A Bounty of Books

Code 13 by Don Brown is the second installment of The Navy JAG series. Code 13 centers around the legality of a proposed drone project that has powerful advocates on both sides. Because of the billions of dollars that stand to be gained or lost depending on one's business ventures, various outside interest groups get involved to try and sway the legal opinion in their preferred direction.

Code 13 is better than the first book in this series (which I reviewed here). The characters weren't quite as oversized as before. There were definitely some overhanded and less than subtle statements and attitudes, but in this installment, there were at least hints of nuance. The overall plot was much tighter and easier to follow as well. The pace is fast and Brown does a good job of maintaining the suspense of what will happen next. While there is definitely room for improvement, Code 13 is much more like Brown's earlier works that I generally enjoy.

Anyone who enjoys military fiction will probably enjoy Code 13. Those interested in drones and how they can be used in various aspects of American life will also find this book interesting. It does raise interesting questions about where the line is between protecting Americans and violating their right to privacy. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone, but there are some groups that will find it an interesting and enjoyable read.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Night Driving: A Story of Faith in the Dark by Addie Zierman is the story of the author's two week car trip with her two young sons from Minnesota to Florida and back. Zierman interweaves the events of her trip with her internal struggle of a period of darkness in her faith.

This is Zierman's second memoir. Her first, When We Were on Fire (which I reviewed here) recounts her journey out of the Christian culture bubble from adolescence to adulthood. Night Driving picks up a couple of years later when Zierman finds herself once again sinking into darkness and trying to escape. She can no longer "feel" God and is desperate to avoid the pit she previously fell into. Her solution is to literally escape the dreary winter of Minnesota in exchange for the sunny beaches of Florida, and hope that at the same time her spirit escapes the winter it finds itself in.

Night Driving is just as readable as Zierman's first book. While I didn't find myself personally relating to this one quite as much as I did the first, I still found a familiar story with elements that resonated. It can be a struggle for those who were brought up to believe faith was all about feeling to not get discouraged and depressed with the feelings disappear. It's not only something one learns to deal with as one matures in their faith, but is also something that often requires a deliberate frame of reference mind shift. Zierman's journey through this shift is honest and encouraging for any who may find themselves in the same position.

I would recommend Night Driving to anyone who may find themselves in a "winter" in their faith. It would also be helpful for anyone who doesn't understand how discouraging that can look and feel. Zierman's honesty allows the reader to take what they can, and leave the rest. There is no pretense to wade through. Night Driving is another great addition to the collection of the millennial memoir.

Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward by Nabeel Qureshi is a primer on understanding jihad and how it affects our world. Qureshi was raised as a devout Muslim. In his early twenties, after an in depth investigation of Islam that led him to reject the faith he was raised he, he converted to Christianity.

Qureshi states in the preface that he felt more comfortable addressing these questions individually rather than writing a book. However, he felt compelled to do so by the recent terrorist attacks in San Bernadino and Paris as well as the fiery responses to these attacks offered by certain American presidential candidates. As he says, "...lives are in the balance, and we must respond carefully. I cannot feign impartiality. Ignoring the reality of jihad endangers my nation, while responding with fear endangers my Muslim family" (11).

In Answering Jihad, Quershi provides a very understandable and basic explanation of both modern and historic Islam, jihad, and how people, specifically in the West, should respond to both. Using a question and answer form, Quereshi address eighteen questions he commonly gets asked, including "Is Islam a Religion of Peace?" and "How Does Jihad Compare with the Crusades?" Qureshi acknowledges that his treatment of each question is very basic and gives suggestions for resources that provide a more in depth look.

There are four appendices included at the end of Answering Jihad. They are "A Selective Timeline of Jihad in Islam," "Muhammad's Words on Jihad in Sahih al-Bukhari," "What Is the Caliphate?" and "Ahmadi Muslims and Details about My Former Sect of Islam." There is also a two page glossary of common Arabic and Islamic terms used throughout the book.

Overall I enjoyed Answering Jihad. I learned some important distinctions about subjects that are too often painted with a broad brush. This is a subject relevant to every American. Wherever one falls on the political spectrum, everyone can benefit from more information, and less fearful rhetoric. Answering Jihad is accessible enough to be a useful tool to aid in this conversation, therefore, I recommend it to anyone willing to more thoughtfully engage in this crucial topic.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Black and White Bible, Black and Blue Wife: My Story of Finding Hope after Domestic Abuse by Ruth A. Tucker is part autobiography, part treatise on male headship and complementarianism in marriage. Tucker was in an abusive marriage for almost twenty years. She weaves together stories from this time with stories of other women, as well as her views on hermeneutics and interpretation of various scripture passages dealing with male headship and the role of women.

