Overview:
Free Book. Sadly, it doesn’t mean free as in no cost, but free as in totally and completely focused on freedom. Not American freedom, but Christian freedom. Freedom to live life to the fullest as we’re empowered by Christ. It’s a crazy powerful message. It’s a message I am head-over-heels in love with. The author, Brian Tome, does a great job communicating this throughout his book. Let’s look a little more at how he does it.

Originality:
The discussion over whether Free Book is original or not really depends on what kind of original you mean. Is it original in the sense that the things within its pages have never been said before? No. Its basic principles and ideas are straight from the pages of Scripture. Is it original in the sense that the things within its pages haven’t been said enough? Absolutely. We as the church tend to get so caught up in the “dos and don’ts” that we forget the freedom that Christ has brought us. That’s Brian’s whole point. We need more voices like his to speak out and stand for freedom.

Overall Readablity:
There isn’t a lot to be concerned about here, but the book is definitely written to a college-educated audience. It’s not hard to read by any means in the terms of vocabulary used- it’s actually rather easy. There are just a few analogies that Brian employs at times that require some back knowledge of either major religious figures, Bible stories, or philosophers, but nothing that changes your ability to grasp the meaning of the book. It was a very enjoyable read.

Outstanding Quotation:

If you’re focused on maintaining balance–trying to satisfy all the people in every area of your life and just skating by with a little energy here and there–you probably aren’t moving, and you probably aren’t experiencing the blessings that come from a life lived in freedom.

- p. 148

Observations:
Brian isn’t afraid to be brutally honest with you in this book. He shares with you about mistakes he’s made, mistakes a lot of people make, and just generally stupid things people have done. He doesn’t try to beat around the bush. He’s especially clear about this in the third chapter, when he really gets down to defining freedom. He talks about the American definition of freedom, meaning absolute freedom from restrictions. However, he slaps that idea upside the head with his definition: “Freedom requires a decision to follow someone, because freedom is not about your isolation and independence.” Throughout the book he shares personal stories of times when he hasn’t lived life in total freedom. He’s not afraid to show you his true colors.

On the other hand, I think that at times he can take his brutal honesty too far, even to the point of “cliche” Christian honesty. One of the very first of these cliche traps he falls into is on the very first page: pastors who curse to be “cool.” I can’t fully know his intention for it, but seeing as it’s the only time in the entire book that terminology like that is used, it just feels a bit like it’s there more for bragging rights than because it actually makes a point. He also makes repeated reference to drinking beer with his buddies. While I’m not going to get the whole alcohol debate started here, it again feels like it’s more of a “look at me I’m a drinking Christian” show than actually serving to further his point.

All in all though, I think Brian has done a great job with Free Book. He’s spoken a message too many are too scared to proclaim. Freedom.

Own It:
It’s found a permanent place on my shelf, and I think it should on yours too.

O Book Reviews Rating:
3.5/5 stars

O-cquire your copy at:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Extremely Boring Yet Legally Required 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Overview:
You Are God’s Plan A {and There’s No Plan B} has a simple purpose. It’s designed to be a reminder of God’s “Plan A”- you and me. The author, Dwight Robertson, states that God’s Plan A is for us to be laborers for him- disciples in action. He repeatedly comments that God never called for professional ministers, but instead for laborers to influence the world right where they are. He believes the fate of the world depends on it.

Originality:
Dwight definitely presents some great content in Plan A. He desires to see God’s Kingdom established on earth today, and writes with that passion in mind. Some of the thoughts are thoughts I had heard, read, or thought myself before, but he puts them in a different light and presentation that makes them new and fresh again.

Overall Readablity:
You need not have any concerns here about readability. Plan A is extremely enjoyable and has a low entry point into the way it is written. The author does assume some familiarity with “Christian-ese”, but as this is a book written by a Christian for Christians, that is naturally to be expected. The book uses many stories to communicate its points which works very well, even more so than I’ve seen in many other texts.

Outstanding Quotation:

In reality then, your story is powerful because it’s an expression of his story. People can argue with logic and information … But no one can argue with your story!

- p. 93

Observations:
While it is a short read at around 150 pages, Dwight manages to cram a lot of good content into those few pages. I especially connect with his emphasis on us as laborers of Christ- not to glorify ourselves and make ourselves more famous, but to make God more famous. I loved the book, as evidenced by the amount of underlining I did. (For me, more underlines=better book.)

Own It:
I think so. It’s a good read for you, and it’s great to lend out to others as well. This is one that should find a place on your shelf.

O Book Reviews Rating:
4/5 stars

Full Disclosure:
This book was provided to me (and the entire student body) at no cost by Indiana Wesleyan University and Kingdom Building Ministries.

Note: The version of Plan A I read was a copy self-published by Kingdom Building Ministries in 2006. The book is being re-released in March 2010 by David C. Cook.