At the beginning of each month I post a reading wrap up of all the books I read the prior month.
I was a bit obsessed with non-fiction and audiobooks at the beginning of the year! Therefore, my reading wrap up reflects that quite a bit.
Do you guys like audiobooks? My favorite audiobooks are memoirs by celebrities because their personality comes across so well. One of these days, I’ll write a blog about when I converted from thinking that listening to audiobooks wasn’t “real reading” to always having one going. If you would love reading that blog, leave me a comment below!
Anyway, on to this months reads.
Non-fiction
This is Me
by Chrissy Metz
I love Chrissy Metz, not only on This is Us but also I love following her on Instagram. She has a unique voice (writing and speaking), which is one of the reasons she’s so fun to follow. And that came through in the book. Sometimes, however, her unique voice got to be a little much for me…in print anyway (i.e. her use of made up words like “doneskies” and long exaggerated ones). The editing also felt a little rushed, like it was thrown together on the heels of her Emmy nomination.
Overall, she’s an amazing person, and the book gives a great sense of what all she has been through without narrowing in on only her eating and weight issues. Of course, she discusses it. But its not the focus. It actually was more of a self-help book than I expected. Being a mega fan of This is Us, I was really hoping for more behind the scenes of the show. But she only gave a taste, leaving me wanting SO MUCH MORE.
All in all, it was a good read. However, if I could go back, I would listen to the audiobook. I just love listening to celebrity memoirs through audio when they are reading it. You really get to hear their voice and their humor and sarcasm. Their heart. Some of my favorites are Wildflower by Drew Barrymore, Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls by Lauren Graham, and Bossypants by Tina Fey.
To read an even more complete review, you can check out my Goodreads review here.
Sisters First
by Jenna Bush Hager & Barbara Pierce Bush
Y’all, I’m not super political but I love the Bush family. So this was a really fun read (or listen because I did get this one on audiobook). It was especially poignant with President George Bush Sr.’s recent passing. The chapters about him are exceptionally touching. I love how the twins describe their parents raising them to think for themselves and find their own path.
But mostly, I loved how they loved each other. Even the forward from Laura Bush made me tear up at the beauty of the sisterly love she describes. What a respect they have for each other and their family. It was an intimate look into this family that has been viewed a specific way, that has been under a microscope and yet so much has been overlooked and unknown. These girls have both grown into giving, loving women. They are both independent, following their own paths through life. Maybe that’s the best part of the story, is hearing that even with all of the crazy of their growing up, they turned how pretty great.
A more in depth review can be read here.
Fasting
by Jentezen Franklin
My husband and I participate in a 21 day fast at the beginning of the year, both with our church and the ministry my husband works for. This was the first year my kids joined us, which was pretty special.
The idea of fasting at the beginning of the year has grown recently it seems, but I find that fasting is easily misunderstood. Which is why I recommend this book so highly.
But as a Christian, I grew up doing random fasting or seeing my parents participating in fasts. So as an adult, I understand the concept of it. However, reading this book gave such a clearer picture of what the Bible says about fasting and why Christians not only can but should fast.
If you or your church decides to go on a fast, research it, look into it, read what the Bible has to say about it, and READ THIS BOOK. It gives practical tips on fasting. It gives the Biblical meaning and promise that comes with fasting. It is truly a missing link in the experience of fasting for so many Christians.
Fiction
An Anonymous Girl
by Greer Hendrick & Sarah Pekkanen
The day after I finished this book, I spent the afternoon relaying to one of my nonreader friends the entire plot. She was literally on the edge of her seat, eating her salad like it was popcorn in a movie theater, gasping at just the right moments and putting off a bathroom break so that I could finish. That’s how good this book is. Every page was just like that. Me reading with my eyes wide open, waiting for a gotcha moment. I could practically hear the ominous movie soundtrack throughout.
I’m not a scary movie or horror book kind of girl. Creepy books creep me out too much. But this was just the right amount of suspense to keep going and loving it.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to be a part of the book’s campaign and gifting me the book. The gift in no way adjusted my opinion or altered my review. I just loved it that much.
Redeeming Love
by Francine Rivers
This is a horrible thing to say, but I have an aversion to Christian fiction. Not that all Christian fiction is bad, per se, but most of it is just not my taste. Too often it shies away from real life situations.
After a million and one friends recommended this book to me, I finally picked it up. And I can say that this Christian fiction book is not like any of those Christian fiction books I just described. It doesn’t shy away from any of the darkness of this world. In fact, it shines a light on it. And then it shines the light of God’s love even brighter.
It is a beautiful love story. Not only of the characters involved, but of the greatest love story of all: God loving us. Such sacrificial, unrepentant, unconditional love.
Now, read on friends!
If you are interested in how I’m able to read in all the busyness of life, I give all my tips in How I find the time to read.
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