready to have a Christmas party months in advance, just so that I can try all of these recipes. The mix of classic, timeless options with the new creative ones makes sure that everybody can have something delicious to sink their teeth into. Cookies and Cocktails is sure to make my holiday season more exciting this year.

Sirocco is one of the only novels I’ve read in quite a while that does the thriller genre justice. Its plot will keep you guessing as to what’s going to happen next, and all the while you’re trying to piece together people’s minds and actions. It utilizes the tactics of showcasing certain aspects and hiding others in order to keep the reader going, trying to divulge information and find out what’s going to happen on the next page.

This book contains so many recipes...it was great to learn how to cook all types of different things, in addition to reading about a diet transformation that would be easy on my wallet. Though it isn’t the intended purpose of this book, this would be a great way to maintain one’s weight (if that were a desired goal) because the meals are focused on making sure that everything is nutritious enough that you’re not skimping on quality to save a few bucks.

Watching family members struggle to go through retirement planning is difficult, especially when people feel that they’re losing the ability to make their own decisions. This book will help people understand what’s really going on around them, and is a great way to help guide them through health care decisions with the assistance of an expert. Rather than facing multiple policies and frustrating hurdles when it comes to senior health care alone, let this book be your guide.

Speak Without Fear was such a great resource for me...it completely helped me understand the importance of communicating as a tool in both personal and professional life. One of the things that I found most helpful about this book was that the large number of examples that were present that didn’t involve a podium and a projector, which were great in bridging the gap between the different types of communication. It really made me understand that there’s nothing to be worried about the next time that I have to give a speech or presentation in public.