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Book Crush: 5 Books I just purchased and can’t wait to read

    It seems I’ve been on a book-buying spree lately. These five were just delivered within the past two weeks and I can’t wait to crack each one open and pore over the pages.

    These books are not my typical choices. I almost always read novels, and usually lean toward historical fiction. Because of our move and the many house projects that have kept us busy, I have read much less than I prefer these past few months. I’ll get back to it, I’m sure.

    For now, I grabbed these five books that are slightly outside my regular genre, but each charming and intriguing in their own way. I’ll talk you through the choices.

    YOU ARE FREE by Rebekah Lyons

    I recently listened to two podcasts with Rebekah (with Annie Downs and Jamie Ivey) and completely connected with her message. This is a personal journey she has walked through moving from a place of people-pleasing, achievement-reaching, acceptance-seeking to true freedom. I’m excited to read the message and it sure is a pretty cover.

    HOW’S YOUR SOUL by Judah Smith

    My friend Rae casually mentioned this book in a recent blog post and threw in something nonchalant like “this book is completely changing my world“.  Those words piqued my interest :)

    Judah Smith pastors a church here in the Seattle area and has written a few best-sellers. This new book speaks to where I’m at and I look forward to digging in.

    Judah Smith pastors a church here in the Seattle area and has written a few best-sellers. I’m absolutely on a journey of taking a deep look at my soul, healing and growing and I’m pretty sure this one will speak to where I’m at.

    LIVING WITH PATTERN by Rebecca Atwood

    This is not a new book (it was released in August 2016), but that cover just kept catching my eye and so I finally added it to my small collection of coffee table/design books.

    Rebecca Atwood is a textile designer with an incredible eye for mixing patterns in interiors. The photos are great and there are how-to’s peppered in for mixing patterns in our own homes.

    CUT FLOWER GARDEN by Erin Benzakein of Floret Farm

    Oh, this book makes me insanely happy. I have such a thing for flowers and dream of having a cutting garden. This book is my first step in that direction and I could not be more impressed with what’s inside.

    There are tips for growing, cutting, arranging all broken up by season. Since Erin and her family’s flower garden is in our area, I’m especially excited to learn all I can from her and maybe someday I’ll have flowers to cut from my yard.

    P.S. Be sure to follow Floret Farms on Instagram. You’ll be so happy every time a post of flowers pops up on your feed.

    OLD HOME LOVE by Andy + Candis Meredith

    Have you seen this adorable couple’s renovation show? They are so charming and the homes they restore are so good. The book is full of old, gorgeous homes with so much character and detail.

    Again, this one has a great cover that will look great left out on the coffee table or stacked up on a shelf. I appreciate a dual-purpose book. And, Andy + Candis have a great Instagram feed that’s a must-follow.


    So there you go. The five books I can’t wait to read.

    Do you have any of these? Or is there a new book you’re dying to read? Do tell …

    30 thoughts on “Book Crush: 5 Books I just purchased and can’t wait to read”

    1. I have read You Are Free and it gave me all the feels. So good!

      I can’t wait to get my hands on Cut Flower Garden, even more so now that it is spring and oh-so-close to time to start planting!

    2. I’m trying to remember if it was here on your blog or on instagram that you mentioned reading a new fiction book…maybe one sent to you be a blog reader/author? I can’t seem to find where you mentioned it, but remembered thinking it looked like something I might enjoy? Any idea what I”m talking about?? :) I have heard lots of good things about You Are Free, so I’m going to have to read that one for sure!

    3. You’ve awakened some dreams I have placed on the shelf (like the cutting garden). The book looks like a feast for the eyes. Intrigued by your other book selections. This post speaks to my inner nerd. Thank you. :)

    4. Emily,
      Your sharing of books is so neat. It is like a book club blog! I am so excited to add these to my list. Plus the ones your readers added. Thank you!

    5. Emily- have you tried Audible? It would be a great way to “read” while you paint or clean or drive.
      Also, since you love historical fiction, I have to suggest America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray. Reading it now and loving it.
      I keep a record of all the books I read on instagram under the hashtag #sbfreads

      1. I do love audible. I plug in my headphones and love listening to books while working/painting/folding laundry etc. I haven’t listened to a book in a while, though, so thanks for the reminder!

    6. Looking for new books and these are great and podcasts. The one you mentioned with Rebekah.. when I pull up, what do I look for and any other suggestions appreciated! Thanks~

    7. Thank you so much, Emily!! We are honored to be included in such a wonderful list and to have such kind words written about us!! We are big fans of yours and that made our day!!

