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You guys….I’m SOOOO excited about discovering the free audio book app called HOOPLA!!!

Have you heard of it?

If you download the Hoopla App and plug in your library card info, you can check out FIVE free audiobooks every month!  I have a list a mile long of books that I want to read but don’t get enough time to SIT and READ! NOW I can listen to FIVE audiobooks each month! I’m so happy about this!  Some people “binge watch” on Netflix … well, I ‘binge listen” on my Hoopla app. I listen in the car, while I’m doing housework, out on a walk or run, or whenever I can squeeze in a couple of minutes to LISTEN! I LOVE IT!

Here’s what I’ve been reading and listening to:

Girl, wash your face by Rachel Hollis

This book has been on my “To READ” list and when I got the Hoopla App, it was the first book I downloaded. The audiobook is read by the author herself. Rachel Hollis tells about her life in an honest yet uplifting, funny way. It’s her memoir about a small town girl who became a wife, mom to 4 kids, writer, speaker, and media mogul! Really enjoyed this! 4.5 out of 5 stars

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Two people said this book was their favorite, so I decided to check it out and WOW, it was fascinating!  It was a true story about a family who lived for a year off of what they could grow or buy locally. I learned so much about the food we eat. I’m so glad I read (by read I mean “listened to”) this and it’s slowly changing the way I buy and eat food. 5 out of 5 stars – I HIGHLY recommend you ‘listen to’ or read this as well!

Mother & Son: The Respect Effect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

Did you know that if men had to choose between love and respect, 3 out of 4 would choose respect?!

I grew up in a household of full of women, so feeling ‘loved’ took precedence over feeling ‘respected.’ Now that I’m in a household full of men, I thought it would be a good idea to learn a little more about the ‘respect’ effect!

This book helped me understand the “language” men speak, as well as how they think. The book teaches moms how to speak in a way that boys will listen.

For instance, one simple thing I learned is to, when appropriate, switch out the word “love” for “respect.” Instead of saying, “I love how you…” say “I respect how you…”

Dr. Eggerichs also takes us back to the basics of our role as mothers with the word GUIDE.

G – Give

Give so a child’s basic needs are met.

U – Understand

Understand our children so they are not provoked or exasperated.

I – Instruct

Instruct our children so they can know and apply God’s wisdom.

D – Discipline

Discipline, so your child can correct wrong choices.

E – Encourage

Encourage, so your child can courageously develop God-given gifts.

S- Supplicate/pray

Supplicate and pray so your child can experience God‘s touch.

The book shares tons of real-life scenarios so that we can learn how to apply information presented in this book! I really enjoyed it and would recommend it for boymoms.

Conversations with a Billionaire , by Ted Egly – I wrote my thoughts on this book here. I highly recommend it.

An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones – Expectations were very high for this Oprah’s Book Club selection, but I didn’t love it. It tells the story about a married couple, Roy and Celestial. They have been married for about a year and a half when Roy gets falsely accused of a crime and goes to prison. They write letters and continue to make their marriage work as a lawyer tries to get the charges dropped. Roy ends up getting released after serving 5 years and he is excited to get back home to his wife and attempt to put his life back together. However, things don’t go as planned. This book shows how lives are impacted from injustice in our justice system and how time can change everything. Well written and interesting, but not a favorite. I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars.

The Great Alone, by Kristin Hannah – I had to skip over many pages to get through this LONG and sad story…I kept waiting for something good to happen. It follows the life of a girl and parents. The father had been in the Vietnam War and came home with PTSD. You see how that negatively impacts his life and the lives of his wife and daughter. It’s really well written, but I don’t like to read really sad stories, so if you are like me, I wouldn’t recommend it.

What’s God Really Like? Unique insight into His fascinating personality, By SJ Hill

This summer, during a visit to Indiana, my Uncle Steve (SJ Hill) gave me a copy of his newest book. The title was intriguing and I was looking forward to seeing what this book was about. I’m not finished yet, but I’m REALLY enjoying it! Every page makes me smile. It’s a refreshing and uplifting book.

Breathing in, Breathing out: Keeping a writer’s notebook, by Ralph Fletcher

My Aunt Michelle sent me this book for my birthday and I read it over the summer but forgot to talk about it! I LOVED it! It’s based on the idea that if you want to be a good writer, you need to have an opportunity to “Breathe in” your ideas, thoughts, quotes, stories, observations, lists, etc. Then, you can “Breathe out” what you’ve captured into a blog post, article, book, etc.

If you are a writer, I HIGHLY recommend you read this book. My aunt had underlined portions and made notes, so I enjoyed that as well! I find it fun to read books ‘second hand.’

Have you read any of these books or plan to read one! Leave me a comment by clicking on the little box by the TITLE of this post! Thanks for reading what I’ve been reading!

Though December 18th, Amazon is giving you $5 off any book purchase of $15! Use code BOOKGIFT17

Here are a few of my favorite books:

(Note: The links in this post are affiliate links, and we will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking through our links.)

Left to Tell

One of my favorite biographies of all time. This book tells the fascinating story of how one woman survived the Rwandan Genocide and how she was able to forgive those who caused her family and country so much harm.

Led by Faith

The follow up story to Left to Tell. How God provided miracle after miracle of provision. Wept with Joy through this book.

The Blind Side

There was a period of probably 3 years where I stopped reading. I had little children and was sleep-deprived and only wanted to use my free moments to catch up on household chores or REST (with my eyes closed). Then, I watched (and LOVED) The Blind Side and wanted to know more. I checked this book out from my Library and started devouring books again. This book reminded me why I love reading! SUCH a GOOD story!!!

I

A follow up – An autobiography by Michael Oher – his side of the story:

I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to the Blind Side, and Beyond

The Hiding Place

Knights in Training

My favorite parenting book of all time. If you have sons, I would HIGHLY recommend it. Click on this sentence for my review of the book.

Bread & Wine or Bittersweet –

Two of my favorite books by Shauna Niequist. Stories of her life and how she sees God show up through the good and the bad.

Creating Magic

One of my favorite books on Leadership. The author worked for Disney and tells some incredible stories. I’ve read this book twice and going to read it again in the next month!

Bonhoeffer –

The Biography of Fredrich Bonhoeffer. This is such an incredible book that I now want to read the other biographies by Eric Metaxas.

Passion and Purity

The Love Story of Jim and Elizabeth Elliot. Excellent story for girls ages 12 and up!

For Kids:

Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore!

My book – perfect time to buy if you haven’t already! With the $5 coupon, you can get it for $10!

It tells the story of the Magnificent Four who love to explore climbing Pike’s Peak and encounter the animals who live on this mountain. You and your child will enjoy this story of adventure and learn some fun facts about Colorado Wildlife!

Jesus Storybook Bible

This is a Bible in storybook form. It’s a GREAT way for parents and kids to see how the Bible is ONE story that all points to Jesus.

Christmas Lizard

A sweet story that shares the true meaning of Christmas.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

One of my favorite ‘chapter books’ for kids ages 8 and up. A heart-warming story about how some challenging children learn the story of Jesus and how it transforms them.

Bob books –

Great for beginning and struggling readers.

Have you read any of these? What are your thoughts? What are your favorite books for adults or kids?