Back in November last year I started reading again. I was moving like a slug most days, if I moved at all, and I am TV’ed out from watching TV for 4 years while breastfeeding- if you know you know. But I could also feel my brain rotting scrolling socials all the time. Finger joint pain and tremors made my usual handicrafts nearly impossible. But my brain needed SOMETHING. So, I started reading again.
And I kept reading…..and reading. In January I got Kindle Unlimited and I set a goal for 100 books. We already had Audible membership, and of course I have enough hardcopy books for most peoples’ lifetime. I also 100% peer pressured friends into reading along with me. I’d like to say sorry to Anne Smith for that peer pressure, but I’m 100% not sorry. Before I knew it, I was averaging 1.3-1.5 books a day. I listen to books between 1.75x-2.25x. When I’m reading, I average around 100 pages give or take. Reading has always been my superpower. Suffice it to say I crushed 100 books before March 1st. The next logical goal was obviously 365 books.
Today, On Monday, November 4th, 2024, I have completed my 365th book- M is for Mama. Funny enough, Abbie Halberstadt is one of Anne’s favorite authors and she’s been telling me to read this book all year.
It feels like it would take a bajillion hours to go over my favorite reads, but here are a few of my highlights:
Annah Conwell- IRL-so kind! I love getting to chat with authors on the interwebs, and she’s one of my favs. I’ve also been reading through her books with Anne which has made them extra fun!
Annah’s INSTAGRAM
Kate Watson– Kate easily has some of the most relatable characters I’ve read. The Janes are funny, quirky, and perfectly flawed. For me, good books are when you can relate to the characters, see parts of yourself in them, but still have that feeling of escapism. Which is a strong word, but that’s what I’m going with. Sweet As Sugar Maple is worth the sweetness!
Kate’s INSTAGRAM
Emma St. Clair- I think it’s so fun that this is actually her pen name!
I started with Just Don’t Fall which is part of the Sweater Weather series, with a collection of authors. They’re all independent reads, perfect for cozy fall days. But this led me down the rabbit trail. I proceeded to read pretty much her entire catalog.
Emma’s INSTAGRAM
Jenny Proctor- As I mentioned above, she has tag teamed with Emma writing the Appies books and I’ve been crawling through her repertoire too. And GOSH, Anne and I both really like her. We both enjoyed her Hawthorne brother series.
Absolutely Not in Love- another Appies book & part of Sweater Weather series.
Romancing the Grump- Appies
Hawthorne Brother Series
Jenny’s INSTAGRAM
Madison Wright Nashville is Calling and The Mountains are Calling series Madison writes incredible characters with real depth, relatable problems, and plenty of hilarious banter. Her books are also closed door. I can’t even pick which series I like better. They’re all just that great.
Leah Brunner has become something of a IRL friend on the gram. Her DC Eagles series made me laugh and sob. With a team name like “DC Eagles,” as you can imagine, her favorite NHL team is the Capitals, which she and I have bonded over just a bit. Outside of the DC Eagles I’ve had a blast reading her other books.
Ok, so here’s a few non-romance books that I’ve been reading:
Dan Jones- Dan has been one of my favorite historians for a few years now. He’s right in my niche and his narrative style of writing makes it come alive. “Elinor of Aquitaine both captivated and terrified her new husband.” Seriously, cackled and snorted. He writes absolute GOLD, but more than that it’s organized, he sticks to the facts, but better than any text book.
Powers and Thrones I read this twice this year and I’m working on it a 3rd time. And yes, I only counted 1 of those reads.
The Plantagenets
Judi Dench- Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent this is so wonderfully done! Bit of a warning, there are a few bad words. I nearly had a coronary when asked about The Merchant of Venice and Judi responded with a resounding, “I f’ing HATE that play.” Merchant is one of MY most favorites, but I can forgive her for that because she loves Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth as much as I do.
Penn Holderness ADHD is Awesome– 10/10 recommend listening to this one! It was a recommendation from another friend (not Anne this time). It is wildly entertaining to listen to Penn and Kim review everything from statistics, hilarious stories, and so much more about living with ADHD. So much about ADHD is for children. Having a book more so about adults and for adults living with ADHD instead of kids, was really nice.
Justin Earley Habits of a Household, and Jennifer Pepito Habits for a Sacred Home. Can you see a theme here? When you struggle with some neurospice (see previous book rec) habits and routine are one of the most necessary of terrible evils. Great intentions always! Slowly trying to add in more. Crazy- so much of this gets easier as kids also get older. Who would have thought!? Great practical application.
Sally Clarkson- Y’all. If you know me AT ALL, you know Sally is my hero, and I got to meet her a few weeks ago. It’s fine. I’m fine. And over the last year I have read: Lifegiving Home, Lifegiving Parent (which is technically her husband Clay but she wrote parts too), Lifegiving Table, Tea Time Discipleship for Mothers and Daughters, Tea Time Discipleship, Well Lived, and Giving Your Words.
Of course in between all of these “highlights” are the tons of library books we’ve read, the books I’ve read for teaching that include a few Shakespeare plays, 1984, Brave New World, Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and a bunch of my regular books.
The Nurtured Bee 