Do you read? I used to wonder how any parent had time to read. For me, reading has usually been a before bed activity, but since becoming a parent I find I’m just done by bedtime. If I do feel like reading, I’d get one or two pages in, then I’d be out. Of course when I’d pick it up the following night I would have lost my page because I fell asleep while reading, then I’d re-read and well, you can see how I never seemed to finish a book. As with everything, it’s not whether you have time for it or not, it’s whether you MAKE time. Do you read to your kids? I sure do. So if reading to my daughter is as important as reading for myself then time is really not the issue, right? Plus, if you’ve got time to scroll social media, you’ve got time to read 🙂
Although I have now prioritized reading, it’s still an issue at bedtime. It’s just not the best time for me. I’m not a morning reader because mornings are my go time. I can get so much done in the morning and I like to take advantage of that. So that leaves the afternoon, which has been my best option. Taking time to sit down for half an hour or whatever you can, has really been refreshing. Especially in this nice weather, it’s great if you can take a book to the beach or back yard, wherever, whenever, if it’s important to you, you’ll do it. BUT don’t let me fool you. I still DO NOT think I read a lot. I read a lot more then I did a year ago, but I was still struggling to find more time. That was until I discovered how to get FREE audio books.
Maybe you don’t consider audiobooks reading, but it’s a book, I’m getting the information, it’s enjoyable, so it’s reading in my books! For me, the biggest problem with audiobooks is I can’t listen when my daughter is talking! And quite frankly, it drives me nuts. Not even if she’s talking, but if she’s playing and needing stuff every so often, I just won’t do it. Getting interrupted every 10 minutes is not enjoyable, so I do save audiobooks when I know I have some uninterrupted time.
My favourite times to listen to audiobooks are while working in my sewing room (as long as my machine isn’t running), while driving (if my daughter is sleeping), walking or sometimes in bed. But again, I have the fall asleep issue and then have to back track and I don’t remember it as well.
All this to say, I thought I’d share the random selection of books I’ve read or listened to recently in case you need some inspiration!!
Want to know how to get FREE Audiobooks? Click HERE and scroll down to the section on Audible to get your free trial. You can also get free audiobooks from the public library (at least in BC) through the OverDrive App! Some of them have a large wait list, but it’s all free!
Becoming – Michelle Obama
I was super excited to read this book and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I highly recommend it and that’s coming from someone with no political interest. I just found everything super interesting and really enjoyed it. I don’t want to give anything away, but I really think anyone could enjoy this book.
I listened to this one using one of my Audible free trial credits (because the wait list was super long for the library version). It is narrated by Michelle and she has a great voice to listen to, but it is long (19 hours). At one point I had wished I just read the book because it was so long, I thought I would have had more time to read then to listen, but in the end I did really enjoy listening.
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Eat Cake, Be Brave – Melissa Radke
I think all women can relate to this book in some form or another. Melissa is hilarious and full of emotion. Her voice (yes, I listened to this on my free audible trial too), and how she tells her story is very captivating. I had a hard time putting this one down.
Why Not Me? – Mindy Kaling
Okay, Mindy is hilarious too. If you need a good laugh, this book is for you. It’s a memoir and I found it pretty light, but I enjoyed it. Sometimes that’s what a gal needs. I listened to this one for free from the library through the OverDrive app that I have on my phone.
Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done – Jon Acuff
For the most part I do think I’m pretty good at getting things done. Most of the time though I get things done that I want to do, not necessarily things I don’t want to do. I took away a few very practical things from this book that I now use when list making and planning for getting things done. I did find a lot of the suggestions were things I already do, but for someone who really struggles in this area, this book could be quite helpful! I listened to it on a CD borrowed from the library. Yeah, I have a CD player, don’t you?!
Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breath – Sarah Mae & Sally Clarkson
I heard so many good things about this book and was really looking forward to it. Although I did finish it, I skipped over some parts. Perhaps I should have read the reviews before actually buying this one! It was more religious than I thought. There were some good parts, but it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. I’m not saying it wasn’t a good book, but it just wasn’t for me.
PS, if you’re local and want this book, just send me an message on FB or Instagram and it’s yours!
Girl Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis
I was also really excited to get this book, another free one from the Audible trial (I believe you get three books free with the 90 day trial). I sped listened to this one! I wouldn’t say it was life changing, but I did really enjoy it. She says it how it is and has some good tips about not feeling sorry for yourself and motivating you to take control of your life. As soon as I was done I started listening to Girl, Stop Apologizing, which is more about goal setting and how to achieve your goals. I’m not quite done, but so far so good.
Chasing Smoke: A Wildfire Memoir – Aaron Williams
So I wasn’t joking when I said my random selection of books. This book intrigued me because the wildfires were a big part of my family’s life last summer and it was written about the local area. Although the local aspect made it interesting, I did find it pretty dry. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did. I guess that’s maybe just the reality of fighting wildfires, but one thing I did find odd about the book was Aaron wrote a lot about the people he worked with and I couldn’t but help wondering if he used real names and if these people were okay with what he wrote about them. It kind of took away from the book for me. BUT I did read the whole thing and I’d say it was somewhat interesting. Gladly I borrowed this one from the library!
That’s another thing, if you have access to a library, there is no financial barrier from stopping you to read!
The Complete Tightwad Gazette – Amy Dacyczyn
Another random one! Since moving to BC from SK, it’s no surprise that our cost of living is significantly more, not to mention our household income is less as I am no longer working out of the house (I was employed at a Potash Mine in SK). Needless to say, if there is something I can do to help make things a little easier, then I’m gonna try, so I thought I’d give this book a go! It was recommended to my by a friend.
Don’t be shocked when it get it, it’s pretty much encyclopedia size! The version I’ve linked below is the complete series. If you’re going to read it, might as well read the whole thing! I’m only a few pages in, just picked it up from the library the other day. So stay tuned on this one, but just thought I’d share.
Do you have any good book recommendations? Let me know in the comments! I’m always looking to add to my list!
I’ve read a few pertaining to miscarriage as well, you can find them in this post HERE.
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