    8. I know I’m being knit-picky, but as a writer, these things bug me. The word you want is “pore”, not “pour”. Unless you’re pouring paint over the book, in which case you were correct the first time. Not trying to be critical, but if you’re putting out a professional blog…..

      1. Oh friend, I can totally relate. It can be so hard to read for enjoyment sometimes without wanting to correct a writer’s misspellings or incorrect use of words. That being said, if we feel the need to comment critically, let’s make sure to be accurate with our own words. 😬 So I must let you know that unless you are pulling at a snag in your sweater, I believe the word you were looking for is “nitpicky.”

        nitpicky
        (adjective)
        overly critical, esp. on trivial matters; focused on only trivial aspects

        Thanks for the book suggestions, Emily! Keep up the reading AND writing. I so enjoy your blog and the weekly coffee chats! 😄

        1. Excellent Colleen! I also believe a pm would be the best way to “help” a fellow blogger. Kindness truly is a virtue. I love your blog Emily.

    9. Just finished : Love, Alice. Barbara Davis. I couldnt put it down.
      Decor Book I picked up today Sage Living Annie Sage , a beautiful book. Blogger, The City Sage.

    10. I just joined your blog last night and I’m so happy I did! I love flower gardening! I love old houses! I love books! I have had so much time in the last two years to read because I babysit my grandson and now he’s two and he co-sleeps! So I have to lie down for 2 to 3 hours every day! I’m rather thankful that I’ve been forced to take more time to read!
      I recently read “My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She is Sorry” by Fredrick Backman. It was a gift my daughter thought I would like. Boy was she right! Backman is a Swedish author who also wrote “A Man Called Ove” (His first book), and “Britt-Marie was Here” (She is a character in the first I mentioned). This third book is due to come out in May on Amazon. All his books have to be translated into English. Normally, I love historical fiction, but this man has written books that talk about how to understand people who are different. I love his writing and his way of bringing across charm and humor understanding and conviction.
      One of my all-time favorite books is “Leota’s Garden” by Francine Rivers. I’m happy to be part of your group of friends!

    11. I’m supposed to receive the Floret Farm book on Wednesday and have Rebekah’s book in my amazon cart :) Right now, I’m reading orphan train at my daughter’s request. She recently finished it as one of her independent reading assignments. We are in for a snowstorm here tomorrow. School is already cancelled, so after we shovel, I’m looking forward to reading more of it and checking out your other recommendations. Thanks!

    12. Try Foraged Flora – Louesa Roebuck & Sarah Linsdale – with your love of plants & flowers & your new moody home it would be a wonderful addition – Enjoy!
      Your throw – where from & who makes it ? Looking for one just that color.

    13. I have gotten engaged to my soul mate and am waiting to close on a house that we are hoping to turn into our dream home in the past two months, and , am planning our wedding in the soon to be backyard. We both have abusive relationships in our past and both are at the point of restarting our lives with a new outlook with each other. This house was built in 1900, a saltbox style, 2 bedroom with a very poor extension on one whole side of the house. We both love doing this stuff and as I am disabled, we will be doing as much as poss ourselves. My hubby has worked in Maine’s leader in lumber for 15 years and knows how to do most of house building by heart. So, my point is, I have been soul searching to find my self and inner peace for the past 5 years and now with the house remodeling I read this post and felt a similar spirit in our lives. I love to watch Chip and Joanna Gaines in Fixer Upper with the family values, love for each other and great designs in Waco, Texas every show is a little quirky. With the closing coming up on the 24 we are in chaos trying to get things in order. We need floors and Windows first, the wedding outside in October and one of the jobs we need to do is raise the whole roof to add several feet to the top floor. Lol. Sounds crazy right! It’s 2100 square feet but with the way the ceilings are upstairs it only has 1400 of livable space. I am so excited! I don’t plan on having much reading time but have added these books to my list. Sorry this went so long!!!

    14. I love when you do book recommendations! These look awesome! each in their own right. But the first two really resonate with me as well! When you are back to Historical Fiction novels I highly recommend the Heretics Daughter by Kathleen Kent.

    15. I recently read The Invention of Wings (it was recommended by many people from your Charleston, SC blog). I live in SC and I love going to Charleston. Anyway, this book was amazing. Thanks for the recommendation!

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