I should start this post by offering a disclaimer. When I say that I “read” a book, sometimes it means that I listened to the audiobook. I love consuming books but can rarely find the time to sit down and read a book (or watch TV, for that matter). That’s how I’m able to get through so many Of the books below, all were audiobooks except for Abigail Shrier’s. I have a fantastic list for you this month and I hope you find a title or two to add to your queue. Each book is linked! Happy reading!
Everything Beautiful in Its Time by Jenna Bush Hagar
The Bush family will always and forever have a special place in my heart. My (grand)Papa loved 41 and I’m still so thankful I had the opportunity to attend his lying in state in the U.S. Capitol. Hear Jenna’s story about her Gampy made me fall in love with him even more. This memoir is a beautiful story of love and grief, which is ultimately the price of loving someone. I sobbed many times throughout it, mainly because the stories in it are so relatable. I highly recommend this book.
Badass Habits by Jen Sincero
My dad calls Jen Sincero his girlfriend. He loves her books and the matter-of-fact-way that she explains things. While I loved the two You Are A Badass books, Badass Habits fell short to me. It’s worthwhile read for someone new to the self-discipline world, but (as a type-a person already), ti didn’t really resonate with me.
Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey
I make no secret of it—I’m a huge Dave Ramsey fan. While I certainly don’t agree with all he has to say, his overall message is one of clarity and simplicity, which I know many people need. Financial Peace Revisited is written both from Dave’s perspective as well as from his wife’s, which was a nice touch. It’s a little dated, but overall a worthwhile read.
Good Apple: Tales of a Southern Evangelical in New York by Elizabeth Passarella
This book is laugh-out-loud funny and I loved every second of it. Passarella was born in Memphis to a conservative Christian family. Today she still considers herself an Evangelical Christian but has taken a leftward political turn while holding on to many of her religiously-based political stances. She argues that there are many more like her, and I genuinely appreciated her perspective. Anyone who has a southern mama (or knows someone who does!) can certainly appreciate Passarella’s memoir and will definitely chuckle more than once.
Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller
We’re reading this book as a company (my idea, thank you very much) and I’m adoring the discussions it’s sparking. The basic premise is that people in companies need to know what they’re selling (you’d be surprised by how many people in a company can’t coherently tell you what they do!) and deliver their messages in a coherent manner. The information in it is timeless and easily applicable. I’m loving it!
Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier
Oh, you thought I was going to be straying away from controversy, did you? This book needs to go in the hands of every single parent in America. Anyone who’s been around me for more than five minutes has heard me talk about it because it absolutely blew my mind. The basic premise of Shrier’s book is that teenage girls are being lured in to becoming trans by social media, demanding puberty blockers and hormones as early as 10 years old, which causes irreversible damage such as loss of fertility, among others. These “influencers” also encourage teenagers to cut ties with anyone who does not agree with their transitioning.
While Shrier has been accused of being “transphobic,” she does affirm adults who have transitioned as adults. In fact, she interviews many in her book and guess what? Many agree that what’s happening is a huge problem. What’s Shrier is arguing is that kids can’t make these kinds of life-altering decisions at such young ages, and I agree. Caitlin Jenner is one thing; a confused 14 year old is something totally different. I could write a whole volume about my thoughts here, but I’ll spare you. The book is so, SO important.
Dear Evan Hansen by Steven Levenson
One of the kids I do literacy coaching with is reading this book so I told her I’d read it too. I loved the musical and the book certainly did not disappoint. In fact, if you’re a Dear Evan Hansen fan, I highly recommend reading the book. It gives a lot more perspective than the play is able to and I really enjoyed it. The story is largely about teen suicide so it’s far from a light read, so keep that in mind as you’re considering it!
Bad With Money by Gaby Dunn
I love personal finance books that have a little side of humor. Gaby Dunn is fantastic and is the type of person who would be very entertaining to have a drink with, so the book is like having a frank conversation with one of your pals. Bad With Money gives practical, no-nonsense advice about navigating the complicated world of personal finance, mainly for millennial women. Note to my conservative snowflakes, though, Gaby Dunn was a sex worker so her perspective is probably different from what you’re used to. Don’t let that scare you; it’s still a very helpful book that I definitely recommend.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
So, funny enough, this book was referenced in Dear Evan Hansen so I thought I’d give it a listen too. Into the Wild is about a strong-willed 20-something who uses an alias while hiking the Alaska wilderness only to perish alone weeks later. The story is very slow-moving and I’m frankly not entirely sure why it was such a literary hit back in the day. If you’re outdoorsy, maybe it’s a good reminder to take the outdoorsy advice of others…? If not, I’d leave this one be. It wasn’t my favorite at all.
Get Money by Kristin Wong
This book is DENSE but also a great personal finance read. Wong covers just about every topic imaginable so it would be a good one to listen to all the way through, buy the print version and reference as needed. Trust me when I say, if you have a question, odds are that the answer is in this book!
My March list is lots of novels and marketing books, which I’m looking forward to! While I have several on my list, I do think I can get through more. What do you recommend?
