KA Reads // Spring Bucket List Book List // Irwin, PA

I have always been an avid reader – in fact, when I was younger, I was the kid who’s Mother would punish by grounding me from reading. The library was my favorite place and I determined whether I was going to buy a purse or not on it’s size of how many books it would hold.

Lately though, reading has been put on a back burner for me. With a business to run, a house to maintain, and a little munchkin to look after, reading simply doesn’t take the precedent it once did. That’s why I put it on my Spring Bucket List: I wanted to be intentional about reading this spring. It is one of my favorite pastimes, other things just tend to push it out, and I’m tired of that being the case.

5 books may or may not seem like a lofty goal, but it was just perfect for me. I just finished my 5th book & I have loved spending some extra time reading this spring!

Here are the books I read and my thoughts on each of them!

Spring 2017 Book List

The Magnolia Story – I don’t think there is a soul alive who doesn’t know who Chip & Joanna Gaines are. Everyone is obsessed with them, right? I mean, when Fixer Upper episodes were on Netflix, Derrick & I might have binged thru entire seasons in days flat – but who’s talking? We were honestly late to the whole Fixer Upper craze & were a little skeptical that we would even like the show. All I can say is: 2 episodes in, and we were hooked. So, reading their story just made sense. And it’s amazing. Literally a book that made me laugh and cry real tears (I finished the book while sitting on the couch at my in-laws and tried so hard to keep it all in so I wouldn’t look like a complete dork sitting there!) If you are the least bit curious as to what Chip & Jo’s story is, you must read this book. And if you don’t know who the Gaines’ family is, you should still read this book – it’s that good.

Grace, Not Perfection – It seemed like everyone & their brother was reading this book in the creative community, so I picked it up with a gift card for Barnes & Nobles that I’d won. It was such a delight to read! I loved how practical & down-to-earth it was and it was super easy to read. I may not have agreed 100% with every single principal Emily Ley presents, but I think the overall concept is solid. I feel like it’s easily a book that I could read over and over again!

Meet Mama Bear – Okay, technically, this book should have gone on my “winter reading list”, but since I didn’t quite make it to 5 books, I didn’t post a winter reading post! This book – omigoodness – I don’t even know where to begin. Okay, that’s a lie, I do know. For starters: Kristen Morris, the authoress, was Derrick & I’s wedding photographer. I have followed her & her story for years. Literally. Probably actually closer to a decade (if not longer). So, the day she announced her book, was the day I got in line to order it. I’m not sure if I’ve ever cried more while reading a book – I was literally bawling within the first few paragraphs (in a totally bittersweet way). The book outlines the stories and life lessons taught to Kristen & her family by her Mama. Kristen is a master storyteller, behind a camera and with a pen. You should just drop everything & go read it now. I promise, you’ll thank me when you’re done.

Fools Rush In – This was a “fun” book to read. Purely fiction & based around a wedding planner, my Mom was the one who recommended this book to me. She found it & picked it up somewhere along the line & just thought it was so darn cute, that she passed it on to me. The story was really fun – definitely light-hearted with a little romantic drama thrown in. It was easy to read, easy to pick back up (when I put it down & forgot about it for a few weeks), and the characters were enjoyable. It’s actually the beginning of a series & my Mom went out & found the next two, so they’re sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read.

The Bridge – I love anything by Karen Kingsbury & my Mom (again) lent this book to me for the Christmas 2015 season. The story revolves around the holidays, so when I didn’t make time to read it in 2015, I wanted to make it happen in 2016. Well, I was a little late, but I have finally read this book that’s been sitting on my shelf for over a year! Karen Kingsbury’s characters are always amazing, and this cast was no exception. I both loved & hated that it was a short book – part of me enjoyed the quick read and part of me wanted more. Overall, it was a delightful tale!

I already have my next few books picked out, but I’d love to hear your suggestions!
What should I read over the summer?