February 2013 – Bergers Book Reviews

Author: C. David Lundberg
Publisher: Heavenlight Press
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 978-0-9796308-2-8
Pages: 448
Price: $18.95

Religion has long been a divisive force between people and nations, often leading to violence and death. Looking closely at their practices leads to the thought that there is no harmony in the major religions of the world. But author C. David Lundberg shows us his vision of the underlying beliefs they all hold dear.

Broken into sections, Unifying Truths of the World’s Religions covers topics such as the meaning and purpose of life, who we really are, who and what God is, and the various love relationships we share with God, ourselves, and others. Within each subsection, a description of the topic is presented, along with several texts from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism in support of this topic.

When provided with such overwhelming evidence of these overlapping beliefs, it’s impossible not to see how alike we are. At its best, religion brings us closer to God and each other, and reinforces morality as a standard of living. It is the author’s hope that he has shown us how much we have in common, so we can begin to break down the walls that separate us. He has done a marvelous job.

AWARDS RECEIVED:

Winner, National Indie Excellence Book Award
Winner, USA Book News National Best Book Award
Winner, Nautilus Silver Award
Winner, New England Book Festival
Finalist, ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year

Reviewer: Alice Berger

health

Make Weight Loss Last

February 27, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Deborah Kesten, M.P.H and Larry Scherwitz, Ph. D.
Publisher: White River Press
Genre: Health / Weight Loss
ISBN: 978-1-935052-61-6
Pages: 256
Price: $20.00

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight this year? How is it going? If you’re like many people, you have probably struggled with your diet and maybe even given up. But have you ever explored the reasons why you’ve been unsuccessful?

In Making Weight Loss Last, authors Deborah Kesten and Larry Scherwitz explain some of the ways you might be sabotaging your weight loss efforts through the unconscious habits you follow. Do you eat alone or with others? Do you eat while also doing other things? How much satisfaction do you get from those fast food meals? Looking carefully at these and other patterns of eating can show the real reasons you’re not losing weight.

If you’re looking the latest diet or plan of eating, this book isn’t for you. But if you want to know WHY you’re continuing to struggle with your weight, Making Weight Loss Last can help. Make the decision today to change your eating patterns, and you may finally be successful at your weight loss efforts.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, tween

Waves of Light (From Sadie’s Sketchbook)

February 26, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Naomi Kinsman
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Tween / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-310-72666-1
Pages: 224
Price: $7.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Sadie finally feels comfortable living in Michigan. Although she has made peace with the girl who was once determined to make her life miserable, she still has issues of her own to deal with. Her mom’s illness isn’t getting any better, and her dad’s job may soon end, forcing them to leave the town she’s come to call home. But when her art teacher’s house is destroyed by a flood, Sadie falls apart.

When Sadie can’t take much more of what life throws at her, she is forced to turn to her art and her fledgling faith for comfort. At times she acts poorly toward others, and she has to face up to her own actions. But she tries her best to do the right thing.

Waves of Light is the third book in the From Sadie’s Sketchbook series. [See also Flickering Hope and Shades of Truth.] As in the first two books, Sadie is a very emotional girl, and often responds in tears when her happiness feels threatened. Combining challenging situations with growing faith lessons, this series shows real life handled from a Christian perspective. Girls will love reading about Sadie and her friends, while also seeing a great role model. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Squirrel Rescue

February 21, 2013February 21, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Jennifer Keats Curtis
Illustrator: Laura Jacques
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4246-2
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Two boys are tossing around a football when a baby squirrel suddenly appears. After looking around, they discover his sibling, as well as their damaged nest – and a very worried mother! Acting quickly, they safeguard the babies and wait for mom to rescue them. All is well when the three are snug in their nest once again.

Baby animals are adorable, and it’s natural to want to cuddle them and take them home as pets, but wildlife really does need to stay wild. Safe handling techniques are presented, as well as the smart decision to return these babies to their mother.

Christina Clark, a wildlife rehabilitator, assisted to ensure the accuracy of information presented, and the author is donating a portion of the royalties from the sale of this book to Chris’ Squirrels and More. The story is beautifully illustrated with a great message. I highly recommend Squirrel Rescue.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

spirituality

The Fifth Disciple

February 20, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Cynthia Bové
Publisher: O Books
Genre: Spirituality
ISBN: 978-1-84694-420-8
Pages: 199
Price: $19.95

Buy it at Amazon

A Course in Miracles offers spiritual direction for many in their quest to better themselves and their lives. But is it possible that someone else suggested these ideas at a much earlier date? In The Fifth Disciple, author Cynthia Bové proposes that the Gospel of Thomas presents some of these very same teachings from Jesus, himself.

In the first sections of this book, the two source documents are introduced. Insights from A Course in Miracles are presented and analyzed. Then we are provided with the text of Pursah’s Gospel of Thomas. The last half of the book compares this gospel to the writings in the course, looking for similarities in meaning.

