alltheradreads's Reviews (1.9k)

Thanks to Random House for the free book! // First off— this cover is totally misleading... it takes place in the snowy Northeast? Second— the flap mentions a murder that tears apart a group of friends... nobody dies until the VERY end and it doesn’t tear apart the friends at all? Third— I kept waiting for something to HAPPEN or the story to start... it never really did. So... there ya have it.

C.S. Lewis is my main man. Seriously— his wisdom and writing have influenced my life and faith SO MUCH. This book was given to me by coworker friends and I’ve loved reading through it in my quiet times over the last few weeks. It’s a collection of things he has written on prayer in other books and letters, and there were so many helpful and encouraging nuggets in it! I especially loved that each “chapter” was centered on a common question about prayer— Each one was a question I have wondered about at some point in my faith, and it was so helpful! It’s a small book but would be a great starting point for anyone really wanting to dive deeper into all that prayer is.

Thank you, Crown Publishing, for the free book! // This one was LOVELY and transcendent and touching and warm and just completely wonderful. I treasured every chapter, every dream, every insight and interlude. It truly is a book of dreams, a book of love and loss and life, a story of comas and connections, of rescues and romance and redemption... I could go on. I loved it.

Thanks @randomhouse for the free book! // This one was not a favorite, I’m sad to say. I love a good chick lit read and am not above a good socialite drama, but this one took waaaaaaaay too long to build, felt totally predictable, and just never hooked me. I made it to the end but I’m not really sure why I stuck with it? (Also, side note— co-authors baffle me. Like how does that actually work?! Maybe that’s why this one didn’t quite feel like it all connected and worked well?)

I heard @lizbohannon speak at @glnsummit and instantly grabbed her book (pub date: 10/1!) — it’s a FUN read, full of amazing advice for building a meaningful and impactful life, and written in her signature sassy, spunky, bold voice. I was a big fan! I will say, I think I loved this one even more because I had just heard her speak on some of the key points, but I think anyone (entrepreneurs, leaders, creatives especially) would find this engaging and inspiring. She’s done amazing things through her work with @ssekodesigns and I’m all about it.

Thanks for the free book, @randomhouse! // This one was one of my summer goal reads— it’s Handmaid’s Tale-esque, but slow and ultimately fell flat for me. It’s much more character focused than plot driven, and while it is an interesting commentary on racial divides and what women will do for their families and their futures, it didn’t ever really hook me and I found the ending super disappointing. Not a win for me!

Thanks for the free book, @randomhouse! // Never before has a book so completely blown my mind and fascinated me and wowed me and also freaked me out.

Brené Brown is my girl. My BFF. My leader, my sensei, my mentor, my coach, my cheerleader. This book has been on my shelf for months but was the perfect read for right now, when my team at work is going through changes and hard conversations are happening and healthy leaders are needed more than ever. I’m encouraged and empowered and excited about applying these principles to my life and work. I probably highlighted 5928 sentences and copied 263 into my journal for safekeeping. This one is just a GOLDMINE.

Oh, Mister Rogers. You kind, tender hearted, world-changing man. Your words speak right to the heart of what every human (little or big) needs to hear: you are seen, you are known, you are wanted, you are loved. Your words were and are POWERFUL and poetic and so, so needed. I wish every child had a grownup to read these words to them, with them, and over them— so. so. good.

Picked this one up during the World Cup— didn’t realize it was really just a speech Abby gave at a college — still loved it and found it to be such a motivating message. Moral of the story: we are better together. INTO IT.