Share the books I’ve read recently and if I recommend them to add to your collection.
Hello friends! How are you; How was the weekend? I had high hopes for Halloween fun, but I ended up getting sick. I had to miss P’s birthday party, which was a disaster, but Madre and Tom took the reins and all the kids had a great time. Thankfully, I’m much better today and will be doing IVs late this morning. This weekend, I binge-watched I never have ever and spent a great deal of time reading in bed, which was a delight.
I haven’t had much time to read lately. We’re officially in the whirlwind of the holidays and with the customer test results (I love going through them, but it’s definitely a time commitment), the girls’ schedules, the pilot’s schedule, have been just wild around here. Also, we’ve all been going to bed a little too late, and since I have to do my eye mask before bed, it’s really squashing some of my reading plans lol. I’m really trying to build in more reading segments during the day and I’m really looking forward to the November trips (Palm Springs and Arkansas) so I can read the entire plane ride.
Which has made it a little easier to compress your reading time: My Kindle! I LOVE that it fits in my purse and I’m not tempted to scroll through my phone. It was very convenient to carry around with me!
There have been some incredible books in my life lately, and I’m excited to share the details with you.
Recent books I’ve loved
XOXO, Cody
If you are going to read this book, I definitely recommend the Audible version so you can hear it in Cody’s voice! What a treasure of a man. I had high expectations for this – I expected it to be highly engaging – and it did not disappoint. It gives you all the laughs and warm fuzzies of an XO, Cody Peloton ride while diving deep into his story and background. It was fascinating to learn about his upbringing, his relationship with his mom dancing with the Stars experience, and how he became such a huge fitness personality. 10/10
From Amazon:
Cody Rigsby has many opinions: Kevin is Backstreet’s hottest boy. Grape jelly is a crime against nature. if you wear flip flops in New York, you don’t love yourself. But if there’s one point—one truth—that stands above all others, it’s that we shouldn’t let the fear of looking stupid or being judged stop us from living our best lives.
Cody didn’t always feel this way. In XOXO, Cody opens up about his journey to self-acceptance, from growing up gay and poor in the South to immigrating to New York, where he went from nerdy dancer to fitness icon. He details what it was like to lose both his father and his best friend to addiction, and how he began to repair his relationship with his mom as an adult. He recounts his time working at a nightclub on the Lower East Side and his decision to audition for Peloton on a whim, as well as dishes on competing against Sporty Spice on Dancing with the Stars.
With raw and inspiring stories about learning how to handle the scary shit, XOXO, Cody is a bold and heartfelt reminder that sometimes laughing at yourself is the best medicine. Remember: It’s not that deep, boo.
Redemptive Love
*All Trigger Warnings*
This book was recommended in a Facebook group for faith-based readings, so just be aware, it is Christian fiction and is an 1800s retelling of Gomer and Hosea. While I was reading it, I was thinking that it’s not very Jesus-y, but after about a quarter, I was like okay, it sure is. Just wanted to spread the word if this isn’t your cup of tea. I found it to be Jesus-y in the best possible way. This book will stay with me for a lifetime and is an incredible testament to God’s steadfast love, even when we feel most broken. While it wasn’t the best writing ever, and it dragged a bit before the last 25%, I’m so glad I stuck with it. 10/10 we recommend.
From Amazon:
California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.
Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.Then he meets Michael Hosea, a man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything. Michael obeys God’s call to marry Angel and love her unconditionally. Little by little, day by day, she defies Angel’s every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.
But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of worthlessness and fear. And so the Angel runs. Back in the dark, far from pursuing her husband’s love, terrified by the truth she can no longer deny: her ultimate healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael. . . The one who will never let her go.
A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redemptive Love it is a life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redeeming, consuming love.
Esther: The Fingerprints of God
This was our fall Bible study and I got so much out of it. As a relative Bible novice, it helped me dive deep into various books of the Bible with such a kind, insightful and wise group of ladies. I learn so much from each session and it fills my cup for the whole week! When I read the book of Esther before our study, I struggled to understand everything and didn’t know the historical context or background. Bible studies give so much context to what you read and allowed me to fully understand the impact of Esther and how all the pieces came together. 9/10 we recommend.
Don’t forget to write
This book is my new equivalent Nora Goes Off script. It’s light, fluffy, super witty, and the ending is EVERYTHING. I couldn’t read it fast enough and would love a sequel. 😉 Definitely check it out if you’re looking for fall *read beach.* 10/10
From Amazon:
When Marilyn Kleinman is caught making out with the rabbi’s son in front of the whole congregation, her parents send her to Aunt Ada’s for the summer. If anyone can save his daughter’s reputation, it’s Philadelphia’s strict top matchmaker. Either that or Marilyn can say goodbye to college.
To Marilyn’s surprise, Ada is not what her humorless mother described her as. Not with that platinum-blonde wool, Hermès scarf and Cadillac convertible. She’s sharp, straightforward, takes her job very seriously and sticks to her own rules…mostly. As the summer unfolds, Ada and Marilyn head to the Jersey Shore, where Marilyn helps Ada work the right matches — for anyone but Marilyn, that is.
Because if Marilyn learned anything from Ada, it’s that she doesn’t have to settle. With the school year fast approaching and her father threatening to disinherit her, Marilyn must make a choice about her future: return to the comfortable life she knows or embrace a dangerous, unknown path alone.
So tell me, friends: what have you been reading lately? Do I need to add anything to make it TBR list?
xo
Gina
