All The Light We Cannot See

This is an amazing book.  It is a very large book, over 500 pages but don't let that deter you, it is well worth the read.  The book is about a blind girl who lives with her father in Paris.  Her father works at the Museum of Natural History.  When the Nazis occupy Paris, Marie-Laurie and her father flee to stay with her reclusive Uncle.  They carry with them what might be the Museum's most precious jewel.  Meanwhile, an orphan named Werner is recruited to an academy for Hitler Youth.  He is very good at mathmatics and fixing things.  His abilities take him into the heart of the war and here he realizes the cost of where his life has taken him.  It is here that he has a brief and unexpected encounter with Marie-Laurie.  They are both trying to survive the awful war.  Their chance meeting will set the course for the rest of their lives.  This book is well written, mixing history with a bit of whimsy.  It keeps you turning pages and hoping for survival.  I highly recommend reading this book.  

One Thousand Gifts

"One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp

The author writes in a very different way, almost like poetry.  The book is about how the author started making a list of 1,000 things that she was grateful for and found joy through this.  She was able to find joy in the simplest things throughout her day and even joy in the hardships.  It is a book about learning that joy and greatefulness take action and those actions can change a heart.  Choosing to be grateful takes giving up control and trusting that we have a God who will take care of us no matter the situation.  Being thankful is the building blocks to the bridges of trust as we look back and see all that God has done for us and blessed us with.  Writing our blessings down, the little things that we are grateful for every day helps us become more aware of them and how blessed we truly are.  

What's Your God Language

"What's Your God Language" by Dr. Myra Perrine

This is a great book to figure out how you best communitcate and feel closest to God.  If you are feeling frustrated because early morning quiet times are not working for you this might open your eyes to other forms of connecting with God.  This book gives the nine main ways that people find connection with God.  The book has a few quizzes to help you figure out where and how you feel closest to God.  It gave me a new perspective, helped me feel less frustrated, and gave me new respect for others who do not connect like I do.  God created us all different so why wouldn't there be different ways to connect with Him?