February 2023 Reading List

10 Top Reasons Why Reading is Important
It improves creativity and imagination.
You learn….you think and you challenge yourself.
It increases your vocabulary.
It improves tour memory. The part of your brain responsible for memory and attention is stimulated.
It increases your concentration and attention span.
Reading improves your writing skills – you have more to talk about and you are familiar with different
styles of writing.
It reduces stress – you can get lost in another world and distract yourself.
It makes you healthier – just like you exercise your body, you need to exercise your brain.
It boosts empathy. We read books that challenge us to think about things we don’t agree with or putting
ourselves in someone else’s shoes.
It expands your understanding of the world. Books are like windows – you look through them for
different views on humanity, current events, religion, history culture, and more. If you
intentionally seek out authors who are very different from you, your understanding
expands even more.

My reads for February (with my favourite at the top)….

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Thanks to my friend, Heather for sending my to this author and story. I will be adding all her books to my reading list. This, a tale of passionate religious commitment gone totally awry in the jungle. Her writing makes you want to get a pen out so you can keep her thoughts close to your heart.

A World of Curiosities by Lousie Penny
Again, a brilliant story of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache…18th in an amazing series.

The Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth Godin
You can also listen to his podcast, Akimbo but, Seth Godin takes things even past being a thoughtful and committed entrepreneur to actually focusing on the purpose of humanity – to daily engage in a practice of serving others and giving back.

The Education of Hyman Kaplan by Leonard Q. Ross
A very good short story about being an international adult student. Fun to read but, also poignant.

Liar by K. L. Slater
Definitely grabs you and twists you right until the end.

When You’re Ready, This is How You Heal by Brianna Wiest
Lots of practical “lists” like “What happens before life changes for the better…” 16 Different Ways to Interpret Negative Feelings” and “Stop Doing These Things to Move Forward”, etc. Healing is ultimately to accept hurting as part of being human.

The Whisper on the Night Wind: The True History of a Wilderness Legend by Adam Shoalts
I have heard Adam speak about his adventures. This is the tale of a true Canadian adventure by a modern day explorer.

The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
This book is a commitment – to write daily, to create daily – I did not go on the actual journey but, I found I identified with many of the quotes and it was inspirational. It comes with a companion journal – maybe someday but, right now, my cup is filled by little ones, sewing, quilting, crocheting, cooking, my friends, etc.

The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre-Ward
A story of a dysfunctional family on a cruise.

All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers
Murder and deception in a small town.

Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
Finding out the terrible truth about your husband’s disappearance.

A Child Called “It” by Dave Pelzer
Interesting story – very disturbing – a story told in his own words about child abuse that he suffered. I will leave it to you to make a decision about it.

Look Both Ways by Linwood Barclay
A very disappointing and disturbing story of self driving cars and murder.