If you are looking for a last minute gift, here are a few suggestions:
For the history buffs, for which I am not, I couldn’t put these books down.
The Secret Holocaust Diaries, The Untold story of Nonna Bannister
Written by: Nonna Bannister with Denise George and Carolyn Tomlin
Nonna Bannister was a holocaust survivor who kept her past a secret from everyone including her husband for over half a century. Nonna Bannister quietly wrote of the atrocities she lived through as a young child in order to leave her family a written historical document.
As God can only order the Bannisters live near Carolyn Tomlin. At a community picnic, Mr. Bannister approached Mrs. Tomlin about publishing Nonna’s story, and the rest is history.
Finding True Freedom, From the White House to the World
Written by: Ginny Dent Brant
Growing up listening to the news, I thought I knew everything about Watergate. I was wrong. Ginny is a friend of mine that I met at the Blue Ridge Christian Writers’ Conference. Her father, Harry Dent, along with Henry Kissinger, were the only two of President Nixon’s staff who were not given prison sentences. However, life was never the same for the Dent family.
Their tale goes beyond the political scandal into detailed events that evolved into a lifetime of ministry.
Leaving Gee’s Bend
Written by: Irene Latham
This book is set in Gee’s Bend, Alabama in 1932. The rich southern roots of quilting and love for family deeply evoke you into the life of a young Africian-American girl.
A great read for any age.
Big Bottom Church
Written by: Bill Patterson
If you can’t get enough of Southern Church Antics then this is a good read for you. Written by a pastor from a pastor’s point of view. Many of the stories included will remind you of your own Sunday congregations, that is if you’re Southern.
If you’re not, you may get a kick out of what you’re missing.
Fiction!!! My Favorite!
Intervention
Written by:
Terri Blackstock
What more can I say but that it’s written by Terri Blackstock. As usual, Terri keeps you on edge page-to-page. Don’t start one of her books if you need to go to bed early. You won’t make it.
The characters come to life, probably more than you would want them to. The good, the bad, and the evil will definitely have you pondering life’s decisions and God’s providence.
North Carolina Weddings
Written by: Yvonne Lehman
This three-in-one novel is situated in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. If you love the sweet romance with ever-increasing tensions of mystery, then these tree stories will keep you up late at night. Yvonne, a good friend of mine, has many other books to choose from.
Her series involves lots of intrigue with quirky characters you’ll never forget.
A Thousand Voices
Written by: Lisa Wingate
This is a new author for me. Lisa was so very kind to give me a bit of advice for writing that I picked up one of her books. Afterward, I was moved by the beautiful way in which she puts words together. Each sentence creating a painting in my imagination. Even the covers of her books are breathtaking.
A Thousand Voices was particularly touching to me. It tells the story of a broken girl searching for her true identity. Aren’t we all?
Where My Heart Belongs
Written by: Tracie Peterson
Another new author for me this year. This book was a bit of research for a piece that I was writing. I read the book nonstop and actually felt as if I knew these characters as real individuals. That’s great writing when you come away from reading a book and feel the pain or joy of the protagonist.
I plan on reading more from the two new authors in the coming year.
For the heavy stuff-personal growth, renewal:
Some of these books have been out for a while, nevertheless, each has helped me heal in various areas.
If you have suffered some type of abuse, abandonment, loss, or hurt, each of these books will bring you significant healing, if you will let them.
Stormie, A Story of Forgiveness an
d Healing
d Healing
By: Stormie Omartian
I have all of Omartian’s The Power of Prayer.… and several others. The Power of a Praying Wife and Parent, I use on a daily basis.
31 Days of Praise
By: Ruth Myers with Warren Myers
A dear friend of mine gave me this book the day before we left our home of 15 years to embark on our new life. I wept many mornings as I read this book, chapter by chapter. Things were not good, it was one of the most difficult times I have had to endure. People would ask, “How are things?” I would say, “It’s getting better everyday.” I was saying that by faith, because in all actuality, things stunk!
This little book helped me to keep my focus on God and His goodness. It is also a daily read for me now. I have so much more peace and joy in my life after learning how to Praise God even in dark times.
Beauty for Ashes
By: Joyce Meyer
If you have ever felt unloved, undervalued, unwanted, and worthless, you have to read this book. Meyer recalls her past of abuse. She gives her testimony of how God healed her and how He can heal you.
The Bondage Breaker
By: Neil T. Anderson
I had no idea of how much bondage I was in until I went through a bible study using The Bondage Breaker. One of the teacher in the bible study, who is now one of my best friends, first told me that she dealt with lots of fears and felt I needed to read this book.
This turned into a six week bible study. I use this book often. I truly suggest it to anyone who deals with fear, anxiety, has ever been associated in occults or occultic practices of any type.
Created to Be His Help Meet
By: Debi Pearl
Certainly not a popular thought in our culture today. The Pearls have delivered various books dealing with family issues. I can honestly say that this book by far has had the greatest impact on my marriage, my faith, my relationships to my children and others. It is stuffed with Godly principals that when applied has vast rewards. It is also packed with practical insights and surprisingly scientific data.
This book so impacted my life for the better that my husband and I bought a whole case and gave to everyone who would take one. Now that’s impacting!
There are so many interesting books to read that I would love to suggest. Do you have any you would like to suggest for 2011? Share them with me. Blessings and Merry Christmas!
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