Stained Glass Hearts by Patsy Clairmont is a quick read. I could have finished it in one sitting but it’s one of those books that you need to read in small doses so you can reflect on her writing. Clairmont’s chapters are stories of her life. The end of the chapter gives you some art examples and often a prayer, poem or music that she feels goes along with the theme of that particular chapter.

            Starting out I was mildly amused by her life stories. She’s had some difficulties to overcome and she writes well of these. After awhile I wasn’t so interested in these stories anymore because this isn’t an autobiography but supposedly a book on how God helps mend struggling hearts. I got very distracted by her chapter on Poetry. It seemed out of place among the chapters of her life stories.

            I realize that Clairmont tries to use music, poetry, prayer, books,art and puzzles to carry the theme of “hearts” throughout her book. While I enjoyed many of the prayers she listed, I didn’t find the others very meaningful. I kept wishing she would have had some practical advice  or revelations to share with us about “how to see our lives in a new light” as her book jacket tease suggests.

            I would recommend this book if you just want to read some entertaining stories of the author’s life. If however, you are looking for more of a self-help book or book with some answers, I’d say pass.

Booksneeze has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book to review, all opinions are my own.

Latest Book Review

Save Your Marriage in Five Minutes a Day by Bonnie Jacobson and Alexia Paul is a book about strategies to improve your marriage.  The authors say that “a happy marriage is closer than you think!”Throughout the book the authors remind us that we cannot depend on others for our happiness.  

The book feels like it was written to help anyone struggling with their marriage. While the ideas in the book would certainly help a marriage in trouble, they are also pertinent for a healthy marriage. Dr. Bonnie Jacobson does say in her introduction that these strategies will help a marriage that is floundering or flourishing.

The chapters are short and to the point. You can easily read a chapter, put the book down and reflect on that particular strategy.  Then pick up the book  at a later time and read another chapter. A lot of the strategies are just using common sense but I feel it’s good to be reminded of that.

The content of the chapters is generally inspiring. However, the accompanying stories about (true?) couples I found to be rather corny. I think the strategies would seem more creditable without the stories. I also feel that if you are paying attention as you are reading the chapter, the summary is not necessary. At the end of each chapter is a list of the Five Minute Strategies to try out. Most of them would be easy for the person reading the book to follow. Some would require your partner to read and participate.

                I would recommend this book for anyone wanting ideas to strengthen a marriage. I’m not sure how helpful this book would be for someone in a struggling relationship .

(I was given this book to review by HarperCollins Christian Publishing. All opinions are my own.)

Book Review:  The Power Based Life

"Do you know what you were born for?" This is the question that Mike Flynt says we need to answer in order to discover who God created us to be and then to discover the work we were meant to do.

While I think this is a good question for anyone to try to figure out, I don’t think Flynt’s book will be very instrumental in helping to do that. He starts out by telling his own life story. He was a tightly-wound young man ready to fist fight anyone and everyone. Consequently, he lost his college scholarship and wasn’t able to play football his senior year. He went on to hold various jobs until he was lucky enough to make a connection that got him his “dream job” of being an athletic trainer.

The story of his fighting days is told over and over in the book. It was interesting the first time he told it but did little to keep me interested in subsequent chapters. Along the way Flynt also throws in a few references to biblical stories and passages. They don't always seem to connect with the particular strategy he was discussing.

The book just did not hold my attention. I felt that it didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. I feel there are much better books by other authors that will get you more inspired to make life changes.

Please note that Thomas Nelson Publishing has provided me a complimentary copy of this book for my review; however, the opinions are my own. I have not been required to publish a positive review.

(I was given this book to review by HarperCollins Christian Publishing. All opinions are my own.)