Hyperbole and a Half, Allie Brosh

I can't believe it was 2011 when I was so thrilled to read this blog post from Brosh. I'd been a regular stalker reader of her blog since 2009. Nevermind that it's 2015 and the book finally made it to shelves in 2013. A lot of content was from her blog (I was happy to re-visit it!), but there was also some fun new content. I sincerely hope things start looking up in her life as I'd love to see her come back to the blog/writing scene.

Also, this is a really fast read! Great for waiting rooms and such since it's a book of stories. I purposely brought it to jury duty knowing I'd be cranky if I were frequently interrupted reading a regular book. Great plan, except I finished and still had waiting time.

Jilted, Varina Denman

Ever since I received book 1 in this trilogy, Jaded, I've been dying to get my hands on Jilted (book 2 of 3 in the Mended Hearts Series).

I loved it every bit as much as the first; Denman is new to the Christian writing scene, but her fiction, while entertaining, takes a hard and authentic look at problems within the church today while still communicating the importance of our faith. I've given up on a lot of Christian media over time, but Denman is a breath of fresh air, and I can't wait for book 3 and future work from her!

Christy & Todd: The Married Years, Robin Jones Gunn

This is actually three books: Forever With You, Home Of Our Hearts, and One More Wish.

The nostalgia factor is huge for me with these stories; I grew up reading the Christy Miller series...and all Gunn's other series about her friends. Like many christian books, Christy and Todd's story ended at the altar..back in 2001.

Recently, Gunn gifted us with three more (admittedly, Gunn claims she never knows if a book will be her last) books about Christy and Todd—after the wedding. I was surprised (very pleasantly) with the realism that young couples currently face. For instance, there were job and housing concerns which are so relatable right now—Sean and I experienced several of the challenges in these stories, and I love that Gunn chose to incorporate real life into these marriages while showing that challenges can be faced together without hurting the relationship.

Why Not Me?, Mindy Kaling

I read Kaling's first book almost immediately upon release. I totally dropped the ball on this one. Thankfully, Sean had a small The Office theme going on with my Christmas gifts this year (you'll see why in a moment). That theme will be carrying on into this weekend's blizzard as I plan to read both this and:

The Bassoon King, Rainn Wilson

I'm pretty sure I knew Wilson (aka Dwight Schrute) wrote a book, but then completely forgot about it. Thankfully, Sean remembered (or the aisles of Target reminded him). I'm excited to get inside Wilson's head over this snowy weekend and see what kind of person he is when Dwight isn't around.


After Dwight, my Christmas reads are complete. Yikes! Any recommendations on what I should read next? What are you currently reading?

A drug addict goes out for a cigarette and returns home only to be taken hostage by a murderer-at-large.



I certainly wouldn't think Christian media if someone ran that story line by me. I'd be wrong. It's the true story of Ashley Smith's own personal nightmare in 2005. Smith shared her story in the book Captive, which was recently adapted into a film featuring Kate Mara as Smith.

Of course, if there's anything I have learned about my God, it is that He can use anyone at anytime to suit his purpose. In this case, he used Smith to minister to her captor Brian Nichols, and although a hard pill to swallow, I believe God also used Nichols as a catalyst for Smith's sobriety journey.


Sean and I curled up on the couch this weekend to watch this story unfold on screen (the DVD was just released this month!), and as always, the generous folks of FlyBy promotions have another copy set aside for one reader to win! Enter below, then keep scrolling for more giveaways!



PS: February's hop is coming. That means Valentine's Day which means JEWELRY!
NOVICA features fair trade jewelry created by Artisans from around the world (many in rural communities) in conjunction with National Geographic. I have a gorgeous necklace and bracelet from NOVICA already, and was blown away by the quality.

I was happy to review another piece of theirs, the "destiny" Cultured Freshwater Pearl Dangle Earrings which were crafted in India (I loved them, of course!). This time, I'm sharing the wealth: these earrings will be passed on to February's hop winner—see you soon!

"Hi baby, how are you?"
"Good mom, how are you?"
Mentally I was already answering the questions I was sure were to follow: yes, I finally got my car back. No, I don't think I can make it down tomorrow - the doctor's office messed up and I have to go tomorrow instead of today. I'll see you Saturday at dinner.
"Better than your father."
uh oh
"What do you mean?"

In a matter of seconds, our plans for ending the holiday season with a quiet New Year at home and one final family gathering before returning to work flipped upside-down as I learned that my dad had fallen from a ladder and was in ICU trauma dealing with multiple breakages.



I can barely remember Christmas in the whim of packing up our clothes and dog for the next few days as we went to Virginia to help my parents as best as we could: buying groceries, preparing meals, running laundry, and making hospital visits.

Despite the bad news, we are blessed: we were able to arrive hours earlier than anticipated, and while dad's injuries are many, he is well and will heal: surgeries have been completed and progress appears promising. Things could have been worse. The upcoming months will be ones of rehabilitation and recovery, and I suspect he will be back on a ladder the second he's allowed. The man can't sit still.

Obviously, things such as blog posts, resolutions, and re·solve's 3-year anniversary yesterday have recently become a lower priority. I'm certainly not going anywhere, though! Thanks for understanding.

Here's to a happy and hopefully healthy 2016 to the rest of you.