Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my coffee drinking habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me supplied in caffeine. It’s a win for everyone, really. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note that I only recommend items that I personally use and love and I think you will too!
Reading Goals
To be perfectly honest, I have not been reading nearly as much as I would like in the last few months. I have listened to a few audiobooks on Audible as well as podcasts while driving, but my reading 2018 goals certainly fell behind my expectations. I think my mind is whirling around so much with ideas and thoughts that I am having trouble getting lost in a book or I am exhausted and fall asleep reading at night after a few pages. Anyone else with small kids? I miss reading and one of my goals for 2019 is to get back to reading at least one book per month. Fortunately, I also now have the added accountability of declaring it to all of you so I know you will hold me to it which is very motivating. Let’s be reading buddies!
I will be sharing books at least once per month and I hope you will also share your book ideas with me and the other readers in the comments section below. Perhaps we can make it our own modern version of Book It! Remember that? I was very focused in elementary school getting my stars on my button so I could head to Pizza Hut and get my own personal pan pizza. Oh, the memories…. I’ll have to think of another giveaway besides pizza and how we’ll keep track and the timing of it, but let the Book It! inspiration begin!
I typically have three books going (thanks 21st century!), although I am not sure this is the best solution for focus and could have something to do with my lessened reading activities. ? I’ll experiment with this and keep you posted! I typically have a physical book (my favorite option), a book going on my Kindle app for my iPad (great for nighttime reading or on the go/travel), and also usually a book I am listening to in the car on Audible (my preference for any books in the non-fiction or inspirational/self-help categories).
I think it depends on the type of book, there are certain types of books that I would prefer to listen to versus read, specifically a book that focuses more on self-help, mindfulness, or non-fiction in general. For February, I used my Audible credit to download Brene Brown’s newest book, Dare to Lead. I love this woman, she speaks to my heart and also opens my mind to view opinions from another perspective, she is truly an inspiration and incredibly knowledgeable. Her books allow me to open my mind and be brave. For listening, I prefer hearing the books she narrated herself versus someone that was hired to read the text but that is my personal opinion and you may not share that with me. I can hear the passion in her voice as she meant the words to be read and received which changes the experience for me. I also feel very introspective, open minded, and honestly ready to kick my own butt into my best self after I experience one of her books.
I started The Alice Network on my Kindle app (allows me to read in bed when others are sleeping or on the go waiting at a doctor’s office, etc.). I heard good things about it from friends that read it. I am embarrassed to say I have been reading this book on my Kindle app for a while and by a while, I mean a year. ? I am about one-third of the way through the book at this point but I vow that February is the month I complete it! As noted above, this is the book I try to read when I go to sleep since it works well with the lighting (my book light is too bright for my husband and I can’t blame him!) which could have a lot to do with why I have not finished it. I start reading and before I know it, my eyes are shutting from the exhaustion of the day and I’m out. Time for a new routine on this and some focus. Do you use a book light that doesn’t keep your spouse or partner up at night while you read before bed? If so, I would love to hear your suggestions!
Any other Liane Moriarty fans here? I personally can’t wait for the second season of Big Little Lies to come out on HBO. I saw that it was recently announced June 2019 is the anticipated release, squeal! I have read quite a few of Liane’s books and just started this one. I always enjoy how she tells the stories from different perspectives and of course there is a major event for the characters that I am both trying to figure out and just read in the moment so I can be surprised. So far, so good though on holding my attention and a gripping story of the characters who are a mixture of neighbors and friends.
Book Club Reading Buddies
Want to read along together? Please join me in my book choices! If you have already read them, feel free to let me know your thoughts but I kindly ask that you don’t post any spoilers. Shhh – let’s keep it a secret ?
As I mentioned, I would love to hear what you are reading and what books you enjoyed. I am always all ears for new book suggestions that you just couldn’t put down, inspired you, taught you something about yourself or the world/history/culture. Let me know in the comments below!