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October Reading & Listening

October 7, 2019

The Killers: All These Things That I’ve Done | The Melissa Ambrosini Show
Mastering Your Mean Girl by Melissa Ambrosini | Beyonce: Homecoming
Foster the People: Pumped Up Kicks | TSC Him & Her Podcast
Sinful Like Us by Krista & Becca Ritchie | Pearl Jam: Black

It’s been a few months since my last currently reading post (read: SEVEN months), so I thought it was about time I gave an update. I read several books a month and binge listen to podcasts when I come across a new one I like. This month is no different.

First: Music. Beyonce is a life force. She is everything anyone will ever need in life. She does no wrong. Don’t @ me. The Homecoming album has been my go-to motivational listen since it released back in April. She gets me through long periods of buckle-down computer work, particularly intense workouts, and my weekend chores list. #BeyonceForever. Other music on this list? It is only here because it is almost constantly on request and therefore loop from my three-year-old. He digs an awesome beat and the “do-dos” of a power ballad, can play a mean air guitar, and has rocker, head banging talent like no other. 100% my child.

Second: Podcasts. I just recently came across the two listed here. The Skinny Confidential His & Her Podcast is not only informative, it’s down right hilarious. Lauren and Michael’s constant married-couple banter mixed with legitimate health, wealth, and relationship advice and experts is true entertainment. You’ll find the explicit “E” on most episodes, but their crast-ness is part of my love for their show. The Melissa Ambrosini Show is an honest depiction of who I can only assume Melissa is in real life. Her exuberance for a beautiful, fulfilled life comes across on all her platforms. The amount of health and soul knowledge I have gleaned from her episodes is countless. She also sounds like the nicest person you will ever meet in your life. A true soul-sister.

Last (but certainly not least): Books. My first love. My reading routine as of late is a personal growth session in the AM as I drink my first cup of coffee, and a fictional session in the evenings as I lay in bed/soak in a bath with a cup of tea. This way I’m filling my head and heart on the daily. If I remember correctly (because I’m not going to stop and check as I write this post), I was reading the first book in Jane and Thatcher’s story in my last reading post months ago. Sinful Like Us is book 2 for J & T and book 5 in the overall series. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again (and again, and again): Krista & Becca Ritchie are truly talented. Their characters are so well written, you get sucked into a world that you would swear at times was real. Books don’t make me cry. Movies don’t make me cry. But if they can make this cold, dark heart crack just a little? Win. Finally, I’m reading Mastering Your Mean Girl after I read Melissa’s Open Wide. I fell in love with her holistic, full-of-love approach to a better life. As soon as I finish a few more on my shelf, I’ll be circling back to Open Wide again. It was that good.

And, there you have it. Since it’s been so long since my last post, I’ve included a few honorable mentions below that I’ve made my way through the last couple of months. All of them are worth a listen/read. As far as my Goodread’s 2019 Reading Challenge of 70 books? Ehh… I have less than 90 days left in this year and 24 books to go…. Wish me luck.

Verity by Colleen Hoover | All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
Open Wide by Melissa Ambrosini | Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Rise Podcast | The Rise Together Podcast | The Health Code Podcast

Until next time…

Currently Reading – March

March 13, 2019

Alright friends, I’m back with this month’s edition of Currently Reading. Are you ready for this? I’ve upped my reading game. It’s time to get serious about tackling that TBR list and make some moves to fulfill my desire to read without giving up the other 348 things on my daily to-do list. Here we go.

I somehow tackled last month’s reading list of personal development without completely frying my brain (yay me), and this month I’ve added more to the pile but with a little added fun. I think it’s obvious at this point that I love me some personal development books. What may not be as obvious is my love for fiction. Most specifically, adult fiction. I know, I know. Don’t roll your eyes at me in that judgey tone. I’m not talking harlequin romance here, people. Just a story line revolved around two people falling in love. It’s my thing. Sue me. And if you get off your high horse, you may find some amazingly well written stories out there, and one of those are part of this month’s list.

Now, back to getting serious. I’ve realized that if I have any hope for reading all of the books on my TBR list I need to be reading more than one book at a time. In order to accomplish this, I have enlisted the help of audio books. In the past, I couldn’t engross my mind into an audio book the way I prefer when reading, but I’ve found that it’s actually doable when I’m doing a mundane task at the same time: running on the treadmill, cooking dinner, driving to work, etc. As such, I am currently reading two books and listening to two books. In case you need a little help, that’s FOUR books at once!

Tangled Like Us is book 4 in the Like Us series, a spin-off of The Addicted and Calloway Sister Series, one of my favorite series of all time. To bring you up to speed, the Addicted/Calloway Sister series follows the lives of three sisters, heiresses to a corporate soda giant (think Pepsi or Coca-Cola) and their partners while they live in the ‘celebrity’ spotlight after the media finds out one of those sisters is a sex addict. To make it more interesting? That sister’s partner is an alcoholic. Fast forward 20 years, and the Like Us series follows the lives of those three couple’s children, their potential partners, and living their lives in the spotlight, which is all they’ve ever known. My blurb doesn’t do it justice. These books are phenomenally written by twin sisters, and I couldn’t recommend them more. The Addicted/Calloway Sister and Like Us series currently span 14 books, with Like Us continuing for at least another four. If you’re into fiction, pick these up. You will fall in love with their stories.

I’m obviously late to the game here, pun intended. I’ve already watched Game of Thrones on HBO, and am currently rewatching in preparation for April 14th (only 33 more days, but who’s counting?). With that said, I’ve tried to read this before and it just wasn’t happening. It’s quite difficult to get into, and then keep everything and everyone straight. In my defense, I was also trying to read it before I had watched the series. Now that I am on my second round, I’m giving this another go. In addition, I’m listening to the audio book version. This has helped IMMENSELY in making progress, and I’m digging it so far.

I’ve just started this one (literally on page 13), so the jury is still out. However, I loved the first Badass and was tempted to re-read it in preparation for this one. I’ll just leave you with the book blurb for now:

You Are a Badass Every Day is the companion to keep you fresh, grateful, scrappy, and driven. Jen Sincero distills the big ideas behind her iconic books into bite-sized, daily exercises and reflections you need to stay sharp. Giving you permission to let go of missteps, the tools to keep yourself accountable, and the space and acceptance to celebrate like mad when you are kicking butt, this book is organized to help you maneuver through the challenges and maximize the advantages of our seasonal rhythms to power you past beliefs and behaviors that hold you back from greatness.

Daring Greatly is one of those books that people have raved about, but I just wasn’t that interested. It took me a while to get on the bandwagon, and after a slow beginning I see what the fuss is about. Brene Brown’s studies on shame and vulnerability are thorough, and the data she collected in those studies had me stopping in my tracks, pausing the audio book, and taking a moment to reflect on what she had just covered. It has me rethinking so many of my behaviors towards myself and the people I’m closest to, and looking at things from my loved one’s perspectives that much more.

And there you go! Four books I’m currently reading in the month of March. A few more I plan on getting through this month? Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis, Books 5 and 6 in the Boston Underworld series by A. Zavarelli, Books 8 and 9 in the Lost Kings MC series by Autumn Jones Lake, and 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell. You can check out my full list on Goodreads. Wish me luck!

Until next time…

Currently Reading

February 12, 2019

I spend 95% of my spare time behind iBooks, Kindle, or a physical book. Reading, without a doubt, is my go-to source for escape, growth, and challenge. As such, let’s begin the first installment of what I’m currently reading (because I know you all really want to know 😏). So without further ado, here we go.