15 of Forrest's Favorite Picture Books

It's been a long time since I shared a kids' book list (my last was 8 of our favorite wordless picture books back in November!), so I figured 4 months was plenty of time to space out for a new one. It's actually kind of silly how infrequently I post about picture books, since we are constantly reading them. New goal for the year: make this a monthly thing.

I flipped through some of our collection, trying to decide on a theme for today's book post, and finally decided to share some of the books that Forrest (age 5) remembers, talks about, and asks for the most.

It may look like a rather random selection, but the theme today is simply "Forrest-approved."

Affiliate links ahead.

 The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee

From the moment the baby arrived, it was clear that he was the boss. Drinks made to order, round-the-clock meetings, a private jet plane -- and all this without him saying a word.

Such a cute read about new babies and how they shake things up at home. Forrest loves it and frequently refers to Darcy as our boss baby (which is both hilarious and sadly accurate).

Crankenstein by Samantha Berger 

Crankenstein may look like a regular kid, but it only takes a tiny mishap to transform him into a grouchy, grumbling monster. When he meets a fellow Crankenstein, it could lead to a huge blow-up . . . or be just the thing he needs to lift that cranky mood.

Forrest thinks this books is so funny, and 'Crankenstein' has entered our normal vocabulary when he's in a bad mood (and letting him know he's acting like Crankenstein actually perks him up, nine times out of ten).

Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea

I know there are quite a few 'Dinosaur Vs.' books, but this is the only one we've read so far. We've checked it out from the library more times than I can count.

Dinosaur is victorious in every match-up during the bedtime routine, until he finally gives in and lets bedtime win. The illustrations are simple, bright, and fun, and Forrest loves supplying the 'roars' on each page.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

Trixie brings her beloved Knuffle Bunny to the laundromat with Daddy, but their exciting adventure takes a disastrous turn when they return home and Trixie realizes someone was left behind.

Forrest talks about Knuffle Bunny quite a bit since he is still very attached to his precious blankie. And the sequel actually helped get him through a sad night when he left his blankie at Grandma's house and had to go to bed without it for the first time in 5 years.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

I really could have mentioned any of the many Pigeon books here, since Forrest has loved every one of them.

When the bus driver takes a break, he implores the reader to make sure that Pigeon will not be allowed to drive the bus in his absence. Pigeon puts up some pretty convincing arguments, though.

Forrest thinks Pigeon is hilarious, and loves trying to spot him in Willems' other books.

Moo! by David LaRochelle

This mostly-wordless picture book brings us along for the adventure of a cow's lifetime as he takes a joy ride in the farmer's car. Each page has just one word (moo!), but in a variety of expressions for each page.

Forrest loves 'reading' this one to me, and experimenting with different expressions for each "moo!" I think it's a great one to help kids learn to 'perform' and read aloud a story.

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos

We waited for weeks and weeks for this one on the library hold list, and it was totally worth the wait. Baby Billy is born with a full, glorious mustache. Most days, he's a good boy . . . but sometimes the mustache curls up at the ends and becomes a dreaded 'bad guy mustache.'

Adorable illustrations and a really cute and funny story. Forrest loves it and requests rereads often. "I'm having a bad guy mustache day" has become a regular expression around here. He also loves the sequel!

Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner

As if the lack of words didn't make me nervous enough, I find that cover totally unappealing. But this wordless picture book is so creative and fun, and Forrest adores it, and loves 'reading' it to me. He even brought it to school for show and tell recently and was so excited to share it with his friends.

Mr. Wuffles batters a 'toy' spaceship . . . and the real aliens inside must get creative to repair it and outwit Mr. Wuffles to make their escape. So clever and imaginative!

Boy and Bot by Ame Dyckman

Forrest is in a bit of a robot phase at the moment, and this is the cutest robot book we've read yet.

A boy and a bot meet and have a great time playing together. But when Bot gets switched off, Boy tries all the remedies he can think of (applesauce, reading a story, etc.) to no avail. Then Bot worries when his friend powers down (falls asleep), and tries remedies of his own (oil, a new battery, etc). A very sweet friendship story, and Forrest loves adding his own robot voices to the narration.

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak

I had some serious doubts about how fun this book could possibly be, but there's no need to worry. It doesn't need pictures to crack Forrest up and have him asking to read it again and again.

