Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

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You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse by Jen McDonald

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You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse by Jen McDonald

Exciting news!

Jen McDonald’s book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse has an updated version!

Since its first publication in 2016, You Are Not Alone has resonated with military spouses, both new and experienced, and ranked as a bestseller in the Military Family and Christian Devotionals categories. Each of the 30 daily readings is written from the perspective of faith.

Readers will find practical tips (“Basic Training for Spouses”), related Scripture, and journal prompts for further reflection. Whether it’s a deployment, move, the challenges of military spouse life, or raising military kids, you’ll find real-life inspiration and hope from someone who’s been there. The 2022 edition has been updated and reformatted for a better reading and journaling experience, along with having a beautiful new cover design. It will be coming soon on audiobook, as well!

Jen McDonald sent me a free copy of the book for review, and I wanted to share a little bit about the book.

First of all, I love how the book is set up. There are 30 days of readings and each day starts with a quote. There is then a bit of a story section, and then actionable advice. This is followed by a scripture, and then some questions to ask yourself. The chapter ends with a prayer.

There are 7 parts:

  • My Identity as a Military Spouse
  • Military Spouse Friendships
  • Military Marriage
  • A Life of Transition: Moving With the Military
  • Dealing With Military Seperations and Deployments
  • Military Family Life
  • God is There in the Small Moments

She has also included some amazing resources in the back of the book.

I would have loved to have read this book as a new military spouse. Back then, I needed all the encouragement I could get. I still do sometimes today!

If you are interested, Jen is also hosting a book study, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse in the Christian Military Spouses Facebook group that started Feb. 9, and anyone is welcome to join. She will be giving some behind-the-scenes insight and comments on each section as well as providing extra questions and journal prompts.

You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse by Jen McDonald is published by Little Things Press and is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book outlets.

Whether you are a new military spouse, have been one for a while, or even getting ready for the retirement years, this book will encourage you, allow you to put things in perspective, and have a better military spouse life.

Top 20 Fiction Books of 2021

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Top 20 Fiction Books of 2021

Last year was a GREAT reading year for me. I had the goal of reading 100 books and I read 112. This was the first time I had hit my goal of 100 books for the year. As the year wrapped up, I wanted to figure out what my top books were in 2021. I couldn’t narrow down my list since I read so many amazing books during the year, so for fiction books I have a list of my top 20. All of them were 5 stars for me!

This post contains affiliate links!

