January Book Review

It's been awhile since I did a book review, and I was sad to realize that since August I have read four whole books. MUST DO BETTER IN 2016!!! Even though I totally failed in the book reading department, I am happy to report that our girls group is meeting tomorrow night for "Fake Book Club" which involves us sitting on the beach with wine, watching the sunset, and eventually getting around to picking a book to read! Here's hoping we pick a good one!

Even though I only read four books, I feel like they were pretty good selections over all! So here they are...my January book reviews:

1) The Rosie Project

This is hands down my favorite book I've read in the last several years! I asked for book recommendations after my July Book Review, and this was one of the suggested titles. (Thanks Julie Savage!) I seriously read it in about two days, and probably would've finished it in one sitting if Hadley hadn't been shooting me judgmental looks for not applauding her every lap around the living room with her elephant walker. I felt like I was laughing out loud at every page, and even Johnathon thought the parts I read him we're really funny. Mom my also read it on my suggestion and enjoyed it too, and we have somewhat different taste in books. The book itself is about a professor who has Asperger's but doesn't know it, and is on a search to find himself the "ideal wife." The main character reminds me a lot of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory. While seriously funny, it is also equal parts sweet and endearing and I cannot recommend this book enough!

2)  Bringing Up Bebe

This was another good read that is half parenting book half lifestyle/non-fiction.  It's about an American woman who lives in France and documents her experience of raising her kids in France. I thought it was a really interesting comparison of French and American parenting styles and I found myself agreeing with a lot (though not all) of the French advice! Also, I think I just really want to live in France, so that may have been a big selling point of this book for me! Either way if your looking for a fun parenting book that is light hearted and also centers around a fun French setting then this book is for you!

3) Balancing in All

  

Not gonna lie, this book gets a big...MEH...from me. I think Candace Cameron Bure is adorable and I loved her on Dancing With the Stars, but I felt like there was nothing new in this book as far has parenting/motherhood/life advice goes that I haven't heard before. In fact, she gives lots of examples of times in her life where it was hard to find balance and I found myself trying to hide a big eye roll. Yeah, it must have been so challenging moving to Malibu all while shooting a Lifetime movie and raising kids. #problems.  But she did have some fun tidbits about her time on Full House, and I would be lying if I said I didn't eat those stories up, and that I'm not looking forward to the release of Fuller House on Netflix with fervent anticipation!! (Insert me singing the Jessie and the Rippers song, "Forever" here).

4) Out of the Spin Cycle 

In addition to my "for fun" reads, I'm also trying to work in a devotional or bible study book each month. I have heard Jen Hatmaker's name floating around for awhile now, so I downloaded Out of the Spin Cycle and decided after the first chapter that Jen and I need to be best friends. She offers such real advice and stories about her own family, and in no way comes off as preachy or judgmental. This is such a perfect book for mama's looking for spiritual encouragement and motherhood solidarity!  

"You will never have this day with your children again.
Tomorrow, they will be a little older then they were today.
This day is a gift, breathe and notice, smell and touch them;
study their face and little feet and pay attention.
RELISH THE CHARMS OF THE PRESENT.
Enjoy today Mama, it will be over before you know it!"

 ― Jen Hatmaker, Out of the Spin Cycle: Devotions to Lighten Your Mother Load

 

You will never have this day with your children again. Tomorrow they will be a little bigger then they are today. This day is a gift. Breathe and notice. Smell and touch them; study their faces and little feet and pay attention. Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy today mama. It will be over before you know it.
Read more at: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/890077

You will never have this day with your children again. Tomorrow they will be a little bigger then they are today. This day is a gift. Breathe and notice. Smell and touch them; study their faces and little feet and pay attention. Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy today mama. It will be over before you know it.
Read more at: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/890077

You will never have this day with your children again. Tomorrow they will be a little bigger then they are today. This day is a gift. Breathe and notice. Smell and touch them; study their faces and little feet and pay attention. Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy today mama. It will be over before you know it.
Read more at: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/890077

You will never have this day with your children again. Tomorrow they will be a little bigger then they are today. This day is a gift. Breathe and notice. Smell and touch them; study their faces and little feet and pay attention. Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy today mama. It will be over before you know it.
Read more at: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/890077

“Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children." - William Makepeace Thackeray