My List of Must Read Books 2019

This is a first for me – sharing a list of books and implying that you must read them. And while I know it’s not normally what I write about here on FFB, I figure it’s my blog, and I’ll write what I want to.

But really, I’m writing this because I’ve recently read all of these books cover-to-cover, and it took me no more than two days a piece to read each one, except Midnight Lullabies. I was reading it as part of my daily devotion, so that one doesn’t count. What does count is the fact that I read these books cover-to-cover, foreword to acknowledgements almost without stopping. And that my, friend, almost never happens.

I’ve started reading lots of books that I’ve never finished. Why? Because they didn’t hold my attention long enough for me to want to read them to the end, and I didn’t have the audio book.

So, to say that I finished these books, and finished them so quickly, is saying something. It’s saying these books are fantastic, and you must read them. Without further ado, here they are in no particular order. Except that’s a lie. There is an order – alphabetical order.

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Midnight Lullabies

Midnight Lullabies was written by the lovely Lauren of From Blacktop to Dirt Road. In her thirty-one day devotional, Lauren talks about so many of the unspoken moments of motherhood. She delves into the hard stuff and shares her real, raw moments. But she doesn’t stop with “me too”. She follows up with what God has to say about the hard stuff, action steps, and prayers to help guide us through.

I’ve been in love with Lauren’s beautiful, faith-filled words for years. And Midnight Lullabies was no exception. Her message always comes from a place of genuine, honest love for the Lord and her readers.

When Midnight Lullabies became part of my morning devotion, I started every day with tears in my eyes, peace in my heart, and a new outlook on how to overcome the challenges of motherhood.

It’s seriously so good. I highly recommend Midnight Lullabies if you’re in the trenches of motherhood looking for the light. It’s available on Amazon now for pre-order and officially launches April 9, 2019.

Simple Living Right Now

Written by my beautiful friend, Brynn of The Mama on the Rocks, Simple Living Right Now is the ‘tidying up’ book for those of us who don’t have time, or let’s be honest – the desire, to pull out everything we own, hold it, and examine it to determine if it brings us joy.

Brynn keeps it simple and in just one hundred thirty-nine pages walks through how to simplify. She uses her humor, wit, the “rule of five”, and her family’s personal experience to show you how cutting the clutter can help your bank account as well as your mind.

When you read this book (notice I said “when” not “if”), you’ll feel encouraged. You’ll feel motivated to finally get rid of the box in your basement that you haven’t opened in the three years since you moved into your home.

Okay, maybe that’s just me. But you get the idea – you’ll feel ready to let go of that which you do not need.

I also feel like I should warn you that in addition to your new found motivation to purge, you will also have some sore sides after reading Simple Living Right Now. My girl Brynn: she’s hilarious, she’s entertaining, and I could legit hear her talking to me while I was reading the book. (Full disclosure – I know Brynn IRL – that’s cool kid for “in real life”. And even fuller disclosure, I know Lauren and Ashli too.)

Sometimes we just need someone who speaks our language to tell us we can. And that’s what Simple Living Right Now was/is for me. It’s Brynn speaking my language telling me that, yes, I can purge that quesadilla maker I haven’t used since 2005.

Wear the Damn Swimsuit

Wear the Damn Swimsuit was written by my hilariously honest, loves-Jesus-but-cusses-a-little friend Ashli of Baby on the Brehm (read brame not bremm). Wear the Damn Swimsuit is a memoir where Ashli (a badass, cancer-surviving motha) doesn’t hold back as she details lessons she’s learned from life – her life.

And when I say she doesn’t hold back – I mean she did. not. hold. back. She touched on every topic from poop to wedding vows and sex in every season. No topic was off the table and no table was left unturned. For some that might make them feel uncomfortable, red in the cheeks, or straight up embarrassed.

But, I for one, so-much appreciate her candor.

I “met” Ashli back in 2015 when I discovered her hilariously real writing on Her View From Home. I followed along with her shenanigans in motherhood, and I was there as she kicked cancer’s ass and took her readers along for the ride. And in reading Wear the Damn Swimsuit, I found myself crying and in the very next moment laughing and nodding along through it all.

Also, in the chapter entitled “Women Need Women” I may or may not be “the Ranch Woman”. Just kidding – there is no “may not” about it. I am the ranch woman she refers too. Because like Brynn and Lauren (yes, I know Lauren too), I know Ashli IRL. And she is, in a word, inspiring.

Now go grab the books!

These are books that you seriously must read. And I’m not just saying that because I know all of the authors.

I’m saying it because each book has made me laugh, made me cry, held me captive, and changed my life in their own way, and I don’t want you to miss out on that. And I especially don’t want you to miss out on that because I knew about it and didn’t tell you.