What I’ve Been Reading Lately

I remember growing up I was always the kid with her nose in a book. My parents tried to get me out of the house to play sports or do activities, and I did (and enjoyed) that as well, but if you had asked me about my happy place? Well, at the ripe old age of 8 it was in a warm bathtub with the latest edition of The Babysitter’s Club.

 

Since becoming a mom it’s been hard to reserve the time to sit down and dig into a book. This year, though, I really wanted to make a concerted effort to read more because it still brings me joy. Thanks to my library card and the ability to reserve books online I’ve been digging into any books I can get my hand on!

 

This is just a smattering of what I’ve been reading lately, what I love, and if I’d recommend it or not!

 

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch // I just finished this the other day as part of a Bible study I’m in, and honestly it was so good. A quick read that will punch you right in the gut in the best way possible, this book gives practical application in addition to Scripture to back up the point that we – ALL OF US – need to show more gratitude. Definitely recommend this one to anyone who breathes.

Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki // If you couldn’t tell simply by the title I’m in the market for potty training my younger cutie, but I just have no idea what to do. She says in the book that anyone who says their kid potty trained him/herself is full of it, but I really don’t remember having to put in a lot of effort the first time around! My younger one is pretty feisty though, so I figured a good pep talk and some practical ways to talk to him about the potty would be helpful. Turns out? It was! I think we’ll be starting the potty training shenanigans the second half of the month, and I definitely feel much more prepared now after reading the book. Plus, truthfully, it’s hilarious and super educational. Definitely recommend.

Soldier of Finance by Jeff Rose // Because we’re getting old and having to think about life-long goals like retirement I thought why the heck not get a book about personal finance to make sure we’re maximizing our money and making the best investment choices possible? Here’s the deal: I really really liked the book – it spoke to me, reinforced ideas around money that we operate around, and was full of solid advice. I feel like it’s geared more toward someone who has no idea what the heck to even start doing versus someone who wants to take things to the next level. I loved the references to and analogies drawn from the author’s experience in the Army and if he comes out with a next-level investing book I’ll definitely check that out too! I would recommend but only if you’re totally clueless about money.

The Wellness Project by Phoebe Lapine // I mostly loved this book because it’s a great example of how much our environment plays into our health. The Beauty chapter was my favorite because it reinforces everything I’ve learned since I started working with Beautycounter, but the entire project was something I feel like would want to implement anyway. Definitely recommend this one (and a glass of wine…at least til you finish the first couple chapters)!

Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz // After college I went directly into management training at Starbucks and as a requirement we had to read this book. Basically it’s all about how Starbucks as we know it today came about, Howard Schult’s passion for the company and desire to see it come to fruition. I loves it then, and decided to check it out again because it’s definitely an inspirational read! I would recommend this one if you’re interested in how large corporations happen, and if you love seeing big dreams become reality.

Chapter One by Daniel Flynn // Nate actually brought this book back from a conference he attended in August, and while I wasn’t sure what to think at first it ended up being one of my favorite reads. Not because it’s written beautifully (it’s not) but because it tells a truly remarkable story of an Australian startup that exists solely for the benefit of others. It’s always amazing to me when someone goes directly against the flow and comes out on top! Highly recommend that you read this book (and support this brand).

Undoctored by William Davis // Truth? I heard about this book on a podcast that I’m already kind of meh about, so I’m not totally surprised that I didn’t love it. I’m sure William Davis is very smart and I think the idea of the book is interesting, but I felt like he was talking down to the reader the whole time. Definitely not the way to persuade me to take his advice, although I do feel like a lot of the healthcare system is broken and in dire need of repair. Would I recommend it? Nope – I think there are a lot of other valuable resources about food as medicine and seeking a more natural form of treatment.

Strong and Kind by Korie Robertson // I’ll be upfront and say that I am literally starting this book today, but have heard great things about it! I *think* the idea is that you pick two words that are kind of life goals for your kids and you work toward that to keep parenting from being too overwhelming? Maybe? No? Either way, I’ve heard good things so I went ahead and took advantage of my library having in on their shelf!