Hi! It’s 5:30 pm on Thursday and I’m at Jimmy’s place of work (aka his family’s welding shop) with him for the evening. He has to work late this evening, so I loaded Lola and dinner into my truck and hitailed it to the shop to be with my man.
Jimmy in action! He’s presently welding a beam.
I figured now would be a good opportunity to talk books, one of my favorite subjects! I’m currently reading four books right now. One is fiction and the other three are nonfiction. I’m enjoying all of them, so I decided I would share and hopefully hear what you’re reading. Sharing is caring, after all!
1. Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
This book isn’t new, but I have been into all of Weiner’s books lately, so I picked it up from the library a week or two ago. The story follows three new moms and (one mom who has experienced a tragedy) through pregnancy and early parenthood as they try to navigate uncharted territory in their lives with juggling work, marriage, and babies. Each of the women have very different lives and personalities, yet are all friends. I am interested in all things pregnancy and motherhood, so this book is a win for me. I can’t wait to see how it ends.
2. You’re Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days by Holley Gerth
I read a few pages of this book every morning while I sip my coffee, journal, and read my Bible. I’m a big fan of Holley Gerth’s writing, as I think she has a wonderful talent for connecting God’s promises with women living the real world. The book is about how no matter what happens or what is going on in your life, God loves you and is for you. It’s a simple concept, but so hard to remember when you’re feeling stressed out or overwhelmed. The more I read of this book, the more I enjoy its truths.
3. The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete
As you probably know if you’ve ever read my blog, I’m into dogs. Probably too much ;). I always enjoy a good dog book–whether it’s on training, feeding, aggression, or puppyhood, I love it all. I’ve read quite a few books by Cesar Milan, but also heard this book by the Monks of New Skete is a great read. What I have enjoyed the most in this book (so far) is the inside look at the first eight weeks of a puppy’s life and how vital socialization is at that age. I would recommend this book not only for people who are looking to get a puppy, but also for anyone who wants to learn about how a dog’s personality begins to form at an early age.
4. Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook by Anthony Bourdain
I’m listening to this book as an audiobook, which is wonderful because it’s like Anthony Bourdain is talking to me. He’s quite the jokester–or maybe he’s just really blunt. Either way, any book written by Anthony Bourdain–especially Kitchen Confidential— is sure to make an impression on its reader. Medium Raw is no different. It reads a bit like a collection of essays about Bourdain’s take on the foodie world and all its parts. I like it (aside from all the swearing), but I don’t like it as much as I liked Kitchen Confidential.
So there you have it, my current reads. A random mix, as per usual!
Living My Full Life 
I haven’t been reading much since Brady arrived honestly, BUT I definitely want to read ‘Little Earthquakes’. It sounds soooo good! 🙂 I’ve just added it to my must-read Goodreads list!
I think you would really enjoy Little Earthquakes, Nicole! It deals a lot with all the changes of becoming a parent–good and bad. I just loved how honest, funny, and real it was!
I have read the puppy book simply because I wanted to look at all the pictures of the doggies 🙂 I am currently reading a book by Francine Rivers called “The Shofar Blew” and am HOOKED! It’s just getting good and I cannot wait to see how God works in the lives of the characters because things are getting messy. Can you recommend any good Christian fiction?
Haha, that’s so funny!! I have enjoyed all the pictures in the book, too! German Shepherd pups are some of the cutest out there with their floppy ears! I love all of Francine Rivers’ books! They are all wonderful. For Christian fiction, I recommend any book by these authors
-Karen Kingsbury (I enjoyed Shades of Blue, The Bridge,
-Ted Dekker
-Melody Carlson
-Lisa Wingate (I absolutely loved The Prayer Box)
-Kathryn Cushman (Her book Chasing Hope is about running, so I think you’d enjoy that a lot!)
I love the picture of Jimmy at work. That Anthony Bourdain book sounds like something Clay and I would like. Clay watches his show a lot on TV too.
Aww, thanks!! I wanted to get a closer picture… but not too close because I didn’t want to catch on fire or get hit by a spark, haha. Anthony Bourdain books are very entertaining! I would definitely recommend Kitchen Confidential if you guys are interested in learning about the behind the scenes type of things in the food world! I had a whole new take on it all after reading it!
Ohhh I need to get my hands on that first book!
Yes, you do! It’s really good!!
I always love seeing what you are reading! 🙂 And how neat to see Jimmy at work!
Aww, thanks, Rach! I love sharing! It’s always a blast to see Jimmy at work since what he does is so different than what I do, haha!
One day I really am going to do better with my goal of reading more. I did get Amy Pohler’s book on iTunes and have loved listening to her read it.
Oh man, I bet hearing Amy Pohler read is the best!! I’ll have to download that!
I love the mix of books you read! Such a diverse set. 🙂
Aww, thanks Amy! Variety is the spice of life!
I’m currently reading Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín. It’s about a recently-widowed woman living in a small Irish community with the political backdrop of the Troubles in the 1960s.
It’s well-written and gives a real flavour of what living in small-town, 1960s, traditional Catholic Ireland was like. However, it is very slow-moving and doesn’t have much of a plot, so I’m in two minds about it. I’d probably give it a 3.5 star rating (out of 5).
The puppy book sounds adorable! I’ve heard of the Monks of New Skete dog training methods. I looked on their website just now and they run seminars/workshops for dog owners. 🙂
Nora Webster sounds like an interesting book! History-type books (you know, set in past time periods!) are always so fascinating to me. They open up new and different worlds and always have me researching that time period!
How neat that the monks run seminars and workshops! I’ll have to check that out!!
i keep hearing i should read Anthony Bourdain! right now i’m working through Circling the Sun by the author of the Paris Wife. Have you heard of either books? I really liked Paris Wife (about Hemmingway’s mistress) and I’m still in the air about CtC 🙂
Anthony Bourdain is an interesting writer! I think you would enjoy his books! I tried to read Circling the Sun and I just couldn’t get through it! I have yet to read the Paris Wife, but I think it sounds better! I didn’t know it was about Hemmingway’s mistress… now I am really intrigued!
There is just something about watching a guy weld!!! Am I right?! Also, good list! I think I’m going to pick up the Jennifer Weiner book.
YES! You are so very right!!
I think you would love the Jennifer Weiner book!
I love Jennifer Weiner! I think I have Little Earthquakes but haven’t picked it up yet. Might be next for me now! 😀
Also, love that shot of Jimmy welding. So cool!
Amen! She is a great writer! I think you will love Little Earthquakes!