Who doesn't love hearing a good story?
343020
When I read Russ Ramsey's retelling of the stories I thought I knew so well,  I find myself compelled to stop reading and give pause to these events in the early church.  Russ has a truly compelling style that breathes life into these people- these people who walked with Jesus and knew him intimately.  I find myself feeling like I know the apostles on a more personal level- and I get excited hearing my own pastor preach through the book of Acts!  I'm more connected to scripture in a more personal way.  For those who may be wondering, Russ doesn't go off a deep end and infuse scripture with any new, made-up characters.  He fleshes out the people we have been reading about for years and years.  What was the context of these discussions, these miracles.  How did Peter feel at that very moment?  What thoughts ran through his head in those early days following the ascension?  It's so engaging to delve further into the minds and emotions and experiences of these people who saw it with their own eyes.  Russ' writing has truly heightened my enjoyment of reading the bible, and I can't recommend this book more highly.
474215
She is an incredible storyteller! It's even better on audiobook! I prefer books, but her voice is so animated and accurately portrays the varied emotions you feel throughout her story; it never gets old or tiring to listen to her speak! Not to mention, her story itself is incredible! So much nuance goes into speaking about very touchy subjects and she breezes through them with such grace!
928357
Everybody loves to hear a story, probably because we all have a story. Or stories. Family, community, jobs, military service, divine encounters. We especially like stories when they are well told, and we haven't already heard them a myriad of time. Good preaching incorporates good stories; and good stories can certainly be used to incorporate preaching. So Im hard pressed to decide if Pastor/Storyteller Rich Prez is preaching or telling a story in his book Mi Casa Uptpwn, (B&H Publishing, 2017).
  This is a story about growing up as an immigrant family from the Dominican Republic settling in New York.  Its a story about family and community. Its a sermon about love.
 Prez loves his family, and his community, and that love comes through on every page of this engaging work. Somehow he manages to paint a picture of community and family and how they are intertwined, especially in immigrant communities. The barrio, the neighborhood where people settle because they have something in common with the other people who live there. And that commonality makes them stronger.
 Rich takes us to a day when we knew and talked to and with our neighbors, when the neighborhood bodega was the place to be (and the sense of loss when Big Box stores took over the Mom and Pop stores.
 And this book is also a reminder of grief, of loss, but more importantly hope.
 I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.

 5/5
4565349
I have a story in this anthology. Perhaps that means I shouldn't review it. But there are so many good tales here. You will shiver at some. Laugh with others. This is a good collection of entertaining stories. Spoil yourself and sit down for some fun . . . or fear. Whichever, this will not be wasted time. It'll bring moments of relaxing enjoyment.
3438488
Such a cute story. My grandson truly enjoys being read to so I got this for him. Who doesn't love the story?
1186094
I love to read and hear great storytelling. Carol Burnett has served her readers up some delicious stories from her past life in THIS TIME TOGETHER.

I listened to all five CDs and loved every minute of the mixture of life experiences--personal and professional. I recommend it.
1555068
Audio book is fantastic.  Well worth it.  I never find the time to actually read a book but when I go to and from work I can listen to a few minutes and get the story.

Narrator is quite good.

Well worth the purchase if you want to hear the stories!
1542775
I am an adult who appriciates good stories that make you lose track of time and who you are.  THis book alows the reader to see, smell, hear, taste and almost touch the story. Very well written and can be enjoyed by all ages.
2605162
We love Calef Brown. Reading his writing aloud is a treat and makes story time even more fun.
1051377
Who doesnt love a good story? A good story is one that grabs you and pulls you in at all twists and turns of the story until the ending. Stories inspire. Stories motivate. We are surrounded by stories, and one thing that is clear is our God is a storytelling God. This can be seen all throughout Scripture. The Bible is fully of stories that are captivating to the heart, and teach us much about God and His people.

