Mother's Day

Hands up who's forgotten Mother's Day! Don't worry, it may only be 4 days away (yes, 10th March) but there is still time for us to get great books to your Mum - we will even gift wrap and send them direct if you wish.
I think the definition of a great book is very subjective - Jeremy assures me that Mums don't want to read books about being a Mum on Mother's Day because it's too depressing when they realise they are doing it all wrong, so I will try to steer clear of them in my recommendations!

Biographies are always a good read, here's one you probably won't find in another bookshop - Ann Judson, Missionary Wife reprinted from volume 1 of 'The Lives of the Three Mrs Judsons' by Arabella Stuart. This edition has been revised, edited & expanded by Corner Pillar Press and is a fascinating read of a devoted wife & missionary.
Otherwise the newest biography on our shelves is in the Bitesize Biography series & written by an excellent author Simonetta Carr, it is about Renee of France - have a read of the review on our site & see what you think.

Devotionals are another option, Lydia Brownback has written a series called On-the-Go Devotionals for women, which are easy to read & Christ centred.

Let me know what sort of book your Mum would like as a present & we will do our best to recommend a title. We can add in a Mother's Day card too!
Lorna

Best Mother's Day Buy!

With no apologies for being repetitive I am going to mention again a book that I think would make a great Mother's Day present.  Wrestling with an Angel by Greg Lucas.  New in from Cruciform Press (see my previous post) I really enjoyed this book & have now lent it to 2 friends who are both as enthusiastic about it as me!  This is a book about a family which includes a child with a disability.  It is written with raw & honest emotion, but not overwhelmingly so.  The trials & struggles of this one family are used as the backdrop to a book on God's amazing grace to each of us.  Through a father's anecdotes we see clearly the biblical lessons learnt through tribulation when sanctified by the Spirit.  It is the kind of book that grips you from start to finish & then you sit back, take a deep breath and say 'wow'!  Actually friend number 1 rang me & said 'that book... it has so much to say to everyone, you can apply these lessons to any situation you are struggling with'. Friend number 2 particularly mentioned how the book brings out God's individual dealings with each of his people - whether young or old, healthy or disabled, we are each taught by the Spirit in a way that is suitable to our case.  I heartily recommend this book!

I can't blog on Mother's Day without also mentioning another book from Cruciform Press - The Organised Heart, a Woman's Guide to Conquering Chaos by Staci Eastin. An amused 'huh' has probably escaped your lips by now, but don't worry, this is a serious book & asks some serious questions.  The author's analysis of disorganisation is that it is a form of idolatry - are you disorganised because of perfectionism? Busyness? Possessions? Do we have our priorities right? Have we remembered that God is sovereign & in control of all things?  This is a book with many valid points & a useful reminder that we need to commit ALL our way to the Lord.

And if these two don't whet your appetite, I could mention some new historical fiction books we have just stocked up on... but I won't get started now!

Lorna

Mother's Day

Only a week until Mother's Day (3rd April). Don't forget to pick up a card, and this year instead of flowers and chocolates, how about getting her a book? Just ring if you need some help choosing! Lorna

Make the most of the Leap Year

2008 is a special year - you have one extra day in which to take advantage of our February Offer. You only need to spend £25 to get a fiver back. Okay, so you may not think you need any new books, but I bet your Mum would love one! Go on... get your Mum a book for Mother's Day instead of a bunch of flowers. A much more lasting gift and some even have pretty covers (although maybe they don't smell as good)! Which reminds me, I had a rep in the other day trying to sell me Christmas cards that smelt of Christmas. Yes, they were American! Needless to say, I didn't order any (although I could of course if anyone lets me know that that is just what they want at Christmas). Anyway, back to the point... here are a few suggestions for books to get your lovely Mum...

The Mother Who Seeks After God - Daily Devotions for Busy Mums, Laura Martin, £7.99 Short easy to read chapters with musings and meditations on a mother's life. Includes relevant scripture references. Deserves reflective reading.

God's Design for Women, Sharon James, £9.95

This well known book is now available as a double DVD set (£25) and a study guide (£3.75).

The Marvellous Riches of Savouring Christ, Ruth Bryan, £14.95

Highly thought of, Ruth Bryan's letters have been likened to Samuel Rutherford's. Devotional in nature, they are rich in mature spiritual guidance.

If these don't give you any ideas, just give me a call and describe your Mother - I bet I could come up with something perfectly suited (ask for Lorna when you ring - Jeremy probably doesn't even know when Mother's Day is!)
Lorna

Mother's Day Conundrum

You have braved the decision of getting your mother (or wife via the children) a book for this Sunday, but now the real difficulty presents itself. What do you choose? A wrong move here and all your good intentions will be wasted. Will a book on parenting rebound on you - literally in severe cases. Are 'women of faith' books patronising or stimulating? Are women going to like a book just because it has a stylish cover with a flower on and deals with 'soft' issues, seen as female-orientated? The questions arise more easily than the answers. Well, on perhaps the one day in the year when she is made to feel valued, a woman is entitled to expect a thoughtful choice, where you put yourself in her position and say 'Would I want this?'
An opening suggestion is to go for a biography. How about 'Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love to Thee' by Sharon James www.banneroftruth.org/pages/item_detail_index.php?5005 ? But don't get it from them when you could get it from us. One thing, you certainly can't be accused of going down the stylish cover route with this!
Any more ideas, please comment.
Jeremy