Any word the reader sees on the page, they have no choice but to say. Even silly words like BLORK and BLAGGITY BLAGGITY. Forrest has laughed himself to tears over this book.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

In this book, Duncan's crayons express their grievances to their owner -- Black hates being used only for outlining. Orange and Yellow each feel they are the color of the sun, and are in a fight about it. Blue is exhausted from constantly being used to color in oceans.

This book is a bit longer than the average picture book, so I expected it to bore Forrest, but he loves it. He also got the sequel for Christmas and was so excited to open it!

No, David! by David Shannon

Another one I ought to just purchase already, since we've borrowed it from the library about a dozen times. Naughty David is always getting in trouble, and the majority of the text is just David being scolded while caught in various mischievous acts.

Forrest laughs himself silly over David's antics, and especially loves having David's name replaced with his own (or Darcy's, or a friend's, or Daddy's . . . etc).

Don't Push the Button! by Bill Cotter

Larry only has one rule: do not push the button. Don't even think about it.

I always love a book that is interactive, and this one is so fun for Forrest (and Darcy loves it too!). The kids get to push the button with Larry, then help him fix all the problems that pushing the button ensues, like shaking the book to get rid of extra monsters, tickling Larry to return him to his regular color, etc. Such a fun one to read together.

Any and all Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems

Any time we visit the library, Forrest always makes a beeline for the Elephant and Piggie shelves to check for any new titles. There are dozens of books about these two cute friends who have hilarious discussions and adorable everyday adventures together.

They are really simple readers, and they are a great fit as read-alouds and for kids learning to read. Forrest loves them all!

Otis by Loren Long

There are quite a few books about Otis the tractor and his farm friends, but the original has been Forrest's favorite so far.

Otis loves working on the farm with his farm friends, but the arrival of a big, strong, shiny yellow tractor sends Otis out back behind the barn, forgotten. But one day, his friend the little calf gets stuck in the mud, and only Otis can help.

A sweet, lovable story with darling illustrations and a cute message. Forrest loves Otis.

I'd love to hear some of your most-requested picture books, too!

Favorite Hair Products for a Pixie Cut

I'll occasionally get questions here or on Instagram about what products I use on my short hair, and I'm happy to share what has worked best for me! It definitely takes some trial and error to figure out what products will give the best results, but I've found some products I really enjoy and I'm happy to pass them along.

Of course, the products that are great for me might not be good for you, and vice versa. I have what my stylist has described as "a medium amount of very fine hair," so these products are mainly geared toward adding volume and texture, and preventing flyaways.

*affiliate links ahead!

1. Wella Enrich Shampoo and Conditioner :: This shampoo and conditioner duo is a rather recent purchase for me, so I've only been using them a few weeks. But I've been really happy with them--they add lots of softness and shine, and aren't heavy at all.

2. Aquage Uplifting Foam :: This has been a repeat purchase of mine for quite a few years now. It has the consistency of a thin mousse, and is meant to be sprayed right into the roots to give volume and lift. It is a bit pricey, but I love it and it lasts me a long time. Editing to add: I picked up L'Oreal Boost It Volumizing Mousse when my Aquage ran out recently, just to bridge the gap until I could order more Aquage, and I am really liking it! It gives my hair more of a stiff feel than the Aquage does, but I think the volume and lift is every bit as good as Aquage. Just an FYI if the price tag on the Aquage is giving you sticker shock!

3. John Frieda Full Repair Elixir Oil :: I bought this as a replacement for Moroccan Oil, which is wonderful but expensive. I've been using it for quite a while (probably a year or more), and I've been happy with it. I use 1 pump in my palms, then work it into my hair, focusing on the ends. I think it helps to smooth my hair, protect it from blow dryer heat, and give it some shine. I'll sometimes add a few more drops to dry hair to add shine.

Not pictured, because I honestly can't tell whether this is doing anything: Generic Value Products Shine Spray from Sally's Beauty Supply. I truly can't tell if it makes any difference for me, but I figured I'd mention it because I do, in fact, use it after every blow dry, despite not being able to tell if it makes a difference. 

4. Beyond the Zone Rock On Volumizing Powder :: If I were forced to pick just ONE product to use on my hair every day, it would be this. (I should point out that I've tried a few different texture/volumizing powders and honestly haven't noticed a huge difference between them, so my loyalty isn't necessarily to this particular powder, but just to a texture powder in general.)

I'll warn you that these powders feel gross. They are chalky and sticky and make your hair feel dirty and nasty. But I'm willing to deal with that unpleasant side effect because it adds so much texture and grip to my hair, which is very fine with zero natural texture. I shake some powder into my roots at the crown of my head and along my part, then use my fingers to shake and rough it up. It gives great lift and texture that you can leave as is, or tease over, and it will actually hold. (If you have very fine hair like I do, you've probably gotten frustrated that no amount of teasing makes any difference! If you use some of this first and then tease your hair, it'll hold great.)