In The Storytelling God, Jared Wilson looks at a series of stories in the Bible that are told by Jesus known as the parables. The parables that Jesus tells are simple stories that have a deeper and central teaching and message. Unfortunately, today many pastors use the parables to make illustrations to their points in sermons and often take the meaning of these stories out of context or lessen the message of Jesus intention in the story. Wilson says, When these oft-repeated stories from Jesus strike us as sweet, heartwarming, or inspiring in the sentimental sense rather than the Spiritual sense, we can be sure weve misread them (13). Jesus parables are stories with eternal purposes. Jesus spoke through parables in a way that was confusing to those outside the kingdom. This was intentional. The stories that Jesus told contained the mystery of eternal life (33).

Wilson walks through many of Jesus parables and helps to see them in the light they are to be understood, not one that is too simplistic or one that is overly searching for more meaning than is there. Much has been written on storytelling and the importance of story, and one cannot skip over the importance of Jesus parables in helping the people of God to understand a little bit of the kingdom. The parables are important in helping to shape the lives of Christians, and understanding how they are to do kingdom work here on earth. Take the time to understand the parables, and use Wilsons The Storytelling God to see how our Father is a storytelling God all through the narrative of Scripture and has used the parables of Jesus specifically to reveal eternal purposes to us then and still today. Grab a copy of the book from Crossway here.

This is an honest review written in exchange of a review copy of The Storytelling God from Crossway publications.
375047
All 3 stories are really good. The speaker does a great job of keeping you interested in what's going on.
2741887
I like stories easily "related to"  and ones that have a moral.  This one satisfies and I can recommend it wholeheartedly.
Not cloyingly simple,  like some of the stories of its ilk out there
2432219
I love a good story.  You know -- the "once upon a time" kind.  And "Marble City" is that type of story.  I was fascinated by the history Kaufman integrated into his tale, and learned new and interesting facts about the areas he describes. In every good story the characters face triumphs and disappointments, and I admired the paths Isaac and Ana took.  Their individual strengths, their values, and their devotion to each other made their marriage flourish.  Their story is touching and endearing.  For good curl-up reading, I recommend it.
1348831
If you love story telling, you'll love this book.  It's filled with wonderful stories that will not just entertain you but transport you to different parts of the world, allow you to experience different lives, but best of all, celebrate humanity.  It's a wonderful book that just makes you feel good; it's hard to put down.

And if you love Moth Radio, then of course you'll love this great collection of those stories.
4318803
Kevin Hearne is keeping the art of storytelling alive and thriving quite nicely. His style of writing is succinct and enthralling. His wit is superb, both when he is being subtle and in-your-face, laugh-out-loud funny.
  By the way, Kevin. You know that TRUE storytellers tell stories right up until the day they pass from this world, right? This means we shall expect more from you on a regular basis.
  Having read all you've written several times, I'm not so patiently waiting. (This is where some might place a smiley-face.) (Note: no smiley-face.)
2850709
One of the first delights you'll find endearing in this book is the voice of the story-teller: a combination of the wondrous arrogance of a teenager, coupled with a wisdom beyond his years... at least, seemingly so.  But you'll find yourself endeared to his youthful joy coupled with a tiche of sarcasm, that spirtely attitude once felt by us all, before being knocked around too much by the obstacles of the adult world. And you'll find that voice oh! so refreshing!
  But behind the voice look family secrets, expertly woven, a bit at a time, into the story.  Including the existence of an ancient blood feud.
  And, my friends, that is all you'll get from me this time; any more, and something will end up spoiled for you.  So this time, I ask that you simply trust me in my prediction that you will love not only the story itself, but also the way it is written.  And you'll also enjoy the nearly error-free text of the Kindle edition.
  While apparently written for teen and adult readers, the book contains nothing that I would likely forbid a younger reader to see.  If sufficiently advanced for the reading of it, children are also likely to thoroughly enjoy this book.
1604766
Such a great way to enjoy these books and brings a renewed excitement to me about the stories that I have been obsessed with for more than half my life.  Just bought this for my 8 year old nephew and I think the pictures make the story so much more digestible for youngons!