Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell

A few months ago, my boss gave me Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell to read and insisted that I would love it. He was absolutely right. With last weekend being Memorial Day weekend, I decided it was the perfect time to pick up the book as we remembered all of the people that serve our country.

Marcus Luttrell, a decorated Navy SEAL, writes his story in two parts. The first part of the story gives a detailed explanation of the training of a Navy SEAL, which was fascinating and very eye opening. The second part of the story is about Operation Redwing, a desperate battle in the mountains of Afghanistan. Luttrell speaks of the valiant and heroic efforts of his teammates as they fought against the Taliban.

The book opens with "..my name is Marcus. And I'm writing this book because of my three buddies Mikey, Danny and Axe. If I don't write it, no one will ever understand the indomitable courage under fire of those three Americans. And that would be the biggest tragedy of all."

This book is amazing and powerful. I have always had high respect and reverence for the United States military and for all that they have sacrificed. Lone Survivor gave me a better understanding and a deeper appreciation for the men who fight so valiantly and then face consistent criticism from some of those back home that they are sacrificing their lives for.

I will give the caveat that there is strong language throughout the book. If you are not comfortable reading the book, I suggest that you at least read about Marcus Luttrell's story somewhere, it is amazing.

Covenant Hearts: Marriage and the Joy of Human Love by Bruce C. Hafen

I have slowly read Covenant Hearts: Marriage and the Joy of Human Love over the last few months. I would read a chapter here and there but didn't read it consistently. It wasn't because it wasn't a good book, but really more that it was a book that gave me so much to think about that I took it slowly and one part at a time. A few weeks ago, I picked it up again and decided it was time to finish it. The author, Bruce C. Hafen, offers an LDS perspective on marriage and human love. The book really gave me a lot of good ideas to utilize in my own marriage and gave me perspective on all relationships. I especially enjoyed the chapter on charity and I am trying to implement it more in my life. I highly recommend this book regardless of whether you are married or how long you have been married. It gave me a lot of perspective on why a marriage is not only important to the couple but to their family/children and also their community. It is a great read so check it out!

Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom

I loved Tuesdays With Morrie but didn't really love The Five People You Meet In Heaven as much so I didn't know what to expect when I picked up Mitch Albom's new book but I ended up loving it as much as I did Tuesdays With Morrie.

Have A Little Faith is a true story about Mitch Albom being asked to give the eulogy at his childhood rabbi's funeral. He was shocked because he felt unworthy because he had gradually pulled away from his faith over the years and would not be the person to eulogize such a great spiritual leader, but he agreed. He spends several years getting to know the rabbi more personally than he had when he was younger and in the process, he finds faith again. During this time, he also meets a fascinating preacher in his hometown of Detroit who changes his attitude on judging people.

The story is inspiring and I really liked it. It gives a few tidbits to add to your life and reminds you of the importance of faith.

Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman

Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman is exactly like a Hallmark movie. The book is very predictable but yet a feel good book that you smile and cry just a little as you read. Plain Pursuit is about a woman named Carley that is forced to take a vacation from work as a journalist after a car accident takes the life of her mother and seriously injures her. Her editor felt like her writing was suffering and the only solution was to force her into vacation. Carley decides to take the time to visit her best friend that had recently converted to the Amish faith and lifestyle and was living in Amish country, Pennsylvania.

When she arrives in Pennsylvania, she is almost immediately thrown into the middle of a crisis. She finds a great deal of peace with the simplicity of the Amish life and begins to find herself that she had lost when her world crashed down after the accident.

The story is touching and very Hallmark. If you like Hallmark movies (which, I will admit, I totally do) then you will probably like this very quick read.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a novel set in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s, in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. The story is about three women, two black women who are the hired help that raise white babies but are not trusted to polish silver or touch valuables and a white woman that begins to realize that changes need to be made in Jackson. The story is eye opening and incredibly inspiring. This book truly deserves the rave reviews that I have heard from many different people.

I really can't do a synopsis justice, the book is just so amazing and I can't seem to paraphrase it. I will just say to all of you, READ IT!

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli & Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

As part of this goal, I picked up Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli to fulfill the youth fiction category. It is a book about a high school in Arizona. There is a girl that has been home schooled her entire life but then decides to go to a public school. She is incredibly different and everyone thinks she is completely crazy. She doesn't care what people think about her and she continues to do whatever she wants. Slowly, people begin to recognize the beauty of her being different. One of my favorite lines in the books is, "It is a rebellion she led, a rebellion for rather than against."

It is a fabulous book and I highly recommend it!

After I finished Stargirl, I also read the sequel Love, Stargirl that continues the story. I didn't love the sequel as much as the first book, but I did still enjoy it. Go read at least Stargirl!!

Fearless by Max Lucado

I just read Fearless by Max Lucado and I have to admit, I really didn't like it. I have heard so many rave reviews of Max Lucado's books so I decided to give one a try and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I felt like the thoughts were too scattered and the book lacked the depth that I expected. I did like the overall theme of not allowing fear to overtake your life, but I personally did not feel like the chapters flowed together nor that the ideas came together.

I have heard that some people have absolutely loved the book so if you have enjoyed Max Lucado books in the past, give it a try. But, as my opinion, I read better books over my holidays!

Lift: Becoming a Positive Force in Any Situation

This book, written by Robert E. Quinn (the dad) and Ryan W. Quinn (the son), has become a serious source of inspiration in our family.

Essentially, the book suggests a process to follow that allows you to be more aware of how your actions are either lifting others or bringing them down. Because there is so much technicality to the novel, and lots of step-by-step instructions, I won't try to summarize, but I would SURELY recommend this to anyone who is a parent or employer, or who has influence in any realm of their life.

This would be a great read for the New Year, as it has helped our family to be more conscious of how our actions are helping or hindering others.