Book Reviews: July 2017

With my summer winding down, I have been franticly trying to get in some good reading time. School starts and I'm back to work on the 7th and my time will become much more limited. Here are the books I made it through in July.

Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

This book was recommended to me by a friend. It was a sweet story about a man who visits a small town of great significance. The people he meets there end up changing his life for the better. If you want a feel good read, this would be it.

Teach with Your Heart by Erin Gruwell

This was an incredibly inspiring book. Erin and her class are the ones whose life stories were made into the movie, Freedom Writers. I personally love the movie and I was excited find Erin's memoir. It was even better and more thought provoking than I had hoped. I actually read this book during a pretty heated racial protest in the area where my husband is a firefighter. A lot of what I read hit home in ways I did not expect. This book is a keeper.

He Said She Said: Michael & Maria by Shannon Lane

It is a pretty typical story about a privileged girl and a handsome boy who spend the summer together. It is your typical summer romance, but I enjoyed it as a quick read.

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

I'll admit it, I hated the main character for the longest time in this book. I was beginning to wonder if anything would happen that would ultimately make me like her. The story takes some interesting turns, and as always, Giffin does not disappoint. By the end, I at least began to like the main character.

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich

I. Love. This. Book. The main character was someone I could relate to in so many ways. The author chooses a very unlikely heroine as her main character...one I adored. Her plight after her husband's death, her grit and transformation, and the ending all came together to form such a great, and unusually inspiring story. For reasons I won't mention, I found myself encouraged and cheering her on. Now if only I could get my hands on more books Evanovich has written! Our library only carries this one and then one of her books on CD. I'd love to listen to it while driving but her books are not really for little ears lol.

To check out what others are reading, check out this month's link up!

Book Reviews: June 2017

Ah, summertime. Here are a few books I've been able to get through this month.

These reviews are my personal opinions and I have not been compensated in any way for sharing my thoughts.

Home Landscaping Southeast Region by Roger Holmes and Rita Buchanan

As we prepare for our new house to be built, I'm constantly looking for landscaping ideas. I am far from having a green thumb, but I plan on giving it my best shot. This book had great visuals and is very "how to" friendly. It also recommended plant groupings/pairings that would be appropriate for our region.

Joshua: A Parable for Today by Joseph F. Girzone

This story was beautifully written. As the story opens, I was immediately drawn towards the main character and I eagerly read through the pages to know him more. The outlook on faith and religion is pretty on point from my personal view and I loved how the overall message was that God is love.

The One and Only by Emily Giffin

Giffin has a new reader. I could not put her book down, and thanks to my hubby managing the kids, I was able to read through most of the book in a day. Yay for "me time"! The story combines a little romance and football...two of my favorite things. I was so caught up in the details that I was sad when the story ended.

Room by Emma Donoghue

I was captivated from the very beginning. This novel shares the story of a young woman and her son who have been forced to live their lives inside a small room. It goes through their journey, both inside and outside of that room. I was engrossed throughout the entire book.

Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

Yep, another Giffin book. I can't help myself! This story takes an interesting turn as the main characters big secret is revealed. I wish the story had a slightly different ending, but that is the hopeless romantic in me. Overall, it was a great read.

Jacob and Lily

This is the second book in this series, however, I did not realize that until I was well into reading the story about two young teens trying to navigate their way through high school. Most people would consider this story Young Adult Fiction, but due to some of the explicit scenes and verbiage, it was cataloged under adult at our library. I did enjoy the book. It was a quick read and I look forward to reading more of Layne's work.

Linking up for WWRW

Book Reviews May 2017

May was kind of slow if you compare it to previous months this year. We just had so much going on and downtime was limited. Normally I would read after putting the kids down, but most nights I’ve found myself so tired that I would end up in the bed shortly after. I’m hoping to read a bit more now that summer is here. I hope you’ll join this month’s What We’re Reading Wednesday for some more great titles!

These reviews are my personal opinions and I have not been compensated in any way for sharing my thoughts.

The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, M.D.