Familiarity with A Course in Miracles is of great benefit in reading this book. Many of the ideas presented are abstract, and can easily elude the casual reader who has no knowledge of these teachings. Those who follow mainstream religions may not relate to this New Age message, despite the possibility that it could have come directly from Jesus. But whatever your belief system may be, The Fifth Disciple is an interesting read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

memoir

Charles Dickens: A Portrait in Letters

February 19, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Read by Simon Callow
Produced by Naxos AudioBooks
Genre: Memoirs
ISBN: 978-1843796886
Length: 4 CDs (Total time 4:10:00)
Price: $28.98

Buy it at Amazon

Charles Dickens hoped that none of the many letters he wrote would ever surface after he was gone. In fact, he implored his friends and relatives to destroy them. But, luckily, many of these letters have survived, and they paint a fascinating picture of him as a man.

Always the actor and novelist, Dickens loved to assume a character in his writing, seeking to entertain his audience as much as convey information. Letter writing seems to have been as much a joy to him as working on his novels.

In this audio presentation of Charles Dickens: A Portrait in Letters, Simon Callow shares some of his more interesting letters. Focusing on themes like friendship, work, travel, the theater, and love, the letters are arranged to dig deeper into his personality. And the letters themselves are read with the sense that Dickens is reading them aloud as he is writing them. Interspersed between the letters, some general information about Dickens or the intended recipient are provided.

The novels of Dickens have enchanted readers, and his fans will enjoy a more intimate look at this very interesting man. I highly recommend Charles Dickens: A Portrait in Letters.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

boys, health, tween

Bork Reveals the Real Deal About the Facts of Life

February 15, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Terri Shearer Trenchard
Illustrator: Tracy Councill
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Boys / Health
ISBN: 9781466427846
Pages: 74
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Having a “facts of life” discussion with his parents doesn’t usually top the list of bright ideas a pre-teen boy might consider. But when whispered conversations with friends leave him wondering what’s really going on, he needs somewhere to turn for information. Bork Reveals the Real Deal About the Facts of Life can provide the answers.

Speaking in a humorous and light-hearted manner, Bork explains puberty and adolescence in a way boys can understand. Body changes, fluctuating hormones, and even “the facts of life” are covered in this all-inclusive book about growing up.

Most boys would probably rather not talk to a parent about this topic, unless they first have some basic understanding, but Bork encourages them to try. Even if they choose not to, they will have enough information to handle the many changes going on inside them.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

Woffles – A Fishy Adventure

February 13, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

By: James Curtis, Nick Curtis
Publisher: CowPat Publishing
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISGN: 978-0-9571058-0-5
Pages: 40
Price: £5.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Woffles, a black lab, lives in the countryside near Brick Farm Lakes trout fishery. Known well by teen authors and illustrators James and Nick Curtis, he is the inspiration for Woffles – A Fishy Adventure.

Not your everyday dog, Woffles has a best friend named Pip, loves to ride in cars, and keeps company with the sheep. He especially gets excited when fishermen bring their lunches to the lake, since he likes to snatch a sandwich or two. Woffles certainly knows how to live life to the fullest.

This unique book is a great memento of a nice day of fishing at Brick Farm Lakes. But even if you haven’t visited the fishery to meet Woffles, it’s an entertaining and fun read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, self improvement

Change the World Before Bedtime

February 12, 2013February 12, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

By: Mark Kimball Moulton, Josh Chalmers, and Karen Good
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4238-7
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Small acts can’t really make a difference – can they? They sure do! In fact, kids can even change the world through random acts of kindness and social responsibility.

Eating wholesome and nutritious foods start the day off right. Cleaning a park, cheering up a sick friend, visiting the elderly and housebound, and raising money for the less fortunate are just some of the actions encouraged by this book. With colorful and fun illustrations, these ideas generate excitement and enthusiasm for doing good deeds just for the sheer joy.

Kids have tremendous power to make positive changes in the world. And learning these skills early in life will guarantee they will be practiced well into adulthood, for the betterment of all. I highly recommend Change the World Before Bedtime.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Beast Friends Forever!

February 11, 2013February 11, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Robert L. Forbes
Illustrator: Ronald Searle
Publisher: Overlook Duckworth
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-59020-808-3
Pages: 80
Price: $19.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

What happens when animals fall in love? Beast Friends Forever shows us, in humorous rhyme and whimsical illustrations.

Babette the Skunk has created a French perfume to mask females’ skunky scent. Poor Lancelot the Ocelot is in love with Gwenny, but she’s already married to King Art. Squig the Pig is too cool for the ladies who drool over his portly body. And Dapper Dan may not know how to foxtrot, but he sure knows how to make the rest of the moves! These, along with many others, playfully describe the antics of beasts in love.

Beast Friends Forever is a unique and fun Valentine’s Day book, sure to make your loved one smile.

Reviewer: Alice Berger