Linking up with Shay & Erika for their monthly Let’s Look series, this month we’re diving into our favorite reads! I love reading, sharing my thoughts, and hearing recommendations from others too so I was excited for this link up 🙂 These are ten of my favorite reads in recent years (in no particular order, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some)…
I actually listened to this one on audiobook last July and honestly still think about it often! It has a religious undertone but the basis of what Bob says is that we should love everybody, always. He shares stories of how to love without reservation or judgement or even when we don’t want to. But even more what living in such a way means & how it can not only impact your life but others too! I truly believe that everyone should read this book, it can change the world <3
I pulled this from Goodreads and think it couldn’t be more perfect: “Where’d You Go Bernadette is an ingenious and unabashedly entertaining novel about a family coming to terms with who they are and the power of a daughter’s love for her mother.” I loved the quirky characters of this book and how I couldn’t tell where it was going, plus this one liner from the book became my favorite lol “Holy Christ on a cross”
This book was everything. It made me both laugh and cry so hard. It’s a good beach read with a little more substance and while there of course it romance it plays second to the family history that unravels. Very touching story that warmed my heart!
I read this one almost 2 years ago now and it is still a top book I recommend to others. Sally Hepworth does an amazing job at really researching the real life topics her books are about. The Things We Keep follows Anna who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease at age 38 and the relationship she develops with Luke, 41 whom also has dementia, in the senior home, Rosalind House. It is a story of caring, endurance. hope, and most certainly love. Also I just really love when you come across the title of the book within the pages, this was my favorite!
It’s also been 2 years since I’ve read this one and I’ve read quite a few others by Colleen Hoover since but I still come back to this one. It Ends With Us is told by Lily, she narrates her life story and struggles and even writes journal entries to Ellen DeGeneres (my fave!). The chapters bounce between the man she is falling for right now and the first boy she fell for. I never really knew where the story was going but I love where it ended up!
Inspired by the real events of kidnappings and illegal adoptions of children by the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. The chapters toggle between present day with Avery Stafford of an affluent political family and past with May’s life with her family living on a shanty-boat on the Mississippi River. As sad as the story was about kids who were ripped from their poor and needy families to be adopted by wealthy couples, it was also heartwarming to see the connection and how everything came together – the heart always knows where it belongs.
I have loved getting to know Rachel through her blog, books, and Instagram! Only Love Today is based around the 4 seasons and is formatted in short,1-2 page, chapters to bring just a little bit of encouragement to you daily. I loved the topics, the meaning, and the thought that went in to it all. I think everyone can get a little something for this one, I even shared some of it with my husband as I read!
This book takes place in France during World War II and I LOVED it!!! Thestory is told between 2 sisters whom are quite different from one another. As it progresses their relationships are tested and I found maybe they weren’t so different after all. I loved the historical aspect of this book and thought it was a fresh perspective on World War II from how it affected life in France. The story was extremely moving and eye opening! HIGHLY recommend!
This book was my introduction to Melanie Shankle and I’ve loved following her ever since! She is so funny & raw & honest. I actually read this book for the first time before Ron and I were married and again a year or two later – both times I loved it. Melanie makes you laugh and cry as she shares about marriage in serious & silly ways too.
This is a book I am happy to own and have in my arsenal to read every couple years. It is religious based but I really didn’t think that took away from the message, I chose to interpret some of the things maybe slightly differently but still felt I was really gaining from what Barbara shared. This book is a good read for all – newlyweds or those celebrating 25+ years, struggling marriages or strong marriages. While I do feel that Ron and I do most of the things that are encouraged in this book, so it wasn’t completely new, it was a really good reminder for me and it provoked good discussions between us. This is a book I want to share with all my friends!
Thanks for the recommendations Michelle- I am going to add that one from Melanie Shankle and Letters To My Daughters
Such good books about life! Happy reading 🙂
I’ve read a few of these – The Things We Keep, It Ends With Us, and The Nightingale. All three were good!
Ohhh…Colleen Hoover’s book was one of my favorites as well! She’s so good. I have Cancel the Wedding on my “to read” list. Thanks for the review!!
So many good reads Rechelle- I added several to my list!!!! Happy Valentine’s day!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day! And happy reading 🙂