Category: reading

Reading Lately

I’ve been on such a reading kick lately, with the rainy mornings and quiet afternoons galore that Spring brings. 
copy provided for review by Blogging for Books


Find Your Extraordinary 
by Jessica Dilullo Herrin
4 stars ****

This was a GREAT book on business and lifestyle by the founder of the Stella & Dot companies. I wasn’t familiar with Jessica Dilulo Herrin’s accomplishments before I picked up this book. I found her to be inspiring, pulls-no-punches and tough-love in her words, but with an absolute conviction that she wants YOU to be able to live an extraordinary life. And living an extraordinary life requires a fire under your tush, which Herrin is happy to give you. It took me awhile to embrace her voice given those things, but once I did, I found the book very inspiring and one I will keep on my business shelf for awhile. I will also check out the Stella & Dot companies in more detail. 

copy borrowed from my book illustrator!

Big Magic
by Elizabeth Gilbert
4 stars ****
Big Magic has some great insights into the creative process and the nature of ideas. However, it is mixed with a lot of new-age mumbo-jumbo, so the Christian must read it with a strong grounding in the truth that creativity comes from God, the Creator of the Universe. with that in mind, you can certainly unearth some real gems here from Gilbert. This is a book that invites you to ruminate on the creative process long after you put the book down. And that cover! That cover is just all sorts of goodness. Grab this one and read it at a coffee shop sipping something delicious. 
copy from the library!
Do Over
by Jon Acuff
3.5 stars ***1/2 
Jon Acuff is one of those writers I WANT to like more than I do. Truth be told, though, I find it…grating at times, and a little too over-done. Now I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Acuff speak in person and I know that is just his way…the over-the-top enthusiasm makes him who he is. This book is chock-full of useful advice for those stuck in a career rut, but I did find it more geared towards 9-5ers instead of those of us in the creative field. Which is fine, since that’s Acuff’s background, despite his switch into the author/expert category. This is worth a read, as it’s a quick read, but I won’t be buying it for my own collection. Although that awesome cover makes it tempting….
provided by bloggingforbooks
Full-Color NKJV Study Bible
5 stars *****

This is a GORGEOUS full-color study bible in paperback. I could not be more thrilled by this. If you combined every huge Bible study tome on my shelf, including the giant Illustrated Bible Dictionary I have from Nelson’s, this Bible would be their child. It’s gorgeous, easy to hold in your hand, and somehow very manageable for the wealth of knowledge it contains. From extra articles, timelines, word studies, maps, and notes, this Bible far surpasses any others I’ve seen. I feel this would be a great gift for any man in your life, perhaps a recent graduate, because it seems to have a bit of a masculine feel, but of course I love it too. The personal size really keeps things manageable and I like that is is soft-cover, although they also offer it in hard cover. A true keeper and a must-have for your Bible resources shelf. 
Happy Reading!
Natalie 



Reading Lately

my copy of this book was provided by booklookbloggers

Divided
by Bill Delvaux
***** 5 stars
Oh this book. I’ve dog-eared and highlighted it to near pieces. “When the Head and Heart Don’t Agree” is the subtitle, and I think one of the biggest problems facing our generation. But let me make that more personal: It is one of the biggest problems facing MY LIFE lately. Oh oh, how hard it can be to bring the head and heart into agreement sometimes, and how erosive the damage is. And sneaky. Sneaky and erosive, and darn destructive. This book unpacks the distance and WHY it is there, why our human spirits are so susceptible to this great divide, and how Jesus wants to bridge the gap. There is useful information here, life-changing information, and I HIGHLY recommend this book. I often joke with my friends that to be intellectual, creative and a Christian is an impossible trio. Pick two! Ha. This book helps me hold tighter to the God I love and know, in both my head and my heart. To bring them both into alignment with Him, and at the foot of the cross. Oh yes. More of that.

“I will teach you and tell you the way to go and how to get there; I will give you good counsel, and I will watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
AMEN. BOOM. THAT’S THE GOD I SERVE!


my copy of this book was provided by booklookbloggers


Anything 

by Jennie Allen
****4 1/2 stars

I love anything by Jennie Allen (see what I did there?). Jennie Allen is the real-deal, a sold-out-for-God girl-next-door that you want to be your best friend to do life with. In this book, she shares the prayer that she humbly (not boldly) prayed to God, and the ways it changed her life and many others. Letting God do ANYTHING in your life…wow. I mean, I know we say it all the time, right? God, YOUR will be done. But to surrender every single area of our lives to that REALITY…that gets messy right-quick. Follow along with Jennie as she walks the path, hand in hand, and gives us projects to prepare our hearts and minds for all that God has prepared for us to do. That verse above? Fits perfectly with this book, too. If God goes with us, we will get there. Wherever scary-sort-of place there is. God never says it will be easy. Quite the contrary; He tells us it will be hard. But then He goes before us and beside us. Never leaves us, never abandons. Through Anything.
xo
Natalie 

Reading Lately

Hello dears! I’ve been devoting a lot of my free time this month to learning how to hand letter (check out my instagram!) so it’s been a bit lean on the reading lately. 

