My current season of life certainly supports reading given I spend several hours in a 24-hour period curled up with our sweet Ellie, nursing. On the flip side, George doesn’t have much free time for reading right now, but he had the great idea to incorporate a book section on our blog. You’ll mostly be hearing from me at this time, but George is typically a voracious reader and no doubt will have some reviews and recaps to share in the future.
As a side note, I access most books on my Kindle or phone using the Kindle app linked to our local library. This grants me access to thousands of books without costing any money or space. While the library doesn’t have all the books I’d like to read, it does have a great selection. I’ve learned to go ahead and reserve books that intrigue me soon after they pique my interest as sometimes it can be weeks before a specific book is available. Ebook loans are only 2 weeks in duration which has pushed me to read more consistently.
I’ll kick off this section with an excellent read I just finished – The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines with Mark Dagostino. As you’ll come to know over time with my book selections, I have a deep love for memoirs/autobiographies. In this book, Chip and Joanna recount their love story past and present, share the ups and downs of their careers and give a peek into their family life and values.
Prior to reading the book I had never watched an episode of their hit TV show, Fixer Upper. As I delved into the book, I felt compelled to check out the show and I’m really enjoying it (Thanks Mom & Dad for TV access ;). The playful and loving relationship they write about shines through in the show. The passion they share for their family and their craft appears genuine. What spectacular transformations they pull off together with their crew, turning fixer uppers into their clients’ dream homes.
The book provides the back story on how they came to be where they are today. The ups and downs they chronicle along the way underscore their determination and the power of turning to one another and working together. They are courageous in sharing their struggles and imperfections. They also offer their gratitude and grant credit to the people that helped them along the way.
At the risk of over-simplifying the dynamic of their relationship, Joanna seems to be a dreamer at heart and Chip a driven doer, not afraid to take on a project no matter how crazy it seems. These attributes complement each other in a magical way. Without Chip, Joanna may not have had the guts to make her dreams come to fruition. Without Joanna, Chip’s end products likely wouldn’t have such a high caliber of character and beauty.
The Gaines juggle a lot between raising a family and managing multiple business ventures. Chip and Joanna write about the boundaries they set and changes they’ve made in order to maintain family as their number one priority. Their willingness to adapt and grow is admirable and likely has played a significant role in their success and happiness both at home and with their businesses. Joanna shared how she’s even adjusted her home design mindset over time to be more intentional and functional, especially for families with children.
To further illustrate their commitment to family, the Gaines do not own a TV. This undoubtedly helps to foster meaningful family time when together at home. They also live on farm complete with a vegetable garden and livestock which I believe provides many important learning opportunities as a family – from understanding where food comes from to feeling the satisfaction and benefits of hard work.
All in all, the book is a delightful and inspiring read that provides a glimpse into the Gaines’ professional and personal lives in their own words. It’s worth picking up if you enjoy hearing other peoples’ stories.