Never Give Up

Author: Bear Grylls

Publisher: National Geographic

Release Date: March 1, 2022

Fans of Man vs Wild will not want to miss this book!

Bear Grylls is known by many for his adventures in the hit television show Man vs. Wild. His grit, tenacity, and ability to get out of a sticky situation resonated with many while others were just shocked at what he was willing to put his body through. In his previous book, Bear told his life story and mostly omitted the many adventures he had on the small screen because he wanted people to know who he was as a person. After popular demand, he has documented the best of the best (and worst) of these adventures into another book to share with the world. Focused largely on the television series, viewers and readers alike will continue to be awestruck and shocked at what all he went through to bring his world into your living room.

I’ll admit, I never really got caught up in the hype of the show Man vs. Wild, but I have watched a few episodes and heard Bear Grylls talk about some of his adventures, so I had some background before diving into this book. But even if I hadn’t, this would have been such a fun read! It goes through many of the most extreme things that he had to do and it’s amazing that he lived through all of it. It is also interesting to read about how the show was filmed and what they had to do to make it work, especially when the crew were dropping like flies. He sprinkles in a lot of great life lessons through this and breaks it up with several chapters so that it is not a daunting read. Probably going to be one of my favorite biographies for the year. There is some language as well as some pretty gross things, so take caution before you jump in!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

I’ll Start Again Monday

Author: Lysa Terkeurst

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: January 4, 2022

So much more than a book on eating healthy, readers will find great advice for not only healthy eating, but also a better overall way to live.

Eating healthy is never something that sounds fun but can sometimes leave you feeling worse for wear. Lysa TerKeurst delivers a wonderful new look at how eating healthy isn’t just about the food we put in our bodies. If we continue the cycle of losing weight and gaining it back, eventually we will see it’s not just about the food, the issue goes much deeper. I can think of many times I have craved foods that were not good for me, especially when I was trying to avoid them. Once I had them, I found out the craving didn’t always go away and I never fully felt satisfied.

I’ll admit, I’m not the target audience for this but was able to gain a lot of insightful information and came away after reading it feeling lighter and more satisfied than I had in a long time. It’s not just about the food, that is the main point driven home in this book; if we will look at the deeper meaning of our cravings and look to a higher power to help provide the sustenance we need, our lives will be fuller than we could have hoped for.

I recommend this book for everyone looking for something to fill the spaces they keep trying to use food for and see that God created us to crave Him instead of all the processed things that will never leave us satisfied.

Beyond Possible

Author: Nimsdai Purja

Publisher: National Geographic Kids

Release Date: January 4, 2022

A great biography for overcoming obstacles in your path set at the highest of altitudes!

Nimsdai Purja has set goals all his life to achieve. Growing up in Nepal, he wanted to be a Gurkha soldier, just like his father. Through perseverance, he was able to achieve this goal. Then he wanted to be more than just a soldier, but an elite warrior, so he set his sights on becoming a member of the Secret Boat Service (SBS) for the British military during the war on terror. During his years of service, he was given the chance to climb Mount Everest and he was bit by the climbing bug, to say the least. Wanting to do what everyone thought impossible, Nims developed Project Possible, a mission to climb the fourteen highest mountains in the world in only seven months, which is seven years faster than the world record. What Nims learned about himself and fellow climbers throughout this mission is shared for readers to discover that they too can conquer the impossible.

Young readers who love action and adventure will love this autobiography of Nimsdai Purja with his pursuit to climb all fourteen death zone mountains. The first half of the book is geared towards his life up to the point he decides to make the lifestyle transition necessary to climb all fourteen peaks. The second half is dedicated to a chapter-by-chapter description of each mountain and what occurred while he and his team were climbing. They had to overcome several obstacles on the way up and the way down. Just because you have achieved something doesn’t mean you won’t face something on you journey back! There is quite a bit of climbing lingo, but with enough context clues, readers will be able to understand what is going on. Very exciting book for young readers!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

100 Prayers Every Christian Should Know

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: October 19, 2021

This book is packed full of prayers. Literally! It is broken down into different categories that readers may be seeking answers from: Peace and Comfort, Guidance, Adoration, Changed Hearts, Justice, Moving a Nation, Pain and Grief, Strength, Thanksgiving, Mercy, Faithfulness, and Humility. Each prayer comes from a historical figure that gives personal background for both the author and the prayer. This is a great resource for many!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Conquer Your Deliverance

Author: John Rameriz

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: October 12, 2021

In Conquer Your Deliverance, evangelist John Rameriz shares his personal story of being ensnared by the devil and how he was shown the truth and freed! This is written in a very plain manner that readers can use the information to apply to their personal lives. If someone is struggling with their belief system or understanding what is happening in today’s world, this book is a key resource to help them either get their life on track or back on track.

