Hi, my name is Shay and I’m addicted to reading books about the French lifestyle. Because Amazon knows this about me, it’s constantly putting those books in my face when I’m on their site and thus, I bought three more. This one, The French Beauty Solution, was written by Mathilde Thomas who founded the beauty brand Caudalie. I enjoyed every page of this book. Don’t ask me why…but knowing little details about the French way of putting on their makeup, styling themselves, entertaining, and more just makes me happy. #imanaddict #therewillbeanotheronenextmonthtoo #andthemonthafterthat
Erika passed this next book on to me by Kayla Aimee called Anchored. This book is a memoir about the author’s journey having a premature baby. This one will tug at your heart friends. If you know someone who has had a premie or a baby in the NICU, I really recommend this one. It’s hopeful, honest, encouraging, engaging and uplifting all at the same time…even if you’ve never experienced that kind of trial in your life.
So, of course I read another Elin Hilderbrand book. Shockingly enough, I haven’t read them all…so, be on the lookout for more to come. This one is Nantucket Nights and it was okay. Considering it was like my 10th one to read in less than a year, I have enough Hilderbrand on the brain to know the ones I love a lot verses the ones that are just alright. This one falls into the “just alright” category. It is suspenseful and I didn’t know how it would turn out in the end, so that was a positive…but it wasn’t my favorite of her books to read.
Random, right? One of our pastors preached in January and quoted from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and then later that same week, someone else I was talking to started telling me how he re-read it and applied the habits to parenting and so…I felt like that was God’s way of telling me to read this book again :).
I read it back in college (I think pretty much everyone did back then), but this time, I read it with fresh eyes as a parent. Now, let’s be real…it’s kind of like reading a textbook at times…but, it really does have some wonderful ideas. I was reading paragraphs aloud to Andrew constantly as I read this one. He just says stuff that seems so simple and obvious and you think to yourself, why have I not been doing that all along?! My friend was right about applying this to parenting too…it really does work well. I’m sure you’ve read this book (it’s been around forever), but I would say read it again if your life is more about effective parenting these days. And if you’ve never read it…you should. It’s legendary.
And finally, I read Hoodwinked: Ten Myths Moms Believe and Why We Should All Knock It Off. Erika passed this book on to me after she read it and I loved it! This is such a quick and easy read and will totally encourage you as a mama (plus make you laugh!). I was shaking my head in agreement and chuckling all the way through. The sixth myth on time spoke to my heart the most. I don’t know about you…but time is my biggest foe. When I have my time scheduled well (not over-scheduled!), then my days seem so much smoother. When I don’t, my days are crazy, chaotic and this mommy is cranky.
Okay, that’s what I’m reading this month…what are you reading? I have a big stack to read in March. With a vacation coming up, I’ll have extra reading time (woohoo!). Comment below and tell me what you’re reading.
And don’t forget that it’s Meal Planning Monday today! This week, we have Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, Waffle Wednesday, Turkey Thursday and Fajita Friday!
Five simple suppers to make your life easier. See them all here.
Happy Monday friends!
Ramona says
I always look forward to your book reviews. You are the one who turned me into Elin Hilderbrand. So thank you! :). I'm reading Island Girls by Nancy Thayer also set on Nantucket. You should check her books out.
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
I am totally Ashby's face. Hilarious. But the pictures of the tacos at the end got me all fired up again!
Erika Slaughter says
I'm so behind on my stack of books too! Good news-I finally finished Hart of Dixie so I can read again at night! Wahoo!
Taylor and Robin says
Ha!!! This was totally me last month! love that show!
Cori Cane says
Hart of Dixie!!! I'm in the middle. Netflix told me to watch it after I finished Gilmore Girls and felt lost. I'm loving it!! ?
Tara says
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dick. A unique book that is heartwarming and surprising! You will love it 🙂 Thanks for all the book recommendations! I love to read but as mom of 3 boys it has taken a backseat to reading every book in the public library about trains, cars, snakes, dinosaurs, and baseball! This year I set a goal for myself to read 2 books for me every month, so I am loving your monthly book review where I have gotten lots of ideas!
Eileen says
I love your book reviews! I always get so many great ideas. Thanks!
Scavenger Hunt Blog says
I always love your book reviews!! I get most of my books from them actually.
