Keeping Reading on THE LIST

I really enjoy reading books and it has not been something that has made it on my LIST much the last few years.  I'm not usually your typical new fiction or romance reader.  I enjoy books that make me think more than feel.  So, mysteries usually top my LIST.  Or great spy thriller novels.  Biographies and memoirs make the LIST quite often too.  I loved reading "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin.  It made me think a lot about my life.  I feel really happy (most of the time!) as I am a true optimist always pointing out the silver lining.  I don't feel the need to be happier in my life, but I am hoping to apply some of the things I read in her book to my approach to things in life.  Most importantly, I love her advice on really accepting who you are - and not apologizing for it.  It's ok to not like the things that you think you should like because somewhere along the way in life you felt you were supposed to like something.  Embrace the things that you really love. That does not mean never try something new, but just don't feel that you have to push your self to love it.

This summer though I think I found a writer that I relate to even more - Jen Lancaster. I found one of her newest books at a little independent bookstore close to my house, One More Page Books.  "The Tao of Martha"  had me laughing out loud with many of the things that she tries.  I love how Jen explains that in an effort to pull things together and have a better year she wanted more of drill sergeant in her life and felt that Martha was the way to go.  

I really wanted more, so I moved to "Bitter is the New Black".  Even though it was her first book, it certainly did not disappoint.  I love her humor, and admire her willingness to be honest about the challenges that she encountered. I also really admire her work ethic.  

So, as the vacation wraps up, I plan to order another Jen Lancaster book and make sure I consciously choose to make reading a bigger part of my life this fall. 

PS:  I have stuck to spending at least 10 minutes a day to clean up my email - so far.  It's going to take a while, but I like knowing that I am making progress each day!