Happy Handmade Home
(from my bro and sis-in-law!)
4 stars
This is such a fun eye-candy book. A lot of the DIY projects are more like “hacks” and guidelines than exact directions, but that isn’t the point. The point is to have a fun, gorgeously colorful invitation into Emma and Elsie’s, of a Beautiful Mess, beautifully crafted, fresh homes. I came away with a handful of ideas and inspiration to create even more of a home that reflects ME.  A fun read to pick up, but don’t be expecting in-depth DIY advice…just enjoy a cup of coffee with Emma and Elsie.

The Happy Christian
(provided by booklookbloggers)
by David Murray
4 stars
I admit I struggled through this one. It’s not that the subject isn’t interesting. It’s not that the writing is particularly boring. I just couldn’t jive with it. It’s a mix of scientific exploration and personal anecdotes that engage the question of how believers can find joy in a world that is…well, falling apart. Turning on the news these days is enough to turn anyone’s stomach, or maybe not, since we’re so used to it. There are tons of facts and actionable ideas packed into this little paperback, almost to an overwhelming point. The happy cover belies its heavy subject, and Murray doesn’t miss much in his examination of the subject. If you’re in the mood for a studious read, pick this one up. If you’re looking for a happy read to throw in your suitcase for vacation, maybe choose another book. I do SO appreciate a book that is able to weave faith and science together on such a tricky subject. I love the 10 areas of life he touches on, and find them to be very accurate. I admire Murray for this book, and do hope that perhaps re-reading it will give me even more to mull. 

The Reluctant Midwife
(provided by William Morrow)
by Patricia Harman
3 stars
I’ve been pining for a fiction read, and the cover of this book was so enticing. Having become completely enamored with the BBC series, “Call the Midwife,” I though the subject matter would likely be intriguing as well. Unfortunately, this one didn’t stand up to my expectations. It’s a thick book, 409 pages, but gave away its gig far too soon. Within the first 20 pages I could see the story arc already unfolding before me and felt that I didn’t really need to read any farther. Reading the entire book proved this thought to be true. Granted, the characters were intriguing, and I found myself thinking about them long after I read the book. But I wanted more…the ending was lackluster, character development bumpy, the second half of the book rushed and I found some of the literary devices employed clunky to the reader. The author also seemed to have some strange preoccupations with little things she keeps mentioning. 
What have you been reading lately?
Any good fiction? I’m dying for some!

Happy reading!

Book Review: Scary Close

Scary Close
provided by booklookbloggers
by Donald Miller
4 stars 
I finished this book in an afternoon. Three hours went by in a jiffy as I was involved in Miller’s story, which truly is a “Scary Close” picture of his recent trials and triumphs in life. The story is engaging, and gains momentum as Miller dives into the story and finds his footing for the telling of it. I found myself nodding along, pondering how things applied to my own life (some applied a little too much!) and generally enjoying the story. To some degree I think we all have our “capes” we wear and hide behind, afraid of truly being seen.
As I said, Miller takes awhile to rev the engine in this book, which is understandable. As a prominent Christian figure, he is headed into deep waters here, and I feel he toes his way in. One can’t fault him for this, but I felt the writing really gained his trademark voice about halfway through. He was able to become more philosophical and introspective about what he was experiencing. This book is not for those who like their leaders on pedestals (which is often part of the problem of them having personal troubles anyway…who can stand to be alone that high up for long?). But for those who have been down a similar road or who admire the courage of getting help, it’s inspirational.
I did find the lack of mention of God and the role of the Holy Spirit in such healing work to be disconcerting, which adds to the lack of that fifth star in my review. Another reviewer noted Miller’s brand of “subtle Christianity” here, but I would have liked to have seen a stronger correlation. For that, I HIGHLY recommend Sheila Walsh’s Loved Back to Life (read my review of it here).
Overall, as I said, this book was a quick and fascinating read. It definitely offers more insight into the person behind the persona of Donald Miller, and is a helpful mirror to look at your own foibles and relationships. That’s always a good thing to do. 
Thanks, Miller, for braving this. The next part of your story should be just as interesting. 
Happy reading!

