To You, Love God, by Will Bowen

This book is exactly what it sounds like. It's a collection of letters that are written from the point of view of God, to you. Of course they are actually written by a man. Will Bowen, a minister and evangelist, to be specific. However, he states how, ministering to his congregation has led him to believe that what many people need to get through the week is a "spiritual infusion" and that he found writing these to his congregation in the form of letters to people from God, gave many people just this.
This book contains many beautiful letters. While I knew that God didn't write these with His own hand, I could imagine Him saying them. It offers some very simple truths, such as how much God loves us and how love can solve most of the worlds problems (if only enough people did love others). How we need to go through life with our eyes open, paying attention to our lives and those of others. How, sometimes, we need to let go of things of the past to move forward. While reading the Bible is great, sometimes the message gets lost in archaic wording or style of writing. When this happens, it can be frustrating and one often finds it difficult to know what God is trying to tell one. This book puts some of God's most important messages into words and a form that is easy for people of the modern world to understand.
However, there are also many things that I disagree with and that clearly go against what the Bible teaches. One letter says that we are perfect. Some others give the impression that any road we go down is just and that God will answer our prayers for whatever we want to do with our lives. However, the Bible demonstrates time and again that humans are not perfect and that, sometimes, our desires are not what God has planned for us. God won't answer prayers that aren't according to His will. Another letter claims that it is impossible for us to do what we know is wrong. While it is true that sometimes it is hard to determine right from wrong and sometimes we believe one thing is right when it is actually wrong, there are people who know right from wrong and constantly do wrong anyway. Sometimes people just do this once in a while. However, it is very possible and the idea that it is impossible is nowhere in the Bible. At one point, the book says that there we know that there is no such thing as right or wrong and that there are only different ways of looking at things. I can understand how some things might not be wrong depending on cultural beliefs or situations. However, I do believe that some things, such as murder, rape, child abuse, etc., are always wrong. Furthermore, the Bible clearly states that wrong does exist.
Given that this book is written from God's point of view, I think that there should have been more cross-checking with God's word. After all, if this book were really inspired by God, it wouldn't contradict God's other book. I feel like most of the letters were written in a way that would not hurt anyone's feelings and would make everyone feel good about themselves. There's nothing wrong with a boost in self-esteem, as long as it's warranted. The idea that we are perfect, divine, and all-powerful frequently comes up. Well, no one is perfect. We all have things we can work on. No human being is divine and humans have their limits. That's not to say we should feel horrible and powerless, but neither should we pretend we are the above things. The Bible clearly states that we can do great things with God's help, that God loves us despite our faults, and that everyone can improve and have different gifts. A simple message of, "If you messed up, try again. Eventually, you will succeed." or, "If you've done wrong, apologize and strive to do better. It's not the end of the world." would be more realistic and Biblically correct, while still encouraging people. I feel this book was written with good intentions and that those intentions shine through in the letters mentioned earlier, but it has a lot of faults. Overall rating, 2.5 out of 5.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the Blogging For Books program in exchange for an honest review.

Mary Poppins, By P.L. Travers

Those familiar with only the movie will be surprised at some things they find in the book, Mary Poppins. The Banks Family of 17 Cherry Tree Lane are in a bit of bind. Their nanny, Katie Nanna, has quit without warning, leaving the four (not two) Banks children, Jane, Michael, John, and Barbara, without a...well, nanny! However, an east wind is blowing and, before Mrs. Banks can even put out an advertisement, it brings a new nanny. Mary Poppins is like no one the Banks family has ever met before. She seems to be able to do anything she wants, no matter what. Magic seems to follow wherever she goes and, despite her stern demeanor, the children find that they can not imagine life without their new nanny. The elder two children, Jane and Michael, have quite a few adventures. She takes them to see her Uncle Albert, who floats whenever he's cheery and his birthday falls on a Friday. Mary Poppins uses a magic compass to take the children around the world to meet different animals. The children meet Mrs. Corry and her two daughters, Fannie and Annie. The old woman is old enough to remember William the Conqueror, has edible fingers, and hangs gingerbread stars in the sky. Jane and Michael go to a birthday party at the zoo, where animals can talk and humans are locked in cages for the night. The two babies, John and Barbara, are often just brought along for the ride, and don't have too many adventures themselves. However, one must not imagine their lives are boring. Being babies, they speak the language of birds, which, among humans, only babies and Mary Poppins can understand. Eventually, though, the wind changes, and Mary Poppins leaves the Banks household. However, she does so with a promise to return.
This book is...different. There isn't exactly a plot to the book. Rather, it's a series of adventures that Mary Poppins and the children have. It can be a bit disconcerting but, after a bit, one gets used to it and I rather like it.
Mary Poppins is a fascinating character. She seems to know people (and creatures) from all eras and all worlds. She seems immortal and, yet, there is reference to her birth. The reader never quite finds out who (or what) Mary Poppins is. In addition, there is something a bit sinister about her. There seems to be no limit to her powers and one can imagine that she could seriously hurt someone, if she wanted to. Animals and humans alike seem to honor and be awed by her. Mary Poppins intimidates people and is extremely vain. She's very strict and, while one might suppose she has a softer side, she very seldom shows it. However, I don't see why the children like her. I can understand that they like the fun she brings, but they seem genuinely fond of her and there aren't many instances where she shows her fondness of them. Children tend not to love people who never or almost never show them love, so I don't feel it's plausible for the children to be so completely devoted to Mary Poppins. Perhaps if there had been one or two instances where Mary Poppins had hugged them, told them she cared for them, etc., that aspect would have been more believable. Overall, I'd have to give the book a four out of five.

