What's On The Book "Roll"

     I was in Dallas this past weekend for a Rodan + Fields Training Event!  While I was there, I had the privilege and blessing to catch up with some good friends, host an event of my own, and visit The Branch, our church when we lived in Texas.  I also stopped by my all-time favorite bookstore, Half Price Books.  There is not much better than hunting for a good book or two, and finding unexpected treasures while on the hunt!  

The Tuesday Review: Thing Explainer - Complicated Stuff in Simple Words

What a fun book that I get to share with you tonight!!  The boys received Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff In Simple Words by Randall Munroe as a Christmas gift this past year.  This book is incredibly unique in it's approach.  The author, Randall Munroe, uses only the 1,000 most commonly used words in the English language, along with simple drawings, to explain many potentially difficult things to explain.  I love it!  And the boys love it!  They have giggled so much at the clever, silly, and often hilarious use of wording.  AND, more importantly, they have been interested in learning more about subjects that they haven't necessarily expressed interest in before.  Win-Win!
Check out this book!  You won't regret it!  And you might just really enjoy it!!

October Favorite Things: Favorite Family Read-Alouds and Story Warren

I love a good story.  And I appreciate good quality literature.  I am always on the hunt for books for my boys to read (or us to read to them); books that will challenge them, inform them, and inspire them to live well. We can learn so much about ourselves and the world through a well-told story.

There are several book series that we have thoroughly enjoyed as a family.  Below are just a few of our favorite books that we have read together over the past few years.  Many of them I have talked about at some point or another here on my blog.


The Wingfeather Saga - Book 1

The Tuesday Review: Beautiful Outlaw and The Noticer Returns

I love to read. Fiction, non-fiction, historical, self-improvement, children's literature, picture storybooks, science, and any other well-written, quality literature.  I love to learn new things, to have my perspective challenged, to read a good story.  I could stop there, but instead I would like to share those good books with you!  Now, I should have been doing this for years.  There are so many good books out there that I've read, that my boys and I have read together, that I have wanted to share with others. Instead of listening to the voice of regret that says it's too late to start, I'm going to choose to move forward and share with you books that I have enjoyed and been challenged by!  And maybe along the way I'll be reminded of some of my favorites from the past as well.

Recently, I read Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge.  I love that it challenged how I view Jesus, his personality, and how his personality is revealed in nature and other people.  It brought back hope that I can experience Jesus on a deeper level and know him and be known by him in a more intimate way. The book also helped to peel away some layers of 'religion' that had crept into my life. If you are up for having your perspective challenged, or perhaps just want to see Jesus and his love for you in a different way, then I would recommend this book.



I won't usually highlight two books in one post, but I am compelled to share another book with you as well.  Personally, I'm trying to do better about finishing one book before I start another.  It helps me to stay focused on what I am reading at the moment.  As soon as I started reading Beautiful Outlaw, another book on my 'To Read' list came available at the library.  It took all of my self control to wait until I was finished with the book I was currently reading before picking up The Noticer Returns by Andy Andrews.



The Noticer Returns is all about perspective, how we think and what we think, and the conclusions we draw about what happens to us in life. These conclusions shape the decisions we make and the actions we take or don't take.  Those actions that we take affect our influence in the lives of those closest to as as well as those we have yet to meet. This book, as well as the book that precedes it, The Noticer, are both engaging stories that continue to challenge me at the core of who I am and what I believe about life. I would highly recommend both of them!