  • #20 Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan – this novel is a dual timeline with one time in the 1800s, about a ship that sank off the coast of Savannah, called the “Titanic of the South” and modern times where Everly, a researcher, tries to figure out the mysteries of the ship and the sinking. I loved the dual timelines and the history of Savannah in this one.
  • #19 We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz – this book was about best friends Emily and Kristen who take annual trips around the world. They are in Chile and Kristen ends up killing a man in self-defense. The odd thing about this is, something similar happened the year before, to Emily. This was a fast-paced thriller, making you wonder what is going on the whole time.
  • #18 People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry – Poppy and Alex have nothing in common, but they are the best of friends. They take a vacation together every summer…until two years ago when they ruined everything. I loved this romance and the timeline.
  • #17 The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed – This story is about a black high school student in LA in the 1990s. She and her friends just like to have fun but everything changes when the four LAPD officers were acquitted after beating Rodney King. I loved this one because although I was about an hour away from when this really happened, I do not have the same perspective of what it meant as the main character, Ashley, has in this book.
  • #16 The Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland – This is the story of two families, the Goldmans, and the Weingolds, who have owned the Golden Hotel together in the Catskills. However, the Catskills have changed, and so have the families. Can the hotel be saved? This was such a fun summer read!
  • #15 A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas – This is the 2nd book in the ACOTAR series, which starts off as a Beauty and the Beast retelling. The 2nd book was my favorite in the series, and I loved it so very much!
  • #14 When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain – This book is about a missing girl in Northern California in the 1990s. This book takes place close by where I used to live and mentions the real-life Polly Klaas case that happened in Petaluma in 1993. This is a must for any true crime fans!
  • #13 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand – In the summer of 1993, Mallory inherits a beachfront cottage on Nantucket from her aunt. She then agrees to host her brother’s bachelor party. His friend Jake attends and a bond is formed that lasts decades. I loved how this book went year to year from the 1990s to modern times, sharing the story of Mallory and Jake.
  • #12 Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Nina is the daughter of legendary singer, Mick Riva. It’s 1983, and the day of her annual end-of-summer party. The book is all about Nina, her parents, and her siblings, all coming together on an unforgettable night. I loved how we got to go back and forth from the party to the Riva’s past, and learn about their family dynamics.
  • #11 The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – Avery Grambs just wants to get through high school, but all that changes when billionaire Tobias Hawthrone dies and leaves her almost all of his fortune. Only, she has no idea who he is. I loved the puzzles and mysteries with this one.
  • #10 The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner – Sophie is a young Irish immigrant, who answers a mail-order bride ad and agrees to marry a man she has never met who needs a mother for his 5-year-old daughter. This all takes place around the time of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. I loved this book because of the setting and the characters. Susan Meissner is one of my favorite authors too.
  • #9 Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson – Pheby is born on a plantation in Virginia and has lived a pretty sheltered life. She is shielded because of her mother’s position as the medicine woman on the plantation. She is then forced to leave her home and finds herself at the infamous Devil’s Half Acre, a jail in Richmond. This book was tragic and heartbreaking, but such a good read and an important story to be told.
  • #8 Kindred by Octavia E. Butler – Dana, a modern black woman is celebrating her birthday with her new husband when she suddenly goes back in time to the Antebellum South. I love this story of time travel and survival and the realities of the past.
  • #7 Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir – Ryland Grace is the only survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission. If he fails, humanity is doomed. Except, he doesn’t know any of this and can’t even remember his name. This book drew me in and I didn’t want to put it down. What a fantastic story!
  • #6 Falling by T.J. Newman – This heart-stopping novel is about a pilot whose family gets kidnapped and he is given a choice. Crash the plane and save his family, or not and they die.
  • #5 The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke – Two sisters go missing on a remote Scottish island. 20 years later, one is found, only she is the exact same age she was when she left. I loved the setting of this book as well as the plot.
  • #4 Legendborn by Tracy Deonn – 16-year-old Bree Matthews ends up in a residential program for bright, high school students at UNC-Chapel Hill after her mother dies in an accident. She soon finds out there is something magical going on there. This one was such a great story, within the setting of an older college. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
  • #3 The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah – Elsa Wolcott, who is looked at as too old to marry in 1921, meets Rafe Martinelli, and decides to change the direction of her life. It is then 1934, and the world has changed. Elsa works tirelessly to help her family survive and has to decide to fight for the land she loves or travel to California to find a better life.
  • #2 From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout – Poppy has been chosen from birth to be a Maiden. The entire Kingdom is on her shoulders. But…that isn’t what she really wants, is it? I LOVED this fantasy book and so glad it is a series.
  • #1 The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – Olive Smith is a 3rd year Ph.D. candidate who doesn’t believe in long-lasting romantic relationships. Adam Carlsen is a young hotshot professor. Olive convinces him to become her fake boyfriend. I loved this romantic comedy so much! 

What did you read in 2021? What were your favorite books???

10 Gifts for the MilSpouse Book Lover

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I know many of you love to read like I do. There is nothing better than diving into a new book. So whether you have a gift card burning a hole in your pocket, or shopping for another milspouse friend or family member, here are 10 gifts for the MilSpouse Book Lover:

I get commissions for purchases made through some of the links in this post.

