I’m on my way to my goal of reading three books a month. February was short, and even with nearly a week of snow and ice, I still needed a few extra days to get February’s selection of books completed. But I did it! February had two borrows and one for sure buy!
Borrow: One to Watch, Kate Stayman-London
If you are a fan of reality TV, particularly the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise, this book is for you. If you are not a reality TV watcher, this book is still for you. This novel centers on Bea Schumacher, a plus-sized fashion blogger and influencer, who becomes the first plus-sized star of the reality dating show, Main Squeeze. Motivated by a desire to show beauty exists in all sizes and a need to move beyond an unrequited love, Bea says yes to the show and her journey begins. Bea is easily lovable and a character you automatically root for. Regardless of your own shape or size, you’ll be bolstered by Bea’s courage and see a bit of yourself in her journey. This book is a delight, but only buy it if you can catch it on sale for Kindle (like I did). Otherwise, it’s a great borrow (and the perfect read for the warmer weather we’re finally getting!).
Borrow: The Next Right Thing, Emily P. Freeman
I have gone back and forth about reading this book since it was released in 2019. So many people whose reading tastes I trust recommended it, but as someone not struggling to make a decision, I put off reading it. Though this book is all about simple ways to come to a decision, the principles apply beyond decision making. For instance, chapter sixteen is all about knowing how and when to say “no” to something in your life. Could that be a decision? Maybe. But it’s also guidance for helping us to simplify our lives. Emily P. Freeman has a soothing way of writing and speaking (she has a podcast by the same title), and each line of this book feels like a good friend talking you through a choice, be it big or small. I enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it picking it up on Kindle. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, it’s free in Prime Reading at the time of this post.
Buy: Stand All the Way Up, Sophie Hudson
It’s a rare thing for a book to make me actually laugh out loud. It’s even more rare for a book to make me cry. So for a book to make me both laugh and cry, it’s clearly the eighth wonder of the world. But it happened in this book. Sophie Hudson is a Southern delight and a remarkable storyteller. She has both the talent to make you laugh until you snort, as well as make you long to know Jesus like she does. In Stand All the Way Up, Sophie shares about a recent particularly challenging time in her life. From losing her mother to being fed up with all the things, she shares how she found hope and saw the Gospel all over it in spite of wanting to burn it all down! I don’t believe I have ever felt as seen or known as a person then when I was reading Chapter 4. If you need a good dose of laughter and encouragement, I can’t recommend this book enough. Go buy it!
That’s it for February. I have a beach trip coming up in March. Any recommendations for what I should read on my trip?