More of What I’m Reading

Goodness, you guys, I’ve been on SUCH a reading kick lately! In 2014 my goal was to read a book a month (which I exceeded). I’m at about half a dozen books so far this year! Here is what is on my bedside table now: 
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do
(book courtesy of Harper Collins)
by Amy Morin
4 1/2 stars
Goodness gracious. This book is another game-changer, if you have the tough skin to take it. It’s truly therapy-in-a-book. Morin doesn’t pull any punches, and her writing is to-the-point and practical without being off-putting. Not a whole lot of warm-fuzzy, but not overly clinical either. Morin earned my trust right away from her Introduction. After losing her husband and several others in her family in short order, she realized she had to dig deep and put into practice the things she told her pyscotherapy clients. This book is all about avoiding negative traps that we can all so easily fall into. Exercising our mental strength, particularly in times of duress, can really strengthen our entire selves. I highly recommend this one. It only loses half a star for me because the writing may be too tough for some who are struggling. 
Where’d You Go, Bernadette? 
(from local libary!)
by Maria Semple
4 1/2 stars
This one has been on my library list for awhile, and I finally nabbed it. That cover, though, right?! Adorbs. Once you get used to the unique format of this book (it’s a collection of communication from different parties to tell the story), it is engaging and a very quick read. This one kept me up until 2am to finish it and find out WHERE Bernadette went! But I won’t tell you 🙂 It’s a romp, a funny look at life and cliches. I think you’ll enjoy this one. Perfect for a beach read, too, if you’re taking a vacation any time soon to some place sunny and warm. 

Supermarket Healthy
(courtesy of bloggingforbooks)
by Melissa D’Arabian
4 stars
I was really excited to get this new cookbook at the start of the New Year. I’m looking for some quick, easy, healthy recipes to add to my repertoire and get out of a food rut. This book doesn’t disappoint, with upscale twists on healthy dishes, such as grilled portobellos, acorn squash with a “fondue” baked in it and, my favorite: 

The Fried Green Tomato, Bacon and Spinach Sandwich. 
I mean…Wow.
D’Arabian is a Food Network personality, with her “Ten Dollar Dinners” series. Another recipe that stood out to me is the Carmelized Brussel Sprouts, Pine Nuts and Penne for a nice meatless dinner. My only qualm with this book is that she says in the subtitle, “Recipes & Know-How for Eating Well Without Spending a Lot.” I didn’t see any prices or references to spending less at the grocery store throughout the recipes, which was disappointing. Not every recipe has a photo, another negative point for me. I need photos in a cookbook! However, there are definitely a few in each category here that I think will become regular rotations. So, mission accomplished!
Happy reading (and cooking!) 

What I’m Reading

Vlog Monday 1/19: Reading from Natalie of Good Girl Style on Vimeo.

I have this bad habit of recording vlogs on Monday and not posting them until Friday, just to confuse you. I really should just wait until the next Monday, but…I’m terrible at waiting. And you need to know about these books!


Living Well, Spending Less 
(provided by BookLookBloggers)
by Ruth Soukup
4 stars
Ruth Soukup’s popular blog (I read it myself!) has been translated into a book by the same title. Blog-to-book direct translations can be hard to manage, but Soukup does a great job here of bringing more fullness and personal stories to the book, along with action steps. Best of all, Soukup doesn’t shy away from her Christian faith one iota, which is so refreshing. I also really appreciated Soukup’s honesty in sharing her own relatable life stories. This is not ground-breaking information, but if you like Living Well, Spending Less the blog, you’re sure to enjoy the book. What is at least slightly ground-breaking is her use of QR codes throughout the book to give readers direct access to extra resources on her blog. I wasn’t sure about this, because I was under the impression that QR codes never took off, but then again, I only got a smart phone a few months ago. It was a quick read that’s sure to glean one or two things that add value to your life. Then, pass it along to a friend so she can get a few tips to add value to her life. Plus, this cover is so pretty, and…well, sometimes I judge a book by its cover. I know, I know.

