Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
Christian

God in Slow Motion

Bergers Book Reviews

God in Slow Motion
Author: Mike Nappa
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Christian
ISBN: 978-1400204625
Pages: 256
Price: $15.99

Author’s website
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Do you ever try to slow down when studying the Bible and really absorb what you’re reading? Maybe even place yourself there in the picture and think about how you might feel? In God in Slow Motion, Mike Nappa does just that, using examples from ten well-known Biblical stories about Jesus and his ministry.

Focusing on the Samaritan woman at the well, the woman with the issue of blood, and the death and raising of Lazarus, among others, Nappa shows us some of the hidden gems we may have missed in a casual reading. Why was that Samaritan woman so willing to stop and talk to Jesus, knowing he was a Jew, and should have no interest in speaking with her? Why was the miraculous healing of the woman with non-stop bleeding not enough, and what else did she really need? And what were Mary and Martha thinking and feeling when Jesus took so long to get there when they wanted Him to save Lazarus? And how do we, personally, relate to these stories? These questions and many more are explored, with commentary and guidance to find our own answers.

With daily Bible reading plans designed to maximize the number of pages read, it’s easy to skim over some of these wonderful and personal stories of the ministry of Jesus. It’s a good idea to slow down and savor them, absorbing the deeper meanings hidden under the surface. God in Slow Motion guides us through ten of these, but encourages us to do the same in our own study, reminding us to always keep our focus on Jesus. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fitness

Paleo Fitness

Bergers Book Reviews

Paleo Fitness
Author: Darryl Edwards with Brett Stewart & Jason Warner
Publisher: Ulysses Press
Genre: Fitness
ISBN: 978-1-61243-165-9
Pages: 176
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Many people say they have been successful in converting to a Paleo diet. But what does that mean, exactly? And how does a fitness routine fit with this new eating style? Paleo Fitness answers these questions and more.

First, this book explains why the Paleo diet is superior to the traditional diet. Then it lists allowed and non-allowed foods, along with explanations. A sample menu and several tempting recipes are also provided. A three level workout routine is then given in the form of charts showing each exercise and its corresponding page number. The largest section is the descriptions and pictures of these unique exercises.

Unlike traditional workouts, Paleo fitness is designed to work out the total body, not just isolated muscle groups. You won’t find these exercises in the gym, and they don’t use traditional weights or machines. Instead you’ll find yourself crawling on the floor in crab walk or crocodile walk, jumping like a rabbit, hanging from a bar, or going through the motions of tossing an object. These exercises are created from nature, and work the body the way a caveman might have exercised through daily living.

If you’re bored with your traditional workout and you’re ready to try something more natural, Paleo Fitness might be just what you’re looking for. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, sports

Sports Illustrated Kids Big Book of Who: Football

Bergers Book Reviews

Big Book of Who - Football
Publisher: Sports Illustrated Kids
Genre: Sports / Football
ISBN: 978-1-61893-040-8
Pages: 128
Price: $17.95

Sports Illustrated Kids Magazine
Buy it at Amazon

Who has rushed for the most career touchdowns in Super Bowl history? Who was the running back known as “Sweetness”? Who has the most career sacks? Don’t know the answers? Well, Sports Illustrated Kids does! In Big Book of Who: Football you’ll find out who these players are, as well as a whole lot more fun football facts.

Under the headings Champions, Personalities, Record Breakers, Super Scorers and Yardage Kings, a wealth of statistics and player information is provided. Colorful and full of photos of these greats in NFL history, this book is a must-have item for the serious football fan – even adults. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

memoir

A Cowgirl Always Gets Even

Bergers Book Reviews

A Cowgirl Always Gets Even
Author: Dawn Nelson
Publisher: Gray Dog Press
Genre: Memoir
ISBN: 978-1-936178-56-8
Pages: 195
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
Buy it here

Dawn Nelson is the author of several western-themed novels, and has also dabbled in non-fiction. In A Cowgirl Always Gets Even, she shares some of her misadventures on the ranch, as well as her musings on people and circumstances.

Ranchers will find some of these anecdotes humorous, as she relates tales of ornery bulls and cows. Weather and icy temperatures also play a part in some of these stories. When sharing her thoughts on people, Nelson’s tone is often sarcastic, and she appears to view all non-ranchers in a deprecating light.

There are numerous misspelled words and grammatical errors in this book, and it should have been more carefully edited before being published. If you’re a rancher, you’ll probably relate to some of the incidents Nelson shares. And if you’re not, you may want to take a lesson from them.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Ferdinand Fox’s First Summer

Bergers Book Reviews

Ferdinand Fox's First Summer
Author: Mary Holland
Publisher: Sylvan Dell
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-60718-6267
Pages: 32
Price: $9.95

Author’s website
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Ferdinand is the runt of a litter of foxes. Born in an underground den, he only emerges for the first time a few weeks later. Now he’s ready to start exploring, playing with his siblings, and hunting.

Through beautiful accompanying photographs, we see how Ferdinand is cared for by his parents and learns to fend for himself. A fox’s diet and daily habits are also explained, as well as the importance of his senses of smell and hearing. A classroom guide is provided for further discussion.

Foxes are magnificent creatures, and these wonderful photos capture their antics close-up. Kids will not only learn about how foxes survive in the wild, but will also come to appreciate their beauty and grace. I highly recommend Ferdinand Fox’s First Summer for all children and nature lovers.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Story of the Blue Planet

Bergers Book Reviews

The Story of the Blue Planet
Author: Andri Snær Magnason
Illustrator: Áslaug Jónsdóttir
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Genre: Children / Fables
ISBN: 978-1-60980-428-2
Pages: 96
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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Many children live on the blue planet. None of them age, and there are no grown-ups. There is so much to see and do there, and the children are very happy. But one day a space-ship lands on the blue planet, and the children realize there is so much more that could make them happy – if they’re willing to pay for it.