I love love me some 7 habits and Steven Covey. As a family you should read 7 habits of Effective Families….AMAZING!! I just finished the one for teens with my daughter. Eye opening for her. We have the habits throughout our house.
Anyway…thanks for sharing your reads this month!
Lesley McFarland
Kltfamily.blogspot.com
Aubrey says
Books are the best! Love that you reread 7 Habits with your kids in mind. My reading is totally kid-centric right now. I'm reading about their love languages in my free time and reading The Phantom Tollbooth aloud before bedtime. 🙂
Narci says
Yay!! I just went on Amazon and bought two of these!! I always love all of your recommendations!!! Happy Monday!! Xo
Morgan Whitt says
I always look forward to book review day each month! Just finished the book Bronner, by Sherri Burgess, it is heartbreaking but uplifting all in one. Feeling as if every parent should read this one. (It is a religious read.)
Lizzie Simantz says
I was actually in the middle of reading Nantucket Nights last month but when I saw you recommend The Choice, I got that and put Nantucket Nights on hold…something about it wasn't holding my interest anyway but I do plan on finishing! I'll have to check out some of these next, thanks!
Julia Jones says
You and I share the same French living obsession. I will most surely be adding this one on my list as well! Happy Monday!
Seunghye Huggins says
Love your book reviews and we use the books as suggestions for my book club. I just finished reading Night Road by Kristin Hannah for my book club. I highly recommend this book and make sure you have a box of tissues around because it really hits home, especially for us mama's.
Jen says
Also read night road and loved it!! Very sad though
Susan H. says
I love that you reviewed Hoodwinked! I heard both of the authors speak at the Hearts at Home conference last year, then was privileged to be on the book launch team for Hoodwinked. Such a great encouraging book for any Mama!
Maria Sulava says
You have me totally hooked on elin hilderbrand!! If you haven't yet… Please read the blue bistro!! You will loveeeee it! It's all about food and the restaurant business… This book is def in my top 3 favorite Elin books! Let me know what you think!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love, love, loved that one!! One of my favorites from her!
Leigh (Balancing By Faith) says
I am with Ashby in picture number two….haha! I love to read, but finding the time just doesn't happen right now!
MC says
Thanks for highlighting ANCHORED! I am a NICU nurse, and I find that reading preemie stories from parents' perspectives really help me serve my families in the best way I can. I can't wait to read it!
Cara says
Thanks for the recommendation for Anchored. I hadn't heard of this book, and as a recent NICU momma, I look forward to reading it and having it on hand to suggest to those who are walking that difficult journey.
Polka Dot Blossom says
Love Book Review days! I just finished "Where'd Ya Go Bernadette?" and I highly recommend it! It is uniquely written and based in Seattle. It is clever, intriguing and very funny! I finished it in 5 days. Seriously now one of my all time fave books!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I read that one in 2014. Thank you so much for sharing this with the group! Happy Book Day!
Polka Dot Blossom says
Oh cool! How'd I miss that?! 😀
Rita Connors says
Recommend Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
Chelsea says
These are my favorite posts each month. I love all things memoirs, so I think I need to pick up Anchored ASAP!
Jodi Guntle says
Time to login to my library account and request some books! Yay! #yesimabooknerd #noidontcare
Jenny Schroeder says
A friend of mine is expecting her first baby in June. What books do you recommend for a first time mommy?
Jenny Schroeder says
A friend of mine is expecting her first baby in June. What books do you recommend for a first time mommy?
Mix and Match Mama says
My two favorites were Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs and The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy :).
marla says
I haven't read your booklists lately so I hope I am not repeating something you have read but Did You Ever Have A Family by Bill Clegg is fabulous. Also, My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. Highly recommend both!
Alyssa Rothstein says
Hi Shay! I am OBSESSED with your blog. I read it every morning at work and try to make at least one of your recipes a week! I also love reading about your adorable little babies- I am a 24 year old mama wannabe! Right now, I am reading "Me Before You" by JoJo Moyes- have you read this? It is an amazing book that I think you would love about a friendship between a quadriplegic man and his caretaker. Deff a must read! Thank you for making my mornings at work extra fun 🙂
Alyssa
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I read it last year! Read the sequel too! It's called Me After You.
Erin Stinson says
Unfortunately I fall into the latter category. I am not a natural book reader. However, there are a few books I've managed to get through that have helped me with my walk and during my quiet time. I enjoy self-help books rather than storytelling books.