Make it Happen
(provided by BookLookBloggers)
by Lara Casey
5 stars
Lara Casey’s writing comes to life and stirs the soul. There’s just no other way to put it. This book is sure to inspire you to Make it Happen in your own life. And if you aren’t sure what “it” is that God has called you to? Casey has the formula and the grace to help you uncover the divine appointments God has created for YOU right where you are, with what you have. Casey teaches us to be faithful with the little, but to nurture it and grow it in accordance with God’s heart for us. Casey writes with heart, in a a vulnerable but grace-filled way that is easy to soak up into your soul and translate into action. The action-steps and thought-provoking questions along the way, along with the entire last section about HOW TO make it happen, beg for a pretty notebook and long, uninterrupted hours in the coffee shop. Or at least, an hour too late after bedtime with the nightstand lamp on. I highly recommend this one. Bonus: It also has a pretty cover!

Loved Back to Life
(provided by BookLookBloggers)
by Sheila Walsh
5 stars
Oh, this title just spoke to me so loudly. I’ve used those exact words about myself, needing to be loved back to life. Sheila Walsh had it all together before…well, it all fell apart. See it’s funny that our facade of perfection crumbles so quickly, isn’t it? The thing we most wish to protect (our image) is the first thing that goes tumbling down, bringing our worst fears to life. Depression, anxiety and recovery are very touchy subjects to write about. Sheila is able to share her story in a tone that is incredibly motherly and yet sisterly at the same time, with finesse. She is beside you, but has gone before you. Her own story gives strength and hope and a sense of God’s divine plan for every person. To live with peace and in an intensely intimate relationship with Him, deeply dependent upon Him. I had never heard of Walsh before (I don’t have a TV, ha!), but appreciate her story and her sharing it.

And a bonus not in the vlog that I just finished:

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)
(provided by the local library, ha!)
by Mindy Kaling
4 stars
I’ve been reading a lot of deeper, self-help and/or business books and was looking for something lighter. This definitely fit the bill. Mindy Kaling, from her start on The Office to her new Mindy Project, has always been a fun one to watch…her personality shines through and she just is. I love that she doesn’t apologize for who she is. The first half of this book is hilariously funny (I wrote a bunch of alternate titles over on Twitter of the best lines), but the book drags a bit in the middle as she gets more biographical about her start on The Office and as a writer. This book is half tell-all, half comedic romp and all Mindy. If you love her, this is a gem of a book. I highly recommend reading it on an airplane so you can snicker out loud and everyone will be annoyed and wonder what you’re up to. Or read it in bed with meatloaf for dinner on your lap because that’s what I did. I feel that both of these would be Mindy-approved reading scenarios.
*Bonus: Mindy went to Dartmouth like I did, so I’m pretty sure we’re best friends. #duh #obvs

Happy reading, my dears!

Make it Happen Book Review & Book Club

(Book courtesy of book look bloggers)
Oh I dearly love Lara Casey and watching her online life is so inspiring. But this book of hers, which I know was written with tears, guts, vulnerability, and lots of grace, is even more inspiring. Fair warning that I haven’t finished the book entirely yet, but I wanted to share the review-so-far so you can get your copy ASAP and read with me in our Facebook Book Club (details below)! 
Not going to lie, the introduction made me cry. I have already underlined and highlighted so many phrases in this book. Be sure to keep a dedicated notebook handy, as this book is part work-book as well, and leads you through exercises on almost every page to get to the bottom of surrendering your own fear, taking the leap, and living on purpose. Lara doesn’t just tell her story, she gives actionable tools to help you live the BEST of your story. This would be a fantastic group read or Bible Study book, which is exactly what we’re going to do!
Lara confesses in the intro, “I feared my anxiety would hold me back from the things I was created to do. I was afraid I would always be stuck.” 
Can we cue the tears? 
Then she says, “You were created for a purpose, and it’s time to make it happen.”
This is one of those life-changing books if you let it and you do the work. This is one of those books you have to engage with, cry over, discuss with friends, and ultimately, be free to fly. 
So let’s get to know each other and read this book together! Join our book club on Facebook and we’ll start in-depth January 12th. Plenty of time to get your book ordered 🙂
Make it happen, my dears!

