Reading is one of my favorite hobbies and the books on my list to read this month have me excited to curl up on Winter days and enjoy page by page.
There are so many fun reading challenges to kick off a new year. Ways to get motivated and excited to get through your book stack of TBR (To Be Read) books abound. There are all kinds of ways to chart, graph, color and journal your reads as you go.
Here’s one of my favorite JOURNALS.
Are you excited to embrace some new books or are you feeling a bit of anxiety because you aren’t quite sure if you can actually fit reading in.
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HOW TO MAKE TIME TO READ
Do you struggle finding time to fit in reading? We are all so busy and even those of us that love to read can find it hard to make time. One day several years ago, I realized I had created a strategy for myself that helped me fit in more time to read.
Here’s what I’ll be reading this month.
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Quiet Time Book
This month I’m reading Freely and Lightly : God’s Gracious Invitation to a Life of Quiet Confidence by Emily Lex. It’s a refreshing perspective on living a life of peace and purpose through God’s grace. In this insightful book, Lex invites readers to let go of burdensome striving and embrace a more peaceful, confident way of living rooted in God’s love and faithfulness.
Through personal stories, scripture, and practical encouragement, she challenges the reader to release anxiety, trust in God’s provision, and find rest in His promises. This book is a gentle reminder that living freely and lightly isn’t about doing more, but about receiving God’s grace and walking with Him in quiet confidence. Perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed or searching for a deeper sense of peace, Freely and Lightly offers a heartfelt invitation to a life of trust and tranquility in God’s hands.
Read Freely and Lightly with me!
Wait Time Book
This month I’m reading The Importance of Being Little: What Young Children Really Need from Grownups by Erika Christakis.The Importance of Being Little emphasizes the vital role of play and early childhood experiences in shaping a child’s development. Christakis argues that the current educational system often overlooks the developmental needs of young children by prioritizing academic achievement over play-based learning. She stresses that play fosters creativity, problem-solving, social skills, and emotional intelligence—skills that are crucial for lifelong success. By advocating for a more holistic approach to early childhood education, Christakis calls for a shift towards nurturing curiosity, imagination, and resilience, allowing children to grow at their own pace and develop a love of learning.
Read The Importance of Being Little with me!
Looking for more on this topic? I got a lot out of THIS BOOK I read this summer.
And here are a few books on my TBR stack.
- Let Them Be Kids: Adventure, Boredom, Innocence, and Other Gifts Children Need by Jessica Smartt
- Memory-Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home by Jessica Smartt
- The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids by Sarah Mackenzie
- Gospel Mom: How to Make Biblical Decisions and Discover the Mom God Created You to Be by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler
This month at church I am leading a Growth Group Bible Study for moms of littles. We are reading and studying through Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler. If you are a local mom with kids ages birth-preschool and would like to join in, let me know!
For the Love of Reading
This month I’m reading The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. I’ve read several of her books and enjoyed all of them, learning about historical moments, events and characters I had not heard of before.
It’s a gripping historical fiction novel set in post-World War II America, weaving together themes of secrets, betrayal, and resilience. The story follows a group of women who are part of an exclusive social club, where the glitzy exterior hides deep personal struggles and dark secrets. As the characters navigate their lives in the shadow of past trauma, they are forced to confront the choices that define their futures. Quinn skillfully explores the complexities of friendship, power dynamics, and the impact of societal expectations on women, all while delivering a fast-paced and emotionally charged narrative. The novel highlights how the bonds of women, both empowering and complicated, can shape destinies in ways that are both freeing and limiting.
I’ve also loved these Kate Quinn books:
The Briar Club has an added bonus that I’m reading it this month with a few friends and getting together to discuss. With this group of friends we sometimes read, sometimes knit, sometimes do an adventure. Whoever hosts decides what we do and it’s been a super fun way to gather.
Read The Briar Club with me!
Join my Fireside Book Club over on Facebook. Request to join HERE.
Chore Time Book
This month I’m listening to James by Percival Everett. My mom and dad read this months ago and straight away recommended it to me. Since then, it is the book that comes up most in circles of recommendations. So this month, I’m jumping on board and am excited to listen.
James by Percival Everett is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of identity, race, and personal transformation. The story follows James, a Black man who embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery after a series of unsettling events prompt him to confront the layers of his past and the way society perceives him. As James grapples with the societal expectations placed on him and his own internal struggles, Everett explores the intersections of individual and collective experiences, drawing attention to the intricacies of Black life in America. Through a mix of sharp dialogue, dark humor, and keen social commentary, James challenges readers to reflect on issues of race, identity, and the search for authenticity in a world that often demands conformity. Everett’s narrative is both poignant and intellectually stimulating, inviting deep reflection on the complexities of human existence.
TIP: As you get used to listening to audiobooks you can speed up the sound by touching the 1X in the bottom left corner of your device. I usually listen at 1 1/2 and am able to get through books much quicker and make time for more!
Listen to or read James with Me!
More to Read This Month
This is a month I’ve been able to fit in more books. Here’s the rest of what I’m reading:
- For my local book club we are reading The Secret Life of Bees I read it years ago and it has stuck with me deeply, so I am excited to read it again and have a group to discuss it with. This time I’m listening to it on audio.
- My Women’s Bible Study at Church is starting Pricilla Shirer’s One in a Million about embracing God’s unique calling for our lives. Drawing from the story of the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land, Shirer challenges readers to live boldly, trusting God to lead them through life’s challenges and to fulfill their extraordinary purpose.
- I’ve been listening to memoirs and I finished The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop and I’m almost finished with Being Henry by Henry Winkler.
Looking For More Ideas?
You can find links to other books I shared HERE. I keep a Pinterest Board called “What to Read Next”. You can start one too pinning the photos from this post.
A Few Books to Check Out From My Author Friends
- I could not put down Marker to Marker: A Woman’s Journey of Purpose and Perseverance Amidst Adversity by my friend Bridgett Watkins. Bridgett, an Iditarod finisher, lives in Alaska with her family and her sled dogs. Her book is full of inspiration, encouragement, courage and faith. It’s a wonderful accompaniment to my book Adventure Awaits.
- I just met a local author, Kathryn Spurgon who lives in Saint Germain. She stopped in to my shop to introduce herself and then came to do a book signing during our Shop Small event Thanksgiving weekend. I read her charming Holiday read, Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm. It was like a Hallmark movie, I couldn’t put it down.
- My friend Kristen Strong just released Praying Through Loneliness and it will encourage women struggling so much.
- Sally Clarkson’s book Well Lived came out in October.
In Review: Books I’m Reading and Shared About This Month
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