What Color is Your Parachute 2017 edition Richard Boles

Known as "the world's most popular job search book", Richard  Boles' bestseller, What Color is Your Parachute  has been updated for 2017.  In the midst of a new RN career, having just graduated Nursing school after a prolonged period of unemployment, under employment and discouragement with job prospects, this book is especially relevant. This book has been around since the 70s with yearly updates to provide job seekers and career changers guidance and encouragement while job hunting.  Who hasn't heard of this inspirational career book? This book has been updated to reflect the difficult job economy incorporating relevant new strategies to job hunting as well as encouragement for the unemployed. Part how to guide and part self helpbook this book covers the whole spectrum of being unemployed from the emotional perspective as well as the financial hardships.  The author addresses each aspect of unemployment offering encouragement, spiritual help as well as practical steps and insight into looking for a job.  This book I believe will be effective in empowering the struggling reader who is at the end of his emotional and financial resources.  In this difficult economy this is a timely book.  Personally experiencing prolonged unemployment, this book offers new perspective from interviews tips and job hunting advise which will serve to eliminate fruitless wasted hours and effort to practical hints to get one's personal life and space in order. As a blogger I received  this book published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC,  I would suggest this book to uplift the spirits and motivation for even the most discouraged unemployed job hunter or career changer.

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible By Craig S. Keener & John H. Walton, General Editors Published by Zondervan

The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible By Craig S. Keener & John H. Walton, General Editors  Published by Zondervan is more than just a bible- it brings the culture and historical context of the bible to life.    There is some resemblance to the out of print NIV Archeological study bible, and the newly published First Century bible also by Zondervan. If you want to own one single bible that is good for study as well as beautifully designed and illustrated, the full color Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible is the only bible you will need.  This bible has every study feature you could ever ask for in a bible- including historical, theological and life application information.  This bible is full of full color photos, maps, charts, illustrations as well as the tiny footnotes- traditional study notes on the bottom of the page.  It is like a history book and bible rolled into one volume.  This bible is great for new bible readers as well experienced readers.

The font is very easy to read and not too tiny.  As far as everyday study, the font is big enough so as not to require the reader to squint.  Unlike most study bibles where the bible text is extremely tiny, I found the bible text to be readable.  It is nice to see that the publishers recognized the need for a full color bible- with an abundance of study resources and photos from the historical point of view. I do not feel any bible reader would ever need to buy another study bible.  Perhaps teachers, sociologists,  history enthusiasts and tourist travelers will be drawn to this bible as well. There is a wealth of study notes on each page as well.  

Some of the material may be redundant for those who already own the First Century Study bible.  For example, many of the diagrams, maps and illustrations photographs and charts are in both the Cultural Backgrounds Bible and First Century bible.  There is some unique content and photographs, but maybe not enough to justify owning both of these similar study bibles.

Although there appear to be quite a bit of study notes included, they are more like foot notes.  The study notes add quite a bit of historical and cultural detail but really do not clarify  spiritual concepts.  If you are looking for a bible with extensive study notes for spiritual clarification- this study bible is not the best choice.

For anyone looking for a good bible that will provide a lifetime of value and study, the NIV Cultural Backgrounds bible is among the top choices in my opinion. I think any bible reader will be impressed.  It is also easy to read with a somewhat larger and clearer font size.  Jesus' words are in red letter font as well.  As a blogger for booklook I received a copy of this bible published by Zondervan.

Have a tough time deciding what bible to choose? Please visit this guide online.
http://pjtheemt.blogspot.com/2011/06/bible-versions-communicating-gods-word.html

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal published by Tyndale Momentum is a beautiful little book that cannot easily be placed in either category.  Although its title mentions "coloring" and "journal", this book is a hyrbid devotional first and foremost.  In align with the coloring book claims- this book contains a number of beautiful and intricate illustrations perfect for coloring with colored pencils.  In some form or another, these illustrations adorn each page.  On some pages, they span across a full page or even a two page spread like a traditional adult coloring book.  On other pages, small decorative illustrations are used either as a border or a decorative accent- which can also be colored.  Some pages feature full color graphics and art.  Most pages feature a short devotional entry based on a scripture or theme making this a devotional book.  There is also lined space for journaling as well as blank page space for free writing or free drawing and doodles.  This book allows for a great amount of creativity.  This is a beautiful keepsake for yourself or to give as a gift to a loved one.     As a blogger I received a copy of this book for the purpose of writing this review.

Hidden in My Heart Scripture Memory Bible NLT

Although the new Hidden in My Heart Scripture Memory Bible NLT is marketed for kids, this bible is perfect for readers of all ages- including adults.  The easy to read font, and graphic touches make this bible visually pleasing to read.  This bible contains the full text of the New Living translation.  Featured scriptures are translated in the NIV and the KJV versions as well.  Many readers, especially adults, may be familiar with the NIV or KJV of their favorite beloved scripture verses.  This bible give the option for the reader to see favorite beloved scripture in three translations- side by side.  The NLT is a great translation for reading and for study, yet the inclusion of the NIV and KJV translations for popular verses aids in memory as well,   This is a great bible that would be perfect for anyone who is new to the bible or an experienced reader of the bible.  In my opinion, this bible is more suited for older children and adults. With the wide variety of bibles out there- this nich bible is perfect for reading the great NLT, a modern translation, while comparing side by side the subtle differences in the wording with the widely popular KJV and NIV.   As a blogger for Tyndale I received a copy of this bible for the purpose of writing this review.  

A Super Upsetting Cookbook About Sandwiches A Super Upsetting Cookbook About Sandwiches by Tyler Kord

A Super Upsetting Cookbook About Sandwiches A Super Upsetting Cookbook About Sandwiches by Tyler Kord is a new niche cook book based on sandwiches.  This book goes beyond traditional tuna or turkey.  These sandwiches are actually meals, and some are quite eccentric and upscale. You will find the recipe for "The Battle on Pork Chop Hill", featuring eggs, a special sauce, blue cheese crumbles and hamburger buns- but no pork! There is also the "Broccoli Classic", adorned with pine nuts, fried shallots and ricotta "shredded like a m@ther F$@&%#".  If you don't have a modern day sense of humor you may not appreciate the writing style of this cookbook. I think men especially will appreciate this cookbook.  There is also a lot of educational material about sandwiches which is also good for the beginner.

 One might wonder why in this modern day anyone would purchase an expensive cook book when there are so many free recipes available on the internet.  There are still some people out there who prefer a physical cookbook that they can shelve in their kitchen rather than a collection of printed out recipes.  This book is a beautifully bound hardcover with full color photos of exotic looking sandwiches.  It is a modern pop culture work of art- This book would make a great gift for a chef or as a housewarming gift.  As far as recipes- this book is for the advanced chef who feels at home trying new meals This book is about grilling- but not about a typical barbecue or hotdogs and hamburgers. This book is for daring individuals who dare to mix fancy ingredients as  well as standard classic ingredients.   As a blogger I received a copy of this book published by Potter  publishers for the purpose of writing this review.