Can I just say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE books. I’m always reading a few books at once (I get a bit bored otherwise…). So, here’s a summary of the books I am loving (and reading) RIGHT NOW – in this first month of this new year (who knows, I may post a book list like this monthly – or then again, maybe once a quarter 🙂
Here is what’s on my kindle (and bedside) THIS MONTH – and here’s WHY I LOVE THEM :
1. The Bible : Genesis
Best book in the world, hands down. So much wisdom, so much LIFE in it. Currently reading Genesis (of course. It’s the first book of the bible and we’re in January of a New Year. Ha!). I’m busy reading about Noah, but I want to study deeper into the life of Joseph this month (love Joseph, he’s amazing. I look forward to meeting him one day.)
2. Hands Free Mama
A VERY convicting book! YIKES! And one that I can only read in chunks, because I want to really really get this kind of living into my thinking and my psyche and my everyday life. It was sooo much easier to focus intently on your kids when there weren’t so many available devices (and social media) around to distract. This ‘Mama’ found herself missing out on the important moments of her children (and husband’s) lives because she was chained to her phone + her planner. She proceeded to rethink and rearrange how she was living her life. She has great ‘intention ideas’ and things you can implement in your life to do the same – if you find you can’t get away from the beeps, texts and pings to give your child the attention she or he needs, then this book is for you.
I’ve introduced a TECH-FREE time into my day – 2 hours EVERY DAY when the phone, computer, tablet and any other blinking screen thingy is put away and can’t even tempt me. And I’m so enjoying focussed focussed attention time when I’m with my kids.
3. The Joy of Less, a minimalist living guide
I love this woman’s attitude towards clutter & owning less! I’m finding that I’m finally joining the ranks of the decluttered. This guide is full of great principles that help you RETHINK how you feel about your possessions as well as top tips on how to do it. In our family, we’ve introduced the ONE IN, ONE OUT principle….I’m going to be ruthless with it. ONE possession comes in, ONE possession has to GO!! What an epiphany!
I’ve read other good books on decluttering and organising, but this one just ‘spoke’ to me in a new way and gave me a fresh perspective on the joys of LESS.
4. How to succeed as a parent
One of my favourite (small, but pithy) books on parenting (and I’ve read LOTS!). It’s an oldie, but a goodie. I read this book years ago – in fact, when my first child was just a baba. I just loved it. Mainly because it’s very simply written, and focusses more on foundational principles rather than tons of ‘tactics’ of things you MUST do as a parent, but without the heart.
I’ve felt recently that I need to get back to the basics in my parenting…remember the most important things that my precious boys need – and get some renewed inspiration. We can all get ‘tired’ in our parenting – no, make that EXHAUSTED, DEPLETED AND PLAIN FED UP in our parenting LOL! It was a busy year for us last year, and I felt my enthusiasm waned…..I needed a PARENTING-ENTHUSIASM-INJECTION. This was that injection, and I’m still only on about page 20 :).
5. The Undercover Economist
I find this book fascinating. I’m about halfway through – and it gives an insight into economic and government policies, what drives them, and what drives us in our behaviour – but what I really LIKE about the book is that it’s written in a very everyday-language easy-to-understand way. You don’t have to be a mathematical genius to get the concepts. Nice.
6. Say Goodnight to Insomnia
On and off, I’ve had trouble with insomnia. This book is based on a drug-free programme, using CBT techniques, amongst others, that help you ‘say goodnight to insomnia’. Surprisingly, one of the most important ways to help you kick insomnia is not to worry about the fact that you have insomnia! Ha ha! I have already implemented some of the techniques and it’s a great book, because it goes beyond just techniques like having herbal tea before bed or making your room dark – to helping you look at how you THINK about sleep.
7. Thinkertoys
I want to be WAAAAAYYYY more creative this year so I thought I’d learn some actual formal techniques on how to be creative and come up with ideas. Usually I just come up with ideas by, well…..coming up with ideas!! It has worked quite well for me, but hey, I could do so much better.
This is a great book on creativity because of the sheer amount of creativity exercises in it. Not a book I’ll finish this month and not something to read in one sitting (heck, no!). I will need to dip into it all year and S-L-O-W-L-Y get through lots of creativity techniques.
So far, I’ve discovered the SCAMPER method in this book and I’m having lots of fun with it….
AND LAST BOOK OF THIS MONTH…..(and the one and only novel I’m reading this month)
8. Finally, I am ALSO reading a manuscript that a friend has written (so I cannot reveal the name or book just yet. Very exciting!!). It’s a novel, and she writes really really well… I am hoping she finds a publisher this year for it.
Well, that’s it – enough for January I think (more than enough….).
What about you? What have you decided to start the year off with your reading? xx
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