Book Banter Café

Do you like working jigsaw puzzles?  It’s one of our favorite pastimes during winter months when we’re stuck inside on cold days.  Since we are a community of bookworms, I want to share with you my very favorite puzzle of all-time.   It is a perfect gift for the book lover on your list, or you might want to snag one for yourself.   I received mine a couple Christmases ago. The puzzle includes vintage book covers of bestselling novels.   As the pieces satisfyingly snap into place making the picture come alive, I can’t decide which one I want to read next when I’m done.   Should I start with A Tale of Two Cities or The Time Machine?   It’s so hard to choose! Not all puzzles are created equally.   Sometimes the print quality is poor, or the pieces are flimsy and tear.   White Mountain puzzles always deliver high quality designs and thick pieces so you can rework the same puzzle over and over without damaging it. Some people find ...

The short answer is “yes,” as long as you set some boundaries.   Why Is Reading Important For Kids? You already know reading is vital to your child’s academic success, but maybe you’ve never hashed out the specific skills your kids acquire when they read.   Here they are: Reading exercises the brain and trains it to make connections. Reading improves concentration and helps your child learn to sit still and focus longer. Reading opens up the world to your kids and teaches them about things they’ve never personally experienced, and it fosters empathy. Reading improves vocabulary and develops a command of language when writing and speaking. Reading sparks the imagination and creativity. Reading helps kids do better in school across all subject areas. As an added bonus, reading is just plain fun!   Getting lost in an adventure or being thrilled from suspense is one of life’s greatest pleasures and escapes.    The...

Image courtesy of Naypong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net How well do you know the classics?  See if you can correctly identify the novel based on its plot summary.  Scroll down for the answers. 1.         This novel focuses on the life of vivacious Southern belle, Scarlet O’Hara.  It traces her life from the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner through the Civil War and Reconstruction and follows her love for both Ashley Wilkes and Rhett Butler. 2.        Charlotte Bronte wrote this novel about the emotions and experiences of its title character, including her growth to adulthood and her love for Mr. Rochester. 3.        This novel follows the lives of four sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March—detailing their passage from childhood to womanhood. 4.        Guy Montag’s job in this novel is to destroy printed books and the homes i...

Liars, Leakers, and Liberals:   The Case Against the Anti-Trump Conspiracy by Jeanine Pirro is a refreshing read because it reveals something to us we don’t get from the mainstream media:   the TRUTH!   This book is insightful and illuminating because the average, honest American can’t even fathom the corruption pervading the political swamp of Washington.   This eye-opening account uncovers all the political maneuvering of key players in that swamp to subvert our government for their own self-serving gain.   You will read shocking details about these swamp dwellers: ·          Hillary Clinton ·          Barack Obama ·          James Comey ·          Peter Strzok ·          Andrew McCabe ·          Rod Rosenst...

Best Devotional For Kids Finding the perfect devotional for your kids can be daunting. The market is flooded with options, but most of them fall short of your expectations.  Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado  is the choice that won’t disappoint. What sets this devotional apart from the rest?   (Paid link) Holds Attention Unlike other devotionals for kids,  Grace for the Moment  is well-written. It’s not surprising when you consider Max Lucado has been dubbed “a preacher with a storyteller’s gift—a pastor’s heart and a poet’s pen.” With over 40 years of preaching experience, 100 million books sold, and time on most bestseller lists, this devotional reflects Max’s skill in presenting deep spiritual concepts in concise ways that are easy to grasp and easy to read without sounding overly theological. The message of God’s grace is not watered down and cheesy, but creatively presented to inspire and encourage. Your child will never grow bored. It...