As a child, I loved reading. My elementary classes would provide reading challenges with cool incentives. Reading was fun!
As I got older and reading became “homework” for classes, I learned that not all books were enjoyable and actually, most of the ones I was assigned, I didn’t enjoy. I pretty much stopped reading outside of schoolwork. I didn’t have time and it wasn’t something I desired. I had other things I wanted to do in my free time.
As I graduated college, I picked up reading a bit. I read a couple books a year. Mostly non-fiction, Christian reads. They were good! But I had lost the love of reading to read. I felt like I read just to try and learn, which made me not read often because it sort of felt like a chore. Anyone else?
Then I met my husband and he reads a ton! Like over 50 books every year! One of my best friends, Kat, also got into reading too. Those two influences really started getting me to dabble in books again. At the end of 2022, I got into mystery thrillers and I quickly became obsessed. I probably read 6 books in 2022. Not great but better than the 1-2 books I was reading in previous years. Reading books my friend or husband read/were reading was fun to have people to talk about books with! The app Goodreads is a great way to do this too.
Now in 2023, I have a goal of reading 20 books. I’m not being super strict with myself with it but I think it’s a fairly manageable goal that I’d like to accomplish. But, with that, I’m telling myself that it’s a year to read for fun. If I want to read a non-fiction book, then great! But my goal is based on regaining that love for reading through reading books that make me not want to stop. If you’re dreading picking up a book because you don’t like it, then stop reading it! I’ve already started and stopped 2 books this year that I just didn’t enjoy because I was to enjoy reading.
So, at the time of writing this, there have been about seven weeks of 2023 and I finished my sixth book this morning! I feel super proud of that!! Here are the six books I’ve read and what I would rate them in case you’re in need of some inspiration for your next read. 🙂
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover- 5 stars
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano- 5 stars
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel- 3 stars
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano- 4 stars
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune- 5 stars
Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff by Myquillyn Smith- 5 stars
I’ve read quite the expanse of genres so far. My favorite two books have both been romance and usually I’m not a huge romance novel kind of gal, but Reminders of Him and Every Summer After were both SO GOOD!
What books have you read that you’d recommend?
Tia Marie
tia marie 