Book of the Month Subscription

I have been subscribing to Book of the Month for almost five years now, and I love it. Book of the Month is a book subscription service where each month you get to chose a hardback book from five selections. One of the things I love about the Book of the Month subscription is that if you don’t like any of the books on a certain month, you can easily skip. If you like more than one, you can add up to two add-ons. And after 12-months as a subscriber, you become a BFF with special perks. I LOVE being able to pick out a new book once a month. You can sign up here, and if you love books as I do, you will be glad you did 🙂

Bookmarks

I LOVE cute bookmarks. There are so many amazing creators out there, making bookmarks based on anything. From favorite books to favorite phrases. Just head on over to Etsy and see what you can find. I have ordered some cute bookmarks from BOOGandBEAN and BookmarksAndBites.

Bookish Socks

I love cute socks! And there are some super cute socks for book lovers out there. These Lavley Nerd Socks are SO fun!!!

Military Spouse Fiction

Are you a fan of military spouse fiction? Here are some authors that write about military spouse fiction or military life fiction:

A Kindle Paperwhite

I LOVE my Paperwhite. If you are going to get a Kindle to read on, the Paperwhite is the best choice. You won’t feel like you are reading on a computer or phone, which is so nice. The newest version is waterproof and I use the light every night when reading in bed.

A Kindle Paperwhite case

If you are going to get a new Kindle, you need a pretty new case. And there are many to choose from. Most of them are pretty affordable too. Just make sure the case you are buying fits your model of Kindle. I just bought myself this pretty one.

100 Books Scratch Off Poster

This is such a neat idea! The 100 Books Scratch Off Poster- Top Reads of All Time Bucket List. Put it on your wall, and once you read the book, scratch it off.

A Bookish Tee

What’s better than a bookish tee? There are so many to choose from. I love this “My Weekend is All Booked T Shirt.” It pretty much describes my life.

A Reading Journal

Tracking what you read can be a fun way to remember your reading year. And they make some amazing reading journals. For example, this Bibliophile Reader’s Journal by Jane Mount, with beautiful illustrations.

The Newbie’s Guide to Military Life: Surviving a PCS and More by Noralee Jones and Julie Provost.

Mrs. Navy Mama and I wrote a book last year, all about military life. In the book you will find: 10 Chapters based on the most frequently asked questions from new MILSOs, handouts and worksheets to supplement chapters and bring solutions, a resources list with links and specific posts broken down by topics, guides for Acronyms, PCSing list, and more!

Purchase your copy here!

Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life Interview with Conrad Palmisano, Vietnam Veteran turned Hollywood Stuntman, as seen in the docu-series Faceplant on MillionStories.com

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This past week, I had the privilege of interviewing Vietnam Veteran, Conrad Palmisano. After his time in the service, he went on to become a prolific Hollywood stuntman. Conrad is featured on the series, Faceplant.

Faceplant is a series that shares personal stories from people who discovered the value of failure in pursuit of their dreams. Hearing other people’s stories can be so encouraging, even if they have lived a life so different from our own. We can learn so much from other people if we take the time to listen.

Vietnam Veteran Conrad Palmisano

The Conrad Palmisano: From High School Dropout to Stuntman and Filmmaker episode follows Conrad, who has over 250 credits to his name. We hear about how dealing with being bullied as a young child, the Vietnam War, and the Marine Corps prepared him for future career challenges.

Watch my interview with Conrad as he talks more about his life including some of his favorite jobs as a stuntman, how one decision can totally change your life and lead to better things, and some amazing advice for all of us.

You can check out Conrad’s story and many others in the docu-series Faceplant on MillionStories.com

Getting Through COVID-19, With the Office

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Getting Through COVID-19, With the Office

Raise your hand if you are going through a challenging time right now???

I know my hand is up. There is a lot going on right now with military families. We are trying to get through COVID-19 and the pandemic, possibly going through deployments, waiting on a PCS, and just dealing with added stress from everything going on.

During times like this, it is a good idea to find the humor in things. From a silly television show to a funny GIF. And today, I decided to combine the two. One of my favorite TV shows is the Office, and I am on my 3rd watch of the series.

