I was never a reader growing up, I mean yes—when I was younger I liked to read, like most children, but after that, it never kept my interest. I was the kind of person to read a full page and completely check out while “reading,” get to the end of the page and say, “wait, what did I just read?!” And don’t get me wrong, that still happens at times and that’s when I just close the book and come back to it later. 2020 has been different for me though. My mother-in-law gave me the book Redeeming Love (which I’ll get into below) and I was obsessed. Since then, I’ve read these other books and can happily say I actually enjoy reading! Whaaaaaaatt?! Obviously as a blogger and someone fully involved on social media both for F+F and my actual job, I would say I am heavily addicted to my phone, so it’s a refreshing break from the screen to just sit and read.
I’ve included the 5 books I’ve read so far in 2020 with the general description + affiliate link (all via Amazon)! You can shop the full post on LTK.It HERE. I cannot say enough good things about ALL these books, and they’re all available via prime and super affordable! Happy reading, loves!
LEISURE READS
The Same Sky by Amanda Eyre Ward
“From the acclaimed author of How to Be Lost and Close Your Eyes comes a beautiful and heartrending novel about motherhood, resilience, and faith—a ripped-from-the-headlines story of two families on both sides of the American border.
Alice and her husband, Jake, own a barbecue restaurant in Austin, Texas. Hardworking and popular in their community, they have a loving marriage and thriving business, but Alice still feels that something is missing, lying just beyond reach.
Carla is a strong-willed young girl who’s had to grow up fast, acting as caretaker to her six-year-old brother Junior. Years ago, her mother left the family behind in Honduras to make the arduous, illegal journey to Texas. But when Carla’s grandmother dies and violence in the city escalates, Carla takes fate into her own hands—and with Junior, she joins the thousands of children making their way across Mexico to America, facing great peril for the chance at a better life.
In this elegant novel, the lives of Alice and Carla will intersect in a profound and surprising way. Poignant and arresting, The Same Sky is about finding courage through struggle, hope amid heartache, and summoning the strength—no matter what dangers await—to find the place where you belong.”
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
“California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.
Then she meets Michael Hosea, a man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything. Michael obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.
But with her unexpected softening comes overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does…the One who will never let her go.
A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love.”
EDUCATIONAL READS
Instagram Power by Jason Miles
“Build your business on Instagram – today’s hottest social media platform
While other social sites are declining in popularity, Instagram is hotter than ever?and shows no signs of cooling off any time soon. But it’s not just users that are flocking to the site, marketers love it too. With more features and marketing capabilities than ever, Instagram is a channel that smart marketers can’t afford to avoid.
Filled with proven strategies from leading Instagram experts this updated edition of Instagram Power walks you through the steps of setting up your account, actionable monetization methods you can use, and how to integrate the social media platform into your complete marketing approach. With 15 new chapter subsections and revisions throughout, the book shows you how to leverage all the new features, including Insights, IGTV, Shop-able Posts, Stories, and Instagram Ads.
You’ll discover how to:
*Leverage Instagram to build and strengthen your business or personal brand*Design an effective marketing plan for the platform*Sell directly on Instagram with Shop-able posts*Avoid common pitfalls, and much more If you’re serious about marketing, you need to tap into the power of the world’s most popular photo-sharing platform. This guide offers a road map to achieving Instagram marketing success. “
“Why do some wellness entrepreneurs find freedom, flexibility and a healthy income online — while others get stuck spinning their wheels, never finding clients or making sales?
It’s not about who has the best website, or who spends more time on social media. The secret is in the system.
Wellpreneurs who find clients online have a system in place that others don’t. This system brings more of the right people to your website, and turns them into paying clients. It’s this proven, step-by-step system you’ll learn in this book.
Wellpreneur is a guide to nailing your niche and finding more clients online, written just for wellness entrepreneurs. If you’re a health coach, yoga teacher, personal trainer, nutritionist or other wellness professional, you’ll:
- Get total clarity on your target market, so you know exactly who you’re serving (and why).
- Learn the proven five-step Organic Growth System to attract ideal prospects to your website and turn them into paying clients.
- Peek inside the businesses of successful wellpreneurs, to learn how they grew profitable wellness businesses online.
- Streamline your online marketing, so you can spend less time marketing, and more time doing work you love!”
Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
“Does the uncertainty and chaos of life keep you up at night? Is irrational anxiety your constant companion? Let God help you win the war on worry and receive the lasting peace of Christ. We all encounter anxiety, but we don’t have to let worry and fear control our lives. Anxious for Nothing, from New York Times bestselling author, Max Lucado, provides a roadmap for battling with and healing from anxiety. Anxious for Nothing invites readers to delve into Philippians 4:6-7—the most highlighted passage of any book on the planet according to Amazon— “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In this book, Max will help you: Celebrate God’s goodness Ask God for help Leave your concerns with God Meditate on good things Stop letting anxiety rule the day. Join Max on the journey to true freedom and experience more joy, clarity, physical renewal, and contentment by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Whatever your passion is, I truly hope you dive in with more reading. Whether it’s leisure or educational, I hope you enjoy these recommendations! Let me know if you’ve read any of these and/or what recs you have for me!
XOXO