Nancy Belfeld says
I am trying to get back in to reading, so I love going over your book lists. There are a bunch I want to read. I decided to start with a book that I knew would be an easy read, which was your brother's book, For The Right Reasons. Loved it! And of course I am going through my copy of Mix And Match Meal Planner!
Hollie says
I love getting book suggestions from you. If you have never read "Saving Cece Honeycutt" I highly recommend it. I'm a mother of 3 as well and I've been trying to read more which sometimes results in a very messy house. Haha Do you just read a little each day or binge read? Do you try to only read when the kids are asleep?
Jenny Lindner says
Your book reviews are my favorite posts each month! Love following you on Goodreads too for book ideas!
Becky says
I started reading Elin Hilderbrand based on your recommendation! So, thanks 🙂 Much like you, I have loved some (Blue Bistro, Beautiful Day and the Christmas ones) and not enjoyed others. Which ones are your faves?
Schluter says
You should show us where/how you store your books. I'm always at a loss for book storage in my house that looks nice.
Libba says
If you like something about history…"The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larsen is a great book. Set during the Chicago World Fair…very interesting and suspenseful.
Katherine Ness says
The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah is amazing!! Great fiction book about two French sisters living though World War II. It's a make you stay up too late because you can't stop reading and need to happy and sad cry book. Definitely recommend 🙂 thanks for the post!
Bethany K says
Saving CeCe Honeycutt is a great book. Also you should chekc out Diane Chamberlain, two of my favorites, but I love them all, are Teh Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes and Necessary Lies.
Kelly Chen says
Shay, thank you for sharing your reads with us! I have written them all down and am slowly making my way through them. I just started The Best Yes this morning, and I'm loving it already. 🙂
Julie Krintzman says
I just started 'The Miniaturist' by Jessie Burton and so far it is VERY good! It's kind of a historical novel about a newly married woman but also a mystery. I think you would love it!
crystal says
I have two year old twins who were six weeks premature, so Anchored is definitely going on my to-read list. Thanks for sharing. I don't have a whole of time to read, but I do make it a priority once the littles are down for the night. I just started Landline by Rainbow Rowell during nap time instead of washing dishes.
Amy says
My favorite day of the month! Your book review day! I am a huge fan of all your recommendations. You have put me on to so many books that I have LOVED…especially The Royal We and Elin Hillenbrand books. I read The Choice this month based on your January review and adored it! My recommendation for you….These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed it. Happy reading!
Jeanie says
I LOVED The Rosie Project. It just made me feel happy. I'm reading The Winter Girl right now and have a hard time putting it down. It's an exciting book and has held my interest on every page. I won't recommend it, though, because of the disturbing content.
KB says
I read the seven habits many years ago and still follow some of the ideas.
Slightly Askew Designs says
Those pics at the beginning!!! LOVE!
LondonLauren says
I'm reading The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect. Love them! I recommend Garden Spells for you. I think you might like it because it's a quick and easy read (perfect for vacation!) and the main character is a cook and the book is full of really yummy descriptive language. Our mutual friend Aubrey PJ recommended this to me and it was great! Although the follow up book, First Frost is not so good.
LondonLauren says
Also I read Redeeming Love based on your recommendation and loved it!
Katie Silvis says
I just finished Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar. My mother gave it to my sister and I for Christmas and said that this book will "touch our soul" and boy was she right. Some of the content can be tough to read but I think she has a wonderful perspective on life and gives great advice!
Shirley Short says
You should find The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Kids. It is a great book for kids. There is also the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, also good. "Leader In Me" Schools are all over the US that teach and use the habits on a daily basis.
Shirley Short says
You should find The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Kids. It is a great book for kids. There is also the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, also good. "Leader In Me" Schools are all over the US that teach and use the habits on a daily basis.
HeatherAnnJ says
I am reading "Make It Happen" by Lara Casey– she's amazing!! Love her #powersheets and Journal The Word journals as well!
Also reading this month…"You Are a Badass" by Jen Sincero… might work a few easy reads in as well but sometimes the life of a Realtor leaves little free time!
XOjamielynnXO says
You should read Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen. It is such a cute, dreamy read and begins in Paris, France! 😉 I think you would really like it.