It's my May Book Review PLUS a GIVEAWAY!!! Double the fun on your Wednesday!
If you're a reader like me, then you're all like...
And if you're not a reader, then you're like this today...
...zzzzzzzzzzz.
BUT, non-readers get a bonus today...because there is an a-mazing giveaway at the bottom of this post...so you don't want to miss that!
Okay, for all of you that do love a good book...I think I might have found my favorite fiction book of the year. I know! Last year, I named The Royal We my favorite fiction book (and Bread & Wine my overall favorite book)...but as for 2016, I now have my front runner (keep reading to see which one it is!).
Overall, this batch of books for the month was a winner for sure!
Overall, this batch of books for the month was a winner for sure!
The Life Giving Home by Sally & Sarah Clarkson is such a good read. I have read several Sally Clarkson books before and always love them. She typically writes about motherhood and in this book, her oldest daughter co-writes with her about how they make sure they keep their house a home. She gives suggestions for each month of the year in this book, so it's full of wonderful, seasonal ideas for making your house more than just a house...but a home.
Clarkson is a woman of faith, so her words are always inspirational and encouraging. I'm telling you, you're going to want to put the book down, light a candle, turn on your fireplace, snuggle up with your family, play board games, drink hot tea and serve them a delicious dinner when you're done with this book. It is very inspiring, motivating and doable. Even if your kiddos are older and out of the nest (or you don't have kids!), she gives ideas about making your house a home for outside guests too. This Clarkson book is for everyone.
Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews was cute. Many of you told me that I would enjoy her fictional books and I did enjoy this one! It was light and easy to read. My only complaint would be that it was a little lengthy for the actual plot and probably could have been a tad shorter. But, that being said, the main character is a floral shop owner and her little tale was sweet and fun to read. (Plus, she has a dog named Poppy!) This is an easy book to toss in your bag for the pool. Just light and fun!
Cancel the Wedding by Carolyn Dingman was SO GOOD! I don't know if I just wasn't expecting much or what...but I loved this book! One of my friends always shares her monthly book picks and they all tend to be dark and heavy...but last month, she threw this one in the mix and went on and on abut how much she liked it, so I ordered it on Amazon. As of today, it's in first place for my favorite fictional book of 2016. I thought the characters were interesting, the plot was unique (and kept me guessing throughout!), the setting was quaint...the whole book was just charming. This book is not quite as light as some of the other "beach reads" I so enjoy but it's most definitely not heavy either. I really just could not put it down...I had to know the ending. This is Dingman's first novel and now, I'll be on the lookout for more books from her. She's made me a big fan!
Instant Mom by Nia Vardalos was recommended by you ladies and I loved it!!! Vardalos (you know, the lady who wrote and starred in My Big Fat Greek Wedding) writes about her 9 years of infertility (13 IVF!) and her domestic adoption (they were matched with a three year old girl from the foster care system) and it was DELIGHTFUL! I am so thankful you girls told me to read this one because it really spoke to my heart...and I know that I'll be recommending it to people all the time.
If you are struggling with infertility, have struggled with it, are considering adoption or have adopted...you will be entertained and your heart warmed. Vardalos has a funny way of talking about the pain...she makes it real but she lightens it up at the same time. Most of all, she's encouraging! Oh man, she is so encouraging. I'm done with that stage in my life, but I was still encouraged my her words and motivated by her faith, persistence and determination. She is a rock star representative of the adoption community. Loved this book!
The Knockoff by Lucy Sykes & Jo Piazza was my final book of the month. Amazon told me I should read this and they were right (that Amazon is so smart ;)!). This cute fictional book is very reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada (which I loved) and I couldn't put it down. This story is about an editor-and-chief of a Vogue-like magazine who is being replaced by a younger, hipper, more tech-savy girl and the antics that transpire between the two of them. I read it quickly because it was just cute and fun to read. Thank you Amazon for knowing what I like!
So those are my May books! What did you read this month? You know that I love your suggestions (two of today's books came from YOU!). Comment below and tell me what I should be reading next!
Don't forget that if you missed my 2015 book review (where I recapped all of the books I read last year), you can see them all right here.
And you can keep track all year long by clicking 2016 Books at the top of my blog. I keep a running list of books right there for you along with my reviews.
