Book Review: Max Lucado’s Fearless

Before reading this book, I’d never picked up a single Max Lucado book. While I’d seen them in various bookstores, the titles never seemed to jump out at me.

I’m glad to say that my foray into the world of Max Lucado was a delightfully enjoyable and inspiring adventure! In Lucado’s latest book, Fearless, he encourages the reader in how to live free from fear and confident in the faith that we profess.

There are many things that I like about this book, but perhaps what immediately grabbed me was the realistic nature by which Lucado communicates with the reader. In my experience, I’ve found that many faith-based writers tend to talk AT the readers and not TO them, often in such a way that they seem preachy or either exempt from the circumstances that they write about. Lucado’s realism is refreshing and I felt as if I were having an engaging conversation with someone who had faced the same challenges that I had.

I also enjoyed the way that scripture was used in this book to affirm the reader as well as to emphasize the point that the author was trying to make. At no point could it be said that the book was based off of Lucado’s own spiritual assumptions—the use of scripture is too compelling. As I read through the chapters, I was encouraged by his use of scriptures; many of which I had read before, but I hadn’t thought to put in my scripture lineup in regards to fear. Thanks to this book, I have many more to choose from besides relying on 2 Timothy 1:7.

I would definitely recommend this book to others- new Christians, old Christians, or just those who need a refreshing take on how to handle fear as they go through life as a Christian. Additionally, the discussion guide that accompanies the book makes it pretty awesome for those who want to read it in a group. But whether you read it in a group or alone, it’s a wonderful choice!

Book Review: The Noticer

We all need to be noticed.  And there are times where we can all benefit from a different perspective.  It’s with these themes that Andy Andrews writes the awesome book, “The Noticer”.

Andrews tells the story of a man named Jones- not Mr. Jones, just Jones, who sweeps through a town changing lives by imparting a valuable change of perspective.  Jones encounters different situations that have the opportunity to truly make or break a person’s life: divorce, poverty, an unsuccessful business; and easily and gently explains how that situation can be changed if the person’s perspective is changed.

This book is an easy read, yet a profound one.  I found myself reading it very quickly, then uncovering a valuable lesson or thought, and going back to make sure that I completely understood and benefitted from the lesson.

While some books that encourage a change of perspective can be rather preachy or condescending, this one is not.  It’s light and encouraging, providing useful advice in the same manner that a grandmother might provide over cookies and milk: you don’t feel as if you must adopt the advice, but it seems extremely beneficial and worthwhile to consider.

There are some religious/spiritual undertones in this book; however, it’s not an overwhelming undertone where one may feel as if they are being beat over the head with biblical principles.  Additionally, I found a light reference to some other books that had small biblical references.

Did I enjoy this book: 100%!  Would I recommend it to others: I would absolutely, without hesitation!  I would especially recommend it to those who have struggled with overcoming some of the different situations life presents us (and I think that would be all of us).  It’s not necessarily a book for children, but I would say that a mature young adult could enjoy and benefit from the story that Andy Andrews tells.

All that said- head out to get a copy of The Noticer- and maybe grab one for Mom for Mother’s Day as well.  It won’t disappoint!