"Paws from Heaven: True Stories of God's Amazing Animal Angels"

Paws from Heaven:  True Stories of God's Amazing Animal Angels contains short stories about cats the first half of the book, and short stories about dogs the second half of the book.  I used two bookmarks and alternated between the cat and dog stories.  These are very short so a good book for waiting at the doctor's office or for short waiting times at home.  I enjoyed them but it took me a long time to get through it.  It's definitely a relaxing read.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"Unlocking the Animal World: Incredible Facts and How Kids Can Be Superheroes for Animals by Ingrid Newkirk

Unlocking The Animal World by Ingrid Newkirk is a short fun read about all kinds of animal facts and how kids can help animals.  The author makes many comparisons between animals and humans.  It's a whole collection of many interesting animal facts.  I think any animal lover would enjoy this short book that shows our God's great creativity throughout the animal world.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"Hope Restored" by Jonathan and Jennifer Barratt

Hope Restored by Jonathan and Jennifer Barratt is a collection of short true stories of different women or children who have been rescued from abuse and sexual slavery by Project Rescue workers.  This booklet was very enlightening for me. It tells about giving people hope and a new direction for their lives through the power of God.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)  

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"The Boys of Riverside" by Thomas Fuller

The Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller is about a deaf football team from California.  I enjoyed getting to know the players and the coaches who are also deaf.  I learned a lot about what it means to be deaf, but there is plenty of football too.  This is a good read for football season!  (Gerard's review, 4 stars)

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"My Side of the River" by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez is an interesting memoir about a young Mexican girl born to hard-working immigrants in the U.S.  Her mother saw to it she got a good education in the U.S. and told her she had to be the best.  She was at the top of her class through school even though she was homeless and separated from her parents when they couldn't get their Visa renewed.  I thought this book was quite interesting as her life was so different from mine.  It shows how hard it is for the immigrants.  She had quite a journey to say the least!  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review, 3/6/24:
My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez tells the true story of a young Mexican girl, Elizabeth.  Her parents tell her how important an education is; unfortunately, when her parents get deported, she will have to take care of her younger brother and find a place to live.  I thought this book was very good.  I found myself cheering for Elizabeth as she tried to do the best for her and her brother.  What a story!  (5 stars)

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"5 Things to Pray for Your Church" by Rachel Jones

5 Things to Pray for Your Church by Rachel Jones is a handy little book The Church at West Creek gave to its congregation for Christmas.  I pretty much read it all through in one sitting, but it is more of a reference book to be used daily.  There are 21 general themes with five specific things to pray about for each that are based on passages of scripture.  What a great little booklet with which to start off the New Year.  I look forward to using this with my husband when we pray together and also seeing how our church becomes even better as a result of the whole congregation using this book to help increase the prayers for our church.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

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"So Help Me, God" by Mike Pence

So Help Me, God by Mike Pence is his autobiography up through his time as Vice President of the United States.  I am not big on politics, but was interested to read this to get some insight into the job of Vice President, as well as to see how he worked with President Donald Trump.  I found his personal background quite interesting, but all the things he dealt with while serving as Vice President became quite lengthy and at times boring.  I skipped over some parts that held little interest for me; however, I did find the things he accomplished quite interesting.  I especially liked the part at the end dealing with the riot at the Capitol over the results of the controversial election.  He also showed how his faith in Jesus guided his actions and choices.  Each chapter highlighted a verse of scripture.  After reading this book, I am convinced that Mike Pence would be a good president.  I think anyone who is interested in politics would find this book interesting.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read" by Christopher Ash

The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read by Christopher Ash is a quick read about how to be an encouragement to your pastor.  The main point is to remember that your pastor is human, not perfect.  I thought it was okay and that it gave some interesting insights.  I liked that it was short and went quick!  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"What An Owl Knows" by Jennifer Ackerman

What An Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman is a true story about owls.  I learned a lot about owls reading this book and bet you would learn a lot too.  Here are just a few of the interesting facts I learned:

1. Keeping an owl as a pet is against the law in the U.S.
2. Owls sometimes attack people.
3. An owl can kill and eat a baby fawn.  

