The River by Michael Neale

The River by Michael Neale

Mostly, I read non-fiction books on leadership and Christian topics, but I shifted gears a bit to read a novel, The River by Michael Neale.

The River is a well written tale of an unexpected encounter between two travelers. One traveler is returning home after countless meetings, and just trying to grab some quiet time while waiting on a delayed flight.  The other a gritty adventurer returning from a five continent white water rafting experience.  As the adventurer, Gabriel Clarke, shares his tale, the other traveler is drawn in and transformed.

Neale’s storytelling will draw you into the story, which will both entertain and challenge you.

On the surface, it’s a great story of an emotionally traumatized boy transforming into a ‘wide open’ adventurer.  However, you will also be challenged by the main character, The River itself.  It will challenge you to find your purpose in a greater story. In the interview at the end of the book, you’ll find Neale’s belief is that story is God’s story, and if you are interested in exploring that further check out the links for the series and field guide below.

I would recommend this book to any reader who wants to immerse themselves in a great story, and is willing to consider the challenge.  Further, if you are interested in experiencing the story in a unique setting, Neale has created a live, multimedia event (watch for it at www.theriverexperience.com).

Links to Series and Field Guide:
The River: 4 Part Series at Christ Fellowship in Florida
The River: Field Guide

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.

On This Day in Christian History by Robert J. Morgan

I enjoy having a little structure to my daily reading, so I thought this would be a great book for my habit.

The book (typical of “On This Day...” books) is structured by date - a perfect fit for a daily reading plan.  Each day’s reading includes a short ‘article’ about a significant event, as well as a short scripture reading.  Also, you can find articles on specific topics (e.g., Courage, Mentors, Time Management, etc.) using the index.

Morgan has mastered the ability to shares the key facts and significant points in one-page. As a result, the reader quickly gains insight on significant challenges faced by Christians and and the sacrifices made. The stories are inspiring, but frequently tragic - after all, martyrs have played a significant role in Christian history.  As a result, the daily article will not leave the reader up-beat.

I would recommend this book, to history lovers who want a private, daily dose of Christian history, and a few minutes of reflection.  You might want to pick something different, if you’re looking for a daily devotion to share with the kids before school.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”