Winter 2020 Reads

Blackout by Candace Owens

My rating: A must read!

Recently published, this political commentary, is in my opinion, a must read for anyone interested in current events. Candace Owens has positioned herself as a major contributing conservative voice in the USA. She speaks from personal experience with thoughtful understanding of issues and events in our world today. As a young Black woman, she speaks from first hand knowledge with clarity and understanding about the issues of racism, sexism and important issues facing Black Americans. She defines the ways she believes will provide opportunity and overall improvement for her community and every American.  I have listened to Candace Owens enough to hear her voice as I read her written words of personal accounts and honest thinking. This book is clearly her own voice, (no ghost writers here). Her's is the voice of a powerful young Black female who has begun with great momentum to inspire and rally other young voices to a better understanding of how and why it is important to engage in civic participation to effectively shape the future for all citizens. 

History through
biography.

Bonhoeffer Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

This is a deep read into the life of  pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Living and working in Germany during WWII. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of a number of Germans conspiring to dismantle the third Reich during it's years in power. Metaxes' shares a detailed and thorough account of Bonhoeffer's life and dedication to organizing attempts to overthrow an indescribable evil. Reading history through biography bring events to life in a way that emphasizes the reality of their occurrence and the effects on the individual lives of the times. Eric Metaxes is a prolific biography writer. His writing gives a look into the lives of people of the past. He has written a collection of accounts that look into the lives of notable people worth knowing more about. Understanding real people and their real lives from the past gives us a more believable understanding of history and the realization that we are all connected by the human experience despite the timeline of history.

Awaken by Priscilla Shirer 

I was first introduced to Priscilla Shirer's work at a women's bible study. She is a motivational speaker and actor, as well as, a writer. Her ability to communicate in front of a camera and on the pages of a book are profound. Her presentations are easy to grasp and inspire deeper individual or group reflection. I have worked my way through a couple of her published bible studies and this daily devotional. Awaken provides thought inspiring content and questions for personal reflection all in two pages per day. In some seasons of life smaller amounts without the overwhelm of a lengthier study are what is necessary to insure actually having time to invest on daily personal devotions. This one will be getting another trip through the pages from me.