The start of my 2017 reading list.
I, like the majority of people it would seem, want so badly to be more intentional about reading this year. I’ve always been “the reader” of my family but after being in college for 87 years I felt so burnt out and could barely force myself to read unless I was on vacation (give me a beach and I can smash a book a day). And don’t even get me started on reading while being pregnant because I’ve never been more restless in my entire life. But I’ve been missing it something fierce so I made a goal in January to read 29 books this year. Because I’ll be 29 years old, obviously. That’s how moms set goals guys – the less we have to think about, the better.
If you do the math on that (with your iPhone calculator, duh) it comes out to about 2.5 books per month. Which is at least a book every two weeks annnd that make my armpits sweat. But I can do it! Right? (I don’t know if I can do it). Here’s what I read in January:
Before you think “Three books? She crushed it!” Please know that one of these was an audio book and one I have been reading since um, June. Thank you for understanding. On to the reviews.
The Magnolia Story 4/5 Stars
This is a definate must read if you are a fan of Fixer Upper or just of Chip and Jo as people! It tells the story of how they met, the highs and lows of all the different businesses they have had, and of course how Fixer Upper came into their lives. I actually read this book after Luckiest Girl Alive and it was just the right pick me up I needed. It’s a super light, easy, and fun read (spoiler alert: Chip really is as silly as he comes across on TV) that made me fall even more in love with this couple!
Luckiest Girl Alive 3.5/5
As I mentioned, I’ve been reading this book since like, June but don’t take that to mean it’s not good! This one is for the people that loved how effed up Gone Girl was. It takes you back and forth between things that happened in this girl’s past, to present and how those things effect her life now keeping your imagination running wild because you know the author is holding back pieces of the “past” story. I get really affected by stories like this (it is not for the emotionally sensitive, some truly awful things happen to this YOUNG girl) but if you like a book that keeps you in suspense and really makes you think about the state of our world you will like this book!
Adnan’s Story 5/5
Full disclosure, I listened to this on audiobook. Now, we are not going to get into the debate of “does listening to the audio book count as reading” (no) BUT I love, love, loved this book so I want to tell you about it, ok? This book is about Adnan Syed aka the subject of the first season of Serial. It was written by a family friend (and basically his spokesperson/advocate) and goes much more in depth to things they left out of Serial, a lot about his legal battle, and his reactions to all of it via letters he has written to the author over the years. So fasicnating. If you were a Serial fan, I feel like this is a must read! Or listen 
Have you read any of these books yet? Which book should I read next from my pile up there?!
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