Whatcha Reading?

Top to Bottom:

• Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

• The Pearl by John Steinbeck

• Piano Rats by Franki Elliot

• In City Streets poetry anthology

• Keep Moving by Maggie Smith

• Find Your Voice by Noor Unnahar

• Purpose, Not Perfection by Aimee Chase

• All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols

• Poem Crazy by Susan Wooldridge

• Writing the Silences by Richard O. Moore

• Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

• Writings from The New Yorker by E.B. White

• The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes

• Machete by Tomás Q. Morín

• Good Bones by Maggie Smith

• Mostly True by Brian Andreas

• The Making of a Poem by Mark Strand and Eaven Boland

• Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

• Launch by Jeff Walker

• Story Craft by Jack Hart

• Designing Your Life book and workbook by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

• That's Weird! Awesome Science Mysteries by Kendall Haven and Jason Lynch

• What to do When It's Your Turn by Seth Godin.

  Not Pictured:

• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

• The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

• The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

• The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson

• Yesterday I was the Moon by Noor Unnahar

• Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

• The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan and John Rocco

• Death by Living: Life Is Meant to Be Spent by N.D. Wilson

• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

  *Awards are presented below:

My 2022 Book Stack: The Awards are IN!

Quality, not quantity

That's actually what I say each year when I think about the books I want to read for the year. I say this because I am a working mom and I spend most of my free time in the jiu-jitsu and wrestling rooms working out with and cheering on my daughters and husband. I know my time is limited. Normally, when I do sit down to read, I suddenly remember that bill that needs to be paid or that I need to do the dishes first or I fall asleep! I don't generally expect to get through many books in a year. It just isn't my season to do that.

Anyone relate?

I say this, but as I took stock in this lovely book stack I've become acquainted with this year, I smiled. This is quite literally my biggest stack in years. Not only was I very driven this year to start doing some of the things I have been passionate about (and so was very excited to devour books to get me there), but I've also worked really hard to get up early each day so that I can get the time I need to work on my craft. I also gave myself permission to not finish a book if I didn't like it and I let myself read a few books at once. That was a huge step...I really despise unfinished things but what I finally realized is that I can still learn from books I don't finish, and if it helps me get to a book that will be more helpful for me, than great!

I've given "awards" for some of the top books of my year. So without further adieu, please give a round of applause to the following award recipients:

• My ultimate favorite book of 2022: Nightingale by Kristin Hannah HANDS DOWN. I couldn't believe the way it sucked me in and I absolutely love the way Kristin Hannah writes her female characters and, in particular, the women's war of World War II. Highly Recommend!

• The book that sucked me in from the first sentence: The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes. Based on a true story in American history, the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky is about four strangers—women—who traverse the Kentucky wilderness to reach families without access to the local library. It is equal parts adventurous, heartwarming, humorous, and blood boiling. It's an exceptional novel; one you will not want to end!

• The book I (unapologetically) bought for the cover: The Machete by Tomás Q. Morín and no, I don't regret it. 😂 Thankfully, it ended up being a marvelous poetry book as well. Every stanza, every line, every formatting decision with a designated purpose and with plenty of easter eggs to find throughout the book in every poem. A Sigh was just pure genius and I was quite thankful he included a description of different poems in his notes section, or I would have missed the intricate meanings of some of his work. Also, I would have to say Stanza was my favorite if I HAD to choose a favorite but I don’t so I won’t.

• The book that cheers me up when I am sad (or the book I think everyone should have in their backpack): Mostly True (but really, ANY book) by Brian Andreas. He has the most delightful brain and his thoughts are put on paper next to his unusual drawings. I see his work all over the place, so I am not the only one whose life is made better by his musings. This is a great book to gift to a friend.

• Best book for that Fork in the Road: Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. This book is worth its weight in gold and the accompanying workbook can be bought to help you process your learning. It's a very scientific approach written by two Harvard professors and based on their exact course by the same name offered at the prestigious school. It is a useful aid to discover exactly what kind of pivot you need to take in order to make your life purposeful and in line with your passions.

• Best Book for when you are stuck in the mud: What to do When it's Your Turn by Seth Godin. Just read it. It's beautiful and bold and you only have to read a couple of pages each day. In fact, you'll only want to read a couple of pages each day so that you can absorb and ponder the content. It will make you brave.

• Best Book for when you want to remember your true priorities (or for when you find yourself fearful of death or life changes/transitions): Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. I loved the short, digestible chapters and often found myself being inspired to write afterwards. Plus, Albom is an exceptional writer. I can now see what all the hype has been about!

• Best Book for Entrepreneurs: Launch By Jeff Walker. Lots of good nuggets and direction in this one. It will take your non-salesy self and make a marketer out of you.

• Best book to read aloud to your kids of all ages: The Harry Potter Series will always and forever be my favorite, but we loved The Percy Jackson Series this year. Riordan's writing gets better with each book. Plus, we all learned some good stuff about Greek mythology.