42 B O O K S & R A P H I C N O V EL S
LIFEstyle
books & graphic novels FINDING GOD IN THE DARK | TED KLUCK & RONNIE MARTIN
Yes, this is co-written by that Ronnie Martin. He confesses how he struggled with the kind of identity and idolatry issues that come with being a well-known recording artist, “before the unexpected death of his father allowed those sins to be brought to the surface of his heart.” Add to that the co-author, Ted Kluck’s failed adoption, and you have two guys dealing with gut-wrenching hurt and disillusionment. [ Bethany House ]
THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD LARRY RICHARDS
Looking for a fresh approach to the subject of spiritual warfare? If you grew up on Christian metal in the late ‘80s, you were probably fed a lot of similar theology. Richards goes after tactical guidance for conquering the lies and other attacks of the enemy that assail believers. [ Chosen ]
PEANUT | AYUN HALLIDAY & PAUL HOPPE
A fun graphic novel about everyday life in high school, growing up, dealing with friends, parents and a dreaded allergy to the peanut. Illustrated well and splashed with red every so often for a nice effect. [ Schwartz & Wade ]
INTENTIONAL PARENTING SISSY GOFF, DAVID THOMAS AND MELISSA TREVATHAN
Wait a minute? Why is HM reviewing a book on parenting? Don’t they know we’re a bunch of teens and twentysomethings? “Au contraire,” comes the reply. You should see how many of us are a bit older and have kids in tow at concerts and summer festivals. Plus, a good book is a good book. “Autopilot is for planes,” the book says. The title alone speaks volumes. Key advice on balancing emotion, boundaries, freedom, relationship, connecting, playing, it’s a broad read and quite useful (maybe even a way to find clandestine information on your parents’ strategies if you are a teen! [ Thomas Nelson ]
STOP ASKING JESUS INTO YOUR HEART J.D.GREEAR
Subtitled How to Know for Sure You Are Saved, this book takes a straight-forward look at a nottoo-uncommon habit for some (going forward for altar call after altar call, getting re-baptized after the “feeling” goes away ... and again.). The author explains: “Because of my own experience with asking Jesus into my heart thousands of times, and still not being able to find peace, and because of a growing concern with people who think they are going to heaven simply because they’ve prayed a prayer, I want to be clear what saves the sinner.” [ B&H ]
SHATTERED | DANI PETTREY
A suspense novel set in Yancey, Alaska. Piper McKenna is determined to protect her prodigal brother upon his return to town ... and he gets arrested for murder. All the evidence points against him, but his faithful sister trusts him and sets out to win his freedom. The local deputy tries to balance his own investigation and his protective instincts for his friend Piper. [ Bethany House ]
A CAST OF STONES | PATRICK W. CARR
THIS IS GONNA HURT | NIKKI SIXX
In the backwater village of Callowford, roustabout Errol Stone is enlisted by a church messenger arriving with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Eager for coin, Errol agrees to what he thinks will be an easy task, but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he’s joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom. [ Bethany House ]
Who knew that Nikki Sixx had a redemptive side? Not exactly a proponent of “organized religion,” the dude has a gift for capturing the beauty found in everyday people and the outcasts and down-and-out of our modern world. It’s amazing to read his tales of hanging out with almost-dead junkies in alleyways to capture their story on film. Dark, raw and somewhat dirty. Reprinted in paperback for the first time. [ William Morrow ]
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2/27/2013 9:36:55 PM