This show makes me laugh and puts me in a better mood. I love the Pam and Jim storyline and have enjoyed listening to the new podcast, the Office Ladies.

So as we are all going through this together, I figured, the Office can always make us feel better.

During all of this, at least we are not going through this alone. We are all in this together, no matter where we call home.
When you hear that school isn’t going to be open again until the fall. How did this happen???
When you are a news junkie and there is so much going on but you don’t want to share too much because well…you don’t want to bore everyone but really, there is so much going on!
When all you want to do is PCS to your new duty station but now it has been delayed even longer, after having to go through a regular old PCS delay last winter.
When the gym is closed and you can’t go to any parks, you have to find other ways to get your exercise in.
When you wake up in the morning and there is still Coronavirus and it doesn’t seem like it is going to go away anytime soon…
When your kids get all their online schooling done without any fighting or tears, from you…or from them. Let’s do it again tomorrow kids!
When you told yourself if you just had more time at home you could get so much done but you still feel like you are so bored you don’t know what to do with yourself.
When you are just going to keep watching the Office to feel better and laugh and forget about how crazy things are right now.

Who is your favorite Office character???

7 Shows to Binge Watch When You Are Stuck at Home

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Shows to Binge Watch When You Are Stuck at Home

I love to binge watch shows. I started doing this during our first deployment. Back then I didn’t have Netflix streaming, what I did have was an on post library with DVDs of TV shows, YouTube, and other not so great streaming sites. We would have to load an episode, go do something for a while, and then come back to watch.

It’s so nice that these days there is so much to binge watch and that it is as easy as signing up for an app. Binge watching can be a good way to get through those lonely nights during a deployment, or to fill the time when you are stuck at home because of what is going on in the world.

Looking for something new? Here are 7 to add to your list:

1) Love is Blind on Netflix

Okay, if you haven’t watched this one yet, you should. I used to love to watch a lot of reality TV and these days I am pretty much over it but this one sucked me in. And it will probably suck you in too. And allow you to forget that everything is closed.

The show is a dating show, where men and women have dates in pods. Yes, pods. They can talk but they can’t see each other. The goal? Find someone to marry. No really. And it’s a crazy ride.

2) Locke and Key on Netflix

This show, based on the comic book series by Joe Hill, will suck you right in. You will want to know what is going to happen next. And wonder what is going on.

Locke and Key is about a family who recently lost their father. They return to his home town and live in his family house. The kids, two teenagers, and a young boy find keys that well…are actually magical keys. I loved the mystery of this one and felt part Stranger Things, part Goonies to me.

3) Virgin River on Netflix

If you want something a little more low key, check out Virgin River. This show is based on the books by Robyn Carr, and will warm your heart a little bit. It reminds me of a non-southern version of Hart of Dixie.

The main character is a midwife and moves to Virgin River to basically start over. The town doctor isn’t happy about this new arrival. And well…there is a handsome local of course, as well as a backstory we slowly learn about in each episode.

4) Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu

This show is new on Hulu, and so far, there are four episodes out. So if you want to binge the whole thing, you will have to wait a few weeks or watch the four now, and get hooked. The show is based on the novel by Celeste Ng.

The show is the story of a family of four children, with Reese Witherspoon playing the mom, and Joshua Jackson AKA Pacey, playing the dad. Kerry Washington plays a single mom, with her teenage daughter. This one is pretty deep but will also make you think about different things. Which is always a good thing.

5) Looking For Alaska on Hulu

Looking for Alaska is based on a John Green book that takes place at a boarding school. I read the book years ago and enjoyed it, and was excited to see a show based on the book.

Although this is a high school show, they don’t go to your typical boarding school. It’s more like a camp and about a boy, who falls in love with a girl, makes friends, and has to make sense of everything as they go through a tragedy together.

6) The West Wing on Netflix/HBO Max

I love the West Wing. I have binged the whole thing twice already and plan to do it again. This show can give you a big break from our own crazy political climate, and allow you to lose yourself in some late 90s, early 2000s drama.

