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Shirley's Reads

My First Three Husbands

January 27, 2012

Tags: Jennifer Monahan, marriage, divorce, remarriage

This story of three failed marriages might serve as required reading for couples considering tying the knot. Jennifer Monahan offers a candid portrayal of marriage at its loving best and its screaming worst. After divorcing for the third time, she looked back and evaluated not only her partners but herself as to what worked (more…)

Safely Home

January 26, 2012

Tags: Randy Alcorn, China, politics, spiritual warfare

This novel by Randy Alcorn not only opens your eyes to the intricacies of political affairs but also to the intricacies of spiritual affairs—both on heaven and on earth. It’s a fascinating story about an American, Ben Fielding, whose college roommate, Li Quan, comes from China. They reconnect decades later. By then (more…)

Get Off Your "But"

December 30, 2011

Tags: Sean Stephenson, reaching potential, motivation

The author offers great practical advice in this motivational treatise. An easy read, Stephenson points out how we fail to value ourselves and, therefore, fail to reach our full potential. He challenges the reader to take responsibility and get off his (or her) “but”—whatever is holding him back from moving forward in life.

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A Vision of the Deep

December 12, 2011

Tags: Susan Scott Sutton, Christian growth, Christian maturity

This book challenges readers to look where they stand in their relationship with God and consider where they want to stand. With chapter titles such as Surrendering, Treasuring, Emptying and Entering (to name just a few) the author informs readers of what may be, then chllenges readers to mature as a Christian. Two of (more…)

Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide

December 7, 2011

Tags: Mark Kramer, Wendy Call, Nieman Foundation, nonfiction, writing

As a nonfiction freelance writer, I enjoyed this book. Through study and experience I've learned the basics, but this book is a refresher course about capturing a story on paper. I read it chapter by chapter, trying to apply what I had read about before reading on.

Patterns in the Sand

November 21, 2011

Tags: Sally Goldenbaum, mystery, knitting club

This is the third book I've read in the Seaside Knitters Mystery series (first, Death by Cashmere; then A Holiday Yarn). I know there's at least one more, and I'm happy about that. Set in a New England harbor town reminiscent of Murder She Wrote, the books focus on four gals who knit together--and (more…)

Letters From Eden

August 5, 2011

Tags: Julie Zickefoose, nature

Julie Zickefoose’s delightful book took me back to my country roots. And how interesting it was to see the world through the eyes of a field biologist! You not only meet yellow-bellied sapsuckers and snakes, but you learn interesting tidbits about their nature and often about their interaction with Zickefoose, her husband, Bill (more…)

The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible

August 2, 2011

Tags: A. J. Jacobs, religion, Bible interpretation

I talked about this book so much while reading it that my 12-year-old granddaughter insists she wants to read it. Author A. J. Jacobs, who was raised in a nonreligious Jewish home, decides to experience what it would be like to live literally the many commandments of the Bible—both Old and New Testaments. (more…)

Before the Season Ends

July 23, 2011

Tags: Linore Rose Burkard, 19th Century England, romance

Linore Rose Burkard has written a book that entertains, educates and keeps you guessing until the last page. The story about a Christian girl interested in marriage and a family who wants to help her find a suitable partner takes off on an age-old theme: What happens when an innocent damsel meets an irascible (more…)

Unbroken

June 27, 2011

Tags: World War 2, Louie Zamperini, Laura Hillenbrand, running

You could not find a novel more riveting than this true story of Louis Zamperini, an incorrigible youth who, through the influence of his older brother Pete, grew up to become an Olympic runner. Then Louie’s life intersected with World War 2, and his story turned into a legend that continues to inspire.

That (more…)

Published Works

Nonfiction
A devotional book for women.
Book
This devotional book for women received the Young Voices Foundation 2009 Gold Award in the category of Inspirational/Spiritual.
Shirley's memories of growing up self-published for her grandchildren
Newspaper Article
The stories of two sets of parents raising special children.
Read how one community teaches Christian values on school time.
Tip Sheet
An article to guide readers in capturing memories of persons, places and things in one-page formats.