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…