5. Ion Pomade Wax :: I use a small amount of this on my fingertips and use it to stick down any frizzies and flyaways, smooth the bangs out a bit, piece out some sections across the top and sides, and smooth the back down.

6. Kenra 25 Hairspray :: This hairspray is THE best ever ever ever. It gives awesome hold, and really helps volume to stick around all day! I've used it off and on for years, and always regret it when I decide to try a different spray. Editing to add: I picked up the Generic Value Products knockoff version of this hairspray from Sally's recently and really truly canNOT tell a difference between it and the real deal. Go ahead and save yourself a couple bucks!

If you have any hair products you just LOVE, I'm all ears!

Favorite Books of 2015

I'm very pleased to say that I knocked my 2015 book goal out of the water. I set a goal to read 60 books this year, and as of today, I have read 73. (I'm pretty surprised by this, since I've averaged about 50 books a year for the past few years.)

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite books of 2015.

Note: when I say favorites of 2015, I only mean that I read them this year; no correlation to the year they were published. Also, I'll be using affiliate links in this post.

Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris

I picked this book up on a whim from a used bookstore, purely because I thought the cover was nice, and heck, it was only $1, so what did I have to lose? I'm glad I followed my gut here, because this was one of my favorites of the year, if not ever. A small town in France, a dark family secret, a WWII setting, a cranky old lady, and lots and lots of amazing food: that's like all my favorite things.

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

I'm beginning to feel like a broken record here--I've mentioned this novel so many times. I've read many of Susanna Kearsley's novels, but this one is definitely my favorite: the story of a young woman reeling after the loss of her sister who finds herself unexpectedly transported centuries back in time, and falling in love with a man born hundreds of years before her. (An honorable mention goes to my second favorite Kearsley novel, also read in 2015, Mariana.)

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

I read this book in high school but could remember almost nothing about it, so I figured it was time for a re-read. And I absolutely loved it. It's a long haul, but don't let that scare you. It's a classic for very good reason. I'd recommend reading it as an e-book if you can, since many hard copies are so thick but also really short and squat, making them nearly impossible to hold open.

Also, if we ever have another baby boy, we might need to name him Rhett.

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

I'll admit, I have always had a bit of a chip on my shoulder in regards to Jodi Picoult. I had never read one of her novels until this year, but for some reason I thought of them as being corny and poorly written. I'm glad I gave her a chance, though, because this novel was nearly impossible to put down. It follows a young girl's journey to find her mother, an elephant researcher who disappeared under mysterious circumstances a decade before. It's engaging and exciting and so hard to put down--I stayed up way too late a few nights in a row while reading this.

The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell

I just finished this book a few days ago, so it hasn't found its way into one of my monthly reading recaps yet. This book was super weird and dark and scary and unpredictable, but also pretty damn awesome. Temple is a 15-year old girl who has only known a world infested with zombies. But this definitely isn't a typical zombie book--it's strangely lovely (even spiritual, which is kind of bizarre given the subject matter), and even though it is full of death and danger and destruction, it's also thoughtful and beautifully written. I read it aloud to Jeff, and we both loved it.

As You Wish by Cary Elwes

On a much lighter note, Cary Elwes' memoir of the making of The Princess Bride is pure fun. I listened to the audio, which I would highly recommend, as he reads it himself, and fellow actors in the movie join in periodically to read some of their memories and stories. If you love The Princess Bride, I think you'll enjoy this a lot.

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson

There's a certain type of book I almost always enjoy, and I don't know what I'd call it . . . rural frontier family coming-of-age novel? Can that count as a genre?

Whatever you'd call it, that's what this novel is, and I really loved it. It follows a family in the badlands of Ontario who undergo a family tragedy that shapes the children's futures. I thought it read a lot like Peace Like a River, which is one of my all-time favorites that I am always recommending, so if you enjoyed Peace, I'll bet you'll love this, too.

