National Book Lovers Day

Pretty sure I've written about my love of reading before.  And I'm just now realizing today is a day for me... National Book Lovers Day! And if I haven't mentioned it, I'm a traditionalist.  I love an actual, physical book!  I have a really hard time staying focused to read a book on a screen.  Plus... the smell of a book is amazing (book lovers know what I'm talking about)!

And earlier this year, I learned that thanks to Millenials and Gen Z, bookstores are becoming cool again! And I think that's awesome.  Honestly, I have a bad habit of putting books on my Amazon wish list, or in my cart... and I fight the urge to buy them, knowing I have a few to finish up still at home! But, just this year alone (so far) I've read 17 books.  Working on numbers 18 and 19!

Of course, my genre of choice is personal development, but it hasn't always been!  I've read a good bit of fiction in my life as well.  I guess I just don't have as much free time now, otherwise, I might do a bit more reading in other genres!

You can always check out your local library (if I did this, I wouldn't spend as much money on books... or need to build another bookshelf)! You could also do a book exchange with friends, start a new book, share about your favorite books on social media, or even start your own book club.

I'm not ashamed of my love of reading, and you shouldn't be either!  I jokingly call myself a nerd when it comes to books, but there are definitely worse habits to have, right? Happy National Book Lovers Day, friends. Now back to my book...

Pretty sure I've mentioned before that I love to read.  And specifically, I've been really enjoying personal development books. I believe we all need to work on ourselves, and I always learn a lot about myself when I read these type of books.  It's also helpful in understanding other people!  And for leaders, there's always something you can learn to better yourself!

So far, I've read 10 books this year.  Actually, I'm about to finish my 11th book of the year.  I think that's the accurate count.  I've been trying to make notes in my phone whenever I finish reading a book.  You might remember, for Mother's Day, my fiancé bought me a stack of books.  And I couldn't have been happier!  I'd had them all on my Amazon Wish List. And I feel like I'm always adding to that list!

While fiction books can be entertaining, I would rather spend my time reading to educate myself.  I believe we should never stop learning!  And we should always be striving to be the best version of ourselves... for ourselves first.  But also for everyone else in our lives too!

If you have any book recommendations, I'd love for you to send those to me!  Email me HERE! And for the record-- bookstores are cool again!

How many times have you high-fived a friend, teammate, co-worker?  You don't high-five someone you're not encouraging or celebrating with, right?  So... when's the last time you took time to celebrate YOU? This book talks about high-fiving yourself in the mirror, gaining confidence, appreciating yourself.

I love Mel Robbins.  Maybe because I recognize a lot of my own qualities in her.  She's extremely smart, encouraging, and inspirational.  I won't say motivational-- only because motivation comes and goes.  You have to truly commit, and be dedicated... even when motivation is lacking.

And in case you needed the reminder today:

This was an eye opening book for me.  I am a perfectionist.  To a fault.  I stress myself out over it.  I'm overwork, overthink, over-do... And while I'm working on it, it's a daily process! I love her stories, and the ideas of living authentically and wholeheartedly.  Definitely one I'll have to re-read.  SO good.  I definitely need to re-read the chapter about self-compassion!

I also really enjoyed Rising Strong by Brene as well!

I'm not even sure where I stumbled upon Gabrielle Bernstein, but I am loving her work.  While some of it is a bit out of my personal beliefs... There are some GREAT things I have learned from her.  There are also many things that she talks about that I've experienced and am working through.  She gives it to you straight.  Super Attractor is definitely a good read... and a reminder that it's GOOD TO FEEL GOOD! When we feel good, good things happen!

I've also been binging her podcast, Dear Gabby too!

Again, as someone who is a perfectionist and over-thinker, The Untethered Soul was an eye-opening book.  Life doesn't have to be so difficult.  And worrying about the future, or dwelling in the past, really does us no good.

This is a book to encourage you to be more present in your life.  Have you ever driven somewhere, and then realized you don't even remember the drive?  So many people live on autopilot, and it keeps us from embracing our lives in the here and now.

Yep, another Gabby Bernstein book.  Just GOOD stuff to learn in all of her stuff.  The current book I'm reading is another one of her 9 books!  She's a great writer, speaker, story-teller... It's about gaining confidence in yourself and trusting that good things are available to you.  Releasing the blocks that keep you from embracing a great life!

Currently reading Happy Days... can't decide which I'll read next.  Maybe some Gary John Bishop? He might use a lot of "language" in his talks and books... but he speaks a lot of truth!