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Showing posts with label nonfiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nonfiction. Show all posts

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sunday Spotlight: Finding God in the Garden by Brent & Wendy Top


Title: Finding God in the Garden - Planting, Pruning, and the Plan of Happiness
Authors: Brent & Wendy Top
Publisher: Deseret Book (May 2010)
Softcover; 125 pages
Genre: Religious Non-Fiction
ISBN# 978-1-60641-230-5






For most areas of the country, the fall harvest is drawing to a close and we are enjoying the bounty of fruits and vegetables that are available.

I am not a gardener by any means. As soon as spring even hints that it's coming, my good gardening intentions come alive and I'm planning, planning, planning. Every year, though, nothing much comes of it. I'm just too intimidated by all that I don't know.

Even though I am pretty ignorant about gardening, it was easy to understanding the comparisons in Finding God in the Garden.

The beautiful photos were first to grab my attention, most of which were taken in the authors' own gardens. Colorful flowers in full bloom, fall leaves in orange and red, winter snow on berries and delicious-looking vegetables decorate nearly every page.

The contents of Finding God in the Garden are broken down into sections:
  • Spring-Cleaning
  • The Warmth of the Sun
  • The Eternal Process of Creation
  • "After It's Kind"
  • Light and Life
  • Bloom Where You Are Planted
  • Weed Whacking
  • Don't Spray Roundup on Your Tomatoes
  • Infinite in Variety, Unified in Purpose
  • A Wise and Loving Gardener
  • New Growth
  • Too Much of a Good Thing
  • Perennials
  • Patience and Impatiens
  • The Abundant Harvest
  • The Tree of Life
  • The Best-Laid Plants
  • The Promise of Spring
Two of my favorite sections were "A Wise and Loving Gardener" and "Patience and Impatiens." A quote from the latter follows:
"One of the best ways that we can cultivate patience is to more keenly observe and appreciate progress and direction rather than obsess about how far away we are from our eternal destination." - page 91
Though the gardening season is coming to a close and the rest of winter is just around the corner, there is still much to be appreciated in Finding God in the Garden. After all, Christmas is coming and this book would make an excellent gift.

And spring will be here again before we know it.


Rating: 3.5 stars/5

The content was nice, beautiful photos, quick read in one day or bit by bit in sections.


FTC FYI: received a review copy that did not affect my review.


Wednesday, January 6, 2010

I Hate It When Exercise is the Answer by Emily Watts



Hi Friends!


Hillary here! I am excited to have Wednesdays to review what I have been reading. Some weeks it's quite possible that all you will see is a smiley face :) some weeks you may see a gianormous (sp?, wait- word?) review. Either way, I will do everything I can to make sure I post. And maybe, just maybe I might eventually create my own blog to attach to this one too. You just can't have enough of me! Well, yes you can. ANYWAY, not the point!


The point is, I have just finished reading Emily Watts' new book, "I Hate It When Exercise Is The Answer." As a non-fiction junkie I would have to say this is a very good book. Emily writes short, informative, yet entertaining chapters that really make you think, with the "exercise" being at the end of the chapter. I love how she ties exercise in to be more of the non-sweaty kind. I thought it was very clever and well done. I must admit though, I am a fan of the sweaty kind of exercise, and I was curious to see if she had written an exercise book :) The irony in my life, is that I love to exercise, yet can't EVER remember how to spell it. I had to double check for this post :)


One of my favorite chapters was an "exercise in perspective". I loved how she said a way to look at challenges: "Is this really as bad as it seems? Chances are, this challenge isn't really as big as it feels. It's just closer to my heart right now." She followed up with hymn #115 which in part states "Earth has no sorrow that Heav'n cannot heal." I love that. It gives such comfort.


In all there are 31 "exercises". You can read them one at a time, a day or two at a time, or read it all in one setting. It's a quick, enjoyable read! I think Emily did a fantastic job and I am really a big fan! Thanks!


FTC FYI: LDSWBR received a free review copy of I Hate It When Exercise is the Answer by Emily Watts courtesy of Deseret Book.