paperbacks_n_frybread's reviews
392 reviews

*You can check out my full review at www.mamaandthebears.com*

Loved this book. Wonderful encourage with REAL practical applications. It's a really quick read, but there isn't a whole lot of fluff going on. You get to the meat of teachings on page one. I was convicted by page two-so it's definitely worth sharing.

Highly recommend to any parent.

*I received this in exchange for my honest review*

These "Pocket Prayer" books from Max Lucado are small, but pack a big punch. They are filled with encouragement that every.single.mama. NEEDS. We get tired. We get weary. But prayer is so essential in those times. Maybe you just don't know what to say, or you just don't know how to put that feeling in your heart into words-this is one of those books that can help push that out of you.

These are also PERFECT for gifts! I've given 5 away to friends because they're just that awesome. With Mother's Day around the corner-why not grab a few more to pass around? We could all use a little more prayer in our lives!

*I received this in exchange for my honest review*

This isn't my typical read by any means, but I can see how if you're big in to Mr. Doyle or Agatha Christie's works you would be all over this! There's murder, intrigue, a dynamic duo, and even disguises!

It's incredibly clean, which is a breath of fresh air when it comes to murder mysteries, and although it wasn't my favorite read-it was still light and fun.

"The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder" has also integrated faith into the story which also bumped up the star rating from me. It's not preachy by any means, but doesn't shy away from it either. I think McMillan has a winning series on her hands.

*I received this in exchange for my honest review*

Full review at Mama Bear Reads

Anyone else have a healthy curiosity when it comes to the Amish? Am I the only one?

Seriously, I have tons of cookbooks and memoirs written by the simple folk. I am completely intrigued by the life that they live, and wholly respect it. I'm fascinated by such simplicity that I can only wish to accomplish in my own home. The sewing. The cooking. The homesteading. The child rearing. I love learning about it all. The Amish know so much about things that most of us don't-and that peeks my interest each time I read about them.

In Marianne Jantzi's book, "Simple Pleasures" , she gives us an in-depth look at Amish living through the eyes of a mama. From the first chapter, I had to press on.
And honestly, telling you why this book is so interesting doesn't even make sense to me. There's nothing absolutely extraordinary- it's just snippets of normal, everyday life. It's like being a fly on the wall through all the seasons.

But, there is one thing that kept me going-she's a mama, just like me. No really. When you think of Amish mothers, what do you think of? Don't you think of someone poised who does it all from sun-up to sun-down with grace and meekness?

Well, most of that is still what's in my head, but Marianne definitely showed me that a mama's heart is just that-no matter what kind of life you're coming from. She bridged the gap by showing how we share the same.exact.feelings. when being in the house for days on end:

"I'm one of those homemakers who sends her man off to work each morning, then spends one day after the next cooped up inside with the little ones. Before you know it, you feel dull and listless and oversugared from eating and eating the cookies you made for the lunch box."

Wait? SHE gets tired of being cooped up? SHE gets that"dull" feeling? What??

"I'm a procrastinator. That is, I used to be a procrastinator. I've been trying to change my habit every since I stumbled across an article in an old 'Reader's Digest'."

This totally made me giggle. This sounds like something I've said after reading a Pinterest article.

Marianne shares her heart and her days. She shares bad days, poems that inspire her, the quirks of her children, and how each season brings its own joys and chores.

"Without winter, wouldn't we miss crunchy snow in the moonlight, the world covered in hoarfrost, glorious sunrises, and red-nosed children? Besides, when would I enjoy my lazy hobbies if it never got cold?"

This doesn't read like a book-it reads almost like a journal. There is just something precious in such transparent and, well, normal. Just because they're different-doesn't mean they don't have the same struggles we deal with. They're life is simple-but it isn't without its hardships.

If you have ANY interest in Amish life-pick "Simple Pleasures" up. I've read a lot on their culture and this has been my favorite. I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would.

5 out of 5 stars for me!

*I received this in exchange for my honest review*

*Find my full review and interview with Intisar Khanani at: Mama Bear Reads*

Good fantasy work is hard to find. Many that are out now in the YA world are just true carbon copies of one another. You have to have a special talent in order to create unique worlds, characters, and of course just the right conflict.

I have the worst time digging into a highly acclaimed book only to have to be completely predictable and all around boring. This has happened to me too much this year. I almost took a "fantasy" hiatus, until I read the blurb for Intisar Khanani's "Sunbolt". It drew me in by page one and did NOT disappoint. "Sunbolt" is filled with action, adventure, and absolutely 0 instalove.

The story follows a young orphaned girl named, Hitomi in the land of Karolene, who is not only a spunky street thief, but also one who is holding a very magical secret (And yay for non-European fantasy characters!).
I know, I know! Orphaned chick with magical powers? What a typical fantasy trope!
Not so, I tell you! Tropes don't necessarily HAVE to be a bad thing, when they're done well. And Khanani does this extremely well. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the second half and almost threw my iPad across the room when the book ended so abruptly. Nothing that I expected to happen-did. There are some pretty noteworthy characters in this book too (*cough*cough* Val). My only complaint-the book was too short! It IS a novella, but still. I wanted to stay and hang out with Hitomi a little longer. Thank the Lord that the second book in the Sunbolt Chronicles, "Memories of Ash" will be released on May 30th.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

I can NOT imagine being locked up for a crime I didn't commit. I especially could not do this, with a child on the outside. It honestly gives me anxiety even contemplating such a thing.
But, this is exactly the case when it comes to Allie Marshall, in Laura McNeill's "Sister Dear". And if you're like me and you get emotionally attached to your characters-then your anxiety will heighten to with this read.

This is a suspense/mystery novel with a very slow burn. I consider this a good thing, because finding out the truth is as difficult for the reader as it is for the characters! There are multiple point of views from chapter to chapter, which kept my interest peaked. The writing was really well done. It caught and held my attention from the very first chapter!

I don't care how old you are-reading children's books are just so much fun! Ones with a message? Even better.
This is insanely true about Kristi O'Callahan's "Jacob and Sam: A Friendship Story". Her story is about a new kid at school named Jacob who tried to befriend Sam, a child with autism. My kids loved it! Even asking them about things they didn't like-they couldn't come up with anything.

The story is great and it was easy for my kids to understand. I think any parent could use this as a teaching tool to talk to their own children about how to handle those kids they might not fully understand.

The illustrations may not be a favorite for some-but my kids love them and isn't that what matters??? It's a full color book with lots of little details that kept the littles scanning the pages over and over again.

It's just a perfect kids' book! You've gotta check it out yourself!

*I received this in exchange for my honest review*

This reads like a super quirky TV show. It has it's good points, but I just couldn't commit to this. However, I have no problem recommending this to anyone who is looking for a clean "boys meets girl" kind of romance. We all know that most romances can be pretty raunchy, but this one has a really good message with clean content.

My biggest complaint? The cover. It bugs me in the worst way. WAY too much going on, and the main character is said to have curly hair. What's that chick on the front have?

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

I haven't gone through this entire book in depth, but man! Just the parts I have gone over are just wonderful. The "Saturate Field Guide" is a HUGE spiral book with tons of color on every single page. There is nothing boring about the layout of this book, which is awesome since most studies I've done-the books are just black and white.

Discipleship is a lost art in many churches let's face that, and this is could be a huge help for those that are feeling like they need just a bit... more. I can't wait for the hubs and I to take this together week by week. I know we won't be disappointed.