snuggle up with a good book

So a few posts ago, I mentioned that I had made it a goal of mine this year (about 3 months in) to read a book a month.  I wasn't too worried about it being linear, so basically just 12 books in the year.  I also told you I'd write another post with what I've been reading--here it goes!

Carry On, Warrior

I bought this book a couple of years ago when I found Momastery and Glennon, but I hadn't read it yet.  She has an amazing way with words that hit you in your gut and really make you think.  This is a memoir wrapped in an encouragement to embrace your own self.

Love Warrior

It only made sense that I read this one next since I had it too :)  This is also a memoir, but more specifically about her marriage and their struggles.  She's very vulnerable and personal and honest with her story.  

Bread & Wine

I also really like Shauna Niequist but had sadly never read any of her books.  Again, I had ordered this one a couple years ago and hadn't read it (because apparently I just like books to sit pretty on my shelves).  Anyway.  This book really focuses on community and forming true relationships using the Table.  This is something that I've been so enamored with for a few years now (and one of the main reasons--aside from my family actually fitting at one table--that I desperately want Hunter to build me a huge table).  She tells a lot of stories and personal accounts and it's just lovely.  Plus there are recipes!

Everybody Always

I don't know that there has ever been a more adorable, festive, and joyous person to ever walk this earth.  He is literally love wrapped in skin (a definite Jesus allusion...) and I just love him.  This book is chock full of simple ways he has been able to show great love to ordinary people.  If you don't already know (and love) Bob Goff, you will soon.  (I also recommend his first book, Love Does.)

I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness

This book is a beautiful account of one woman of color's experiences in this society we live in.  I think with the history of our country as well as the uprising caused by specific events the past few years, that books like these (first hand stories and experiences and life from a person of color) are vital.  Ask questions, take off your personal lenses and take down your defenses, and listen to someone whose story is not like yours.  

Harry Potter Series (7 book set)

As you can see, I mostly read nonfiction now (who am I and when did this happen?).  Took a major break from that to enter my favorite and amazing wizarding world...

So this summer I took my kids to the summer program at the public library.  I've watched all of the Harry Potter movies more than once and have always loved the story--but I never made myself sit down and read the books (I know...I am ashamed).  I knew I wouldn't be able to do much of anything else if I ever started them, and I always had so much reading to do for school already being an English major...and then I started working and then I had kids and then and then and then...  Back to the public library--as we were looking for books one week for my kids to check out, the Harry Potter shelf caught my eye.  And something in me just made me grab the first two and commit right then and there!  I am SO glad I did!  I read all 7 books (almost 4,000 pages) in 3 weeks and a day.  If I had any spare minutes (while I ate, before bed, during nap time, in the car, while supper was cooking...even just 5 minutes), I was reading Harry's tales.  I forgot how magnetic fiction is!  I still kept my kids alive and managed to get a lot done around the house--the biggest change I made to my habits was not watching TV.  So wonderful!  I absolutely loved the books and learned SO many details that the movies didn't give (which was expected).  I'm not normally a re-reader, but this will be a series I read again...and again...and again.  I think I know what Santa is bringing mama this year ;)

The Very Worst Missionary: a Memoir or Whatever

This memoir was spicy and funny and honest.  Jamie tells the story of her family uprooting to become missionaries in Costa Rica--and what all that experience taught them...about Jesus, about mission work, about the church, about other cultures, about herself.  Having done multiple short term foreign mission trips, I appreciated her perspective (and agreed with a lot of it).  Not your typical "churchy" book...

Girl, Wash Your Face

Surprise, surprise--this book was on my shelf for a few months (not years, yay!) before I read it.  My sister and I were able to sneak away one night right before school started and go see the Made for More documentary.  It was so great and extremely motivational.  And it made me so anxious to finish my current book (Very Worst Missionary) so I could finally start this one!  Rachel is a go getter--extremely determined and confident and honest.  In this book she tells the stories of what she's overcome to become those adjectives (specifically which lies she had to stop believing).  Not only does she tell her story, but she gives tangible advice in each chapter of what helped her.  

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

Once again, I was looking for books for my kids (Bella completed the Barnes and Noble summer reading list so we went to get her free book!) and found something that I committed to instantly.  This little book was on display and I just had to get it.  This is a completely made up book that is referenced in the Harry Potter books--a collection of wizard children's stories (their "fairytales" if you will).  I couldn't resist the chance to dip back in to that wonderful wizarding world... I officially love J.K. Rowling :)

So here we are in month 9 and I've finished 15 books! (Thanks Harry Potter for literally being half of them, haha!)  I'm pretty pumped and will definitely continue this goal into the coming years (and hopefully increase the number...24 {2/month} or 52 {1/week} would be amazing!)

CURRENTLY READING:

Body Love

I first heard of Kelly during her interview on Rachel Hollis's podcast, Rise.  Her approach to nutrition made sense to me (which is rare) and actually motivated me to be better (which is even more rare) and actually made me believe her approach was something I could do and maintain (never happened before).  I ordered her book immediately and looked up FabFour recipes on her website--started making them three days later when I had all my ingredients and we've eaten them every day since (always for breakfast, sometimes for lunch or dinner as well).  I've learned a lot (even though a lot of the science is way above my level) and really pay attention to what I'm eating for the purpose of wellness--for the first time in my life.  Balancing your blood sugar is her main goal (which I love because it's something I've secretly always worried about...because I love sugar.  Like love it.  Can actually eat it plain in a spoon.  Dessert is my love language.  And I've known my whole life that this would catch up with me in a bad way if I didn't get it under control).  So finally, Hunter and I are making wise choices regarding our bodies and it feels great (but we can still have treats and eat things we like--just making sure our choices are balanced back out).  Plus, we have noticed that it has also helped us be more disciplined in other areas of our lives as well.  Win win.

NEXT ON MY LIST:

(aka already sitting on my bookshelf but I haven't read them yet...

I have a book ordering problem.  Thanks, Amazon...)

To Kill a Mockingbird

First of all, that cover right there is my favorite because it was on the one I read in high school.  Anyway.  As I said already, I read this book in high school for English (Sophomore year I believe).  I loved it then.  The story was eye opening and heart stirring and mind reeling.  As I've grown and listened and read more as an adult, my lenses and opinions and beliefs have changed/grown/morphed.  A teacher friend of mine posted this quote from the book that one of her students had used for a class project--

and when I read that, I knew I needed to read this book again with my new lenses/opinions/beliefs.

Uninvited

I love Lysa Terkeurst.  I have heard her speak and loved her.  I have read her books and loved her.  I have done her group studies and loved her.  I co-led a ladies' day (twice) on her book Unglued and it was life-changing.  I pre-ordered this book so I've had it since...but other books were in my queue before this one.  I'm anxious to get to it though.  Her messages are so tender yet straightforward.  I know this one will speak to my heart.  

AND THEN who knows which literature piece I'll adventure to next ;)

xoxo, angie

PS--I am well aware that these books aren't going to be in everyone's wheelhouse. I just wanted to share what I've been reading for those of you who might be interested in some of the same topics/authors.  I don't need your approval or judgment of my reading list ;)  I will, however, take suggestions for new reads!