The show is all about fictional President Bartlet, and his dedicated staff. The show will have you laugh a bit, draw you into the different relationships between the characters, and keep you entertained when the real world is a little too much.

7) Cheer on Netflix

This is a reality show based on the nationally-ranked 40-member Navarro College Bulldogs Cheer Team from Corsicana, Texas. The show will suck you in and warm your heart a bit.

You get to hear backstories from a few members of the team, learn more about their coach, Monica Aldama, and watch them train for nationals. This show will also give you a bit of hope for the future 🙂

While there has been news about Netflix and other production companies having to pause their filming, there are still new shows that will be coming out this spring and into the summer. And we can watch them all from our own homes!

What new shows are you loving during this time at home???

Is the Regal Unlimited Pass Worth it?

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Is the Regal Unlimited Pass Worth it?

Last year I bought a MoviePass. At first, that meant that I would pay around $10 a month to see unlimited movies. I could watch one movie a day, every day for the whole month. This sounded SO amazing!

I love going to the movies. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I will even go by myself, and I find doing so very relaxing. But the cost of tickets, even with a military discount, can add up. But MoviePass was going to solve that problem. And I was here for it.

I got my MoviePass in May of last year, and it worked well at first. But then, sometime in July, things fell apart. That was the beginning of the downfall of MoviePass. After that, they kept changing how the pass worked and would only let us see movies from a list. At first the list idea wasn’t too horrible, but eventually, when the movie for each day was the same all week long, I knew I was done.

I also had heard that Regal was going to add their own subscription plan. I couldn’t wait, and then, about a month ago, it finally happened! I signed up the first day I could.

I am now at the month mark and I am in love with this Regal Unlimited Pass. I saw eight movies during the first month, and I hope this is going to be around for a long time.

I do have to pay almost $20 for my pass. Depending on where you live, you might have to pay a little more. I can see any movie I want, even more than once. I also get 10% off of concessions.

I can easily buy my ticket on my app, and pay a $.50 charge or I can buy the ticket at the theater, showing them my app. I can also buy tickets for my family or friends when buying my own ticket. They make it all super easy.

If I want to see an RPX or 3D movie, I just have to pay a small fee to upgrade my ticket. If I go to Nashville, or even home to California where the theaters are more expensive, I would just have to pay a $1.50 charge for them. If I lived near those places and went often, I could upgrade my pass to pay a little more each month.

For us here in the Fort Campbell area, once I see two movies a month, I have paid for my ticket. I go a lot more often than that, and with the pass, I can go even more than I usually do.

You do have to be 16 years old to have a pass, but hoping they might come out with a family plan in the future. I don’t receive Regal Rewards points for my movie, but I do for any other tickets I buy as well as concessions.

So what did I see in August?

Here is my list:

  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (saw this twice)
  • Ready or Not
  • Aladdin
  • The Kitchen
  • Where’d You Go, Bernadette?
  • The Art of Racing in the Rain
  • Angry Birds 2

I am looking forward to this fall and all the amazing movies coming out. I love love love having a Regal Unlimited Movie Subscription Pass and think it is 110% worth having.

Should YOU get one?

Well, how often do you go to the movies? Is cost an issue for you? Check out how much your local Regal Unlimited Pass would be and decide for yourself. It quickly pays for itself if you are a movie lover like me.

If you don’t have any Regal Theaters nearby, AMC also has a pass. The AMC pass is a little different but could be worth getting if you like going to AMC. Keep in mind too that both AMC and Regal has a small military discount of $1 off. At our local theater, it is a special, military ticket.

Now, go enjoy some movies! I know I plan to 🙂

Why You Should Dive Into Books During Your Next Deployment

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Why You Should Dive Into Books During Your Next Deployment

This post does contain affiliate links!

Twilight. I read all the Twilight books during one of our deployments. A friend told me about them, and even though I was already 30 years old, I dove right into that series.

