What I Read This Summer

Calling this my Louella Reese summer reading list and breaking down my favorite and not so favorite books!

Louella Reese Summer Reading List | Light Reads and Morning Devotionals

The Knockoff | What Alice Forgot | Love Warrior | Matchmaking for Beginners | 5 Minutes with Jesus: Making Today Matter | 5 Minutes with Jesus: A Fresh Infusion of Joy

Happy Friday!! One of the items on my summer bucket list was to read one book per month. Which I wanted to do so I could get back to my love of reading and also relax a bit (step away from the computer and iPhone). I am happy to say I made it happen and have read one book per month since May + two morning devotional books. Yay! Now I’m hear to share my reading list (as requested by a couple of you via DM on IG) and provide a yes or no recommendation on whether they’re worth the read or not. 

Have you been on the reading train this summer? If so, what have you read and what are you loving? I would love to hear and add some books to my list. Comment below and share!

Louella Reese Summer Reading List | Light Reads and 5-Minute Morning Devotionals
Louella Reese Summer Reading List | Matchmaking for Beginners

The Knockoff 

This was my first book of the summer. First real book in quite awhile actually. The Knockoff is about an editor in chief of a big fashion magazine. She leaves for a bit due to being sick and when she returns things are VERY different. Her previous assistant has also returned after attending business school. Now having all of the confidence she tries to take reign of the magazine and ruin her previous (and current) boss. The editor-in-chief now has to learn all about social media and is basically in an adapt or die situation. There’s lots of back and forth “fights” and millennials vs. baby boomers. Overall I felt you could tell the WHOLE ENTIRE book what was going to happen and that did in fact happen. 

Recommendation: No 

What Alice Forgot 

This book started off a little slow for me aka the first half of the book really. Once the second half hit I was hooked though.  The book is about Alice (shocker) forgetting the last ten years of her life after having a spill at the gym. The last thing Alice really remembers is being madly in love  with her sweet husband and newly pregnant with her first child. Boy have things changed in 10 years! Alice is now in the middle of a nasty divorce and has three child. Plus she doesn’t recognize herself at all!  

Recommendation: Yes & No

No, because the first half is SO slow moving. Yes, because the second half is very addicting! So if you can move past the slow first half, it’s worth it. However, if you’re someone who really struggles with slow moving books, I’d say pass. 

Louella Reese Summer Reading List | Light Summer Reads and 5-Minute Morning Devotionals

Love Warrior 

My mother-in-law gave me this book on a whim. At first, I have to be honest, I wasn’t too sure about it. It’s written by Glennon Doyle and she shares the story of her early years into her 30s. Typically, I’m not into real life books (I like the fiction novels). But my mother-in-law gave it to me, so I had to read it right? 

Well, I am so glad that she did and that I did in fact read it. This book and Glennon’s story absolutely blew me away. The book tells the story of Glennon’s issues with her body which included bulimia, her struggle with alcoholism, and the heartbreak that came with her perfect little family falling apart due to infidelity. While showing how Glennon deals with each crisis and how staying true to herself is the ultimate way she survives it all. 

Recommendation: Yes

Matchmaking for Beginners

This was super fun light read. I honestly read it faster than any of the other books. One due to it being an easy read and two to being slightly addicted to it. Needing to know what would happen next!

Matchmaking for Beginners follows Marnie, Blix, and a pack of misfits (really they’re adorable but the book calls them that ha) and their journey through life, death, and love. Marnie faces a lot of struggles, I would say but I don’t want to ruin any part of the book. And you really can’t help but cheer for her and flip to the next page (or chapter) to find out what happens to her next. Marnie finds herself with an amazing gift that completely uproots her life and the “perfect” forever she saw in front of her. 

Recommendation: Yes

Louella Reese Summer Reading List | Great Books for an Easy Read
Louella Reese Summer Reading List | Light Reads and Morning Devotionals

5 Minutes with Jesus: Making Today Matter

I may have mentioned this before (if so, sorry!) I had been on the search for a morning devotional. One that spoke to me and also wasn’t super long because to be honest, I can’t stay focused that long. Not my learning style ha. But anyways, while at Barnes and Noble for a little mid-week date night with Joshua, I found this 5 Minute with Jesus series. I started with Peace for Today and have since been hooked. 

