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I read some good books this month and was able to get out of the reading rut that I’ve been in here lately. Admittedly, I decided to change my yearly goal this year to around 30 😉 . It seemed that as behind as I have gotten that I didn’t want to punish myself with reading 52 books this year. Also, I’m happy to say that after a few months being on the waiting list for The Magnolia Story at the library, I was able to read it and it was totally worth it!
I use Goodreads rating system for my reviews; you’re welcome to add me by clicking here. I’m excited to see what you read!
*Working Class to College: The Promise and Peril Facing Blue-Collar America by Robert Owen Carr
I decided to pick up this book thinking it would be a politically charged one. I wanted something meatier than my current reads and as someone who grew up in blue collared America, I was really interested to see what Carr had to say. Carr tells a lot of eye opening facts that are both insightful and helpful to understanding how a lot of people see the college system. Carr explains what he learned from growing up with a very poor childhood, but also pitfalls that many first generation college students and their families take on that lead to crushing debt. Admirably while giving facts and suggestions for parents and students alike, he tells about his mentoring and scholarship program he created to give back to the same community that brought him up. Carr made it his mission to help students and he has. I would recommend this to parents who have children in middle school (but honestly, much earlier) so they can begin setting achievable financial goals and learn more about preparing children for college. The only reason why I did not give this book a higher rating is because he discussed his mentoring program so much that I often found myself skimming these sections.
The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines // 5 stars
Everyone knows Chip and Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper, but I sure did love knowing more about their back story and what makes them really tick. I absolutely loved this book, I love them, and this might be one of my favorite biographies I have ever read! The writing format switches back and forth between the husband and wife duo by using different fonts. I think a lot of people who watch the show might think that they just had connections and that’s how they got where they did. However, I loved reading about how much grit the couple has and what a entrepreneurial spirit Chip has. The Gaines family is so much more than a TV family. They have so much substance, are just really interesting, and the whole time I read the book I found it incredibly easy to relate to them and root for them along their journey. My favorite part of the book is that I found it more story oriented than self-promotional. A huge turn off for me is when writers try to sell you products the whole book, rather, I felt like I was just sitting in my family room listening to them talk. I would definitely recommend to anyone!
*The Spirituality of Jane Austen by Paula Hollingsworth // 5 stars
I have admittedly only read one novel by Jane Austen, but I love historical books that give more insight to authors. Paula Hollingsworth really did a great job at compiling historic facts through letters and Austen’s own writings to really illuminate Austen’s world. I found myself learning many different influences that Austen had in her family from her own father who was a pastor, her educational upbringing, the realization that she had a disabled brother, and interesting cultural facts of the time. Even if you aren’t the religious type and you love Austen, I would recommend this book because Hollingsworth really brings a really beautiful biographical account of Austen. I feel in the future when I read works of Austen that I will be able to understand a lot more of the nuances of writing as well as understand why she portrayed characters in the way she did from this read.