Bloodroot by Amy Greene

I don't buy books terribly often, but I ordered a copy of this novel the second I finished reading my library copy. This novel is told by a few different characters, all interwoven and spanning generations in Appalachia from the Great Depression to the present. There's a touch of magical realism, which I love if it is done well . . . and it is done very, very well here. I've been trying to get my hands on Greene's other novel, Long Man, and haven't been able to find it at any local libraries yet, sadly. If you've read it, though, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Stiff by Mary Roach 

Another title I've mentioned probably half a dozen times on the blog. If you've ever wondered what will happen to your body after you die, or what they do with bodies donated to science, or how plastic surgeons practice new techniques, or how police learn about how bodies decompose in various locations or circumstances . . . Mary Roach has got your back. So incredibly interesting. And also gross.

Spoiler alert: there is literally NO APPEALING OPTION for your body after you die.


What were some of your favorite reads in 2015?

21 Books I Keep Recommending

I read quite a bit, and I'm asked on occasion for book recommendations. And of course, which titles I recommend change drastically depending on who is asking . . . but I find myself returning to many of the same favorite books over and over, and recommending the same ones again and again.

You can find my monthly reading recaps with everything I read each month and a short review of each by clicking on the 'books' tab at the top of the page . . . but I wanted to put together one big list of a bunch of fantastic favorites that I find myself recommending again and again and again.

Believe it or not, I tried to narrow this list down to 10, and failed utterly. Also, I realized upon completion of this post that although the graphic says 20 books, somehow, an extra book sneaked in. Now I can't decide which book to delete from the post, as I love them all like children. The total tally here is, in fact, 21, but I am too lazy to go back and change the graphic, so consider one of these a bonus prize.

(Affiliate links ahead!)

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I think I've mentioned this trilogy about a dozen times on this blog. I'm usually not the biggest fan of YA or fantasy, so you can imagine my surprise when I fell hard for this YA fantasy series about a world of angels and demons, connected to the world we know via a secret portal and the girl who travels between them. No description I can dream up does it justice, but it's one of the most creative and imaginative and addictive things I've read in a long time. Trust me. The audiobook is also fantastic, and I love and recommend the entire trilogy.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Possibly one of the strangest books I've ever read . . . but also one I can't seem to forget, that has changed the way I look at almost everything. This nonfiction explores, well, the curious lives of human cadavers and the many, many ways a cadaver might be used, studied, utilized, or disposed of. Roach's writing is impossible to step away from and amazingly enough, she actually brings a fantastic sense of humor to a decidedly dark and morbid arena. Be prepared to find yourself sprinkling odd cadaver factoids into everyday conversation.

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

I've read nearly everything Kearsley has written, and while I definitely liked some of her books more than others, I always enjoy her elegant writing style and the unique time travel aspect she usually incorporates in her novels. This is my favorite of her books--the story of a young woman reeling after the loss of her sister who finds herself unexpectedly transported centuries back in time, and falling in love with a man born hundreds of years before her. (An honorable mention goes to my second favorite Kearsley novel, Mariana.)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I'm usually a little hesitant about books that are marketed as being 'for book lovers.' I often feel like they're riding on the fact that the reader loves books and will adore the author's many references to other books, whether the book itself is actually any good or not. (Does that make any sense?) But this is truly a lovable book for book lovers. Written as a series of letters between the inhabitants of an occupied island during WWII and an English journalist, it is tender and hilarious and a surprisingly deep look at the importance of art during hard times.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I loved the homey, comfortable, mysterious, and slightly magical feel of Garden Spells, a story of two oddly and mysteriously talented sisters reunited after years apart. It has a totally lovable Southern charm, with a dash of magical realism that makes it feel almost like reading a modern fairy tale for grown-ups. It definitely has a few cheesy moments, but I love it. (For the record, I wasn't as crazy about its sequel, First Frost, although I enjoyed it enough and feel like it's worth reading if you love this one.)

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Go ahead and get out the tissues when you read this. After years of isolation as lighthouse keepers on a secluded island and multiple miscarriages/stillbirths that devastated the lighthouse keeper's wife, the grieving couple is shocked when a rowboat washes ashore containing a dead man and a crying baby. Assuming she is orphaned, they raise the child as their own, but discover years later that the circumstances may not have been as they thought, and are faced with a heartbreaking, impossible choice. I read this a few years ago and find myself still thinking about it frequently.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

After having your heart torn out and ripped to shreds by The Light Between Oceans (and I mean that in the very best way!), how about something that is 100% fun? I was positive I wouldn't give a fig about Ready Player One, a novel about the bleak world that is the year 2044 and the virtual reality everyone chooses to live in instead. But I surprised myself by loving it and the intense easter egg hunt the players undertake to win an unbelievable prize. It's funny and lovable and so surprisingly good--even if you don't care the littlest bit about video games, pop culture, or dizzying mind puzzles.

Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table by Shauna Niequist

It's a rare day that I buy a book without reading it first, but I bought this as an ebook on the recommendation of a few bloggers whose taste I trust. It was money well spent. I love (with a capital L) this memoir about family, friends, food, and the meals that connect us. It's thought-provoking and lovely, and makes me want to put more time and attention into my loved ones and the food that brings us together. Alternately hilarious and ugly-cry-inducing, this book is a treasure.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

This is a novel I recommend with some caution. It is dark and gritty and terrifying in a way that I have never been terrified before . . . but only because it is so horrifyingly honest, that it shook me to my core to consider the possibilities of what I would do if placed in this situation. Background details are sparse in this post-apocalyptic novel--some sort of ecological disaster has ravaged the planet and left survivors starving, roaming, and utterly desperate. An unnamed man travels with his son through the ransacked landscape and fights for their survival. Be careful with this one. I don't think I'll ever forget it.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

Like any good little bookworm, I have a very hard time pinning down a single book to call My Favorite. But if pressed, I generally go with this one. Narrated by an 11-year old boy, he remembers a particular year of his youth with his unusual family, spent traveling through the Dakota badlands in search of his brother, a fugitive charged with the murder of two boys who were terrorizing their family. But that summary makes it sound like an entirely different novel than what it actually is. It is beautiful and uplifting and spiritual and absolutely worth the dozen-ish times I've re-read it. I am jealous of those of you who might read it for the first time after this post!

Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande

I'm not sure I could even put together a more dull-sounding summary than the one on the back of this book jacket--a doctor's thoughts on medicine, surgery, and the uncertainty of health and science. But it is absolutely riveting. It follows true cases from Gawande's practice and discusses the fallibility of medical care, the uncomfortable truths of very human doctors, and mysteries of the human body. It is an incredibly interesting look at a field we put an awful lot of trust in. (I also own, but have not yet read, Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance.)

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Here's another book I know I've mentioned quite a few times on the blog. and one that is a bit difficult to summarize. This novel travels back and forth between the world 20 years after a flu has decimated the population, and the years leading up to the pandemic. It rotates between a wide cast of characters, all with links to an actor who died on stage the night the flu broke out and changed everything. It is haunting, beautiful, and thought-provoking. I love the characters, the realistic look at humanity, and the role art took in a survivalist world. It is bleak at times, but ultimately hopeful. Definitely one of my all time favorites, right here.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

I'm due for a re-read of this novel (it's been at least 5 years!), but I remember it as a favorite. It tells the story of Dinah, a woman barely mentioned in the Bible, and focuses on 'the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood' (a rather dramatic-sounding line I pulled straight from its summary on amazon). It is an engaging look at the lives of women in Biblical times, and the strong and beautiful bonds of motherhood and female friendship.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion)

This novel is hilarious and happy, and I dare you not to feel good about the world after finishing it. Don Tillman (a professor who almost certainly falls somewhere on the autism spectrum) is meticulous, studious, and detail-oriented in all aspects of his life . . . but has never been on a second date. He applies his evidence-based manner to a personal project: finding a wife, about whom he has set stringent, perhaps unattainable standards. It's charming and lovable, but I'll go ahead and say that I didn't care at all for the sequel, unfortunately.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

This nonfiction offers an in-depth, research-based look at introverts, their qualities, strengths, value, and attributes. I knew I was an introvert before reading it, but even so, was shocked at how accurately it portrayed my personality. I learned so much about myself, how to better relate to others, how to capitalize on my own strengths, and to accept and appreciate who I am in a culture that so obviously prefers loud, gregarious types (and shames the rest of us). Highly recommended for my fellow introverts, as well as extroverts who love (and want to better understand) an introvert.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

I have mixed feelings on ol' Rainbow--I've felt 'meh' about some of her books, really disliked others, but wholeheartedly loved this one. Sure, it's a little over the top, but it's funny and charming and quirky. Lincoln is hired as a company's 'internet security officer,' tasked with peeking through employee emails and reporting time-wasters and inappropriate content. And after months of reading correspondence between two particular female employees, he finds himself falling in love with one of them. But how exactly do you introduce yourself to a woman you only know through a computer screen . . . who doesn't know you've been eavesdropping?

Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres

I owe this one another re-read as it's been a few years, but I always think of it (and recommend it) as my favorite romance ever. It's a love story and a war story together, set in the early days of WWII. Italian officer Captain Corelli lives for his music, at least until he falls in love with Pelagia during the Italian invasion of Cephalonia. de Bernieres's writing is always enchanting, and I especially love it in this novel.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

This book came recommended by a cousin whose taste I know I can trust, but I remember hearing her summary of it and thinking . . . really? I'm glad I trusted her and read it anyway, because it's plain wonderful, so I hope you'll do the same. Elderly Major Pettigrew (of a quiet English village, of course) is wry, opinionated, and a tad crotchety (but completely endearing . . . of course). He leads a quiet life until an unexpected friendship arises, followed by an even more unexpected (and locally unaccepted) romance. Charming and funny and so, so good.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

I first read this for a creative writing class during my BYU days, and reread it recently (I was delighted to find that it was every bit as good as I remembered!). If you enjoy writing even the littlest bit, or if you love to read and are curious about the writing process, I highly recommend it. It is a hilarious and thoughtful look at the work of writing, and of being a person. I laughed out loud more than once, and my copy is full of little highlights and brackets around the best bits. Which there are a lot of. Jeff sometimes asks me what is the point of highlighting if I am just going to highlight everything?

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonatahn Safran Foer

9-year old Oskar's father is killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. When he finds a mysterious key in his father's closet after his death, he sets out to discover what it might unlock. His journey introduces him to a wide cast of characters all over New York City, and is completely wonderful. I'm looking forward to reading this one again, and I'm hoping it's been long enough that it'll feel like the first read all over again.

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

I've saved my most recommended book for last--nearly everyone who asks me for a recommendation hears about The Forgotten Garden, because it seems like everyone loves Kate Morton, and this is my favorite of her novels (I've read them all). A mysterious child, a hidden garden, an old book of fairy tales, and dark, hidden family secrets--this one is completely unputdownable. And besides having impossible-to-step-away-from mystery and drama, it is wonderfully written. I loved it to pieces and eagerly pass it on to everyone who will listen. I can't wait to read her latest, The Lake House.




SO MANY BOOKS. Hopefully you found something that looks interesting to you. I would LOVE to hear your most-recommended favorites!

Friday List: Dainty Everyday Necklaces

Recently, I was gifted a beautiful, simple gold necklace by my lovely new friend Kelly of Delicious Reads . . . when she gave it to me, she said something like, "You strike me as the sort of person who would really appreciate a simple, low-key everyday necklace," and she hit the nail squarely on the head with that one. (And perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I really like whatever it must say about me that I apparently come across as a 'low-key, everyday necklace' sort of person.)

I admire big, glitzy jewelry from a distance, but I rarely buy it. I'm not sure where exactly statement necklaces fit into my current stage of life, spending the majority of my days at home with 4 messy, grabby little hands. I love the simplicity of owning a beautiful, dainty, everyday necklace (or two, or three . . . ). It makes getting dressed and ready for the day that much easier--the simple, everyday necklace always goes. 

1. Gold Bar Pendant by Unforgettable Jules // This is the necklace that my friend Kelly chose for me, and I have been wearing it just about daily (which, if you ask me, is exactly the point of owning a sweet, dainty, delicate necklace--it is a no-brainer, no-stress jewelry choice). I have been loving it immensely.

2. Tiny Silhouette Necklace by Le Papier Studio // I love that this necklace--in addition to being adorably simple and sweet--adds an extra touch of meaning with the silhouettes. Perfect for a mother, to carry her babies' silhouettes around her neck.

3. Birthstone Beaded Necklace by Lolabean Jewelry // Normally, I would shy away from color when searching for an 'everyday' type of necklace. But I think this one, with its tiny row of birthstone beads, is perfect. It's simple and personal, and I love that it adds just the tiniest bit of color while still being soft and quiet enough to complement any outfit.

4. Personalized Heart Necklace by E and E Project // Two or three years ago for Christmas, I got my sister a tiny heart pendant with her initial on it, similar to this one (although hers simply had an 'R' for Rebekah, instead of two initials). And many times since then, I've wished I'd bought one just like it for myself (or stolen hers--R for Rebekah could just as easily be R for Rachel). I just love the look of this sweet necklace.

5. Personalized Double Strand Necklace by The Silver Wren // I think double strand necklaces are so beautiful and fun (and I love when they are truly a double strand necklaces instead of 2 separate necklaces worn together). This one, with a simple circle pendant as well as a customizable bar, is beautiful. You can have a name, initials, or a meaningful word stamped into the necklace. I love that it is beautiful and personal.

What's your jewelry philosophy? Small and sweet, or big and bold?