Making Today Matter was actually the first of the series so it really focuses on taking those five minutes to be with Jesus. To leave work, your jam-packed day, friends, family, and everything else to focus on peace and your faith. 

Recommendation: Yes 

5 Minutes with Jesus: A Fresh Infusion of Joy

A daily reminder that joy is a choice. That we have to choose joy every single day! A reminder I can often use on those hard days. If you’re in the same boat, this would be a great book for you to start your morning with each morning (or a couple times a week). 

Recommendation: Yes

p.s. if you’d like to shop my dress you can find it in this styled post. 

PHOTOS BY KRISTEN BISHOP DAY

28 Comments

  1. Jessica Camerata wrote:

    I need to read more! Definitely going to have to pick one of these up for my upcoming long haul flight!

    xo Jessica
    My Style Vita

    Posted 9.7.18
    • Yes girl! Honestly, it’s the best escape from social media/blogging/work/etc.. you’ll have to let me know which one you pick and what you think!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.7.18
  2. I have been searching for some new books to read! Thanks for sharing these and reminding me I definitely need to get back into reading on a regular basis.

    XO,
    Emily G. | http://www.emilygodoy.com

    Posted 9.7.18
  3. Inna wrote:

    “5 minutes with Jesus” sounds great! Btw, I think you look really cute with your hair pulled back into a bun 🙂

    http://innapishtoy.com

    Posted 9.7.18
    • It really is! Could not recommend it more. And thank you so much gal – that is so sweet of you to say!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.7.18
  4. Rach wrote:

    Oo you have given me some book recommendations! I’m currently looking for new books to read especially since I will be traveling next month. Long plane rides are the perfect time to read!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

    Posted 9.7.18
    • Yay!!!! They absolutely are the perfect time to do so. Finished my last one on the flight home from Wisconsin. Safe travels and happy reading!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.7.18
  5. Anna Eggler wrote:

    Definitely grabbing your devotion next ☺️ Thanks for the share!!

    Posted 9.7.18
  6. Kileen wrote:

    I love this post girl! Love reading these book recommendations, will definitely have to check these out!

    Kileen
    cute & little

    Posted 9.8.18
  7. Cathy wrote:

    These look like such good books. I can’t wait to pick a few and dive in!

    XOXO
    Cathy

    Posted 9.8.18
  8. Nailil wrote:

    I’d love to read some of these. Especially the one titles Five Minutes with jesus.

    Posted 9.8.18
    • You absolutely should!! Especially the Five Minutes with Jesus – they are so great!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.10.18
  9. Stephanie wrote:

    I love this style of book recommendations! The yes and no with the synopsis is so helpful for me. I’ve been trying to branch out recently and read more books outside of just fantasy and sci-fi (yes I’m a strange little nerd haha) but it’s been so fun to discover more books I enjoy. I’ll have to check out some of these!

    Posted 9.9.18
    • Thank you Stephanie! So glad you enjoyed the post. I totally get that gal, I always end up going for the same style of book. Hope you enjoy reading some of these!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.10.18
  10. The 5 minutes with Jesus books sound great. I don’t have a long reading style either- just short spans, I love how you broke down each book it’s perfect for giving a snippet so we can see if we want to try the books! Great post girl!

    Posted 9.10.18
    • They really are – highly recommend them! Thank you gal! I am really glad you enjoyed the post. I loved putting it together!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.10.18
  11. Morgan wrote:

    I keep telling myself I need to get better about reading but it just hasn’t happened yet 🙁 I’m going to use this as a starting point though for when I do start to get back into my bookworm ways!

    -Morgan
    How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com

    Posted 9.10.18
  12. Putting 5 Min of Jesus on my list! I’m always looking for a new good devotional. x

    Posted 9.10.18
  13. Sarah Lindner wrote:

    I def need to read more! I will have to check out some of the reads for my next trip!

    xoxo
    Sarah Lindner

    Posted 9.10.18
    • I think everyone could always read a little more! You absolutely should gal, there’s a few great ones!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.10.18
  14. Mollie wrote:

    LOVED reading this!! I had The Knockoff on my list of books to read, but I think I might skip it now! I definitely need to Matchmaking for Beginners! Thank you for sharing your honest reviews!

    xx Mollie

    Posted 9.11.18
    • Yay!! So glad you loved it gal. Glad I would help out and save you some time 🙂

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.12.18

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