It’s been a loooong time since I updated you on my reading — and since I know people are always looking for new books, I thought I’d clue ya in.

You’d think one of these days I would actually go to the library, but nope, I just keep buying books. It’s that whole instant gratification thing. It’s not totally, though, because I also order used books from Amazon quite a bit.

1. Me Before You by Jojo Moye. I bought this book on sale for $2.99 on Kindle with Danielle tipped her FB friends off on the deal. I had heard of it but didn’t know anything about it. Figured it was a deal so I bought and started reading. Holy moly — talk about a tearjerker! The relationship between a young girl and the quadrapalegic she takes a job caring for is more than you are bargaining for. I really enjoyed the book but it was a tough read emotionally!

2. The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty. This was my final book by my new favorite author. I only wish she had more books! Like the other four I’ve read, it was engrossing and such a page turner. Moriarty has a way of writing about relationships that seems so familiar to your own personal life. Little tics about human interaction that you thought no one ever noticed but you. I encourage you all to read every Liane Moriarty book!

3. The Hardest Peace by Kara Tippets. I followed Kara’s blog last for the last year or so, until she succumbed to the awfulness of cancer at the age of 38, leaving 4 young children and a devoted husband behind. She was able to write and publish “The Hardest Peace” before she died — and it’s just as you would imagine, a tough read tackling the most difficult thing you can imagine facing. Her brutal honesty and beautiful love for God in the midst of this hardest of hard is soul-touching and perspective-lending. It was worth making my way through.

4. In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume. So I love love love Judy Blume, especially my favorite summer novel of all time, Summer Sisters. When I heard she had a new one coming out, I snatched it up right away. I must say, I was pretty disappointed here, but as I made my way through the book, it grew on me. I’m glad I finished it and glad Blume wrote another book, as she says it’s likely her last long novel (she’s like 80 now!)

5. The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower. Read this one for book club this month and it was my favorite kind of club book — non-fiction and full in fascinating stuff. Being a DC political geek, I found this book enthralling. The author has interviewed White House staff from the past 50+ years about what it is like serving behind the scenes, from Administration to Administration. You will definitely learn things you’ve never heard before about the First Families. I came away with a bit of dislike for Nancy Reagan and a more positive view of Hillary Clinton believe it or not. They couldn’t get too in depth about the Obamas because most current staff won’t speak on record but sufficient to say…Lyndon B. Johnson sounds like a major jerk!

6. Counter Culture by David Platt. He’s one of those trendy Christian authors and this book tackles some tough real world issues, from taking care of orphans to abortion to gay marriage to pornography. I was mostly just curious to see what he would say about these issues and how we should approach them as Christians. It was interesting and inspiring in a sense, though I didn’t come away feeling like I learned anything new really.

7. Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy. This was a suggested read for humor, as I make my way through pregnancy. It was pretty funny and I came away kind of wishing I could hang out with Jenny McCarthy. She sounds like she had a ROUGH pregnancy. I think she gained like 80+ pounds — which I don’t even understand! — but everyone is different. A great, light read for anyone in the realm of pregnancy.

8. Magical Thinking by Augusten Borroughs. Yes, the author of “Running With Scissors” and other honest hilarity. He brings humor to not always truly funny situations in a way that we can all relate too. I’m not normally a lover of essays but I’ve always loved his stuff and this book was not a disappointment. Prepare to laugh, cry and totally relate in one way or another.

Currently reading: 

• Boundaries in Marriage by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
• Healthy Sleeping Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth
• An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler
• The Rumor by Elin Hildebrand

Yes, that’s right, four at a time but they are all so very different! An Everlasting Meal is especially tough to read but man, is it beautiful writing especially if you love to cook, or just love FOOD and what it means.

What are you reading lately?