Book Review: The Convert’s Guide to Roman Catholicism by Keith Nester

I’ve been on quite the spiritual journey for the last two years as I’ve studied the Christian faith. My studies led me to Catholicism, and I’ve been doing a deep dive into the faith and its teachings. This includes reading tons of books like the writings of the early Church Fathers, apologetics, and conversion stories. In addition to reading, I’ve discovered the awesomeness that is Catholic YouTube. Priests like Father Mike Schmitz and groups like Catholic Answers have answered so many questions I’ve had about the Catholic faith. Kait's Bookshelf The Convert's Guide to Catholicism

Not long ago, I discovered a YouTube video of a talk given by a man named Keith Nester. Keith was a Protestant pastor who had recently converted to the Catholic faith in 2017. In doing so, he left behind his church, his job, his livelihood, and even friends. If someone was willing to give up that much to convert to the Catholic faith, I figured his story must be worth listening to. It was!

I could relate to much of what Keith was saying. I started to search for more of his videos and, to my delight, discovered that he has his own YouTube channel! Not only does Keith offer incredible videos, but he recently published his first book, The Convert’s Guide to Roman Catholicism: Your First Year in the Church.

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My New Book: How Facebook Changed the World

kaits-bookshelf-how-facebook-changed-the-world.jpgWhat a month! What a couple of months actually! I have been very busy with work over the last six weeks or so – but that’s a great thing! I love being a writer and working on articles and new book projects.

I have been fortunate enough in my writing career to become a published author. I have written several nonfiction educational books for children and teens, and just recently finished working on a couple of new ones that will be out in 2020.

In January, I had a new book release as part of a middle grade series called Inventions That Changed the World. I wrote about Facebook. There’s no denying that social media, and Facebook in particular, has had a huge impact on our world. That’s what I dive into in my latest book, How Facebook Changed the World.

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Book Review: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Anne FrankI am so glad that I was able to fit in my book bucket list pick for June. I have wanted to read The Diary of a Young Girl for years. I didn’t get the chance to read it in high school like so many others did. I’m not sure why we didn’t read it other than maybe because Schindler’s List had released and become a huge success. We watched that film, an excellent film by the way, instead of reading Anne Frank’s diary. I don’t think one story is better than the other. They are both true and both equally moving. I do think that The Diary of a Young Girl should continue to be taught in schools because it is told in such a pure voice and really puts the reader right in the middle of the war. We can study World War II all we want, but we’ll never hear a more authentic voice than that of a young Jewish girl in hiding. Anne’s story is something that touched my soul profoundly and something I will never forget. No review I write will ever be able to do this book justice, but I will try my best to summarize why it was such a moving read for me.

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Book Review: Begin Again by Leeana Tankersley

Begin Again“You will not be left or abandoned. God will not be disgusted with you. Ever. In that way, God is not like the people in your life. God doesn’t tire of your struggle and your back-and-forth and your uncertainty. God doesn’t grow weary of your winding path.” – Begin Again

Well May has been an interesting month so far. Actually, 2018 has been filled with all kinds of surprises, and I feel thankful that I got through April in one piece. Within one week, my husband and two of our dogs each had surgery. They are all recovered and doing beautifully, but I was just about ready to collapse at the end of that week!

Thankfully, I ended up with just the right book at just the right time, Begin Again by Leeana Tankersley.

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My First Children’s Book!

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I am very excited to share the news of my first children’s book from Cavendish Square Publishing! The title is Property Rights, and it is part of a series that teaches Civic Values to grades 2-4. I am very proud to be a part of this project. I signed on for this series last year and it is so exciting to finally see the finished product! Continue reading “My First Children’s Book!”

Book Review: Differella by Jim and Kay Story

DifferellaI love books. So when people I love write books that I love, life is pretty amazing! My aunt and uncle have joined together to produce an incredible children’s book, which offers a reminder that it is okay, even more than okay, to be a little bit different. I found Differella to be deeply moving, and I share it here in the hopes of encouraging others to read it, share it, and help spread awareness that different is not a bad thing. It’s just different.

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Book Review: Alive in the Spirit by A.W. Tozer (Compiled and Edited by James L. Snyder)

alive-in-the-spiritOther than celebrity memoirs, this is the first non-fiction book I have reviewed. I am so glad that I received a copy of this book! I was attracted to this book because the synopsis was about experiencing the Holy Spirit in your life. This really appealed to me because I am always looking for good devotionals and studies to accompany me on my Christian walk. What is most incredible to me about this book is that these sermons of A.W. Tozer were written decades ago (he lived from 1897-1963) but they read as if he were writing about life and the church today!
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Book Review: Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice by Maureen McCormick

heres-the-storyHere’s the Story, of a Lovely Lady…

…and her name is Maureen.  Now if we happened to pass Maureen on the street, we would probably light up with recognition, wave or say hello, maybe say something like, “It’s Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” (because we’re all really original like that), and go home to tell our friends that we passed Marcia Brady on the street today. Except we didn’t pass Marcia, we passed Maureen.

I’ve long been a fan of celebrity memoirs as I find it fascinating to learn about what really went on behind the scenes on TV shows and movie sets. While The Brady Bunch was before my time, I, like millions out there, caught the re-runs over the years and am very familiar with Mike and Carol Brady and their merged family. The Bradys’ lives were simple, and every episode featured a problem that could be solved in less than 30 minutes. Marcia was the eldest daughter, and the American Dream Girl.

I thought her story sounded interesting, and it turns out that that is putting it mildly! Maureen didn’t have Mike and Carol Brady as parents. She didn’t have three brothers, two sisters, a housekeeper named Alice, and a dog named Tiger.  Maureen’s problems couldn’t be solved in thirty minutes. Maureen had parents, but they were far from the picturesque couple Mike and Carol Brady made. Maureen had dark, hidden family secrets she was held captive to much of her life. Maureen was a far cry from her alter-ego, Marcia. Marcia was perfect. Maureen was human. Keep on Reading!