 

In this book, the authors take a look at the love languages as children. This book helped me identify the various types of love languages in children and I have been able to apply the principles that I’ve learned, not just with my own children, but the children in my classroom. Every child has a specific way that they respond and need responded to in order to feel fulfilled and loved. This was a great and easy read.

The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers by Meg Meeker, M.D.

 

 For the most part, I really enjoyed Meeker’s perspective. She offers practical advice for the busy mom. She gets that life gets messy and complicated and she appreciates how hard we try to wear all the hats we are given. I was once again reminded about the importance of self-care and how adult relationships are essential, even though we often neglect these two areas while we are in the throes of motherhood.

In Due Time Devotional by Caroline Harries

 

This devotional is a keeper. Its daily inspiration and scripture are ideal for anyone waiting on well, anything. I’ve gotten to know the author over the last year and her heart is poured out on every page. For anyone searching for answers in the wait, this devotional will help you keep perspective, be encouraged, and provide applicable advice.

December by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop

 

This story was a little slow for me, but a decent read. It also reminded me to not forget that we often do not see what is going on under the surface in the lives of others. The emotions experienced by all of the main characters were raw and well developed. My heart ached for the parents of the mute girl and yet, I could often understand why she chose to remain silent.

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Book Reviews April 2017

April’s reading kept me pretty content. Here are the titles that I dived into this past month:

I thought I’d share what I’ve been reading. These reviews are my personal opinions and I have not been compensated in any way for sharing my thoughts. 

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
Fever 1793 was a great read. It is set in Philadelphia during the yellow fever epidemic. The story follows a young girl and her experiences of loss and gain during the epidemic. The book was hard to put down.

 

The Farmhouse by Jean Larson

The Farmhouse was full of inspiration. It’s pages contained so many wonderful ideas that I’ve tucked away for when we build our new house.

Save Me by Kristyn Kusek Lewis

Save Me was my favorite read of the month. Daphne Mitchell has the dream life until her husband comes home with life altering news. She faces a crossroads at which her circumstances will either make or break her.

 

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
The Best of Me was such a sweet story. I enjoyed it so much more than the movie. It rehashes the love story of young teens and how the memories bring them closer at a later stage in life. The story was captivating and it was easy for me to get lost amongst the pages.

What Women Fear by Angie Smith

What Women Fear is definitely a keeper. A friend of mine sent this to me and I am so glad she did. The book covers a variety of fears that women face. Such topics include the fear of not being enough, the fear of God, the fear of death, and the fear of God’s plan for your life. The book has really challenged me to accept who I am and take hold of the confidence that I can have in Christ.

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Book Reviews March 2017

I've been trying to expand my horizons as I move through each book. I have found dozens of book lists, but not one that has me jumping to complete it. So...I just kind of wander through the library until something strikes me as interesting. Once again, if you have any book recommendations, send them my way!

I thought I’d share what I’ve been reading. These reviews are my personal opinions and I have not been compensated in any way for sharing my thoughts.

Drybar Guide to Good Hair by Ali Webb

This book has a lot of great information and is an easy read. The tutorials are very informational and the pictures are great to reference. Unfortunately, I'd need an entire kid-free afternoon to figure out how to make my hair look that good, even with this handy guide. If you have the drive or time, it is a great how-to read.

Wildflower by Drew Barrymore
I've always been a huge fan of Drew but after reading her book, I'll probably be a fan for life. There is so much about her that I never knew and I connected to her in a lot of ways. She is simply beautiful inside and out. She truly shows how your past does not define your present or future, but it does help shape you, no matter how ugly the past may be. I would definitely recommend this book.

How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana White

I enjoyed her writing style. She made a lot of practical points and gave great, usable advice. This book made me laugh, but also examine the way I manage the cleaning/upkeep up my own home.

Bridget Jones's Baby: The Diaries by Helen Fielding
I admit...I have not read the other Bridget Jones books but I have caught parts of the movies. This book, however, kept me turning the pages. Over the course of a night of no sleep with a sick child, I read this entertaining story in about 3 hours. It flowed seamlessly and I found myself completely empathizing with the main character.

