My 2018 Book Reviews

Here's a list & mini review of the 25 books I finished in the year 2018... :)

If You Like Fixer Upper...

I started the year with all things Chip & Jo. I love these two and the positive, Christian, authentic message they have for this world. Bonus - I listened to the audio books, which I so recommend to hear their voices. It's kind of like listening to Fixer Upper in your car!

• Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines

• Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines

If You Like Funny Women...

• Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns) by Mindy Kaling

• Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

• Seriously, I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres

• Bossypants by Tina Fey

If you like, Nicholas Sparks...

These two are love stories with characters living in the South - I am fairly certain this author could actually BE Nicholas Sparks. If you saw the movie The Mountain Between Us - the book is better (as it usually is!).  If you haven't seen the movie - this book follows the journey of a man and woman who have crash landed from an airplane and have to help each other to survive the wilderness of the mountain. Where the River Ends is kind of like The Bucket List meets A Walk to Remember. Both sweet love stories.

• The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin

• Where the River Ends by Charles Martin

If You Watch the TV show Younger...

In this sitcom, the characters work for and run a Publishing House. Originally this book was a made-up title of a book being published in the show. However, after all the hype and buzz around the idea of this book - it was made a reality! It follows the life of a woman on the upper east side, that takes a "vacation" from her failing marriage to find herself & ultimately follows the journey back to her husband. It's a great summer beach read, even if you've never seen the show! (Note: A few more adult situations - as this show was created by the same of Sex & the City)

• Marriage Vacation by Pauline Brooks

Great Christian Reads...

I highly recommend Anxious for Nothing, which focuses on & studies  Philippians 4:6.  I also love Lineage of Grace - this historical fiction book is broken up into sections. Each section tells the story of one of the main women of the Bible (Ruth, Rahab, Mary etc.) It helped me better understand their lives & remember why they were so impactful (even if there only a few verses to talk about them). Mary's story really made me think about what she would have gone through & the emotion she would have felt as a mother - maybe because I myself was a new mom?

• The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

• The Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers

• Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado

• Shaken by Tim Tebow

Sounded like they would be good, but wouldn't recommend..

• Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

• The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

The Immortalists follows the journey of four siblings who each receive a prophesy of the day they will die and the decisions they make knowing that information. Is it fate or choice that lead them to their death? It sounds like it would be really good, but the author inserts too many unnecessary sexual situations and references and fails to develop the characters so that you get interested in their stories. 

Where'd You Go Bernadette was just not a favorite. The mother goes missing, and her daughter is trying to figure out where she went - but the mom was so looney and strange I didn't really care if they found her. It was highly reviewed and turned into a movie, so maybe I just didn't get it? 

A New Favorite Author...

Rachel is a Christian, motivational speaker, blogger & media powerhouse. She just writes in a fun, real way that speaks to a lot of people. The first book is sort of an autobiography, the second is a book she wrote loosely based on her life when she was an event planner in L.A. As a previous event planner, I enjoyed this cute read and plan to read the follow up books, Smart Girl & Sweet Girl.

• Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

• Party Girl by Rachel Hollis

If You Also Like Rachel Hollis, You May Like...

• For the Love by Jen Hatmaker

• I've Never Been to Vegas, but My Luggage Has by Mandy Hale

These are two other Christian gals who are fun, real & easy to listen to. Jen is a pastor's wife, mom & funny gal from the south. Mandy writes about her relationships, heartbreaks and breakthroughs to finding herself. She is 34 and single (at the end of this book) and has created a platform known as The Single Woman - that helps encourage other women in their journeys to find love (with others & themselves).


If You Want A Good "Coffee Table" Book...

These both have great photography & less actual content than the other books. I did like Reese's book as it had photography, great family recipes & talks about her life and love for her family, the south and her life. We even tried her Pecan Encrusted Chicken Tenders for our Christmas appetizers & they were a big hit! JT's book is very "artsy" and like 80% photos.

• Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon

• Hindsight (and all the things I can't see in front of me) by Justin Timberlake

Not Just For Kids...

• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

Definitely a well written book, just a little strange. But I do love the good vs. evil undertones & the morality of it all. I read so I could watch the movie - then decided I didn't really want to see the movie either. An easy one day read!

Finally, Some Great WWII Books...

My favorite book of the year was Beneath a Scarlet Sky. This tells the tale of an unsung hero of WWII. It follows the life of Pino Lella, an Italian teenager who helps Jews escape, becomes a spy for the Allies, and grows into a man during the course of horrors of war. It also weaves in his love story with Anna and how their love helps them both survive and find joy amongst so much pain. Although it is a sad book, full of the terrible truths of WWII - it is beautifully written and on top of that - true. This is being made into a movie that will come out in the next year or so too!

• Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This One's For the Dads

In the blog-o-sphere there are countless posts about motherhood, becoming a mom, first time moms, single moms, struggles of being a mom - you name it. Heck, I've written one. And I hope these all continue. I think bringing light to motherhood and sharing our stories is so empowering; connecting us as a tribe.

But I think it's time to say thank you to the wonderful fathers who make parenting together so joyous. I know they sometimes leave the toilet seat up, leave their junk around the house, and get too obsessed with Fantasy Football - but they deserve some gratitude too. (Just promise to work on the toilet seat thing, okay guys?)

1. They Deal with Pregnant You
While being pregnant is a beautiful thing; let's get real, it's also not so beautiful at times too. They have to handle all the mood swings, raging hormones, unexpected tears - while also dealing with cravings, aversions, nesting ideas, projects, anxiety, and the general unexpected. Plus, they're around for the 'morning' sickness (that comes really any time of day), groaning about being uncomfortable and you being tired all. the. time. They deserve a hand for loving us through those moments, and staying around even when we yell "this is YOUR fault" when not enjoying the pregnancy glow (sweat).

2. They Don't Get Paternity Leave
Now, I'm not talking to you dads who work at magical places that give you several weeks or even actual paternity leave - because if this describes you, you probably live in Europe. I realize sometimes dads get to take time off from work after you have a baby, but usually it isn't a lengthy amount equivalent to what the mothers get. I know dads do not need to recover physically from the whole pushing out a baby thing, but they do deserve time with their newborn baby. They don't get the required six weeks. Usually if they get any time off it is unpaid and requires them to use their vacation or sick days. So here's a shout out to you. We recognize that you deserve to be included in our maternity time, so we can spend it as a family. Thank you for taking the time that you can to help us start this motherhood journey, whether it's the first time or the fourth.

3. They Handle 'Guy' Stuff
Not all houses are like this, but typically the dads get to do manly tasks to keep everything up and running. I mean, heaven forbid, us ladies should break a nail or something. At our house this means my husband takes care of the car maintenance, scooping the walk (even when the snow continues into April), killing the bugs, mowing and watering the grass, taking out the trash, and filling the water softener with salt. I don't even know where our water softener is. And again - they kill the bugs! Can you imagine having to do that yourself? You guys really need a trophy for this one.

4. They Do the Heavy Lifting
I don't know about yours, but my husband can be compared to that of a pack mule. What would take me 2 or 3 trips to carry the groceries with my weakling arms, he manages to do in one trip - with one arm. Dads "get" (have) the wonderful privilege of unloading our groceries, carrying our shopping bags when we go shopping, lifting objects around the house, handling large items when moving, and opening the jars that we somehow cannot. Don't forget they usually get to lug around our babies in their carseats on top of everything else! Keep up all the lifting, bros.

5. They Give You Time for Yourself
Being a mom is overwhelming, wonderful, amazing, difficult, and perfect. But, sometimes we need to step away from the jam-covered kiddos and get a little time to ourself. It's crazy that after you have a baby you kind of lose your identity in that. Great dads step in and make sure we don't forget who we are outside of motherhood. My husband makes sure I get time for myself and spends time alone with our baby to let me get out. He's made sure I can go workout, or get pampered, or run errands, or go for a walk - whatever it is, he makes sure I still get to be myself. Dads help encourage you, spoil you, compliment you, love you, romance you, and make sure you continue to pursue your dreams and find your piece of happiness.

6. They Are Your Partner in Crime
Sometimes this means they help you get away with eating your kids' Halloween candy, but most of the time it means that dads are there with you through it all. Thanks to the dads who are there by our sides and on our sides through the thick and thin. The good and the bad. Through the tantrums, the terrible twos, the teenage angst, the flu seasons, the wrinkles, and the gray hairs. Thanks for being there to laugh with, talk to, and cry on. We can't imagine going through this journey with anyone else.

Finally - They Made You a Mom
Your husbands gave you the greatest gift of all, your child(ren). Even if they don't like changing diapers, or struggle to dress your kid in matching clothing, whether they are involved a little or a lot in discipline and parenting - they still made you a mom. They helped create that little human that lights up your day and brings joy to your heart. Seasoned fathers and new dads alike - we thank you for bringing life into the world. To you, we give our gratitude and love.