Heaven Bound: Speed Bumps on the Way to Perfection

Reviewed by Dayna Davis, LDSFiles.com Staff Writer

Heaven Bound: Speed Bumps on the Way to Perfection by Lynn C. Jaynes. Published by Covenant Communications, Inc.

Retail Price: $11.95 Available here

As many of you know, I'm really don't read very much non-fiction. I want to, and I enjoy it, but I have a short attention span and it can be very hard for me to focus on the author's words long enough to finish any non-fiction book in a timely manner. Now that I've said that, you need to know that I finished this particular book in one day.

This book is great! It's a book, targeted toward women, full of humorous stories, essays and inspiring messages about being better people, achieving goals, and seeking to serve those outside of ourselves. First, she starts the book with an introduction that ties all the following chapters together. The author has three goals for each day (and in the introduction she explains the background) to do something spiritual, something physical, and to do something of service. These are wonderful goals that I am finding to be attainable for myself - and not quite as overwhelming as the endless lists that we feel we must accomplish. Geneology, journals, scriptures, take meals to others, and all other worthy goals that we can sometimes feel we fall short of. This book is a great pep talk! It makes you laugh and not take yourself so seriously while still encouraging you to make your goals for personal development.

My favorite chapter was "Nephi's Psalm". It gave me a lot to think about and since then I've played around with writing "Dayna's Psalm". I think it can help me keep things in perspective. I have to mention, I also think that this would be a fabulous book to suggest for LDS book groups. It's fun, it's light, it has great discussion topics and there is a lot of material that would be easy to converse about.

The Independence Club

Reviewed by Dayna Davis, LDSFiles.com Staff Writer

The Independence Club by Rachel Ann Nunes. Published by Deseret Book.

Retail Price: $14.95 Available here

Every woman needs a group of women to be her confidantes, best buddies, cheerleaders, help and support. In "The Indepence Club" five women have exactly that. A group of women that understand their individual, single situations and are there to support each other. Maxine is 62 years old and doesn't ever want to be married again, but her gentleman friend thinks differently. Tina was freed from years of abuse when her husband died. Can she put her past behind and love again? Evie thinks she hates the woman that stole her husband from her. Rosalva thinks that she knows what she wants, and it has nothing to do with Willard Oakman. Bernice thinks that one should never marry again, but ends up with the biggest secret of them all.

I love books about women and their groups. This is a fun read, full of romance, friendship, overcoming obstacles, and teaching the rest of us to be there for each other. We learn that it doesn't matter our different ages - we can all be what another needs. I love Rachel Ann Nunes books, and this one certainly does not disappoint.

One Bright Shining Hope - Messages for Women from Gordon B. Hinckley

Reviewed by Melanie Lott, LDSFiles.com Staff Writer

One Bright Shining Hope Messages for Women by Gordon B. Hinckley

Retail Price: $11.96 Available here

This little book of inspiring messages for women from President Hinckley is so beautiful. Each page has a quote from the Prophet paired with a picture of nature. These pictures are breathtaking, some of the most gorgeous I've seen. For some reason, the pairing of the pictures with the quotes brings such a sense of reverence and peace to me, strengthening my testimony and my resolve. This book reminded me yet again at how much I love President Hinckley and how much he loves every one of us. After reading this, no one could ever question how much the Prophet loves and respects women.

I will share just one quote from the book. "It is so tremendously important that the women of the Church stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord. They must begin in their own homes. They can teach it in their classes. They can voice it in their communities. They must be the teachers and the guardians of their daughters. When you save a girl, you save generations. I see this as the one bright shining hope in a world that is marching toward moral self-destruction."