Talking as Fast as I Can, Lauren Graham

Talking as Fast as I Can, Lauren Graham

I thoroughly enjoyed this biography. It maybe dips too far into Gilmore Girls fan club, but if you loved the Gilmores, you won't mind. I thought Lorelei was funny, turns out she's funny, because Lauren Graham is funny. She tells stories from her awkward growing up years, her 'Why do all my friends have kids? Where's my boyfriend?' years, and of course what it was like to play Lorelei Gilmore. Not only will it keep you entertained, but she has some really good ideas and deep thoughts. 

Graham divulges on Hollywood life, fashion, diets, flirting with famous people, etc. Only, she does it in a, "If I were in Hollywood, this is totally how I would act" kind of way that you'll be able to relate with. We all want to think we wouldn't be sucked into the must be more, must do more, must party more, must buy more black hole that is Los Angeles, and Lauren Graham shows us how.  

Favorite quotes:

"It's an accomplishment to do something well, but maybe even a bigger one to do something well when you'd really rather not be doing it at all."

"Life doesn't often spell things out for your or give you what you want exactly when you want it, otherwise it wouldn't be called life, it would be called vending machine."

The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher

The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher


Penelope: Daughter, friend, wife, mother, mentor. Rosamunde Pilcher weaves one woman's many roles into a beautiful and unforgettable story. Completely captivating, readers live Penelope's life, feel her feelings, her worries, her troubles. Rejoice in her accomplishments, and hope her hopes. The characters in Pilcher's novel become real before you can even remember they're fictional, and their lives stick with you long after you shut the last page.

Human life is so rich, full of so much potential, and so many hopes. Vast heartaches inevitably meet us on our way, so it isn't the lack of disappointment that creates the good life, but the dealing with, and learning from those disappointments. By discovering Penelope's life, you rediscover your own.

A Memory of Violets, Hazel Gaynor

A Memory of Violets, by Hazel Gaynor

Leaving a complicated past, and everything familiar behind, Tilly rides the train to London to begin new employment as a Housemother in a portion of Mr. Shaw's Training Homes for Watercress and Flower Girls. Grateful for the chance to start anew, and refreshed by the fact that no one knows Tilly, or her history, she revels in her new life, job, and friends. After finding a hidden, and forgotten collection of letters in her room, Tilly embarks on a journey of discovery revolving around two sisters living barefoot on the streets of London. As she learns more about their treasured relationship, she yearns for healing between her own sister and self.

Hazel Gaynor intricately weaves multiple viewpoints into one flawless story. Originally set on finding everything she can about these two mysterious sisters, Tilly didn't expect to relate so well to their sad tale, and discover her own wants, and needs. Gaynor beautifully instructs readers on the importance of empathy, the strength that can be found in familial relationships, and the power within new beginnings. Appropriate for Young Adult readers, and enjoyable for adults as well, A Memory of Violets tells an important, seldom told story.

The Magnolia Story, Chip and Joanna Gaines

The Magnolia Story, Chip and Joanna Gaines

I haven't even seen more than 1 episode of Fixer Upper, but this book, wow! It was truly amazing! If you want to read a book about how a company got started and became successful, read this book. If you want to read a book about a successful marriage, read this book. If you want to read a book about prioritizing kids, marriage, work, etc, read this book. If you want to read a book about putting God first and things working out differently, but more beautifully than you imagined, read this book!

Written mostly by Joanna, with excerpts from Chip, The Magnolia Story is full of humor, wisdom, and charm. Chip and Joanna didn't start out thriving, they were surviving for a long time, working really hard, and completely relying on each other and God. Their story is not only beautiful, but motivational. They make you feel like you too can accomplish great things with the help of your spouse, your family, and most importantly God. 

Favorite Quotes:

"I finally realized that life isn't found on the pages of a magazine - life is found in the glass of spilled milk and in the long, narrow hallway filled with socks and soccer balls." 

Joanna Gaines

"I felt good about having made the decision to walk away and lock that door. It's funny though, looking back on it now, because one very simple concept in life never occurred to me as I was walking away: Even locked doors can be unlocked in time. I simply never could have imagined just how much God had in store for us, and I certainly couldn't have dreamed just how many keys to other doors God had already placed in our hands."

Joanna Gaines

"Chip, I always thought, when I was out on the baseball field hitting you those grounders, that I was training you to be the next greatest baseball player. But now, looking back and seeing the person you've become, I was really training you to be the next greatest dad."

Chip's Dad

And something really fun, is that Joanna's dream (not having a TV show...they don't even own a TV!) came true. Magnolia Market is a real place in Waco, TX

The Secret Keeper, by Kate Morton

The Secret Keeper, by Kate Morton

Laurel grew up in a fairy tale home. An English country cottage, with a tree house and chickens, gads of sisters and an adorable baby brother, and parents who were absolutely nutty about each other. As a 16 year old, Laurel witnessed a murder in her front yard. 50 years later, she decides to confront that mystery and in the process learns to adore her family even more through researching her mother's WWII experiences with love, loss and new beginnings.

A 'can't put it down' read for all you mamas out there who are suckers for clean criminology. Accompanied by a fascinating reminder that all our mothers were people before they birthed us, The Secret Keeper captures all the charm of English 1940's, all the romance of first loves, and all the intrigue of deceit. 

Inside Out & Back Again, Thanhha Lai

Inside Out & Back Again, Thanhha Lai

Ha and her family narrowly escape the rise of communism in Vietnam and dangerously travel to America to start fresh, safe lives in Alabama. Growing up in a small hut with her mother and brothers, Ha misses her father who went missing in combat. She nurtures a precious papaya tree, and holds what is left of her family close. With the promise of a bright future, they bravely board a ship headed for America. There are pieces of their new life in Alabama that are better. Adequate clothes, enough food, daily schooling, and stable jobs to support themselves are new realities Ha's family did not experience in Vietnam. However, there are also new painful pieces that make Ha wish for her war-torn childhood home. Written in verse, Lai offers a raw view of immigration and family through a child's eye that is sure to leave the reader reeling for more.

Living in a country and attending classes where immigration, multiculturalism, and language barriers are an everyday reality for the majority of America's citizens, holds many difficulties. Prejudices are easily found and adopted. That does not have to be the case. Lai aids readers into the shoes of a young, scared, shy immigrant who just wants to fit in and discover what normal means. Teachers will be able to help their foreign students with more sympathy and students will develop empathy for their classmates that do things a little differently, after reading Inside Out and Back Again.

Wonder, R.J. Palacio

Wonder, R.J. Palacio

Encouraging all readers to exercise a little more kindness, Palacio explores different levels of what it is to be mean and inspires a desire to avoid everything mean and to build everything nice. Auggie was born with a facial deformity. His appearance is different enough to initially spark fear, distrust, and discomfort in almost all his first encounters. He's used to it. It's been that way his whole life, and while it is perpetually hurtful, he approaches the subject with humor. Making the switch from being home schooled, to entering the cruelty of middle school ignites a painful growing experience not only for Auggie, but all those he interacts with as everyone involved learns the importance of kindness.

Some kids are rude on purpose. Sometimes kids aren't trying to be blatantly rude, but still are due to an insensitivity. Sometimes adults are rude. Some adults place their objectives higher than anyone else and don't really care who they tred on to get what they want. Some adults simply give too much or too little attention to sensitive subjects. Palacio delves into a multitude of unkind behavior, helps readers recognize potential scenarios where they could improve, and convinces all of the importance and the potency of kindness. A vital read for middleschoolers or those about to enter middle school, but really anyone and everyone will walk away from this novel a bigger and more understanding person than before.