What does my reading stack say about me?
Hello, hot mess.
My husband recently declared I was not allowed to buy any more books until I finished the overflowing stacks I haven’t started yet. All I had to say was thank God he can’t see my e-reader and doesn’t know about the twenty other books patiently waiting there.
I can’t help it. It’s truly genetic. My mother had this weird but wonderful habit of not finishing books. She said it was like breaking up with a best friend. For her, ending books meant saying goodbye to kindred companions who lived and breathed alongside her in their pages. At first, I thought that was odd, but now I get it and am doing the same thing with a nodding understanding. See? Genetic.
For me, keeping a huge pile of books nearby is about hope. It’s knowing no matter how stressful life gets or how much awful stuff happens, a refuge is only as far away as your nearest stack of books. Sweet piles of hope are everywhere in my life and are my emotional gold.
What’s in your pile? Or are you stacking up virtual and audiobooks on your devices? Lately, I have returned to traditional books because I miss the feel of them in my hands. I love underlining and dog-earing favorite passages. Books are meant to be held and hugged.
Here’s my pile of hope:
My (Part-Time) Paris Life by Lisa Anselmo
This is escape reading at its finest. Who doesn’t want to live in Paris? Or part-time at least. A wonderful read to fantasize about what it would be like to have an apartment in the City of Light and eat fresh croissants every day. This is my go-to book for book Sunday afternoons or rainy days. Of course, I haven’t finished it (see above.)
This is my second time reading this book. I love reading it in a different season of life. The first time I read it was over the holidays with my family as we obsessively discussed our Enneagram personalities. It was eye-opening the first time and reading it again is helping me with difficult relationships in my life. I'm learning so much about myself and how others are wired. It’s helping me to see my weaknesses and others’ differences with grace.
Don’t judge me but I’m fascinated by intermittent fasting. What’s neat about this book is it's written by a teacher (not even a scientist!) Don’t worry, I’ve read lots of other science-y ones and those are interesting too. This take is what your best friend would tell you over coffee about fasting. I read this for five minutes a day as I’m having my clean fast, black coffee. A fun book if you enjoy Rubik’s-cubing your way through tweaking eating and health habits.
Gosh Annie F. Downs is the best friend I wish I had. She is a gal’s gal. Her constant focus on seeking and finding fun makes me want to find more fun. I got this book after listening to her infectiously sweet podcast by the same name. Annie takes fun seriously and I hope it rubs off on me after reading her book. Everyone could use more fun. My fun tank is full, said no one ever.
This book had me at hello. I think I’ve already learned loads from the introduction. This book isn’t about big transformation, it’s about one percent, almost imperceptible changes. That’s the sort of change I can make friends with. I notice I waste a lot of time in the mornings. This book has already stirred me up and got me thinking about teeny weeny changes everywhere. I can’t wait to see what else it inspires in my everyday habits.
Your Turn – What’s In Your Pile?
Now it’s your turn – what’s in your pile? Hoping you are surrounded by some fascinating piles of hope -- perfect for summer reading adventures. Don’t keep it all to yourself – share what’s in your stack so we can all treasure up some good books together.
I’m reading or listening to several of these books but I am always adding more. Yesterday, I read on a blog about a reading challenge. I scribbled in my planner that this summer I want to read a biography, a book about a country that I have not visited, a book on professional development, a book a friend recommended and more. My whole family laughs about my book piles & overflowing book shelves. I guess I am in your hot mess club! 😉
I have several unfinished non-fiction but mostly read fiction because, these days, I read mostly for fun/relaxing/escape (in a good way). I just finished an audio book called The Good House. A fictional account of a woman and her long-time-coming recognition of her alcoholism. Thanks for sharing some of your favorites. The Road Back to You is one I've yet to finish. I admit, I couldn't decide which enneagram is me and not being able to decide should be a hint ;)