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The Vintage Tea Party Book - Angel Adoree
by estherw
I loved this book! As a regular dinner party host, it was great to get some new ideas. The writing style is amusing without being glib, and there are lots of really useful bits of information to be found here.
The book includes lots of useful tips on creating a personal vintage style, such as 1940s hair, make up and ... dress. There are step-by-step instructions on creating a hair set and attaching false eyelashes, and a section on dapper dressing for the men.
Every aspect of a tea party is covered, from table dressing ideas to room props, games and craft activities. Some of the ideas are rather fiddly and definately not possible unless you have lots of time and money to invest, but would be great if you're looking for alternative hen party ideas or you are into handicrafts and already have a box full of feathers and sequins.
The recipes are unusual without being wierd - rose petal sandwiches being a good example They are divided according to what time of day your tea party is, starting with breakfast and going right through to an evening soiree.
A lovely book to give as a gift to a vintage-loving friend.
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Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
by shuvozofudge
In my view Twilight is an extremely good and imaginative story, there may have been negative views about the films but the book is a must read and cannot be receptive to the films judgement.
The storyline is very basic yet obviously there is a strange twist, Edward and Bella are the strangest yet most perfect couple, a human ... and a vampire.
With the odd werewolf best friend thrown in, for added mystery and intrigue, this story is a supernatural romance perfect for any ages.
Set in a small town, readers are instantly drawn in and included in all the action and romance.
Bella at first is an outcast among her 'friends' which helps us create a rapport with her and Edward is a mysterious and seemingly dreamy vampire which makes us fall in love with him instantly.
Adding in evil, a family of vampires and a tribe of werewolves this is a supernatural readers must have, an all round brilliant book, with a continued 3 stories for anyone wanting more!
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Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back - Todd Burpo
by mattconnect
I have just finished reading this book called 'Heaven is for Real' which tells of the remarkable story of four year old Colter Burpo's near death experience and his encounters with Jesus in Heaven.
Written by his father Todd, who is a pastor, the book is a personal and heartfelt recollection of the conversations he's had with ... his son and all his revelations split into easy to read chapters, each talking of a different theological point.
What Colter was able to describe included what his parents were doing whilst he was in surgery under anaesthesia; he claims he was able to leave his body and in Heaven, met with Jesus, family members he had never met or heard of, vivid descriptions of Heaven and supernatural sightings that reveal the character of God.
With relevant scripture passages quoted to make it easy for us to compare Colter's comments with scripture, there is compounding evidence that something miraculous has happened. Whilst not all scripture fits perfectly, it is difficult to believe a four year old could recall so much biblically sound imagery with such conviction.
The book does not mention any inaccuracies Colton may have possibly relayed. We don't and won't know everything that comes out of his mouth. Has the book just taken everything that made sense and left everything that didn't fit out? And as the book is written from the child's father's point of view, will it be a bit warped? Plus it was written quite a few years after the events and conversations had happened.
That said, Todd claims to not have steered his son into any obvious answers and only asked open ended questions. And what good would that have done? Todd too wants the truth, not the fantasies or imaginations of a four year old.
Whilst we should take everything we read with a pinch of salt, the events that had occurred and this book could not be explained in any other way than if it had truly happened. Of course, there will be people who will pick holes in the book for eternity but that is not the point.
'Heaven is for Real' has clearly affected not only the Burpo family, their community but also readers of this book. Regardless of your belief or lack thereof, this book will definitely make you think of the existence of an afterlife and what that would look like.
~~~Personal Reflection~~~
Despite being a Christian for almost ten years now, I still struggle with the death of my dad. Why did he die and why is my walk with God suffering because of it? I know God exists and I believe my dad is in Heaven with him but isn't my faith supposed to grow because of it?
Having read this book, I am reminded that we should trust God's greater plan and that however much we complain or grumble, God listens and answers our prayers.
I think one of the things that hit me most is if everyone could see the spiritual world, there would be no need for faith. If we could see Jesus, what would we say. How would we try and justify our neglect, our laziness, our sin? Which is why when Colter tells his dad that 'God is huge and he loves us SOOO much'- that really hit me.
Of the many many things I struggle with as a Christian, I sometimes feel unworthy to be loved by God and whilst I know he loves me, I still take advantage his saving grace to fall back into the hole and it goes on and on and on...
And to think that my father, in Heaven, could see or knows what is happening on Earth right now with me, feels exposing. What would he think of me when I'm in sin? Or when I make a bad choice in life?
There is so much we don't know about God and Heaven and life after death. Even if there are inaccuracies in this book, details left out, things unexplained... but one thing that I have been strengthened by after reading this book is my faith that God exists and that Heaven is for real, whatever that may look like.
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