Leaders are readers.
It’s what the pastor at the church I attended back in Charleston would always say and it resonated with me. This year I took the Good Reads challenge again and plan to go for at least 30 books ( you can follow along with my progress here). A few years ago I think I read 70 books in a year, most of those were fiction and quick reads, and I really want to push myself to read more. I LOVE reading but haven’t made it a priority. So this year I want to find a balance and not read all the fiction books and add in some excellent non-fiction reads.
JUST FINISHED
+ Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children | Maria & I listened to this one while driving cross country and we were HOOKED. I had already seen the movie, which I loved, but the book (as always) was just so much better! It was a fun read full of twists and turns and we were constantly guessing what was actually going on!
+ Hollow City | Book #2 in the Home for Peculiar Children. I just finished listening to this one too (we started it after the first one) and I NEED TO GET THE 3RD BOOK! Aka it was just as good! (but if you listen to the audio books the 2nd book has a different reader than the first and it threw me off at first but then I got used to it)
+ The Year Of Cozy | I found this book on Target’s clearance after Christmas and basically snuck into the cart when Eddie wasn’t looking. I’ve earmarked multiple pages to try out recipes, days, and even a few relaxing activities. Mainly I bought it because it looked pretty to sit on my “desk books” but since cracking it open I’ve found a few useful pieces. It’s kind of like a printed printerest, which there is nothing wrong with that!
CURRENTLY THUMBING THROUGH
+ The 5 Love Language * Military Edition | I took the 5 love languages test a few years ago and even themed through the original copy but since getting married I knew I needed a refresher. PLUS with our marriage being tied into the military it adds a whole other can of struggle/communication issues that unless you’re walking the same path it’s hard to explain. So I’ve told Eddie that I’m going to read the whole thing, then we will both take the test to see if anything has changed in the years since we last took it and then he can read my love language too. (pretty sure mine hasn’t changed, I’m words of affirmation ALL DAY LONG!).
+ 100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self | I’ve really been enjoying this devotional. I haven’t been doing it on consecutive days because I’m still trying to get back into the hang of doing a daily devotional. I would say if you’re looking for a new devotional this is a great one to consider!
+ Nothing To Prove: Why We Can Stop Trying So Hard | YES I am still reading this one. WHY? Because it’s so good, such a gut-punch that I have to take it on in small bites. I’m not kidding when I say that basically the entire book so far is underlined. My goal is to finish this book this month – so hold me to it!
UP NEXT:
+ Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy | I actually found this at one of the bargain bookstores back in Charleston and was like “woah, wait, i’ve seen this cover multiple times and have heard it’s really good” so I snagged it! I’m really excited to crack the spine open and give it a read. Can you also tell a theme between what I’m already reading (ahem last one up there) and this one – I struggle with comparison and perfection!
+ Library Of Souls | Book #3 in the Home for Peculiar Children and I’m waiting for the audio book to be off hold on the online library so I can listen to it while driving around! I’ve found that I do a few books by listening when I’m in the car all the time – I might as well make use of that dead air space and fill it with something fun!
+ Messy Grace | I started this one a while back but only got a chapter or two in. I’m not 100% sure on where this gentleman stands in his convictions or within his theology but I’m interested to hear his perspective and to have him share his story.
// Real talk, what are you reading right now?
What have you read that you LOVE and would recommend because I NEED some other books to add to this list! Especially if you have some non-fiction favorites to help challenge my brain!