While it does read as a manual, it is also probably the closet thing to an autobiography for Rameriz to understand his past and why he is so passionate about what he does!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Persevere with Power

Author: Samuel Rodriguez

Publisher: Bethany House/Chose

Release Date: October 5, 2021

Samuel Rodriquez shares many of his personal experiences having to persevere to overcome obstacles. Whether it is being born into a family with small means and having to work through obstacles to become successful in business or overcoming fear when a loved one has contracted COVID-19, this book uses personal stories to encourage readers to overcome obstacles. Several biblical characters are referenced throughout as well showing how God can give you the power to overcome these obstacles and move forward.

This is a powerful book that has the potential to change the lives of many readers. IT’s packed with both today’s world and biblical experience so that readers can understand the power that is available to them through God.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Good Kings

Author: Kara Cooney

Publisher: National Geographic

Release Date: November 2, 2021

Dive into comparing Egypt’s history while paralleling today’s political landscape.

Many of us love the lure of Ancient Egypt, but why are we drawn to it? Is it the artifacts? The civilization? Or is it the absolute power of the Pharoah’s that actually draws us in? Join Kara Cooney, an Egyptologist herself, as she examines the rule of five Egyptian Pharaohs: Khufu, Senwosret III, Akhenaten, Ramses II, and Taharqa. Cooney goes onto to explain why we are drawn not only to these Pharaohs, but also to those in today’s society who exemplify power. She does this in such a way that she deconstructs their reign and brings them down to the human level whereas history often teaches us to refer to them almost as godly beings.

Needless to say, this was not what I anticipated when I picked it up. I thought it was going to be more based on describing their reigns rather than problems with a patriarchal society. Even so, it was an interesting read to get a different take and make me look at things differently, both in the past as well as present day.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Best Gift

Author: Walt Larimore, MD

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: November 16, 2021

More stories from Kissimmee make you fall more in love with this doctor and his family!

Walt Larimore brings more stories in his third installment of the tales from a small-town doctor learning life’s greatest lessons. Readers who enjoyed getting to learn more about Walt and his family during his previous book The Best Medicine will yearn to learn more about them. This book dives deeper into his time in private practice in Kissimmee and how he became a staple in the area. From rodeos to storms to death of close friends, this book offers some guidance and insight for every reader. Be sure to pull up a chair and a blanket because it’s going to be like you’re having a fireside chat with a long lost friend.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Sustainable Travel

Author: Holly Tuppen

Publisher: White Lion Publishing

Release Date: June 22, 2021

Good guide for explaining the benefits of sustainable travel.

Are you a traveler? Have you ever thought about the impact that travel and tourism have on the world? Many people either don’t think about it or don’t fully understand what that impact is. Holly Tuppen has written a great book to help guide travelers through common issues that occur to our planet and how to help sustainably. This book outlines how to travel better, whether the method or location. There is also a good section explaining carbon emissions and your own travel carbon footprint and how you can reduce it. Possibly the best part is when she gives ideas to some of the best locations that travels can visit responsibly and sustainably.

I recommend this book to people interested in sustainability and travelers in general.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Crocus in the Desert

Author: Nancy Canestrari Williams

Publisher: Lightbourne Creative

Release Date: May 29, 2019

A fantastic resource for women dealing with fertility issues and need help with their faith through a difficult journey.

If you are one of the more than ten percent of couples that struggles with infertility, you are not alone. Many people think they are alone and have no one to talk to when it comes to the issues of miscarriage, childlessness, adoption and infertility. So many try to shoulder the burden of it by themselves when there are resources like this book available to help them out. This book offers not only devotions but prayers and real-life stories for readers to latch onto and use to help keep them afloat in their times of desperation. Most women have a strong desire to be a mother, from playing with dolls and stuffed animals to babysitting later in life, the maternal instinct is real and something that is hard to ignore. Even when we might not understand it, we must be willing to listen to and follow God’s plan for our lives so we can see the beauty in what He has in store for us.

Nancy Williams does a fabulous job of weaving the devotions, prayers and stories together to give readers a sense of hope, purpose and belonging when they can feel utterly alone in their desperation to have children. For me, I used this book as encouragement and a way to help others who might be going through this difficult journey in life. Such a beautiful way to help those around when it can seem that nothing will help. I recommend this book to those struggling with the issue of fertility or as a gift to someone in the family who might be struggling with the issue and in need of encouragement.