I am a huge reader. I usually average about 70 books a year and would love to read more. I always have a couple of books going and always aware of some of the newest books that are out there.

I love most types of fiction, from a sweet romance to a crazy sci-fiction story. I read paper books, on my Kindle, and audiobooks. I always have at least one book with me. I also enjoy certain types of non-fiction, such as memoirs or fun topics that interest me.

There is not one day that goes by where I don’t read some part of a book, I just can’t do it. Reading is like brushing my teeth for me. Reading is just something I always do.

During deployments or any time my husband has been away from us, books have become even more important. I love to get lost in a series, read about some other time in history, or another place that I can’t physically visit at the moment.

I love a good binge-watch but there is something about getting lost in a good book that just takes me away from what I am dealing with and heals my soul a little bit. Stories are so very therapeutic and perfect to dive into during a deployment.

A good book can warm your heart, allow you to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and distract you from something you would rather not think about.

Reading a good book can be a form of self-care and as military spouses, we know how important that is. Reading can keep you busy and staying busy is a must during a deployment.

If you haven’t picked up a book for a while, maybe now is the time? There are so many good ones. So many books to get lost in. So many books that will take you to another place.

If you are feeling lonely and missing your spouse, a book can put you in a better mood. If you are having a rough time with the kids, a book can make you laugh, and help you feel better. If you are dying to be somewhere else, a book can take you all over the world.

On a practical level, reading a book before bed can make you sleepy. If you are having trouble falling asleep when your spouse is deployed, try reading in bed. My Kindle is right by my bed so if I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep, I can read for a bit in order to do so. Works about 90% of the time 🙂

If you would love to read and feel like you don’t have any time, let me make a few suggestions.

  • Try audiobooks. You can listen to these while you are doing chores, while driving, or going on a walk. Use your library card with either Overdrive or Hoopla to check them out for free.
  • Always have a book handy. Put one in your car, put the Kindle app on your phone, or stick one in your purse. There are so many times you might have to wait somewhere and if you have a book on you, you can read a chapter or two. Jessica Turner’s book, The Fringe Hours: Making Time For You is a great read all about finding those extra moments.
  • Don’t think you have to read a book all in one sitting. I think part of the reason I can read so much is that I don’t feel the need to finish a book all in one sitting. If that were the case, I would never finish anything. Be okay with a chapter here and there, whenever you have time, and you will be able to get your reading done.
  • Read in front of your kids. Reading in front of your kids is totally fine. Just make sure they are safe, and you should be okay. You can read while you nurse, read while they are at the playground, or whenever you feel comfortable. Obviously, this is going to be an age thing and things will change as your kids get older but I don’t think kids growing up watching their parents read is ever a bad thing.
  • Join a book club. If you are really struggling, join a local book club. Usually, a book club will have one book you are supposed to read each month. Beyond that, at your book club, people will be talking about all the amazing books they are reading, and that can get your inspired too.
  • Join Bookstagram. Did you know that there is a name for all the accounts that share books on Instagram? Bookstagram is a wonderful place. I started an account just for books called The Fiction Book Cafe last fall and so glad that I did. I can talk about all the books I am reading and learn about what other book lovers are reading too. Make sure to join me over there 🙂

Need some suggestions on what to read?

For a sweet love story, check out One Day in December by Josie Silver, One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid, or The Bride Test by Helen Hoang.

For a book with a twist, check out The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine, Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, or Lock Every Door by Riley Sager.

For an amazing story that spans many years, check out Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, the Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, or Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane.

For a fantastic historical fiction book, check out Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly, or The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner.

For an emotional story, check out An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel, or The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne.

For a really amazing memoir, check out Educated by Tara Westover, Becoming by Michelle Obama, or Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land

For a book about time travel, check out the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, or 11/22/63 by Stephen King. 

Looking for more suggestions? Check out my Goodreads and connect with me there too 🙂

How has reading helped you during a deployment?