Well, mamas, it’s winter in Waco. And we’ve been feeling it’s chill down our backs for weeks now. So while you’re wrapped in you favorite blankets or sporting your fuzzy new Christmas socks from your mother-in-law, lets turn off the TV and get back into reading instead!
I love to read. In fact, in the past three years I’ve gotten in the habit of writing everything down I read and/or started to read. It’s a great way to keep track, keep count and keep you motivated to read.
Last year I read 28 books! I’ve never read that many in one year before.
So, that being said, let me give you 5 suggestions that you need this year.
Parenting Genre
All Joy and No Fun by Jennifer Senior
This book unpacks the impact your children have on you instead of you on them like most parenting books. The author looks at how it effects your marriages, jobs, habits, hobbies, friendships, and internal senses of self. I really connected with it and felt like it was cracking open thoughts that I’m afraid to talk about.
Young Adult
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
An easy way to get back into reading is to pick up a YA book. This one is a cute, cute, cute. This high school romance is sweet and easy to read. A young girl starts a new high school in LA and gets an email from a stranger offering to help navigate at the new school and the mysterious relationship goes from there.
Fiction Author worth binging
What Alice Forgot / Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Liane Moriarty, author of Little Big Lies which the TV show is based off of, is a gem of a writer; worth binge reading if you can (which I can’t). She’s clever and witty but also makes you think.
The plots in both of these books are wildly entertaining and work their way backwards. In Alice she loses her memory of the past 10 years and can’t figure out who she’s become and why everyone resents her. She’s startled that her adorable husband is angry at her other relationships that have changed for the worse. Her last memory was pregnant with her first child and her husband we madly is love. It’s challenging to think how much we could change for the worse in 10 years.
And, in Truly it starts off with the ramifications from a BBQ among friends but keeps you in suspense, giving you chapters mixed throughout, dropping scenes that drive you crazy leading you up to the BBQ and what the heck happened! She’s a talented writer who develops each different character so well. I hope to read more of in 2018!
Christian life
This is a book I should read over and over as I can so easily feel victimized for being left out whether intentionally or not. (most times probably not intentionally)
From Amazon: “Lysa shares her own deeply personal experiences of rejection… She leans in to honestly examine the roots of rejection, as well as rejection’s ability to poison relationships from the inside out, including our relationship with God.”
I loved how she created an awareness to my mental dialog and that I can stop the self destructive voices I listen to (all to quickly) and instead create healthy, TRUE messages.
WWII fiction
The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah
The story of two sisters who bravely and selflessly do their part to care for and protect others in France during WWII each risking their lives in different ways. This book brings that era to life with gripping scenes. I read this book a year ago and still from time to time picture some of those horrendous scenes. The brazenness and inhumanity of the Germans comes to life in this extremely well written novel.
Now, podcasts! Podcasts! Podcasts!
Did you say podcasts?
Y’all! I here are 5 podcasts you need to start listening to this year also. Podcasts are great because you can pop in your earbuds and listen while going for walks, working out, commuting, working in the kitchen or folding laundry. Also great for shutting out noise and entering into ya bubble, girl! I love me some bubble time (said the SAHM of three)😍
You can find these wherever you listen. I have iTunes Podcast app downloaded on my phone. It’s served me well. I know there are other apps people like even better. Find what works for you!
1 Sorta Awesome – Girlfriend chat for the win! This is my ultimate favorite. The hosts discuss everything you need to know about. I hardy ever skip an episode!
Average listen time: 60min
2 Risen Motherhood – Christ centered talk about being a mom. I can’t express enough how I love that each episode points you back to God.
Average listen time: 30min
3 The Popcast – One of my favs for reviews on entertainment. The hosts are a bit snarky and I’m always laughing my head off each time I listen. I enjoy their humor when life gets to heavy.
Average listen time: 60min
4 Hidden Brain – produced by NPR, this podcast “helps curious people understand the world – and themselves.” The episodes are fascinating and intriguing as the hosts unpacks human behavior.
to heavy.
Average listen time: 30-60min
5 The Next Right Thing – “Created for anyone who struggles to make decisions.” It’s more than that though. It’s hopeful and encouraging and inspired by the quote, “Do the next right thing.” I feel like God is whispering into my soul each time I listen.
Average listen time: 30min
And one for the kids 🙂
* Story Time – cute stories for little ones written and told by English hosts. Sometimes they use unfamiliar verbiage that is all to cute. The stories are told clearly and slowly which is perfect for little ones ears. My four-year-old begs to listen.
