More time at home right now means one really positive thing…more time to read! With anxiety and stress running extra high right now, I think we all need a distraction more than ever. Right now, reading is the perfect escape when I can’t leave home.
I love to read so much that my first job in high school was working in our local library shelving books. It was the perfect job…..except for me getting in trouble all the time for reading more books than I was shelving!
These days I usually read for a few minutes before bed each night, but being home now has let me read for over an hour most evenings. I sit out on my balcony when it’s nice out, and I get totally sucked into another world. I prefer it to Netflix, mostly because when reading I become totally immersed- I’m fully present, not on my phone scrolling mindlessly.
Because I worked in a library, I have a really tough time justifying spending money on books. It seems like such a waste of money to me, and besides, where would I store them in my teeny apartment? Generally, I don’t buy books unless I know I will want to read it again, or I’m desperate (we’ve all been there…nothing screams desperation like buying a $25 book from duty free when your flight gets delayed).
One thing that has helped me spend way less money on books is my kindle! I originally bought it when carrying books was too heavy for me due to some health issues, but since then I’ve totally fallen in love with it. I love it for traveling, because I don’t have to worry about finishing a book too quickly, it’s light, and best of all, it’s waterproof so I can read at the beach or pool without worrying about getting a library book ruined.
Since moving to Atlanta, my kindle has allowed me to continue reading every night. Not having a car and working full time has made getting to the library nearly impossible, so I’ve been using it almost exclusively. Usually, I read the free books on Prime Reading. Right now, Kindle Unlimited is offering three months free, and it is amazing!
I’m not ashamed to admit that I usually go for easy reads with romance. Every once in a while I go for a best seller or something more academic, but reading for me is a way to escape and unwind- I’m not looking for something heavy! I try to find the balance between a summer romance and something that makes you think- I consider Sarah Dessen my favorite author for this. She is considered a young adult writer, but I find her books to be heartfelt and reflective in the perfect way…they are amazing! Her most recent book, The Rest of the Story, was her best yet- I finished it in two days. I caved and bought it on Amazon, and it was worth every penny.
I’ve recently gotten on the Good Reads train, which lets me post and rate books that I have been reading! You can follow me on goodreads here.
Here some favorites I have been reading on Prime:
The Bette Davis Club: 4/5 stars
This book surprised me the entire way through- what started as a cynical narrative ended as a cross-country adventure. It was the perfect love letter to old Hollywood and classic movies- I loved every reference to film. I wish the story had ended with more closure- it felt like the author had rushed to finish, although perhaps I just wanted the book to keep going!
The Perfect Dress: 4/5 stars
This book was an easy read- a simple but sweet southern story about loving a custom wedding dress shop. I loved its charm, and it had a big emphasis on body positivity and female empowerment.
In the Light of the Garden: 3.5/5 stars
This book was a sweet story with a few twists and turns, all centered around forgiveness. It featured a sweet magic willow tree, and a story of accepting others and letting go from the past.
Match Making for Beginners: 5/5 stars
This book was one of my favorites that I have read this year- I loved every second of it. If any book will make you believe in magic, this is it. It was extremely well written and unbelievably compelling. If you read any book from this list, I would read this one.
Winter Cottage: 5/5 stars
Being from Maryland, I loved this novel because it took place right on the Chesapeake Bay. It was historical fiction that was weaved into present day, and was a sweet story of discovering past treasures. I actually publicly cried on the plane while reading this- it was that good.
A few print books I have been loving:
Kneeling with Giants: 4/5 stars
We are reading this book for my church’s Lenten study group, and it is fascinating! It is about the history of prayer, and I am learning so much! I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in learning more about the roots of religion.
Three Cups of Tea: 5/5 stars
This is an older book, but I came across it more recently. It left me wanting to change the world! It tells the true story of a man building houses in Nepal and highlights the importance of education for all. I was incredibly moved by this book.
Tuesdays with Morrie 5/5 stars
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite book of all time. I read this book once a year- it serves as a reminder of the type of person I want to be, how I live my life, and what is truly important in life. I truly believe that every single person should read this book at least once in their lifetime.
What are you reading right now?
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