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
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
