Heidy-ho, good neighbors! (Does anyone else miss Wilson from Home Improvement, or is that just me?)

It’s that time of month again (no, not THAT time, ladies)… the time where we look at all the lovely books sent for review by Graf-Martin Communications/Baker/Revell and this month, also Thomas Nelson.

I have four books to show you this month: three non-fiction and slightly related in terms of topic, and one fiction that I think you’ll be surprised by (if you’ve been reading this blog for a little while).

This month, we’ll start with the three non-fiction books and end off with fiction. Remember, these three non-fictions are somewhat related in content, so if this is an area of reading that interests you, RSS this baby and come back over the next few days. You might also find a book among these ones that you’ll want to pass on to a friend or relative (I know I did).

So, today? We start with Plan B.

Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn’t Show Up the Way You Thought He Would? - Pete Wilson

Book Trailer (it’s interesting, watch it if you’d prefer not to read the summary):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C34l01O8rI0

Summary (from the publisher):

My Thoughts:

Plan B is “one of those books”… the kind you pick up when you’re in the midst of struggling with a circumstance in your life, or if you know a friend or relative who’s struggling and you’re looking for some way to help comfort them… only to find more packed inside the pages than you expected. The author is speaking to you, and you’re amazed at the truth behind the words.

All of us have something in our lives that didn’t go the way we planned, and I’d be willing to take bets on the chances that we think about it and wonder “what if?” or “why me?” from time to time.

Wilson’s book speaks to those longings and wonderings, and helps us understand what to do when it’s time to turn to Plan B. Or, how to keep on going if you’ve been stuck on Plan B for awhile now.

I honestly don’t want to say much else about it, because I think the book trailer says enough for you to know whether or not this is the kind of book you want or need (or that someone you know wants or needs). But I’ll also say that Wilson doesn’t let you off easy, either — there are no pat answers, trite responses, or cliched phrases of comfort.

He hits readers with biblical wisdom, logical thinking, and the hard truth that you need to hear. I was skeptical of the book at first, I’ll admit (but that’s not unusual for me) and was impressed with what I came away with. It may not be easy to read if you’re struggling with life not turning out how you’d planned, but I think you’ll come away a stronger person for it.

After all, life never goes the way we expect — that’s why it’s called living and not coasting.

My verdict? This is one for the bookshelves. Re-read as necessary. Pass on where you see need.

Rest assured in the ‘plan Bs’ of life.

Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available May 2010 at your favourite bookseller.