Young Hercules: The Ares Alliance, by Keith R.A. DeCandido

This book is a good read for any fan of the tv series, Hercules the Legendary Journeys, and/or, Young Hercules. The book takes place during, Young Hercules, and features many of fans' favorite characters. The warriors of Cheiron's Academy are on spring break and Hercules, Iolaus, and Lilith decide to visit Cyane and her tribe (sadly, Jason has important royal duties to attend to). However, upon reaching the Amazon camp, the trio finds that all but one of Amazons have gone missing.
Meanwhile, Ares has already noticed the Amazon's disappearance and pinpointed the cause to the interference of the Yoruban god of war, Ogun, who has taken the Amazons to provoke the Yoruban people into starting a war. However, Zeus has forbidden any Greek god from interfering with foreign gods. Finding a loophole, Ares sends Hercules and his friends overseas to rescue the Amazons.
The book is good. The book has no spelling or grammar mistakes and the characters are in-character. There are some anachronisms that will back one cringe, but those are typical of the tv series. The plot is believable and unfolds like an episode of, Young Hercules, would. It also includes aspects of Greek/Roman mythology that aren't delved into that much in the tv series (such as the Amazons being Ares' responsibility) I would give this book a five out of five.
I do feel bound to add that, while I was lucky and found this book for $1.99, most copies I saw were being sold for anywhere from $25-$130 dollars. I believe it's out-of-print because, while there are new books being sold, they're from third-party sellers (on the sites I go on (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Abe Books, ebay, etc.) However, I do not feel that it is worth this much money. No offense to Mr. DeCandido. I have nothing against his writing or the book itself. However, it is only 128 pages and the price on the back of the book is $3.99, meaning one would be paying a little over six times the amount it was while in-print. If you want to read this, I recommend finding it in a library, keeping an eye on used book stores, or just keeping an eye on online sellers until one lowers the price.

Magnetic:Becoming the Girl He Wants, by Lynn Cowell

In this book, Lynn Cowell tells women how they can become the type of person that attracts friends and boyfriends by living the way that God wants them to live. According to, Magnetic, one can do so by loving others the way that God loves us, unconditionally. Instead of concentrating on material goods and men, one should first concentrate on getting to know Jesus. In one's dealings with others, one should give up hating, envying, and being rude to others. One should not be selfish, should not keep score of past wrongs, and not take joy in the sorrow of others. One should be joyful, choosing to focus on the good in one's life, instead of focusing on one's sorrows. One should practice patience and not seek out conflicts. One should not worry or manipulate things (rather they should trust God). One should be gentle and kind. By obeying God's will, one will become a "magnetic" girl, who attracts those who are also dedicated to God.
Overall, the book is good. It's well written and easy to understand. The advice is rational and the book gives good advice on how to live a life that pleases God and shows others that one cares for God. There are quizzes and a group study guide that accompany the book, as well as spaces to record notes. My only complaint is that not all of the things are always up to one. For instance, one can choose to try to look on the bright side, but that doesn't always work. Sometimes, one is beset by so many troubles that, despite one's best efforts, one simply cannot feel joy. However, Cowell does admit that doing these things takes diligence and is not always easy. All in all, I'd give this book a 4.5 out of 5.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the Blogging For Books program in exchange for an honest review.