Book Nerd Alert!
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Are you a reader? You may not know this about me, but I love to read. Love. I was the kid with the flashlight under the covers reading a book hoping to not get "caught” and told to put it away. Though, now as an adult I realize my parents probably knew about my sneaky reading habits (if you were that kid too, you know what I'm talking about...).
While I love all kinds of books, it's only been recently that non-fiction has found a special place in my heart. Previously, I always gravitated towards fantasy, or Sci-Fi... something that would completely "take me away" from normal life. Sure, I had my John Grisham phase where I read legal drama after legal drama, but I always came back to fantasy. Originally Mercedes Lackey's books (especially the Valdemar books), and later, as any true blue Ravenclaw, Harry Potter.
Not only do I love reading books, but I love listening to them as well. I’ll never forget my first book on CD experience. My dad and I had a massive road trip planned for Spring Break of my junior year in high school. We were checking out college campuses, and we visited schools in Virginia, Kentucky, and Texas, then drove back to our home in Wyoming. That’s a lot of miles and a lot of time for anyone to spend in a car together. My dad checked out some books on CD from the library, and I’ll admit, I was skeptical. But it was wonderful!
Listening to books, well, awesome. You can do it at the same time you’re doing a physical activity, which means not only do you get to catch up on books you’ve been wanting to read, but you also can accomplish something. BONUS! I listen to books while I’m doing various things such as washing dishes, cleaning, driving, taking a walk… you get the idea. (I’m the same way about podcasts, which I’m also obsessed with… but that’s a different blog.) As I’ve found myself with less time to sit and read a physical book (#adulting), audio books and podcasts have been my go-to.
So this is where I take a moment to interrupt myself. Do you have a library card? Seriously. Do you? It absolutely amazes me that anyone living in the United States doesn’t have a library card. I mean, this things are like gold. Just in case you haven’t been into a library for years here are some of the things you can do:
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· Check out a book
· Check out a DVD
· Check out a CD (where we physically store music, friends)
· Use a computer
· Check out digital media such as movies and music
· Check out digital books
· Check out audio books!
FOR FREE! And depending on your library, they may also offer classes, story times, and book reading incentive clubs for free or very little charge. What the what?!?!
If you’re in the Saint Louis area we have access to bazillions of things… Without Even Going to the Library (game changer), and if we have these things, I know other areas have to as well. Find out if your library has an app or two so you are easily able to check out digital files. (In STL we have Hoopla and Libby). Seriously, do it.
Okay, pardon me interrupting myself. What I’m trying to tell you is this. I’m into books. I’m into reading them, and I’m into listening to them. I love everything from fantasy and books that are “mind candy” to personal development and wellness books. In fact… (Drum roll please) once I get my office back up and running after our renovation, I’m going to create a resource library for my clients here in St. Louis! Yes, I realize that if you’re not here in STL you won’t be able to access my books, but I will be creating a list with a short synopsis right here on my website so if nothing else, you can find some reading suggestions!
Now, that’s a project that (unfortunately) most likely won’t happen until next year, so to get you started, here are a few of my favorite nonfiction books to get you started (Pssst! These all have audio books as well! You're welcome ;) :
Of Mess and Moxie- Jen Hatmaker
Sleep Smarter- Shawn Stevenson
You are a Badass- Jen Sincero
Girl Wash Your Face- Rachel Hollis
Also, because I am such a nerd, and I’ve decided to start keeping track of the books I read, I created a board on Pinterest with the books I’ve read this year, as well as recommended books (both fiction and non-fiction!).
Now that I’ve outed myself as the nerd that I am… I’m going to go curl up with a good book.