Paper Route

I am a pretty big fan of Paper Route and this is some of their newer material since Andy left the band. I saw them play this live in Birmingham fairly recently and it was AWESOME.  It is classic Paper Route yet it feels fresh and more daring. This is just a single, but if it serves as any proof of how their new album, The Peace of Wild Things, will be, then I am ready to head in that direction. Buy this now-You can preview the song on Amazon or iTunes- I highly reccomend it.
-SwitchFit

Heaven IS for Real

First off, I did not want to like this book. I KNOW "Heaven is for Real," I've had no doubts about it. However, my father, an unbeliever, saw this book, read it and recommended that I read it. I'm sure you can see why I did. Now on to the review. I enjoyed the writing style of Todd Burpo, the little boy's father, it was conversational in tone. The chapters are incredibly short- so short that the book can be read in one day. The book feels very personal, it even contains some of the  Burpo's family photos in the center. I can see how for many people this book would reaffirm their faith, it is an AMAZING story.  If I only could say one thing about "Heaven is for Real," It would have to be that the author(s) convey God's love perfectly. My favorite parts included Colton's account of his miscarried sister, it reminded me of Tilly by Frank Peretti, Akiane Kramarik's Prince of Peace portrait of Jesus (She has visions from God and she was the child of atheists), and how Colton's parents respond to the questions from others regarding Colton's experience. Overall, I would  recommend this book,as it helps add detail and may provide answers to some question, but I would not base my faith on it. Return to The Bible, it will give you the comfort and the answers that you seek.

This book was made available to me for free by Booksneeze/Thomas Nelson

-I hope this review was helpful, SwitchFit.

I am Painted Red

 I am always on the lookout for new artists and I recently discovered JJ Heller. I first heard "What Love Really Means" on my local Christian radio station and I instantly fell in love with the lyrics and the sincerity that came through her vocals. That led me to purchase some of her albums. I must say, I was incredibly blown away by Painted Red.Most of the songs have simple melodies and straightforward lyrics.Although the lyrics are basic, they convey eternal truths and are emotionally based; JJ and her husband, David, wrote majority of the songs. Painted Red has an organic feel and her voice is very unique (angelic even).I find her music very calming, often I play it in the background when highlighting passages in the morning or listening to it when in heavy traffic. As much as I LOVE JJ Heller, her music is not for everyone. I would recommend listening to a few clips on iTunes or Amazon before purchasing. It is composed of 12 songs:
Save Me
Not Mine Anyway
Back Home
I Only Have One
You Ruin Me
You Would Love Me Too
True Things
Keep You Safe
Your Hands
Painted Red
I enjoy the entire CD but my favorites would have be All I Need, True things, Keep You Safe, Back Home, and Painted Red. I would recommend this if you are a fan of Jon Foreman's solo material (Fall, Winter, Summer and Spring)or Audrey Assad.
I hope this review was helpful-SwitchFit

The Door to December

Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors, and The Door to December reaffirms, for me, why. It was originally published under one of his pseudonyms.I have found that his earlier novels are "darker" in tone and the opening of the story is quite graphic in its description of violence.However, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I find that Koontz, although he uses dark imagery and shows the seedier side of humanity, weeves the theme of grace into all of his novels and thus shows the great capacity of love that mankind can achieve.
-SwitchFit

Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World

Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World by Dr. David Jeremiah is a GREAT Read. I liked it for many different reasons. First, the subject matter of the book applies to everyone, as everyone has dealt with defeat or anxiety at some point in time. Dr. David Jeremiah's writing style is very clear and has a conversational feel to it. I also found that the more I read the book, the more I found myself returning to the Bible. I would highly recommend this to anyone, especially those new to Christ, as it teaches how we can truly live our lives "In Christ."

This book was made available to me for free by Booksneeze/Thomas Nelson

- I hope this review was helpful, SwitchFit

Anberlin- Dark is the Way, Light is a Place

Anberlin is one of my favorite bands and I was really excited when I first heard they were releasing a new album. Dark is the Way, Light is a Place is a classic Anberlin album, but a few things are different.
The Good
The album is cohesive and flows very well, and there are no "filler" songs. Since the members of Anberlin are Christians, most of their songs have a spiritual element in them, however, non-believers can also enjoy the album because there is nothing overtly religious or "preachy." Stephen Christian's vocals are the best I've ever heard them. The songs are very catchy (I find myself humming them throughout the day.)
The Not so Good
This is the shortest album that Anberlin has released to date. There are only 10 songs.

1. We Owe This To Ourselves
2. Impossible
3. Take Me (As You Found Me)
4. Closer
5. You Belong Here
6. Pray Tell
7. The Art Of War
8. To The Wolves
9. Down
10. Depraved

While I really like this album, I have to admit that the lyrics are not as "deep" as those on prior albums.
The songs are very catchy, but in my opinion are a little too repetitive.

Overall

• I would highly recommend this album to anyone and I consider it a great starting point for those who are just now discovering Anberlin. I would say to buy the whole album, but if you're just wanting to download a few, my favorites are Pray Tell, Take Me (As You Found Me), Closer, and Impossible.

 Hope this review was helpful-SwitchFit