The Last of the 2014 Books

I had a couple of books from 2014 that I haven’t had a chance to post about. Here are my reviews! 

courtesy of booklookbloggers
Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary
This is one beautiful new reference book I was thrilled to add to my collection. The pages are thick, glossy, richly illustrated color pages that add depth to any Bible study time. This is a hefty tome, to be sure, both in content and size. My boyfriend was enthralled with the beauty and detail found here, and I fear the book may end up living at his house! For any scholar or serious Bible lover, this is one of the most stunning Bible Dictionaries out there. Not to be confused with a concordance, though this edition is cross-referenced, this book gives contextual info and historical background on Biblical terms, feasts, figures, and more. You can find such interesting things as a list of diseases in the Bible, photos of discovered historical ruins, and detailed definitions of all of those hard-to-pronounce Old Testament places/names/facts/figures. This is an essential for your bookshelf.

courtesy of bloggingforbooks
Make Up by Michelle Phan
Have you heard of Michelle Phan? Who am I kidding, if you’re a female with internet access, of course you have. She is one of THE biggest YouTube beauty gurus, and this hardcover shares her story along with actionable tips to be your best, beautiful self. 
Michelle runs her YouTube channel and blog, her makeup line Em, her beauty subscription service ipsey, and her television company FAWN, along with being Lancome’s beauty guru. Can we say BUSY?
While Michelle’s tone is a bit elementary, there are some interesting stories and tips to be found from poring over this book. I was pleasantly surprised. Her story is interesting (she started out as an art student) and I enjoyed seeing a behind-the-scenes peek into her life and routine. I was expecting this to be a thumb-through book but I enjoyed spending time with the book. Michelle covers a LOT of ground, from makeup and skincare to job interviews, etiquette, and finding your online persona. I think this would be a great gift for any teenager or twenty-something. A beautifully presented book, and looks pretty in any stack or bookshelf, too, which is a huge plus in these visual days! 

Elsa Schiaperelli: A Shocking Life

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this honest review.
Have you ever heard of Elsa Schiaparelli? If you’re in the fashion world, the answer is probably yes. In her time, Schiaparelli was a more famous couturier than Chanel, her contemporary. She is perhaps most famous for her invention of the color “Shocking Pink” and the corresponding “Shocking” perfume. Her inventive clothing designs captured the spirit of the times and the art movement of Surrealism at the time (she was a great friend of Dali’s), becoming art themselves. Giant lobsters skirted the bottom of dresses, and don’t forget the parsley sprinkled here and there, on a dress worn by Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, in her wedding trousseau. Buttons were foreign coins, giant bugs, or other strange ideas. Her clothes were expandable, sometimes even three-in-one, or featured unique hidden pockets, trompe l’oeil details, or fabrics of her own creation.
Schiaperelli’s 1937 Lobster Dress, designed with Salvador Dali, 
currently in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

But before Schiaparelli was a famous couturier, she had a unique and perhaps upsetting life, one that set her up for her surrealist escapades and her utterly unique entree into the fashion world. She learned business lessons by hard scrapes, had a disabled daughter with a conniving husband she later divorced,  and somehow made her way into the top tier of Paris fashion. The second World War saw her star waning, perhaps due to a nagging interest the FBI had in her whereabouts (was she a spy? we may never know). Schiaparelli lost her footing in the fashion world, but her legacy continues today with inventions such as the wraparound dress, dresses with matching dinner jackets, swimsuits with built-in bras and the ahead-of-her-time split skirts. And, of course, her call of “Dare to be different!” and that ever-so-lovely shocking pink.

{hover to pin}
This lovely book, a tome to be admired and set on a dressing table, is a triumph of the story of the shocking and madcap dress designer, none other than Madame Schiaparelli.

A dash of the unexpected, indeed!

Happy Reading!
Natalie 

Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women

{This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers for my honest review}
It’s a rainy day here. Quiet, gray, begging for quiet time with my Bible and an English Breakfast Tea Latte.
I’ve been needing a new everyday Bible. My old one is literally from elementary school and falling apart, loved as it is. The only other Bible I currently have is a travel version with my name on it that was a gift, and I cherish it, but find it a bit cumbersome for regular reading. So when I saw this lovely edition with real-life devotions by Lysa Terkeurst and the team at Proverbs 31 Ministries, I was super excited. I adore Lysa and Proverbs 31 Ministries. (you should SERIOUSLY follow them on Facebook…their posts are always timely!)
This NIV Bible is a Compact size, which is the size of a larger paperback book, bigger than my travel version but small enough to tuck into my purse. The embossed leather and smooth leather in lovely robin’s egg blue and a deep turquoise are stunning. The pages have silver edges and blue pages for the devotionals. There are 365 devotionals throughout the book, one for every day. The devotions are focused on family and children, but the lessons are applicable to everyone. 
This Bible would make an absolutely lovely gift or a gift to yourself. It’s a real beaut, and so is the box, a perfect box to keep cards or notes in.
Do you have a hardcover or softcover Bible? 
This is actually my first softcover one!
xo
Natalie