Books I've Read This Month

While it may not seem like I read books other than fiction or devotionals, on occasion I am intrigued by a book advertised and pick it up. In this case, I borrowed the non-fiction book Unoffendable by Brant Hansen from the Libby app.

About the Book

It turns out giving up your “right” to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things you can do. It’s a radical, provocative We’re not entitled to get offended or stay angry. The idea of our own “righteous anger” is a myth. It is the number one problem in our societies today and, as Dallas Willard says, Christians have not been taught out of it. But what if Christians were the most unoffendable people on the planet? In Unoffendable you will find concrete, practical ways to live life with less stress, In a humorous and conversational style, Unoffendable seeks to lift religious burdens from our backs and allow us to experience the joy of gratitude, perhaps for the first time, every single day of our lives—flourishing the way God intended.

5 STARS

Well, let me tell you...It. Is. Excellent! Anyone calling themselves a Christian needs to read this book. I listened to the audio edition read by the author. Such a great experience. I found myself verbally agreeing with his statements while at the same time remonstrating myself for doing what he plainly and compassionately states that we should not do as Christians. I mean really, what is the point of going around being offended all the time? Be UNOFFENDABLE!!! 

This is a book that I will definitely order a paperback copy of, and that doesn't happen too often for me, especially when I'm not required to write a review. But this book is so good, I want to be able to make notes in the margins.

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The first fiction book I listened to this year on the Libby app was Country Bride by Debbie Macomber.  

2 STARS

She is a secular author but her books are considered clean with moral teachings. I've read several before and enjoyed them. But this one...

No. Just no. But saying that didn't work for Kate. Luke is a bully. Macomber has written some great stories but this isn't one of them. It sends all the wrong messages about how a healthy relationship is supposed to be. I listened to the audible version, which the narrator did a good job on, hence my two stars.

It pained me to have to give such a low rating. I think it's only the second time in about 12 years I've done that. It's only 5 hours on audio and I kept hoping something would happen to redeem this story, but for me it didn't. 

Why leave a low review you may ask when I wasn't obligated? I don't always. Macomber is such a popular women's author and her books aren't cheap. I would have been extremely disappointed had I actually spent money on this one, so that is why I left the review. Of course, you can go look at the number of 3 star and under reviews and see how they outnumber the 4 and 5 star reviews. 

I won't discourage anyone from borrowing her books from your local library, an online app where you can get them for free, or borrowing from a friend. Most of her books I've read, I liked. But read the mid-range and negative reviews and carefully consider the amount of them. 

My two cents worth which probably isn't even worth that! :-)

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I already posted my review of The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham in a separate post because that was an 'official' review.

You can read it here.

I want to say that Pepper Basham has become one of my favorite authors to read. She is able to write across a pretty wide spectrum of subjects/genre and always does such a fabulous job on her stories, both contemporary and historical. If you're looking for romance, adventure, down-home folks, and faith look no further. Grab one of her books today!