Review: Consider the Blessings by Thomas S. Monson

Consider the Blessings: True Accounts of God's Hand in our Lives by Thomas S. Monson, NF -Religion, 2013, 160p, Rating: 5
Source: hardcover copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

If you ask people what they love most about President Thomas S. Monson’s teaching style, chances are they’ll say something about the personal experiences he relates. The accounts President Monson shares are always true, taken from his own life or the real lives of other people. Those warm, memorable accounts have truly become a hallmark of his messages.
Who can forget the woman who saved one of the two sticks of gum Elder Monson passed out to youth in postwar Germany? Or the neighbor who returned a box of baseballs to young Tommy as a thank-you for his kindness to her? Or the father who declined to attend a “Mormon” meeting with his family but had his heart softened by a message he heard on a radio that was actually broken?
In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of his call as an Apostle, Consider the Blessings presents fifty of the true accounts President Thomas S. Monson has shared over the years. With beautiful photographs and heart-touching content, this is a book to treasure with the whole family.

This is an absolutely exquisite book.  The attention to detail in the art and design (embossed book cover writings, photograph images, glossy paper, font, etc.) was impeccable.  Each of the fifty stories had its proper serenity in the pages.  Accordingly, the content was its greatest masterpiece.  The book really did show affirmations of God's hand in our lives which to me clearly shouted that there is a loving God.  The events addressed were not coincidences as one might argue but examples of quite miracles happening in our time.  Oh, how my heart rejoiced.

This is definitely a tried and tested family book.  I read three to four stories each night to my children at bedtime for nearly two weeks.  I often found myself struggling in reading because I was dissolved in tears.  The stories were that piercing.  There's just nothing like knowing the love of God for us through the kindness that people show for each other.  It's certainly a testament to me that life is meaningful.

Feed your heart and soul.  Read this book.

Filipino Friday: The Pinoy Book Drop

Thursday in the U.S. but Friday in the Philippines

(Go HERE to join the fun!)

This week we were asked to do a book drop, The Pinoy Book Drop.  I had so much fun doing this!  I certainly will do this again!!

Find the complete instructions HERE but here's my condense version:
1. Pick a book (or two, or three, or yes, four!) that you wish to give away.
2. Paste or stick a bookplate.
3. Take a photo, noting the date, time, and place where you left each one.
4. Tweet or Facebook your book drop using hastags #pbdrop and #filreadercon and tag Filipino ReaderCon @FilReaderCon.

I dropped off three books this morning.  Hope the new owners enjoy the treat. :)

Book #1, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Dropped at a nearby windy road that the locals go to walk/jog/run/bike.

Book #2, Vision in White by Nora Roberts.  Dropped at a nearby convalescent home.

Book #3, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.  Dropped at a nearby park.

I made my own bookplate that I printed on a blank address label. It read (adjusted font & size to fit):

I'm not really lost. I'm just looking for a
new owner. Will you be mine?

Brought to you by a participant in The Filipino Book
Drop. http://filipinoreadercon.worpress.com
#PinoyReaderCon #filreadercon #pbdrop

Oops! Should have been an "@" not "#" on the PinoyReaderCon. Oh well.

Update, 10/25/13: Yikes, I missed the most current instructions (I went by the initial drop instructions I linked above)!

Here’s the topic question:
"First, kindly detail all the books that you have dropped, and where and when you dropped them.– Next: tell us all about your experience. How did you feel before and after you dropped the books? How did you choose the places where you dropped them? Did you check back and see if the books were still there? Do you have any idea who might have found them?"

My Answer:
I was late in the game for this week’s topic because I don’t check my FB or Twitter often so I missed the instructions. I finally found it on Wednesday night so I brainstormed a plan that night and made it happen the following morning. Before the drops I thought that the project was a great idea but when it came to taking pictures of the drops, well, that was dicey (especially the convalescent drop)! I had to work quickly, timing them when no one was around. Of course, before I knew it someone was coming. I took the pictures, all the time thinking they’re going to think I’ve dropped off a bomb, I’m on a surveillance camera, and SWAT is on its way!! But after the drops I felt excited and happy. I haven’t gotten the chance to check back on the books (maybe later today) so I have no clue who ended up with them.

About the books/purchase:
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WoW: The First Phone Call from Heaven

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's what I'm eagerly anticipating ...


Publication Date: November 12, 2013

The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out. An allegory about the power of belief—and a page-turner that will touch your soul—Albom's masterful storytelling has never been so moving and unexpected.
Readers of The Five People You Meet in Heaven will recognize the warmth and emotion so redolent of Albom's writing, and those who haven't yet enjoyed the power of his storytelling, will thrill at the discovery of one of the best-loved writers of our time.

...but I'm frugal queen so this will actually go to my wish list.  Crossing my fingers that it'll be in my local library to check out. :)

Pre-order here:

Teaser Tuesdays: Rocky Road by Josi S. Kilpack

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB @Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along. Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Just started this book. I haven't the faintest idea what's going on in the quote below but now I'm curious to get there!!

"Tess turned in her seat to say hi to someone in the row behind them.  Sadie focused on the portrait that stood in place of the coffin or urn." (32% / (1208) on my Kindle)

THE ST. GEORGE SPECTRUM
Dr. Trenton Hendricks was last seen Friday, April 8, when he set out alone on a backpacking trip. Hendricks's Jeep Grand Cherokee was located Tuesday at the Chuckwalla Trailhead, but after six days and thousands of man-hours, the official search has been called off. He is presumed to be deceased.
It was supposed to be a girls' weekend in scenic St. George, Utah, that would included shopping, trying out the local cuisine, and participating in a breast cancer fund-raiser. The fact that one of the organizers of the fund-raising event, a local doctor, had disappeared two months before was not supposed to be Sadie's problem.
When Sadie learns that her friend Caro and Caro's cousin, Tess, have started a grassroots investigation into Dr. Hendrick's disappearance, Sadie graciously refuses to be a part of it. With her wedding to plan and her most recent case still fresh in her mind, Sadie is determined to leave this case to the police—until she meets the ex-wife of the missing man.
How could she not ask a few questions ... that lead to more questions ... that lead to a small town and even more questions? When the local police ask her to be their eyes and ears, Sadie can't help but jump in with both feet. Before she knows it, she is on the rocky road of another investigation, following a convoluted trail of good intentions, hidden motivations, and philanthropy turned big business.

Book Loot Giddy: 10/8/13 - 10/21/13

Yeah, I got a little freebie happy! ;)

*Click on book images to direct you to Amazon detail/purchase*

Kindle Freebies (at time of purchase):

Smashwords Freebie (at time of purchase):

For Review:


Gifted to me:
Death of the Mad Hatter by Sarah J. Pepper