Book Reviews: Made In Our Image, Press Pause and God’s Abundant Mercy.

I’m a children’s writer. I LOVE kids books. And although I could disappear into the world of children’s literature and possibly never emerge, I do actually read other stuff. I like a light novel (but read Markus Zuzak’s Bridge of Clay recently at the suggestion of my son. Oh my, it was beautifully written but not light). I also enjoy a variety of non-fiction, especially books that make me think about my faith or challenge my spiritual walk with God. Three of these recent reads were Made In Our Image, Press Pause and God’s Abundand Mercy. 

Review 1 - Made In Our Image: God, artificial intelligence and you.

Made In Our Image was recommended to me by my brother, Mark. Both of my brothers have good taste in books, and given I - like many other creatives these days - have been thinking a lot about AI lately, this seemed a timely read. (You can see more of my thoughts on AI here.) In this book, Stephen Driscoll approaches the topic of artificial intelligence with thoughtful realism. AI, he says, is here to stay, so it’s imperative that Christians think theologically about what it is, where it came from, and what it can (or should) do. What I liked about this book was the way it put our relationship with God, the Creator, in the centre. How we interact with AI, therefore,  shouldn’t be so much about the technological yay or nays, but how we view our humanity and our need for a saviour. 
If you are wrestling with your position on artificial intelligence, or are just curious about how our faith might influence our attitudes towards it, this is an excellent resource and deserving of its 2025 Australian Christian Book of the Year Award. It doesn’t tell you what to think, and it’s not fear based or doomsdayish. It’s real, grounded and thoughtful. Thoroughly recommended.

All the details you need: 
Title: Made In Our Image: God, artificial intelligence and you.
Written by: Stephen Driscoll
Publisher: Matthias Media
Available from The Wandering Bookseller or your favourite bookseller.

Review 2 - Press Pause: Making time for God in an overscheduled life.

​But what if thinking about artificial intelligence gives you a headache, or you’re just feeling overwhelmed with the busyness of life?  Well, Karynthia Glasper Phillip’s Press Pause might be more what you are after. This book is for overscheduled Christian women struggling to find space and time to ‘be’ with God. 
Now I’ve read a few ‘how to find time’ type books in my years as a writer/parent/everything else, but what I appreciated about this book was the way Phillips doesn’t take ‘I’m too busy’ for an answer. Instead, using metaphors drawn from her years as a physician’s assistant, she explains why ‘pressing pause’ (making time to read God’s word, seek him in prayer and listen to his leading) is crucial for our spiritual survival. Each chapter ends with a short devotional, allowing the reader to immediately put the teaching into practice, and the book ends with instructions for a 7 Day Personal Retreat. I read this book several months ago now, and still the metaphors are sticking in my mind, urging me to seek ‘spiritual homeostasis’ where I’m listening to the ‘Holy Spirit’s invitation to pause from the world’s non-stop activity’ (pg 30). A timely reminder to create and prioritise time with God.

All the details you need: 
Title: Press Pause: making time for God in an overscheduled life. 
Written by: Karynthia Glasper Phillips
Publisher: IVP
Available from Amazon or check with your favourite bookseller.

Review 3 - God's Abundant Mercy: 40 days of living in His compassion.

​And, if you are looking for a companion to help you slow down and dig deeper into God’s word, Lori Stanley Roeleveld’s latest devotional, God’s Abundant Mercy is probably my favourite devotional recommendation of this year! (I know we have quite a bit of the year left, but I love this one so much I’m doubting anything else will top it). The book begins with one of my favourite verses, Micah 6:8, and in 40 reflective devotionals, Roeleveld invites readers to explore what the Bible says about the intersections of God’s mercy and justice. This isn’t a soft fluffy devotional. It’s real, honest and, at times, challenging. But it’s the groundedness (is that a word?) in Scripture that makes it so relevant, especially in our current era where compassion can be fleeting and judgement harsh. Roeleveld asks us to consider God’s responses to sin and injustice, both in the world around us and our own lives. What we learn about God’s mercy changes everything. A powerful, timely devotional I’ll be returning to again. 

All the details you need: 
Title: God’s Abundant Mercy: 40 days of living in His compassion.
Written by: Lori Stanley Roeleveld 
Publisher: Our Daily Bread
Available from Amazon, or ask your favourite bookseller.