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

I was not sure about this book in the beginning. It was a little slow but once I got past the first couple of chapters, I was hooked! I eagerly awaited each evening when I could get a little "me time" and read. I loved all of the characters through the good and the bad. The story flowed well and was very thought provoking...after all, what would you do if you woke up having lost 10 years of your life?

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Book Reviews February 2017

I'm not sure how the month of February could have passed so quickly! The older I get, the quicker time flies. It seems so ironic. I've been doing well to make time to relax in the evenings with new reads this month. I took on a couple recommended titles and I am always looking for more so feel free to send some my way.

Here is what I delved into this month.

These reviews are strictly my opinions. I was not compensated in anyway to share them.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

I was not sure about this book at first. I began reading it with some hesitation, but eventually became quite captivated by her story. It was very raw. I personally love hiking but the type of excursion she completed has always been very intimidating to me. I had such a swelling feeling of pride as the book ended, as if I had traveled that journey with her. There were definitely some dark places and crass language, but overall, I found it to be a good read.

The Kitchen House

I could not put this book down! I was quickly captivated as the author wove a tale of heartache and triumph. Her writing continually evoked amazing imagery as I connected with the characters and their struggles.

Fat Girl

This was a quick read. I could totally empathize with the author but it is not a book that I would recommend to just anyone. In my opinion, it is definitely a particular type of audience that would find true interest in this book. She discusses her obsession with food as a child and how it played a part in her childhood obesity. Her childhood is filled with sorrow and pain. If you are looking for a feel good read, this is not it.

Get Out of the Pit

Talk about a timely read. I've been dealing with a lot over the last several months and the punches keep coming. I stumbled upon this book while looking for another at our local library. I've always loved Beth Moore and her spirit led wisdom. I felt lead to read it and I now know why. I had several revelations throughout reading this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who feels stuck, is searching for the "whys" of their situations, and wants to learn or be reminded of God's redeeming grace and how we can take hold of that, no matter how deep our pit. The quote that I will carry with me from this excellent, inspiring read is:
"Beloved, let this one sink in deeply: if God allowed you to be thrown into a pit, you weren't picked on; you were picked out. God entrusted that suffering to you because He has faith in you."
Beth Moore, p.47

I'd love to hear what books you would suggest for future reads!

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Book Reviews: January 2017

I made a vow to myself that I would begin taking better care of myself this year. That not only includes my physical health, but my mental health as well. I have not been good about carving out “me time” and as I have reflected upon those things that I miss doing, reading for pleasure was near the top of the list. I have since made a point to have some reading time before going to bed almost every evening. It allows me to unwind and escape.

January Reads

I thought I’d share what I’ve been reading. These reviews are my personal opinions and I have not been compensated in any way for sharing my thoughts.

Taming the To-Do List by Glynnis Whitwer

It was an encouraging read about how to make the best of your choices. There was not anything particularly profound in my opinion, but I loved how she backed up a lot of what she said with science. It just proves that we try to do too much and that we were not meant to live that way.

 

Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor-Easter by Lisa Patton

This read was a little slow for my taste. The story line was fine and the characters were likable. I have another one of her novels on my list for later reading. I’m hoping that I’ll like it better than this one.

 

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

I LOVED this book. I could not put it down. There was a lot of laundry that did not get done in the two days it took me to get through its pages. I am late to the Fixer-Upper stage, but I am hooked. I am so smitten with their story and their style. I cannot recommend this book enough!

 

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

This book toyed with every emotion. There were parts that were so startling that it was hard to read. His word imagery is amazing and I felt like I was witnessing the joys and devastations along with the characters. Fergus is a great writer. This book is not for the faint of heart. It is not one that I would read again, but it is also not one that I’ll soon forget.

 

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

I wanted to like this more than I did. I loved her style of writing and her path to stardom was interesting. While I did not expect a saintly worded narrative, I was not prepared for the amount of (what I consider vulgar) language that would be incorporated on the pages. While I know this is not a deal breaker for a lot of readers, I struggled to get through it. I still find her adorable and I will forever love her character on Parks and Rec. She is so talented, funny and her experience is valuable.

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