Recent Reads

I’ve always been a reader. For as long as I can remember, one of my favorite days to spend a day is curled up in a comfy spot with a book. The season of life that I’m currently in doesn’t allow for as much reading as I would like, but I still am able to fit in a couple of books a week. I usually have an audio book, a Kindle book, and at least one physical book going all at the same time. I move through my Kindle books and audio books more quickly than I’m able to move through my physical books, because I listen to the audio books while I drive, do chores, and exercise and I read my Kindle in bed. I only read my physical book during the day when Joseph’s napping, and I haven’t had as much time lately to read during naps (and he’s been on a sleep strike, which is an entirely different story).

For the past five-ish years, I’ve tracked all of the books that I’ve read on goodreads, but I don’t often rate and review books on there. I’ll read almost anything that I can get my hands on (except for horror, I NEVER read anything even remotely scary), and I prefer to read books that are free when I’m able. I use the library Libby app a lot to borrow books that I can read on Kindle and to listen to audio books. I also have an Audible subscription, and on occasion I purchase books for myself from my favorite indie bookstore, Wishing Tree Books. I get the daily Amazon deal emails and if there’s a book on the list that looks like something I might want to read I look for it on the library app and nine times out of ten, I’m able to borrow the book for free.

To get book ideas, I chat with my friends who are also readers. Additionally, I follow several people in Instagram who have book specific accounts including, Everyday Reading and Anne Bogel for book ideas. Last year, my friend Kate gifted me a subscription to the Book of the Month club and I really enjoyed choosing a new book each month. We also mailed our books to each other when we were done with them – when you use the the Media Mail rate from USPS it’s shockingly inexpensive to send books.

Now that I’ve shared all of that, I want to share a couple of books that I’ve recently read or listened to that I’ve really enjoyed.

The first is It. Goes. So. Fast. by NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly. I listened to this book, which is read by the author, and it was a wonderful memoir that was mostly about parenting during her son’s final year of high school and realizing that there were no more do-overs and that her son would soon be leaving home. This book resonate with me on many levels, including when Mary Louise left her job to care for her youngest son who had a speech delay. Additionally, Mary Lousie talks about losing her father and the relationship she has with her mother. It’s a really easy listen that imparts a fair amount of wisdom while also pulling at the heart strings.

The next book is The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron. This historical fiction novel that is set during WWII tells the the story of a young woman in Poland who cares for and hides 13 Jewish people until Poland is liberated. It’s a really incredible story and I like that the perspective of it is different than most Holocaust novels that I’ve previously read. The main character, Stefania, exhibits courage, kindness, and an incredible ability to think on her feet.

Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke, MD, is a fascinating and thought provoking book about all of the dopamine hits that we’re able to quickly and easily access in our society. It’s definitely worth the read!

I’m eager to start my next book, which is Built to Move by Kelly Starrett and Juilet Starrett. I’m eager to learn more about increasing the flexibility and mobility of my body and to maintain it as I age.

I’d love to hear what you’re reading, too. If you have any book recommendations to share, please leave them in the comments.