Unsinkable

The story of a sixteen year old girl aiming to sail unassisted and nonstop around the world. If successful, she would be the youngest person to do so. Abby grew up in a sailing family, having been on boats since she was less than a year old. Her older brother had sailed solo around the world the year before, so she, and her family, had a good idea what they were getting into. The story centers around the preparations for and events of her trip, showing the balance between Abby's sailing experience, the technology on her boat, the know-how of her support team back home (she was in near-constant communication with them via computer and satellite phone), and the dependence of Abby and her parents on God.

Unsinkable is a quick and interesting read. I appreciated the fact that while the evangelical bent of the main characters was clear, it did not overshadow the sailing-oriented plot of the book. One theme is that given the opportunity, young people can learn and accomplish much greater things than what is encouraged by mainstream US and Canada culture. Sometimes Abby appeared very dependent on her support team to troubleshoot her technology on her boat, but she was obviously an accomplished sailor to be able to make it halfway around the world before calling it quits when her mast broke off. I admired her ability to stay positive despite all the trouble she had with her electronic equipment, which she sometimes had to fix in dark, cramped, and wet conditions with her boat rocking wildly.

The book is easy to read, which is not surprising considering the age of the author. The nautical terms do not make the story difficult to follow, and in any case the book includes a labelled drawing of Abby's boat, a map of her route, and a good glossary. Abby narrates her own experiences in the first person, but other sections follow her father's role (and occasionally that of other characters) in the third person, so it is easy to understand.

This book would be suitable for both boys and girls from preteen through adults, especially those interested in sailing or other outdoor or physically challenging activities. I liked the fact that I could read through it quickly and it held my interest, but it wasn't impossible to put down. I probably would not read it again, but I am glad I read it once.

Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson.

When Life's Not Working

"Life is difficult for everybody. There are hard jobs, hard marriages, and hard family dynamics. But some people compound their problems by ignoring basic principles that can help them get where they want to go in life." Against this backdrop Pastor Bob Merritt discusses seven essential strategies for intentional living for to prevent life from becoming harder, amply illustrated by stories from his own life.

Although I tend to not enjoy books that promise a formula to solve life, I felt this book provided a little more realism that many such books. Life doesn't have well-defined edges. People aren't all cut from the same cookie cutter. I appreciated the candour by which Pastor Bob Merritt wrote. I can't say I was captivated by the book, but it does give pause for thought and gives guidance on a path to face life's hard knocks.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Watcher

Twenty years ago Kathryn Ellison was raped. This traumatic event has defined her life and those close to her as she works out what it means to forgive. One of her attackers responds to the grace of God and forgiveness extended by Kathryn. Unbeknownst to Kathryn, the other seeks to complete the work he set out to do.

I found the constant flash backs made the story a little disjointed, and a little hard to follow. Other than that, I quite enjoyed the book. The subject matter was dealt with in a very sensitive manner, not sensationalizing nor trivializing, but overshadowed by the themes of forgiveness and grace. And I must say this is one of the more refreshingly unique works of Christian fiction I have read, sort of The Shack meets Frank E. Perreti. This book is definitely meant for a mature audience, but well worth the read.

Book has been provided courtesy of Word Alive Press and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now from your favourite bookseller.