Happy Christmas week! I hope your last-minute preparations are going smoothly. I’m linking up with the ladies over at The Broke and The Bookish today, and sharing 10 books I wouldn’t mind Santa leaving under the tree this year.
I love giving and receiving books for Christmas, don’t you? When the chaos and excitement of Christmas morning fades away, I always look forward to curling up with a new book and getting lost in a great story.
- The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines: like most suburban housewives in America, I enjoy watching Fixer Upper on HGTV every week. I’m excited to read a behind-the-scenes take on how their business and their relationship came to be.
- Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult: I used to read everything this author wrote, until about seven years ago when I read Handle with Care. I hated the end so much that I flung the book across my bedroom and vowed to never read another word she wrote. I know. Dramatic. But I’m over it. Mostly. Amazon wooed me with “gripping moral dilemma” in the book description and now I can’t stay away. Proceed with caution, Santa. 😉
- The Promise of Jesse Woods by Chris Fabry: I’m a huge fan of Chris Fabry’s writing style. A recent article in Christianity Today praised both the plot and characters in this novel and now I’m very excited to read it.
- The Long Journey to Jake Palmer by James L. Rubart: this book cover caught my eye at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Nashville this year. I was inspired by the author’s acceptance speech when he won a couple of awards at the conference, as well. This genre isn’t my normal go-to for reading and I’d like to step outside my comfort zone.
- Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks: another author I consistently read year after year. I haven’t had a chance to get my hands on this new release, so it would be super fun to find this under the tree on Sunday. (Hint, hint).
- Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham: I was a little late to the Gilmore Girls party and ended up watching snippets of several episodes in order to prep for the new content that released Thanksgiving weekend. Anyway, I had no idea she’d also written a couple of books. Even though personal essays aren’t normally my favorite thing, I think she’s a fantastic actress and I’m eager to read this one.
- Giddy Up, Eunice (Because Women Need Each Other) by Sophie Hudson: I love Sophie’s sense of humor, her social media presence, her love for people and enthusiasm for all things Southern.
- Listen Love Repeat: Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World by Karen Ehman: Clever title, yes? The narcissistic bent in today’s culture really bothers me and I certainly struggle with putting myself first instead of the Biblical model of loving others well.
- Sweet Tomorrows: A Rose Harbor Novel by Debbie Macomber: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series by a truly iconic author and I hate that this is the conclusion. Yet I can’t wait to read it. This book’s cover is stunning, as well.
- Pax by Sara Pennypacker: I’ve walked past this book at Target numerous times. Picked it up, read the back, then returned it to the shelf, thinking my kids wouldn’t like the sadness. (I HATED sad books when I was a kid). But I think it would be a great addition to our family library and I’d still like to read it.
Happy reading, friends! I hope Santa is good to you this year.
This is my last post for 2016. I’ll see you on the flip side. Looking forward to sharing my One Word for 2017, more book recommendations, and hopefully fun bookish news of my own. Blessings!
Photo credit: Nathan Lemons via Unsplash
