My Reading List: March 2024

10 reasons for keeping track of the books you read….
1. Keep track of the books you read and when you read them. If you don’t keep a reading journal, how do you know what books you read and when you read them? 
2. Record your thoughts and feelings about the books so you can accurately recommend the books to someone else. I use this blog to record my feelings about the books so that others can access it and enjoy your reading list.
3. If you keep a journal while you are reading, you can write down key points. I do this a lot for “self-help” books so that I can go back and review the ideas.
4. List your favourite quotes – I do this all the time and then I use them when I am writing letters or sending cards to people – and then I can quote the book and hopefully inspire someone to read it.
5. Write down questions you have. This is great if you are regularly discussing books with others or if you are part of a Book Club.
6. Keep track of publication dates – I love doing this so that I know when new books are coming out.
7. Keep a list of books you want to read – I always have to-be-read list.
8. I always keep track of the date I started the book – and the date I finished it.
9. Keep track of how much you read – I always have a reading challenge. This year my challenge is 175 books. Last year, I read 153 of 150 books.
10. When I am finished with a book, I usually pass it on because your house can only hold so many books. I usually put my name and phone number in other books that I lend that I want back – but, I don’t usually lend too many of those books. I also read a lot on my Kindle so that means that I can’t share them. I have recently started to go back to the library for books.

During the month of March, I read 15 books – this included listening on Audible, reading on my Kindle and actually reading books. This month, I will divide my list into fiction and non-fiction…just for fun…

FICTION
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid
This is a great story about a college residential assistant and her messy entanglement with a professor and three unruly students. It was a fun listen and had great character development and a plot that you could easily follow because it really connected well.

One by One by Freida McFadden
Lost in the woods, a very twisted murder/crime drama. I am really enjoying books by this author.

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
Neglect and abuse, finding your way – this young singer leaves home and finally finds her way to people who love and care for her – a real home and a life of love.

Ilium by Lea Carpenter
A spy thriller at its best – lots of suspense and the story of the innocent being just the right asset.

The Coworker by Frieda McFadden
Two women. An office filled with secrets. One terrible crime that can’t be taken back. Murder.

Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood
The story of a woman who ends up on the edge of a cliff and survives….like we all do sometimes.

Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
Set in Appalachia, this story weaves together struggling farms, environmental crisis and three stories of humanity and love and death and survival.

The Teacher by Freida McFadden
Lies and secrets and people who teach – a book full of scandal and twists and turns.

NON-FICTION
Just One Thing: How Simple Changes Can Transform Your Life by Michael Mosley
From balance, to walking to sauerkraut to computer games, this book is a fun read that gets you thinking about how you spend your days.

Unwind: 7 Principles for a Stress-Free Life by Michael Olpin, Sam Bracken, Daniel G. Amen
Do you take a pause between the stress and your reaction to it? This book is full of great strategies to slow down and avoid feeling overwhelmed over things that are out of your control.

55 Questions to ask yourself, Across 8 Dimensions for a New You by Manjo Chenthamarakshan
Just a fun read that asks some challenging questions – questioning yourself is one of the most powerful ways to unlock some hidden things about yourself that you never knew.

Just This by Richard Rohr – A Book of Meditations – very powerful

The Mother Dance: How Children Change your Life by Harriet Lerner
From pregnancy to the empty nest, this book is full of deeply personal stories – both witty and VERY moving. This is a book for mothers (and grandmothers) and potential and “I never want to be a mother” of all ages – even dads should have a read.

How to Ikigai: Lessons for Finding Happiness and Living Your Life’s Purpose by Tim Tamashiro
Are you looking for lasting joy? The books is filled with really solid examples of how to find your purpose and share it with others – bringing peace and joy back to you.

Built to Move : The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully by Kelly and Juliet Starrett
This is really a must read – it talks about the “vital” signs – the things you need to be able to do (and work on) to staying moving and doing well into your 80’s and 90’s. I am definitely adopting these principles so that I can avoid what I see happening around me – difficulty climbing stairs, not being able to ride a bike or hike up a hill, etc. I want to be independent, strong and vital for as long as I live. Things can just “happen” to us but, we can avoid a LOT by paying attention and pushing ourselves every day. NEVER DO NOTHING!!