I'm not sure why, but I was expecting this to be more biography and less theological treatise. Sometimes I felt Tucker was angrily preaching rather than sharing her view, though I understand the subjects she discussed are very personal and passions of hers. I doubt that we'd land on the same side theologically regarding at least some of the passages of scripture she mentions. What can't be argued with though is her personal experience, and how her ex-husband's view of scripture influenced his abuse.

One of the main takeaways from this book that cannot be ignored is that the church has to do a better job of addressing abuse and helping those in the middle of it. Placing blame on the one being abused is never the right answer. Neither is pretending abuse isn't happening in families we sit in the pew with every week. Through stories in her life of how people in the church inappropriately responded to Tucker's situation, the reader can learn what not to do, and hopefully from there figure out how to respond.

Overall, I'm glad I read Black and White Bible, Black and Blue Wife. I don't know that I can say I enjoyed it, because the subject matter is difficult to say the least. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject of domestic violence, especially in the context of the American church.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Originally written in 1986, this revised and updated edition contains the original text with more current statistics and anecdotes when a significant change has occurred. Otherwise, as Shipler states in the Foreword to the Revised Edition, "the descriptions from the mid-1980s contain many elements of today, and so remain useful as a look at what has been and, probably, what will be. This edition roves back and forth between then and now, for in the Middle East, the past is never past; old wounds never seem to heal."  As one reads the book, it is clear what is original material from the first edition, and what has been updated for this edition.

Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

The VeggieTales Bible uses the New International Reader's Version and is specifically geared toward children. It is hard backed and standard book size, so it wouldn't be good for little children. The NIrV is written on a level that would be easy for the average 7 or 8 year old to read and understand. I would put the recommended age range for this bible to be 7-11.

At the beginning of each book, there is a page long introduction that includes a summary and key features of the book such as important people, verses, themes, and stories. Scattered throughout the text of each book are particular verses that are highlighted to memorize. Other verses are highlighted as important concepts. 

There are ten, four page comics throughout The VeggieTales Bible that tell a condensed version of ten of the VeggieTales stories that tell bible stories. At the end of the bible, there is an "Index to Veggie Values" that guides children to verses dealing with specific topics such as forgiveness, pride, and trusting God. After that, there is a dictionary that gives a simple definition of potentially unfamiliar words and phrases such as Baal, judge, and Zion. The last few pages of the Bible are left blank except for lines for notes.

All of these features are easy to understand and be used by children. Overall, The VeggieTales Bible is full of color and formatted in such a way that is attractive to children. The features included are helpful and will help children gain a deeper understanding of the biblical text. I'd recommend this bible to anyone looking for a bible specifically geared toward children. Please note, this is a review of this particular bible, not the NIrV translation. 

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

The Confessions of X by Suzanne Wolfe is a fictionalized account of the woman St. Augustine of Hippo was in a relationship with for many years prior to his conversion. She is the mother of his son Adeodatus, and while she is referred to in Augustine's Confessions, she is never named.

Not much is known about this woman, though she played an important part in Augustine's life and eventual conversion. In Wolfe's version, she is the daughter of a poor tradesman who is left in the care of an emotionally distant aunt and uncle. It is her status as a non-Roman citizen of the lower class that prevents a formal marriage between her and Augustine, not a lack of love or devotion. They live as man and wife for many years before his ambition creates a crisis point for them. Without giving anything away, the story continues to follow X's life until the moment of Augustine's death.

I was intrigued by learning more about the life of this unnamed woman. While Wolfe admits she took some dramatic license (which she points out and corrects in a note at the end), I really appreciate her creating a believable and engaging story within the framework of the few known facts. The Confessions of X starts somewhat slowly, and includes much more description than dialogue, of which I am normally not a fan. However, after the first few chapters, I was invested in X and what happened to her, and the story flowed effortlessly. It was entertaining and easy to read. Historical fiction can sometimes be spoiled because the ending is known. This was not at all the case with this book. I was connected to the characters and felt the events with the surprise and dismay they did.

Overall, I would recommend The Confessions of X by Suzanne Wolfe to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, a bit of romance, the plight of women in the ancient world, or the life of St. Augustine.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255