All the negative moments of 2020 aside, I’ve honestly rather enjoyed the downtime. We travel a. lot. We are always on the go. We’re neurotic New Yorkers. So the abrupt stop (covid, broken arm, quarantine, job loss) has risen positives. More time together, more time to slow down, and my favorite – more time to read.
I am a book junkie. As you have read previously, I blame it on my grandma’s obsession with romance novels on the farm and my dad’s not-t0-be-missed weekly trip to the library. I read every single R. L. Stine novel in one school year. So this summer, I’ve maybe, overstocked on books. Nonetheless, I think I’ve curated a great summer (perhaps into fall) list.
Why We Can’t Sleep – Ada Calhoun
Confession – I actually started this one in February when Sharon Kay, the director of Jazzy 88 in Nashville graciously gifted me a copy from her office when I saw it. I’ve been reading it slowly (it sparks some anxiety, middle age ladies) but it’s full of really good stuff to eventually put your mind at ease.
The Impossible First – Colin O’Brady
I followed along in real-time as he made history trekking across Antarctica. Confession – I LOVE Antarctica and it’s on my bucket list. This book not only documents that journey, but his life and love and journey to get to this incredible adventure. It’s fully inspiring and motivating, especially for outdoor adventurists as ourselves.
The Jane Austen Society – Natalie Jenner
We all need a good beach read/lake read/park read/ covid-outdoor anywhere read. History (dad) and romance (gram) still run in my blood so a fun, easy read like this helps transport you away from all the current issues of today. Plus, I loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, and this is a similar, charming, and memorable piece of literature.
Paris, Part Time by Lisa Baker Morgan
I feel like we all have a small love/secret obsession with something French. For me, it’s been food and culture ever since Julia Child made it popular. So when author Lisa Baker Morgan wrote about her brave move to Paris as a single mom, I felt compelled to read her similarities of strength, inspiration and hope. You’ll love how she finds and writes about the gratitude she discovers. Plus, the food. It’s a beautiful find-yourself book that all us mid-life mothers are craving.
Enter Wild – Carlos Whittaker
I love following Los on Instagram. Not only is he just a really amazing human, but he’s also recently put a lot of racism issues into perspective for us white people, in an eloquently stated way. Plus, he lives in my favorite second city – Nashville. And it’s also a great way to support Black authors and small business. Did I mention the book is really REALLY good, too?
The Sprout Book – Doug Evans
You know I had to toss a healthy, vegan book in there. But this one is more – it’s a way to help close the food gap across socioeconomic levels. Sprouting is one of the cheapest (we’re talking pennies) and the most nutritious foods you can eat (broccoli sprouts have 10 times the nutrients as full-grown broccoli!). It’s also extremely easy to do at home. So why aren’t more people eating them? That’s the question Doug is here to help answer. I guarantee you’ll get a sprout kit before you’re done – which is just using some mason jars at home – nothing fancy needed! I am obsessed with sprouting now!
Untamed – Glennon Doyle
I haven’t read this one yet, it’s on my shelf now, but it’s been highly recommended by many friends, including one of my favorite intuitive, Kristi Peck. If you need a pick me up to liberate yourself as a lady sulking in 2020, This is it. As stated, It is the story of how one woman learned that a responsible mother is not one who slowly dies for her children, but one who shows them how to fully live. If that doesn’t make you buy it immediately, nothing will.
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