Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

Recently I read the book, The Final Summit, by Andy Andrews. This is a work of fiction about a man named David Ponder and his journey to help save the world. David Ponder is a character we met in a previous work of the authors in which he gained extraordinary amounts of wisdom from famous historical people. In this new book, David meets and works with several of these people such as Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill and Joan of Arc, just to name a few. Here in The Final Summit, David is forced to put wisdom to good use as he and several others try to solve what two words will help save the world and get us all back on the right path.

I came into this book having previously read the novel, The Traveler’s gift, where we first meet David Ponder. Having that previous knowledge is not necessary to read The Final Summit but it is helpful. This book followed a pretty simple pattern as the setting and time were all in the same place throughout most of the entire book. Each chapter went thru a repeating cycle of motions as David and the others try to figure out the answer to the two words that can save the world. I did enjoy the conversation between the characters and enjoyed learning pieces of history along the way. I think this is a great book for history lovers since the main character is getting to converse with so many of the amazing people we read and learn about in school. Although repetitious at times, the author did succeed in making me anxious to find out the two words and along the way I was able to gain a wealth of advice and wisdom about life lessons. I felt that the message is encouraging but felt the book still lacked a “wow” factor. It is in fact a powerful positive message that could help a lot of people if they would listen. I would recommend the book to others because the wisdom found here is too good to pass up.


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

June Book Club Selection

Our June selection will be Under the Overpass by Michael Yankowski. This is a non-fiction story and has about 256 pages. Here is a description from the the author's website:


After meals from garbage cans and dumpsters, night after night Mike and Sam found their beds under bridges and on the streets. They were forced to depend on the generosity and kindness of strangers as they panhandled to sustain their existence. For more than five months, the pair experienced firsthand the extreme pains of hunger, the constant uncertainty and danger of living on the streets, exhaustion, depression, and social rejection—and all of this by their own choice. This is their story. Through Mike’s firsthand account, Under the Overpass provides important insight into the truths of the street and calls the younger generation of believers to take great risks of faith to bring Christ’s love to the neediest corners of the world.(end quote)

For quite some time I kept hearing about this book online and had it on my list for awhile. Finally one day I got it from the library, read it and have to say I really learned a lot because of the experiment of these two men. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Our June meeting will be Saturday June 25 at 8:30am-10:00am in Swift's new building.

Thanks so much for your participation!!! Remember I LOVE book suggestions and am here if you have any questions or need some other book ideas to read when you finish the monthly book. You can also check out the blog and see what other books I read and review as I try to find books for the club and for my own enjoyment.


Reminder the May Meeting for Heaven is for Real is THIS Saturday the 21st at 8:30-10:00AM. We are meeting early do to the Holiday weekend! Be sure to RSVP!

Happy Reading!


Wednesday, May 4, 2011

April Meeting Recap

Another month wrapped up this past Saturday. We discussed the book, Have a little Faith by Mitch Albom. We had 4 people in attendance. For two people, it was the first meeting of this year they have been able to attend. Don’t ever think it’s too late, show up when you can. We had some great discussion and really marveled at all the wisdom found in this book especially from “The old gray Rabbi.” Here is the link to the discussion questions in case you would like to read them. We all really liked the sermons the Reb shared with Mitch. But in a sermon by Henry, I want to share this great description of Jesus that I had never heard before. “I call him the greatest recycler I know!...Jesus…he lifts me up. He rearranges me. He repositions me. By Myself, I’m no good – But he makes all the difference.” (p. 136) Amen.

I am so glad that so many of you enjoyed the wisdom and testimony of the lives of these men. If you haven’t already, I would love for you to share your opinions of the book. If you enjoyed this book I also encourage you to listen to it on CD. You can get it from the local library. The author reads the book himself and it is a lovely thing to listen to him and hear his admiration for these men. If you still haven't read the book you can always borrow it from someone or check it out from the library. Remember our May meeting for Heaven is For Real will be Saturday May 21st. The meeting date is moved up because of the holiday. Stay tuned for the June book. Remember to send me your recommendations! Thanks for reading along.