Recent reads 6/5/15.

Here are some of the books I've enjoyed lately:

1. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala. I had heard two recommendations that this book was really good, but to be honest, for some reason I thought it looked boring. I wasn't too excited to start it, but thankfully I was proven wrong. I really enjoyed this book. It's written by the pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, and it's filled with amazing stories of how God is moving and working in their church. I also really liked how much he emphasized prayer as an important cornerstone of their church. Yes, obviously prayer is important, but far too often we (as individuals and as churches) don't do it enough! It was a great read.

2. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. I'm not sure why I read this book, since I didn't really enjoy the last book I read of hers. Thankfully, this one I enjoyed more than the last, but it still wasn't my favorite. There's something about the "#1 New York Times Best-selling author" that makes me want to read it. It's a very secular book- that the word I keep thinking of. Not that reading a book that isn't Christian is bad, but it just wasn't uplifting for me. Yes, it's well written and interesting, and I'm sure tons of people like it (hence why it's on the best-seller list), but I just didn't love it. It's about a kindergarten class in Australia and one of the parents ends up being killed at a parent's night, and it's all about the lead up to that. Each chapter goes back and forth being told by different characters.

3. Yes Please by Amy Poehler. No offense to Amy Poehler, but I was disappointed by this book. I thought it would be a light, enjoyable, comedic read when I started. And yes, it did have those elements. I enjoy reading funny things and I also enjoy reading about other people's lives. There's something great about just hearing other people's stories that they deem important enough to share in their books.

While I enjoyed hearing about her life- stories, career, and her boys- I didn't like it because it was filled with language. I don't like fowl language and it bothers me a lot. There are definitely ways to be funny without cussing. I also just don't agree with a lot of her life advice, specifically with sex and drugs. She made a lot of sex comments that I didn't appreciate. Our views on life are very different. (I could go on about that, but I won't.)