Bookalicious.

Who else has chipped away at the books collecting dust on their shelf? Have you read these?

I feel like I was a much faster reader in "my youth". There are so many books that I've either purchased or bookmarked and I'm continually discouraged to begin because not only do I read veryyy slow now but I like to take notes & rushing keeps me from really sponging up the material.

Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, there has been a bright side to this pandemic and the shelter-in-place order. One of the perks for me has definitely been to go down the checklist of books that have been staring me in the face for the past 5-10 years (terrible, so shameful - I know!).

“A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.” - Italo Calvino

I've really only scratched the surface of my list, but its funny how once you complete one book you feel this fuel and confidence to take on the world of others. And you even attempt to juggle i.e. try to read 3 books at once throughout the week (which was a mistake for me, got a little too empowered lol). Nonetheless, I'm proud and I've basically built myself a new practice....habit?

The books listed below gave me my first few wins this year :)

The Headliners

The Holy Bible, NLT (New Living Translation): Most agree although it walks a paradox tightrope the consistent theme throughout is God redeeming people, over and over and over again. But this can only happen when they are obedient and believe in Him. The books of the Bible entail story after story of this. He prefers faith & obedience over sacrifice. This has been on my checklist to read for years and I found a realistic/easy way for anyone to do it too.

Boundaries, Authors Dr.Henry Cloud & Joh Townsend: A total wake-up call. This book will make you grow TF up and not be sucked into other people's drama (among other things). It shows you how to release any guilt about protecting your peace, correctly prioritizing things, and recognizing the many faces of manipulation. Boundaries define "what is me and what is not me" by setting up various types of "property lines" to reduce & protect you from people/situations that breed disrespect. Currently in the process of re-reading.

The Four Agreements, Author Don Miguel Ruiz: This almost feels cliche but after reading it you understand why people keep telling you to read it. Once you get past the existential foundation the author lays, there are true gems of wisdom in here. This book will give you the insight & awareness on how to deal with any situation no matter who you are (and you will find yourself probably reading it annually).

My highlighter actually died on me, I was using it THAT much while reading.

Lessons, by Gisele Bundchen: Tom Brady's wife and former Victoria Secret model explains how clarity, focus, dedication, and humility were they keys to her success (and keeping a completely untarnished name in the industry). She draws attention to the true essence of nourishing yourself in every way and how different relationships bring you face-to-face with new sets of "mirrors".

What I Know For Sure, by Oprah Winfrey: I love this book with epiphanies stacked on more epiphanies from an amazing woman of the world. She explains when you "know something, really know, it manages to stand the test of time" and all the ways she's confirmed that a question is indeed a quest. She gives us "secrets" to life, like resisting the urge to project into the future and what questions to ask yourself when needing to make important decisions because "everything you do & say shows people who you are...so make sure it's the truth".

Honourable mentions:

More Myself by Alicia Keys (audiobook is best)

In the Queue:

The Body Keeps the Score - by Bessel Van der Kolk (audiobook)

The Gift of Forgiveness - by Katherine Schwazenegger (audiobook is best)

In The FLO - by Alissa Vitti

Jesus, Life Coach - by Laurie Beth Jones (re-reading for the 2nd time)

*Leave your book recommendations in the comment section below!!*