And now...for the giveaway portion of today's post.
It's time friends.
If you've read this blog for at least a year then you know how much I'm swooning right now...
...TODAY IS THE LAUNCH OF THE ERIN CONDREN LIFE PLANNER!
Eeks!
Someone hold me.
Four years ago, I was reading a blog and the blog author had a giveaway for one of these planners. I didn't win the giveaway but I was really curious about the planner, so I bought one. And then quickly fell in love. And then proceeded to gush like nobody's business. And then Erin Condren reached out to me (because someone pointed them to my obnoxious gushing) and we've been friends ever since.
If you know Erin Condren, then you're not even reading this any more, you've already gone to the site to order your 2016-2017 planner (they run July 2016 until December 2017)...and if you're new, let me show you mine (or you can just look at them on their site too!).
Here are my four Erin Condren planners lined up. My newest one doesn't have a collage cover (yet), but I'm about to order one. One cool thing about the planners is that the covers are interchangeable.
So, here's the deal...I found these planners because another blogger was gushing...and then I became one of their favorite customers because I buy their stuff all year long and gush too (labels, notepads, notebooks, stickers, return address labels...I buy it all throughout the year). In fact, all of my travel agency stationary, business cards, etc came straight from their site...and I pay for it! They did supply me with my planner this year but friends, that's it. I love this stuff so much that I gush without compensation or perks... I sincerely just love it :).
Here are a few more things before I tell you about our giveaway...
This year, they have all sorts of stickers and sticky notes to add to your planner to make it more useful and a little more special too. And...
And now...for the giveaway portion of today's post.
It's time friends.
If you've read this blog for at least a year then you know how much I'm swooning right now...
...TODAY IS THE LAUNCH OF THE ERIN CONDREN LIFE PLANNER!
Eeks!
Someone hold me.
Four years ago, I was reading a blog and the blog author had a giveaway for one of these planners. I didn't win the giveaway but I was really curious about the planner, so I bought one. And then quickly fell in love. And then proceeded to gush like nobody's business. And then Erin Condren reached out to me (because someone pointed them to my obnoxious gushing) and we've been friends ever since.
If you know Erin Condren, then you're not even reading this any more, you've already gone to the site to order your 2016-2017 planner (they run July 2016 until December 2017)...and if you're new, let me show you mine (or you can just look at them on their site too!).
Here are my four Erin Condren planners lined up. My newest one doesn't have a collage cover (yet), but I'm about to order one. One cool thing about the planners is that the covers are interchangeable.
So, here's the deal...I found these planners because another blogger was gushing...and then I became one of their favorite customers because I buy their stuff all year long and gush too (labels, notepads, notebooks, stickers, return address labels...I buy it all throughout the year). In fact, all of my travel agency stationary, business cards, etc came straight from their site...and I pay for it! They did supply me with my planner this year but friends, that's it. I love this stuff so much that I gush without compensation or perks... I sincerely just love it :).
Here are a few more things before I tell you about our giveaway...
The planner is filled with happiness and inspiration like this. This just makes me smile.
I went ahead and took a pic of their new sheet. The planners come in neutral or colorful (mine is colorful), with three different layouts (I always select vertical), and in four different color options (I picked gold).
...there is a new dry erase board that pops in and out, so you can write down notes and such for the week you're on. Easy!
There is even more to learn about these planners, how they work, how you can use them to make your life more organized and you can see all of the other new add-ons on their site. See it all here.
So...Erin Condren asked me if I wanted to do an Instagram giveaway where one of my readers could win a new life planner for herself and two friends. #heckyeah
All you do is follow both Erin Condren and me on Instagram and then on my picture today...this one...
...tag two friends to win planners with you. One comment and the two friends she tags will each win a planner. The winner will be selected on Saturday!
Whew! That's a lot of goodness for one day!
Here are the four things you need to do:
1. Read my book reviews and find you a good summer read.
2. Check out Erin Condren's new life planners that launch TODAY!
3. Go to Instagram and enter to win our giveaway.
4. Make this for dinner tonight...
Even carnivores in your house will devour these. Simple, hearty, delicious and...meat-free.
Happy June 1st!
Let's do this summer ;)!