I love writing book reviews and I love reading them. Since I cannot possibly read and review all of the interesting books out there, I publish occasional round-ups of reviews written by other writers. Or even if I am able to review the book, it’s always good to get a second opinion. So here are a few notable links I’ve collected over the past few weeks.
Lady Jane Grey by Simonetta Carr. Reviewed (5 stars!) by Monique Bergmeier. “Simonetta Carr’s newest addition to her Christian Biographies for Young Readers, lives up to the high standard the author has set for herself in the previous books in this series. This biography covers the life of Lady Jane Grey. I was only vaguely familiar with her story prior to this and found this book educational and encouraging. Lady Jane Grey was known for her courage in defending the gospel. Though she lived 17 short years, her life has left a mark on the history of her country, England and more importantly on the church. Young women in particular should know her story and be encouraged by her faithfulness to the point of death.”
Also reviewed by Wes Bredenhof. “With this volume, Simonetta Carr continues to excel as a writer of church history for children. The story moves briskly and is not weighed down by unnecessary details. A member of a United Reformed Church in the San Diego area, this is now her fifth book in the series “Christian Biographies for Young Readers.” Other volumes deal with Athanasius, Augustine of Hippo, John Calvin, and John Owen. As with the other works, Lady Jane Grey has professional quality pictures, maps, and illustrations throughout. There is also a timeline, an appendix entitled ‘Did You Know?’ and, most compelling of all, Lady Jane’s last letter to her sister Katherine.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon or Westminster Books)
“Economics for Everybody” by Ligonier Ministries and Compass Cinema (this is actually a DVD, but we’ll go with it). Reviewed by Jeremy Lundmark. “This twelve part series walks viewers through the complex task of interconnecting the relationship between theology, economics, and philosophy in an incredibly simple way. The videos and images coupled with Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr.’s God given talent to simplify the difficult make this a great study for all kinds of venues and audiences. … In short, I can do nothing but give the highest recommendation for this study. It serves as a desperate warning to a country that is heading in a wrong direction and as a guide to help individuals, families, churches, and governments rightly understand their roles in God’s sovereign schematic.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon or The Compass Store)
Counterfeit Gospels by Trevin Wax. Reviewed by Mike Leake. “In Counterfeit Gospels, Wax outlines the biblical gospel under three headings. Which act as a ‘three-legged stool. Cut off one of these legs, and the whole thing tips over.’ These three legs are the gospel story, gospel announcement, and the gospel community. Each of these legs are in danger of being hi-jacked by a counterfeit gospel. … This book would be helpful for every believer that desires to believe and live out the biblical gospel and not succumb to some of its most subtle counterfeits. I think it would be a helpful read for anyone.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Evangellyfish: A Novel by Doug Wilson. Reviewed by Andy Naselli. “The book is unlike any other I’ve read by Wilson: it’s a novel, and it’s satire. Wilson’s other writings have doses of satire, but this is 228 pages of non-stop satire. I don’t want to give away the storyline, so I’ll be vague on those details. Basically, the book is a story of two pastors: (1) a sleazy, sex-crazed mega-church pastor and (2) a faithful, down-to-earth Reformed Baptist pastor with an MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary. And there are lots of other colorful characters. … Wilson said in one interview, ‘I want this book to come across to intelligent readers as “funny, dark, and redemptive.”‘ By those criteria, he succeeded.” (Learn more and shop at Amazon)
