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Ilka J. - Reviews

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The Battle for the Castle
The Battle for the Castle
Author: Elizabeth Winthrop
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 10/18/2014


This is the follow-up book to "The Castle In The Attic". William returns to the castle, this time with a friend. He'll have to fight something creepy... but not alone.
Spoiler alert: Like in the previous book, William will have to fight evil not with the help of a magic token, but by his own strength and imagination (AND with the help of his friends). That's something I like about these books.
Like many sequels, it is perhaps not 100% as good as the first, but still, I like it a lot, and it's a keeper (for my sons). :-)


Before You Put That On : 365 Daily Style Tips for Her
Before You Put That On : 365 Daily Style Tips for Her
Author: Lloyd Boston
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 11/21/2014


While I understand that/why some people do not like the format (a style tip per day, much like a perpetual calendar instead of chapters), I don't mind this at all. I really like this book, the way Lloyd Boston writes, and I have had many "a-ha!" moments while reading this. While some may not like that he is very general in his recommendations (not, perhaps, recommending a specific brand or designer), to me it's more like, "Oh yes, I'm sure I can find something like that. Probably even in my own closet!" :-)


A Child's Book of Character Building: Growing Up in God's World -- at Home, at School, at Play
Review Date: 3/29/2012


This book comes highly recommended from my MOTS (a bit like MOPS...) group teacher. Can't wait to share these stories with my little guy. :-)
This book is a good tool for children who like stories.


Dearest Dorothy: Slow Down, You're Wearing Us Out! / Are We There Yet? (Welcome to Partonville, Bks 1-2)
Review Date: 10/30/2013
Helpful Score: 1


I LOVE Dearest Dorothy!! If you enjoy the Mitford books by Jan Karon, you should like this one, too. Small town setting, unique, lovable (well, mostly!) characters, with faith as their saving grace.
Easy reading, but not shallow, IMO. Just the right thing for a "mental vacation". :-)


Follow My Leader
Follow My Leader
Author: James B. Garfield, Robert Greiner (Illustrator)
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 5/16/2014


While this book is clearly set "in the past", I still find it timeless. It was very interesting for me to read about this young boy's struggles to cope with being blind, and the things and clever tricks he had to learn. Having to deal with his feelings (actually, that goes for both boys) made this worth reading. I reached for the book again after meeting someone who raises puppies to be leader dogs!


The Gift of Rest: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Sabbath
Review Date: 1/25/2014


I love this book! Not only does Sen. Lieberman explain beautifully his own Sabbath rituals (I understand the do's and don'ts so much better now, thanks!!), he makes me want to set aside a special day of rest for myself. AND celebrate it and look forward to it, instead of dreading the idea!


Grow the Best Strawberries
Grow the Best Strawberries
Author: Louise Riotte
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 6/13/2012


In my family, everybody loves strawberries. My own attempts to grow them... failed tremendously so far. While flipping through the book, I have already noticed some mistakes I made. Here's to strawberries of my own next year! ;-)


A Harvest from Pain: Discovering God's Goodness in the Midst of Your Suffering
Review Date: 12/3/2014


IMO Jane Grayshon's books should be required reading for anybody who has a loved one with chronic pain, or who is ministering to people in pain.


Illuminations: Living by Candlelight
Illuminations: Living by Candlelight
Author: Wally Arnold, Stefanie Marlis
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 1/13/2014


This is one of my "go-to" books on a rainy day, when I just need to look at something pretty. More than that, I love (decorating with) candles, and this gives me lots of inspiration.


In the Presence of My Enemies
In the Presence of My Enemies
Author: Gracia Burnham, Dean Merrill
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 40
Review Date: 7/7/2016


I had the privilege to meet Gracia Burnham and hear her talk about her experience. Books are not sufficient to describe what happened, but I'm glad to have this copy. I learned much. A keeper.


Keepers At Home Gluten Free Cooking
Keepers At Home Gluten Free Cooking
Book Type: Spiral-bound
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 12/28/2016


Neat little book! I have a good friend who must eat gluten-free, plus my dr. would like me to cut out gluten, too... this is a good book to start and get ideas on how to change one's diet.


Kitchen Table Counseling: A Practical And Biblical Guide for Women Helping Others
Review Date: 1/28/2016


I'm very glad that I got this book. Helps to take a good, hard look at myself before I can set out to help others. Truly helpful.


Laurel's Kitchen: A Handbook for Vegetarian Cookery & Nutrition
Review Date: 2/15/2012


While we, as a family, are not likely to go fully vegetarian, I'm working on a good flexitarian way for us. This book gives great ideas for vegetarian food, and I'm looking forward to trying a good number of the recipes.

I do not agree with her spiritual point of view (Hindu/Buddist like), which she expresses throughout the book... but I can live with agreeing to disagree. ;-))


A Light in the Window (The Mitford Years)
A Light in the Window (The Mitford Years)
Author: Jan Karon
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.6/5 Stars.
 14
Review Date: 5/27/2012


Love the Mitford books!


Manners
Manners
Author: Kate Spade
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 9
Review Date: 1/30/2015


Nice little book on manners, with good guidelines for many occasions. I disagree on one or two little things... but that's ok. :-) Fun read.


Miss Fannie's Hat
Miss Fannie's Hat
Author: Jan Karon
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 10/30/2013


A very good children's book by Jan Karon. While this may be more of a girls' book, my two young sons love it, too. Quite a good lesson about giving generously. A sweet book!


Olive Farm
Olive Farm
Author: Carol Drinkwater
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 11/1/2013


I'm reading these books mainly because I'm a "fan" of Carol Drinkwater. I love her style of writing these books - you can almost taste the hard work, the blood, sweat and tears that went into making her (and her now-husbband's) dream come true.
A word of warning to those who expect a bit of "How to...": Both Ms. Drinkwater and her then-fiance were rather cash-strapped, so they couldn't just give up their "day jobs" at that time. So at times, they had to leave the farm and attend to their actual professions, and leave farm and work in the hands of others. Some have criticized that at amazon. IMO, this is how they had to handle their situation at that time. Still love the book. It's their story.


The Olive Season
The Olive Season
Author: Carol Drinkwater
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 10/30/2013


I loved Carol Drinkwater in the BBC TV series "All Creatures Great And Small". Here's a "what happened to..." follow-up for me, as she describes her life in later years - she and her husband purchasing and restoring an olive farm in Provence.
In this book, Ms. Drinkwater is very open about a difficult time in their lives. A book to laugh, and cry, and smile again with the author.


A Pocket Full of Nickels: My Mother's Bible
A Pocket Full of Nickels: My Mother's Bible
Author: Rebekah Wilson
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 4/11/2012


I bought this book to read to my children, but I think that right now, _I_ am the one to get the most out of it. This book made me think again about my often stinky attitude when things go wrong, and remind me that there is another way - God's way - to deal with things that do not go as planned.
I sure hope to be able to get my hands on more of Mrs. Wilson's writings! :-)


Sanity in the Summertime
Sanity in the Summertime
Author: Linda Dillow, Claudia App
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 6/5/2012


Love it! This is my first summer "between school", so I'm looking forward to putting Mrs. Dillow's great ideas into action. Hopefully, we'll all be the better for it at the end of this summer. :-))


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