As the children are offered more excitement and fun, they become more selfish and greedy. Consumed with their own needs, they think little of the effects of their actions on themselves and others. And when those consequences are brought to their attention, they don’t even care. Finally, the good will of others breaks through their selfishness, and they begin to realize all they gave up for what they have gained. And in their remorse, they discover a unique way to solve everyone’s problems all at once.

This modern-day fairy tale is a wake-up call for both children and adults to examine the far-reaching consequences of our actions. Told as a fable, The Story of the Blue Planet is a fun read with many layers of meaning. Kids will enjoy the story while also absorbing the deeper message. I highly recommend this eye-opening book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

self improvement

Design Your Own Destiny

Bergers Book Reviews

Design Your Own Destiny
Author: Mary A. Molloy
Publisher: TRB Press
Genre: Self-help
ISBN: 978-0-9853796-7-4
Pages: 192
Price: $21.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

If you’ve decided it’s time to make your life better, you may find you need some guidance along the way. Do you know what you really want? And do you know how to get there? Mary A. Molloy has worked with numerous people, including homeless women, to get them all back on track, working toward the life of their dreams.

The first place to start is a life balance chart. What parts of your life – intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual – are you happy with? Next, it’s time to draw your dreams. The physical act of drawing releases energy that helps you reach those dreams. Once you think you know where you want to go, use the life choices assessment tool to evaluate the best options. And finally, you’ll need to create a life choice map as a step-by-step plan to get there. Quotes from the best self-help masters are included in each section as encouragement and motivation.

Molloy has had years of experience in coaching people to reach their dreams and this book grew out of her desire to help even more people. But several of the exercises in this book are printed in a repetitive way, with similar information repeated over many pages. This repetitiveness caused me to skim quite a bit. Overall, Design Your Own Destiny is a nice guide to making changes in your life, but it didn’t present any new ideas not covered already in other, similar books.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

audio book, classics

Resurrection (Naxos Audio)

Bergers Book Reviews

Resurrection
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Publisher: Naxos Audio
Genre: Classics / Audio Books
ISBN: 978-184-379-574-2
Length: 16 CDs (Total time 20:13:55)
Price: $98.98

Buy it at Amazon

Prince Dmitri Nekhludov once loved a young girl named Katusha. Many years later, he serves jury duty on a murder case. The accused is Katusha, now a prostitute, and when she is unjustly convicted, Nekhludov’s conscience can’t let the verdict rest.

Facing his own role in destroying Katusha’s life, he determines to do everything he can to free her from her sentence. And in the process, he becomes interested and involved in how the prison systems operate. Now he not only needs to protect Katusha, but he also begins to help others who have been unjustly and unfairly imprisoned.

Tolstoy’s classic, Resurrection, is a powerfully moving tale of a wealthy and privileged man facing his own inhumanity in the treatment of those who are helpless to protect themselves. In working to save Katusha, Nekhludov is also saving himself from a life of useless and vain pursuits.

Neville Jason is marvelous in conveying the drama as it unfolds, and bringing this somewhat dry tale to life. The listener has compassion for Nekhludov and Katusha, as he listens in on their life stories. Naxos Audio has created a wonderful production of Resurrection for all who enjoy listening to the classics.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Curious George (Kohl’s Cares for Kids)

Bergers Book Reviews

Curious George's First Day of School
Title: Curious George’s First Day of School
Author: Margaret Rey
Illustrator: H.A. Rey
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-544-14855-0
Pages: 24
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Buy it at Kohl’s

Curious George visits Mr. Apple’s classroom on the first day of school. But George is curious, and mixes the paints to see what interesting colors he can create. Unfortunately, he makes a big mess. How will George solve the problem?

Curious George and the Puppies
Title: Curious George and the Puppies
Author: Margaret Rey
Illustrator: H.A. Rey
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-544-14858-1
Pages: 24
Price: $5.00 at Kohl’s

Buy it at Kohl’s

George and the man in the yellow hat visit the animal shelter. George is asked not to open any of the cages, since one puppy is on the loose and no one can find him. But he’s curious about the puppies, and sets them all free. Maybe they’ll find the missing pup while they’re rounding up the others.

Curious George

Kohl’s Cares for Kids: Kohl’s sells kid-friendly cause merchandise, with 100 percent of the net profit donated to support kids’ health and education initiatives in communities nationwide. Since 2000, more than $208 million has been raised nationwide.

Shop online or visit a Kohl’s near you to purchase these great Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise items and help kids in your community.

Reviewer:  Alice Berger

children

Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite!

Bergers Book Reviews

Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite
Author: Niki Masse Schoenfeldt
Illustrator: John Wes Thomas
Publisher: Shenanigan Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-934860-13-7
Pages: 32
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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When a little girl is tucked into bed and warned not to let the bedbugs bite, she suddenly becomes wary of any bug crawling near her. So when a robed and slippered ladybug gets her attention, out comes the bug spray. She soon realizes her mistake and allows the harmless and friendly aphid eater to sleep in her bed.

Told in rhyme, Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite! is a cute tale of girl meets bug. The illustrations perfectly accompany this poem, and the little ladybug is adorable. This sweet story would make a perfect read at bedtime, as parents remind their children not to let the bedbugs bite. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger