One of my favorite things right now in life is how Olivia Grace looks at books. Doesn’t matter the type – if it’s reading material, girlfriend plops herself down between your legs with it in hand and expects to be wowed. Even if that’s the daily circular. 😉 I hope that Liv always has her head in a book and loveloveloves to learn – I think that’s just such a valuable trait to have in life, whether you’re using it as a momentary creative escape or as means to literally grow your brain. SO, all that to say – this girl is getting BACK in the reading game in 2020, and I’m kicking off the year by publicly sharing my personal reading list as means of accountability + inspiration for anyone looking for some new reads to add to their Amazon cart, too!

My reading list goal: 2 books/month. To some avid readers in the house this might sound laughable, but your girl doesn’t get to pick up a good book all that often with the state of life lately. 😉 BUT, I have always loveloveloved reading and really think of it as equal parts entertainment + continued education and personal development, so I’m intentionally prioritizing it this year (+ beyond).

Since the goal is 2 books/month, I went through my office bookstack + our family bookshelves to pull out all of the gems that I added to my Amazon cart but didn’t actually *open* as of yet. It’ll be 24 total books on my reading list – so I’ve left a few blank spaces in the mix to fill in as the year goes on and new releases inevitably come out. I had a few more spaces initially but of course in the midst of pulling this post together, found more to add – ha!

MY OWN BOOK. (!!!!) Had to get this one out first + foremost, of course. 😉 I’ve mentioned it here + there but not in its own post (yet), so spoiler alert if this is news to you! But my own book is set to launch this spring – EEEEP. More details coming soon. I’ve already read it – and it’s a good one. 😉
Atomic Habits – (by James Clear) One of my all-time favorite books ever, worth reading + RE-reading often! Figured it was the best way to kickoff the year. All about why + how we form habits, both good and bad.
The Fringe Hours – (by Jessica N. Turner) Centers around finding back pockets of time that are already in your day to squeeze in the things you really should be doing (but maybe aren’t because you feel like you “don’t have time!”).
Big Magic – (by Elizabeth Gilbert) Creative Living Beyond Fear – was an instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!
Sippy Cups are Not for Chardonnay – (by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor) I saw this recommended as an LOL-worthy parenting book, so of course I’ve gotta try it. I think it might be more suited for “new” mamas or parents with newborns, but I’ll check it out nonetheless! The descriptions says “The moment the second line on the pee stick turns pink, women discover they’ve entered a world of parenting experts.”
More Beautiful Than Before: How Suffering Transforms Us – (by Steve Leder) Looks at the ways that physical, psychological, and/or emotional pain can actually HELP us create more beautiful, meaningful lives.
The Marriage Lie – (by Kimberly Belle) One of my favorite reading indulgences is a good psychological thriller, and this one came HIGHLY recommended by so many girls I follow on Instagram! Also said fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train would lovelovelove, and I FLEW threw both of those books!
Present Over Perfect – (by Shauna Niequist) The author decribes it as being : “asn invitation to this journey that changed my life. I’ll walk this path with you, a path away from frantic pushing and proving, and toward your essential self, the one you were created to be before you began proving and earning for your worth.”
The 5 Second Rule – (by Mel Robbins) Mel’s famous TED Talk is on this topic – and it’s a goodie! That we can do anything when we warm up to it by counting down from 5 and just DOING THE DAMN THING.
The Joy of Missing Out: Live More by Doing Less – (by Tonya Dalton) Tonya is a productivity expert and the CEO of inkWELL Press Productivity Co. who says that feeling overwhelmed isn’t the result of having too much to do, but from not knowing where to start.
Originals : How Non-Conformists Change the World– (by Adam Grant) Adam was my FAVORITE professor in college – I had to apply to even get into his class because it’s so competitive, and to this day feel SO incredibly grateful to have had the opportunitny to learn from him personally. A truly brilliant mind – and a #1 New York Times bestseller. Originals examines how people can champion new ideas – and how leaders can fight groupthink. I have a signed copy! 😉
Divine Time Management: The Joy of Trusting God’s Loving Plan for You – (by Elizabeth Grace Saunders) The author says the book offers you: a path to deeper intimacy with God centered on trust in Him; an understanding of what God wants for your life, to inform how you set priorities; biblical and personal encouragement to embrace your God-given desires; effective ways to faithfully navigate major decisions; and proven time-saving methods. Sign me up!
Mere Christianity – (by C.S. Lewis) #1 Bestseller and absolute classic. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to add it to my reading list!
The Missing Years – (by Lexie Elliott) A woman’s unsolved family history comes back to haunt her in an eerie, old, isolated manor in the Scottish Highlands.
How Successful People Think – (by John Maxwell) America’s leadership expert John C. Maxwell will teach you how to be more creative and when to question popular thinking. You’ll learn how to capture the big picture while focusing your thinking. You’ll find out how to tap into your creative potential, develop shared ideas, and derive lessons from the past to better understand the future.
David and Goliath – (by Malcolm Gladwell) Explore the power of the underdog in Malcolm Gladwell’s dazzling examination of success, motivation, and the role of adversity in shaping our lives. Another CLASSIC – and one of my favorite Bible stories as the title!
The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why it Matters, and What you Can do to Get More of It – (by Kelly McGonigal) Sometimes my biggest personal struggle is in discipline/willpower, so I’m always ALL ABOUT the science behind it and training my brain to have more!
Wild and Free – (by Jess Connolly & Hayley Morgan) You don’t have to be everything to everyone. You don’t have to try so hard to button it up and hold it together. Join Jess and Hayley as they reveal how women today can walk in the true liberty we already have in Jesus.
Thrive – (by Arianna Huffington) Given the name of my podcast I should sure as heck HOPE that this book makes the cut – ha! It was born after Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post reached a sortof personal breaking point, realizing how essential well-being, our ability to draw on inner wisdom, a sense of wonder, and our capacity for compassion and giving are in the grand scheme of “success.”
The Other Side of Beauty – (by Leah Darrow) A memoir from an ex-America’s Next Top Model fashion model who is exposing the lies we’re told about our appearance and our worth, centering back on our “enoughness” in Christ.
How to Get Sh*t Done – (by Erin Falconer) Erin Falconer, editor in chief and co-owner of the highly respected self-improvement site Pick the Brain (with over 1.8 million monthly page views), shows overscheduled, overwhelmed women how to do less so that they can achieve more.
Get Out of your Own Way: A Skeptic’s Guide to Growth & Fulfillment – (by Dave Hollis) This releases in March and I’m sure I’ll give it a read since I’m a big big fan of his wife, Rae Rae Hollis. Also will try to pan it off to J to read, as well!
The Impossible First – Literally JUST placed my Amazon order after hearing an interview with the author on a podcast – just wow. He’s the first person to do a solo trek across Antarctica, pulling a 375 pound sled of supplies/food on his back and going for two months straight in -80 degree weather against 50-60 mph winds. Absolutely INSANE account of the sheer power of the mind.
TBD!

Leaving some blank spaces to be determined as publication dates are released – stay tuned! I definitely want to read some Jen Hatmaker this year, as well as Marie Forleo’s new book – just have to add to my Amazon cart. 😉