Category Archives: Thomas Nelson

A Book Review: NKJV Ultra Thinline Bible by Patti Greene

A Book Review by Patti Greene

Thomas Nelson Ultra Thinline Bible

NKJV Ultra Thinline Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2024.

Disclaimer

I received a teal-colored softcover copy of the 1st edition of the NKJV Ultra Thinline Version from Thomas Nelson because I agreed to give an honest review of this Bible.

Publication

This publication is an updated version of the Bible’s original King James Version (KJV). Its update includes using today’s language for better readability for the times we live in. This teal version was published on February 13, 2024.

Content

First, after the copyright page, we find the Contents page. What I saw, which I liked, was that on the Contents page was the name of each book of the Old and New Testaments coupled with the page number of each book. This much-needed information benefits those unfamiliar with the order of the books of the Bible.

Second, the next page includes a list of the Abbreviations to all sixty-six books of the Bible with clarification as to whether the book is in the Old or New Testament.

Third, the Preface comes next. This is quite an advantage in helping the reader understand more about the original King James Version and why this new version was deemed necessary.

Fourth, Jesus’s words stand out in red lettering, which is always a good feature in a Bible.

Finally, the back of the internal Bible has eight pages for Notes and eight colored Maps from the world of the patriarchs through Jerusalem at the time of Jesus.

This NKJV Ultrathin Value Bible is an excellent choice for those who have enjoyed the original KJV version or feel comfortable using a derivative of the original version.

Format

“Simple” is what I would call this Bible. There is nothing within the text that is fancy or extra special.

The print is tiny, using an 8-point font. Made of imitation leather, it is not especially useful for long-term use. Within the Bible text, there is a chapter title for each chapter of the book, with some including subtitles. Its cover size is approximately 5 ½  x 8 ¾  x ¾,” which makes it perfect to include in a mid-size purse or backpack.

Pros and Cons — Not Mentioned Previously

Pros

This ultrathin version of the Bible is simply an attractive Bible, which, in my opinion, makes it desirable to give as a gift. Many would appreciate a Bible like this for special occasions such as salvation, baptism, a wedding gift, or even to lay in a casket before burial. It would also be ideal for church presentations.

Its Presentation page makes it extra unique.

Its simple wheat cover design surrounds the words Holy Bible. There are other colored covers with different designs that would be appropriate for either males or females, but this teal edition was the one I received.

I would also think this Bible would be a great one to use if you are a public speaker or pastor—to hold when speaking for confidence or to hide one’s notes. Of course,  one should choose the color that best suits your style and preference because teal might not be appropriate.

The satin ribbon marker is always a plus in any Bible.

Cons

This Bible is not suitable for everyone. It does not have concordances, cross-references, or study notes, and there is limited ability for taking margin notes. Therefore, if you’re looking for a study Bible or one with extraneous notes, tips, and help, this might not be your best option.

Before Purchasing

In conclusion, as with all books, the reader should evaluate the Bible thoroughly and decide if it meets their needs. The Bible is an excellent option for people who prefer a lightweight, simple design, can read small print, and want to use it for gift-giving.

Please feel free to share, forward, or distribute as you’d like.

God bless.

Patti

A Book Review: The Breathe Life Bible by Patti Greene

A Book Review by Patti Greene, MATS

Publication

 Jenkins, Michele Clark and Stephanie Perry Moore, eds. The Breathe Life Bible. Nashville:  Thomas Nelson, 2024.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Disclaimer

I received a soft cover copy of The Breathe Life Bible because I am a Bible reviewer for Thomas Nelson.  I agreed to give an honest review of this edition, first published on February 13, 2024.

Review

Upon opening this beautifully boxed Bible, I saw a stunning 1,696-page Bible adorned with soft imitation leather and expertly double-stitched with brown threading along the cover’s edges. The cover boasts a reassuring imprinted grip feature, ensuring secure handling to prevent accidental drops. The title, imprinted in beautiful gold lettering, reads “The Breathe Life Bible,” complemented by gold exterior pagination and thumb indexing. Additionally, Breathe stands for Believe, Reconcile, Exalt, Trust, Hope, and Elevate.

This Bible is beautifully laid out with ornate gold borders on supplemental information pages. At the bottom of each page, additional information is provided for cross-referencing. This Bible edition comes with a presentation page, making it an ideal gift for someone special. Additionally, it includes an index to authors, a table of monies, weights, and measures, a list of Jesus Christ’s parables, and a concordance at the back of the Bible. The Bible also features eight maps tracing biblical locations from the Old Testament Patriarchs to Jerusalem in Jesus’ time. Furthermore, the words of Jesus are printed in red to make them easily distinguishable. Finally, the copyright page permissions facilitate quoting and reprinting, benefiting pastors, writers, and researchers who wish to use the content for various purposes.

The Bible we are considering has some limitations you should be aware of. Firstly, there is no leather cover option available for this Bible. Secondly, the imitation leather cover may have some durability issues, especially if the Bible is used heavily. Thirdly, the margins on each side of the pages are only ½” wide, which limits the space for making notes. Fourthly, the print in the alphabetic concordance is quite small, making it difficult to read. Lastly, there is no glossary provided to define words, which can be inconvenient for readers.

This Bible carries significant meaning for the African American community as black contributors primarily author it. The topics discussed in the Bible are relevant to the community’s experiences, including Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King’s “The Peace I Give to You,” as well as discussions on slavery and the killing of George Floyd.

The Breathe Life Bible aims to bridge Scripture with personal experience and integrate biblical truth into daily life, empowering individuals to put their faith into action—a noble endeavor indeed.

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.  Colossians 2:5 from The Breathe Life Bible