I enjoyed this book because I found it interesting.  It was fun to read how people can interact with owls.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Before and After" by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate

Before and After by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate is the sequel to Before We Were Yours.  From 1920 to 1950 Georgia Tann ran a black market baby business at the Tennessee Children's Home Society in Memphis.  This book tells the true stories of some of those people who want to have a reunion of sorts and get connected to their real birth parents and siblings.  The stories these people tell are heart breaking and very interesting.  If you read Before We Were Yours, you have to read this one as well!  It is so good and full of hope!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"Paws from Heaven--True Stories of God's Amazing Animal Angels" (Guidepost Contributors)

Paws from Heaven is a collection of short stories about cats and dogs that do remarkable things to help us through life.  All the stories are really good and if you have a pet, you will sometimes see yourself in them.  If you do not have a pet, you will want one after you finish this book!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"The Speckled Beauty...A Dog and His People" by Rick Bragg

The speckled Beauty...a Dog and His People by Rick Bragg is the true story about the heartwarming relationship between Rick and his dog.  When Rick comes across a dog that is barely alive, he does what he can for him and then takes it to the vet.  In time the dog gets better and he is a handful to take care of.  No matter how many things the dog destroys and gets loose, Rick will not give up on him regardless of what his brother and mother say.  If you have a dog or simply just like dogs, you will enjoy this book which contains lots of funny stories that Rick tells very well.  I loved it, especially since the dog does not die!  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

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"The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional"

The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional contains 365 inspiring ideas to reveal, give, and find God's love written by three women:  Julie Fisk, Kendra Roehl and Kristin Demery.  I enjoyed this book very much for several reasons.  Each devotional is just one page so it didn't take much time to read so was easy to keep up doing.  I also liked the different examples each author shared from their personal lives showing a specific kind act.  Each devotional had a verse to go with it as well as an action step to take.  This was a very practical devotional book focusing on being kind to others.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"No Ordinary Dog" by Will Chesney, U.S. Navy Seal

No Ordinary Dog by Will Chesney tells the true story of Will, a Navy Seal and his dog, Cairo.  When I first decided to read this book, my plan was to just skim the first part to get to the dog part of it, but I ended up reading every word because the writing was so good and it was so interesting!  I liked how the author shared his personal feelings about what he went through trying to become a Navy Seal and how he wound up being a dog handler for the Seals.  Cairo was the dog Will was matched with and what a great dog Cairo was!  It was exciting to read about the battles they fought together, especially the one where Bin Laden was finally killed.  I enjoyed reading about Will and Cairo's wonderful relationship and of course cried at the end when Cairo had cancer and had to be put down.  I just brought back the memory of when we had to let Abby go and how we were so selfish, letting her be in such pain for so long.  I also felt bad for Will who suffered injuries and had to wait for so long to get a medical retirement.  This is a book I won't soon forget!  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Gerard's review March 25, 2022:
No Ordinary Dog by Will Chesney tells the true story of Will, a Navy Seal and his dog, Cairo.  What a great read!  The first part tells how Will became a Seal and soon after he was matched up with Cairo, a very special dog!  What they have the dogs trained to do is amazing!  It makes me glad to know these people and their dogs are defending us.  (5+ stars)

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"Funny Farm--Life with 600 Rescue Animals" by Laurie Zaleski

Funny Farm by Lauri Zaleski is the true story of her childhood and her mom who had a love for animals.  Throughout the book we learn about some of the animals she had on her farm.  I really enjoyed reading this one very much.  What a story Laurie tells so well.  If you are looking for a "feel good" story, this is it!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Here is a funny video of animals at Funny Farm (guaranteed to make you laugh!):

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"Coach K--The Rise and Reign of Mike Krzyzewski" by Ian O'Connor

I thought Coach K by Ian O'Connor is really good because it includes lots of inside stuff about Coach K and the players who played for him.  I think anyone who likes college basketball would enjoy this book.  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"It's Better to Be Feared" by Seth Wickersham (Patriots Dynasty)

It's Better to Be Feared by Seth Wickersham covers the 20-year run of the Patriots dynasty.  I really enjoyed this book!  It brought back so many great games and so many great players that made it all happen with lots of inside insights as well.  If you are a Patriots fan, this is a must read.  If you're not a fan, then you wouldn't want to read this book anyway.  (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

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"City of Champions" by Hank Gola

I was not surprised that I enjoyed City of Champions by Hank Gola because it is a true story that I knew little or nothing about.  It is about a high school world championship football game in 1939.  Who knew?  Not me!  I liked reading about both teams and the coaches.  It shares good insights into both teams.  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"The Answer Is . . ." by Alex Trebek

The Answer Is . . . by Alex Trebek is a collection of his personal reflections on his life.  The chapters are very short so it's a book you can easily read during short periods of free time.  I learned a lot about him that I didn't know before as well as some things about the show Jeopardy!.  I liked it because I was interested in learning more about Alex Trebek.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"The Ride of Her Life" by Elizabeth Letts

The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts is a true story that is amazing!  Annie is 65 years old.  The doctor told her she had two years to live.  She had no family left, no money and just lost her farm.  The one thing she did have was a will to see the Pacific ocean.  She lived in Maine so how would that even be possible?  Annie, her dog and an old horse set out across the country on foot.

I enjoyed this story very much.  I liked Annie, her horse and her dog very much!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)  

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