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Tag Archives: book recommendations

The Middle Matters by Lisa-Jo Baker

04 Tuesday Jun 2019

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Food for thought, Reviewed Books

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book recommendations, Book Review, Lisa Jo Baker, The Middle Matters

The Middle Matters

 

“The middle is worth remembering while you are actually living it, because you won’t pass by this way again.” -Lisa-Jo Baker

I can clearly remember my dad’s over-the-hill party like it was yesterday. He turned 40 when I was in middle school. Now, I have a middle school son and I am staring 40 in the face. Lisa-Jo Baker’s new book, The Middle Matters, is the refreshment and encouragement I have needed! It is a reminder that this part of life is sweet, important, and can be just as fantastic as the 20’s felt.

I was first introduced to Lisa-Jo Baker on Instagram from another author’s mention. From there, I began to listen to her Out of the Ordinary podcast that she does with author Christy Purifoy. ( It is such an uplifting, cup-filling podcast! You should listen!) When Lisa-Jo announced she was releasing a book this year, I knew I had to have it! I was so right!

The Middle Matters is a collection of essays by Lisa-Jo about everyday, ordinary life. The book is divided into eight parts. There are essays about marriage, parenthood, faith, failures, body image, and friendship, Reading these essays is like sitting down with one of your closest friends and hearing their heart.  I feel like Lisa-Jo hits on so many things I have been feeling. The ordinary, everyday life stuff matters. Even in the middle.

I requested an advanced copy of this book from the author and publisher. If I had not been selected to receive a copy, I would have bought it!! All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated in any way.

So Close to Amazing~ KariAnne Wood

22 Tuesday Aug 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Reviewed Books, Uncategorized

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book recommendations, Book Review, DIY, KariAnne Wood, So Close to Amazing, Thistlewoodfarms

so close to amazing

 

Hands down, this book was the most unexpected surprise of the summer. For starters, I had never actually heard of author, blogger, KariAnne Wood until I saw a friends repost of one of her Instagram posts. A few clicks later, I couldn’t wait to read her book. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew it would be fantastic, and I was right!

KariAnne Wood tells the story of her family’s move from Texas to Kentucky in So Close To Amazing. Her story is about their move, making new friends, and the renovation of a truly amazing farm-house that I am pretty sure I would like to buy! After reading So Close to Amazing, I am certain KariAnne and I would be best friends. She is hilarious, genuine, and an original. She is the kind of woman I admire.  Not only did I retell some of her stories to my husband so he could laugh too (about blueberry pancakes..and a pot roast), but I also found myself inspired to furnish my sparse house in more creative ways.

My list of favorite books from this year is unusually short this year, but So Close to Amazing definitely has a spot at the top.  It is unlike any book I have read and I absolutely loved it! You can find more from KariAnne Wood on her blog Thistlewoodfarms.com.  I requested a copy of KariAnne’s book from Tyndale House publishers. I was not required to give this book a positive review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

New from Judah Smith!

15 Wednesday Feb 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Food for thought, Reviewed Books, Uncategorized

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book recommendations, Book Review, BookLook Bloggers, How's Your Soul, Judah Smith

hows-your-soul

 

New York Times Bestselling Author of Jesus is_________., asks a thought proving question in his new release, How’s Your Soul?  I find it funny that he uses a contraction in the title, because he writes the entire book in the same casual speak. In fact, this book is very much like sitting in a room with Smith and simply talking to someone you know well. I think it is comforting to listen to Smith who never speaks above understanding and is never heady with theology.

As the title of the book eludes, Judah Smith is asking if your soul is in a healthy place. If haven’t considered the question, it might be time, and this is likely the book for you. Smith walks through intriguing ideas like having a quiet soul in a hectic, fast past world, and how having an effective soul leads to an effective life and what that looks like. My favorite nugget in the entire book is in the chapter Is Love God or Is God Love. It is here Smith unwraps the idea that love is a roof without skylights. Smith states with regard to people in sin, “We publicly cover them and privately restore them with the goal of bringing health in their lives.” Smith encourages us to not be exposers, but to be a safe place for hurting people. I love this. It is very different from much of what we hear and see in our world…and on social media.

Even if you are still kicking the tires on the idea of God, or are a life-long Christ Follower, I would recommend this book to you, There aren’t many Christian Living-Help books I would say that about or encourage people to read. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by BookLookBloggers and the book’s publisher. I have not been compensated, and I was not required to give a positive review.

My Favorites

03 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE

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1000 Gifts, Adriana Trigiani, Ann Voscamp, Big Stone Gap, book recommendations, Dumas, Francine Rivers, L.M. Montgomery, Laura Frantz, Liz Curtis Higgs, Love's Reckoning, Mine is the Night, one thousand gifts, Redeeming Love, suggested reading list, Tamera Alexander, The Blue Castle, The Count of Monte Cristo, To Whisper her Name, what to read

There are few things I love more than a good book. Overtime I have developed a veracious appetite for all things historical fiction. It’s not the only thing I read, but definitely my preference. Here are my most cherished books. I have read some of them more than twice.

Redeeming LoveI read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers every year. It is an amazing work of fiction and is in my top five without a doubt. Redeeming Love is a fictionalized retelling of the Book of Hosea from the Bible. Bible reader or not, this book is incredible and difficult to put down.

Mine is the NightAhhhh!  Just seeing the cover makes me want to read it again!!  Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs is the fictionalized retelling of the Book of Ruth from the Bible. Again, you don’t have to be Bible savvy to read and enjoy. In fact, I had no idea it was based on the book of Ruth until I began reading it.  Needless to say, I love it.

Love's ReckoningMagnificent cover! Laura Frantz is in fact my favorite author. I stumbled upon her first book in my local library, The Frontiersman’s Daughter. I spent two nights barely sleeping because I had to know how it would end. Of her books, if I were to pick my very favorite, it would be Love’s Reckoning. When I am out of books to read, I read this one again.

TheBlueCastleRemember Anne of Green Gables? Well, It was written by L.M. Montgomery. She also wrote this lovely book, The Blue Castle. I adore it. I bought it on my Nook because it is obviously an older book, but I so want a hard copy. Put this one at the top of your to read list.

1000 giftsI fully intend to devote an entire blog post to this life changing book. Until then, I encourage you to hurry to your local bookstore and buy this book!!!  The lens with which I view the world is forever changed.  After reading this book, I find myself discovering gifts from God everywhere I look. Christmas everyday. I have even started my own list of 1000 gifts.

at home in MitfordThe Mitford books by Jan Karon are endearing and heart warming. They reignited my love for reading after college. There is nothing like four years of mandated reading to kill your joy of pleasure reading. I read every book in this series. I am so thankful my Mother-in-law recommended them to me. So now I am paying it forward.

The Counte of Monte CristoThis one is a little bit of a commitment, but well worth the effort. I first read this book in the seventh grade. Full of mystery, intrigue, love, and even revenge, I am certain it will become a favorite.

To Whisper Her NameI have read all but one of Tamera Alexander’s books. This is by far my favorite. I clearly remember the night I stayed up nearly till dawn to finish it. So good!!  Tamera Alexander’s books are always a guarantee great read.

Big Stone GapLast but not least, Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani.  This is a laugh out loud kind of book. I have read it many times and I am never sorry. It is the first book in a series, but in my opinion, it is the best in the grouping. Bonus, it is being made into a movie starring Ashley Judd!

Happy Reading!!

 

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