The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines
Published by Thomas Nelson in October 2016

"In The Magnolia Story fans will finally get to join the Gaines behind the scenes and discover: The time Chip ran to the grocery store and forgot to take their new, sleeping baby Joanna s agonizing decision to close her dream business to focus on raising their children When Chip buys a houseboat, sight-unseen, and it turns out to be a leaky wreck Joanna s breakthrough moment of discovering the secret to creating a beautiful home Harrowing stories of the financial ups and downs as an entrepreneurial couple Memories and photos from Chip and Jo s wedding The significance of the word magnolia and why it permeates everything they do The way the couple pays the popularity of Fixer Upper forward, sharing the success with others, and bolstering the city of Waco along the way." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I loved hearing the stories of Chip and Joanna Gaines.  I am completely obsessed with their show, Fixer Upper!  It was wonderful to finally get a glimpse of the people behind all of the funny bits you see on television.  The love that they share for each other, their family, and their community shines through.  They have had a lot of lucky breaks in their lives, and they credit it all to their faith.  I found it refreshing that they talk about their faith but are not overly preachy.

Overall, if you love their show, you must read their book!  I would recommend the audiobook, because it is narrated by both Chip and Joanna.  Such a wonderful read!

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook and printed book from my local library.

Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married by Gary Chapman

Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married by Gary Chapman
Published by Northfield Publishing in September 2010.

"With more than 35 years of experience counseling couples, Gary has found that most marriages suffer due to a lack of preparation and a failure to learn to work together as intimate teammates.

So he put together this practical little book, packed with wisdom and tips that will help many develop the loving, supportive, and mutually beneficial marriage they envision, such as:

What the adequate foundation for a successful marriage truly is.  What to expect about the roles and influence of extended family.  How to solve disagreements without arguing.  How to talk through issues like money, sex, chores, and more.  Why couples must learn how to apologize and forgive.  Ideal for newly married couples and those considering marriage, the material lends itself to heart-felt, revealing, and critical conversations for relational success.

Read this book and you’ll be prepared for—not surprised by—the challenges of marriage." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
If this guy sounds familiar, it's because he's the one that wrote the 5 love languages book.  Each chapter is devoted to a certain topic: money, chores, or how to fight without really fighting.  I appreciated each chapter, and loved how each chapter had questions to ponder over with your significant other.  If you're in a relationship and thinking about marriage, I would definitely recommend this book to you.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

The Family Romanov by Candice Fleming

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candice Fleming
Published by Schwartz & Wade on July 8, 2014

Summary: "Here is the tumultuous, heartrending, true story of the Romanovs—at once an intimate portrait of Russia's last royal family and a gripping account of its undoing. Using captivating photos and compelling first person accounts, award-winning author Candace Fleming deftly maneuvers between the imperial family’s extravagant lives and the plight of Russia's poor masses, making this an utterly mesmerizing read." -- From Goodreads











My Thoughts:

I don't normally read a lot of non-fiction, but I'm really glad I picked up this book.  This book has a really interesting narrative, and it doesn't read like a normal book.  The story goes back and forth from the Romanovs to members of Russia's poorest class.  Comparing both was a brilliant move on the author's part.  The pictures included were fantastic, and I could tell that the author did a lot of research.  The bibliography, notes, and index and extensive.  

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.