Apologies that these are two very succinct book reviews. What with being away for a few days last week, starting a new job this week and finishing off a couple of articles for a new magazine called Clarity (which you should definitely check out and snap up, it’s an incredibly exciting new thing to be a part of: http://www.claritymag.co.uk), I haven’t had the time or inclination to write book reviews! But I would recommend these two books so here are some brief thoughts on them:

Christ in You by Eric Johnson

Written by one of the senior leadership team of Bethel Church in Redding (son of Brian Johnson), this was a very interesting, charismatic and challenging read. The tagline is: Why God trusts you more than you trust yourself, which hopefully gives you an idea of the aim of the book. It’s basically an encouragement to believe that God can use you no matter what the situation you’re in is, your past or your concerns about the future. 

A favourite line from it is: “… the whole thing started with the notion that people have the capacity to accomplish the intent of God’s heart.” Wow. How incredible is that? That was underlined straight away; it so perfectly encapsulates the idea that we are God’s hands and feet in this world.

There was one chapter which rang a bit too much like prosperity gospel to me, which then coloured how I read the rest of the book. However, you may interpret it differently to me, or you may agree with what he says.

I would recommend this to any Christian as a good read to give you a kick up the bum and encourage you to achieve great things, with Christ in You.

Heartbreak Hotel by Deborah Moggach

This author also wrote The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel so obviously has a thing for hotels…

This is the first book I’m reading with a book club I’ve just joined, which is exciting! It will be interesting to hear what they thought of it.

I absolutely loved it. It’s one of those books that’s from a number of different characters’ perspectives with their personal stories all overlapping. I adore those kind of books because, to me, novels are all about the characters. I don’t care if not much happens, so long as I get to delve deeply into a character’s life and mind!

Reviews have called this book “hilarious” and I wouldn’t go that far, but it definitely has its funny moments. Most of the characters are middle aged so maybe if I was older I’d be able to relate and get more of the jokes! It’s also very heartfelt and moving, it gives you hope and inspires you to not stop trying new things.

Overall, it was a wonderful read that I really enjoyed curling up and relaxing with. Lovely lovely.