"THE COMMON RULE" BY JUSTIN WHITMEL EARLY

"The Common Rule" by Justin Whitmel Earley

Synopsis:

"Habits form us more than we form them. The modern world is a machine of a thousand invisible habits, forming us into anxious, busy, and depressed people. We yearn for the freedom and peace of the gospel, but remain addicted to our technology, shackled by our screens, and exhausted by our routines. But because our habits are the water we swim in, they are almost invisible to us. What can we do about it? The answer to our contemporary chaos is to practice a rule of life that aligns our habits to our beliefs. The Common Rule offers four daily and four weekly habits, designed to help us create new routines and transform frazzled days into lives of love for God and neighbor. Justin Earley provides concrete, doable practices, such as a daily hour of phoneless presence or a weekly conversation with a friend. These habits are “common” not only because they are ordinary, but also because they can be practiced in community. They have been lived out by people across all walks of life―businesspeople, professionals, parents, students, retirees―who have discovered new hope and purpose. As you embark on these life-giving practices, you will find the freedom and rest for your soul that comes from aligning belief in Jesus with the practices of Jesus." (Amazon)

My Review:

It is difficult to put into words all of the ways this book spoke to me while reading it. This is such an age of distraction, as this book says, and it is so easy for distractions to rule our lives, taking us away from the things that matter most in life. I love how this book teaches the importance of our habits and how to control them to change our lives for the better.

"The Common Rule" is very inspirational and educational, and has inspired so many good changes in me and my life. This is likely a book I will turn to often in the coming years.

My ⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Credits: The cover image and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.

"A TREASURY OF CHRISTMAS MIRACLES" BY KAREN KINGSBURY

"A Treasury of Christmas Miracles" 
by Karen Kingsbury

Synopsis:

"There are times when a seemingly random event in life is suddenly revealed as a truly miraculous moment. And no time lends itself more to the possibility of miracles than Christmas season-that special time of year when the hand of God seems to touch the mundane world.

A Treasury of Christmas Miracles is a heartwarming collection of stories for and about the holidays-true stories of ordinary people touched in extraordinary ways: a man whose plane is guided to safety by an unknown radio voice, a woman experiencing the unconditional love of strangers, and the phone call from a loving father who happened to have died many years ago.

These and others are the stories that reveal the undeniable proof that God is with us."

My Review:

This is such a great book to read any time of the year, especially at Christmas!

The true stories in “A Treasury of Christmas Miracles" are wonderfully told and bring awareness to some of the amazing recent miracles God has performed. This book really touched my heart and soul and brought tears to my eyes several times. It shows that God is always looking out for us, keeping us safe from so many things, many of which we may never know. This is definitely a book I'll want to revisit time and time again!

My ⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Credits: The cover image and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of the author's website, karenkingsbury.com.

"THE ESCAPE MANUAL FOR INTROVERTS" BY KATIE VAZ

"The Escape Manual for Introverts" by Katie Vaz

Synopsis:

"Trapped in an airplane seated next to a chatterbox? Are you hosting a dinner party with people who just won't leave? Katie Vaz has the key to your escape. The Escape Manual for Introverts guides readers through different scenarios with themed chapters ("Friends," "Relatives," "Strangers," etc.). Each chapter covers a range of situations, from an invitation to karaoke night to group lunchtime. And she offers a number of escapes for each scenario: bringing odoriferous foods to lunch for a while, having a pet (real or imagined) that "requires" frequent check-ins, and even investing in a jet pack. This book features Vaz's full-page illustrated spreads, hand-lettering, and spot illustrations. From the silly to the sincere, Vaz's clever, hilarious escape plans and bizarre excuses speak to the introvert in all of us."

My Review:

This is quite an entertaining little guide for introverts. I love how this book mixes truth with humor, while teaching introverts how to escape energy draining situations. The hand drawn illustrations are especially charming—some of which are sincere, many of which are quite funny. This is a quick read that I finished in about an hour and really enjoyed.

"The Escape Manual for Introverts" is a super cute book that I highly recommend to all introverts as well as those who want to better understand the introverts in their lives.

Note: I received a digital arc edition of this book from NetGalley and the book's publisher in exchange for my honest review, for which I am very grateful. I have since purchased a physical copy of this book that I have on display in my office.

My ⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Note: If you like this book, I highly recommend following its author at Instagram.com/KatieMarieVaz.

Credits: The book cover and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"QUIET GIRL IN A NOISY WORLD" BY DEBBIE TUNG

"Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story" by Debbie Tung

Synopsis:

This illustrated gift book of short comics illuminates author Debbie Tung's experience as an introvert in an extrovert’s world. Presented in a loose narrative style that can be read front to back or dipped into at one’s leisure, the book spans three years of Debbie’s life, from the end of college to the present day. In these early years of adulthood, Debbie slowly but finally discovers there is a name for her lifelong need to be alone: she’s an introvert. The first half of the book traces Debbie’s final year in college: socializing with peers, dating, falling in love (with an extrovert!), moving in, getting married, meeting new people, and simply trying to fit in. The second half looks at her life after graduation: finding a job, learning to live with her new husband, trying to understand social obligations when it comes to the in-laws, and navigating office life. Ultimately, "Quiet Girl" sends a positive, pro-introvert message: our heroine learns to embrace her introversion and finds ways to thrive in the world while fulfilling her need for quiet.

My Review:

This is a book after my own heart. Page after page after page, I felt this book was reading my mind and very reminiscent of my own life story, for the most part. I felt the same way while reading "Book Love" by the same author. I absolutely love Debbie Tung's honesty, vulnerability, sense of humor, and artistic talents seen throughout her books!

"Quiet Girl in a Noisy World" is a delightful collection of comics that tells a story most introverts can relate to, and would make a perfect gift for introverts.

My ⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Note: If you like this book, I highly recommend following Debbie Tung at Instagram.com/WheresMyBubble.

Credits: The book cover and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"BOOK LOVE" BY DEBBIE TUNG

"Book Love" by Debbie Tung

Synopsis:

"Book Love" is a gift book of comics tailor-made for tea-sipping, spine-sniffing, book-hoarding bibliophiles. Debbie Tung’s comics are humorous and instantly recognizable—making readers laugh while precisely conveying the thoughts and habits of book nerds. "Book Love" is the ideal gift to let a book lover know they’re understood and appreciated.

My Review:

Bookworms rejoice! This is the first graphic novel I can remember reading. I haven’t really had an interest in graphic novels, comics, or manga, however I love love LOVE this book! From start to finish, I was absolutely hooked. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting — every page pulling at my heart strings. Debbie Tung’s illustrations and text are positively charming, and I feel like nearly everything in this book describes who I am.

I received a digital copy of “Book Love” from NetGalley and the book's publisher in exchange for my honest review, for which I am incredibly grateful. Since I first read this book in January of 2019, I purchased a physical copy of it, have had it on display in my office, have read it a second time, and flip through it often. I cannot get enough of this book! This would absolutely make a perfect gift for any book lover!

Here is a super cute trailer for this book by its publisher, Andrews McMeel Publishing.

My ⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Note: If you like this book, I highly recommend following Debbie Tung at Instagram.com/WheresMyBubble.

Credits: The book cover and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.