Netflix or a good book? What’s your pleasure?
In the age of Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime TV to name a few, we are surrounded with so many options of what to watch. Similarly, we have audio books, downloadable books, ordering books from your library or grabbing one off Amazon. I was having a conversation with a friend about what I was “binge watching” right now & then it led to what books we were reading and I left the conversation with this observation…I have more books on my “have read” list than I do on my “have watched” list. This is such a huge surprise to me because I wasn’t always a reader.
This passion for reading started 2 years ago when I had more free time (like we all did) and decided to try & read 20 books in 2020. It went well so I continued with 21 books in 2021 and it’s been a habit I have continued. Lately, I love getting lost in a book. I find that if it is a really good book I feel like I get to know the characters and am sometimes sad when the book is over because for the past 1-2 weeks I have been “doing life” with them.
I am sure many who get wrapped up in a Netflix series feel the same way. For years I would hear friends talk about different shows they were watching & chat about the characters like they knew them. I have never really been a TV girl (I struggle with sitting still) so I felt that I didnt connect with folks when conversations went to “what are you watching?” or “have you seen ________?” BUT this passion for reading has helped me connect with others who are just as much as a book nerd as I am and beautiful friendships and conversations have resulted from it.
So, you may wonder “how do you read so much when you said you are not a sitter?!” The answer to this is the heart of why I thought this was worthy of blog post. I often share what books I am reading on Instagram and it sparks great conversations & interactions with others…but one of the reasons I began reading was to get me off of social media (the love/hate of social media is real for me). I have 2 kids and do a lot of car line, drop-off, pick-up, riding in the car to games and spend a bunch of time waiting. I was seeing that I was spending lots of time scrolling and it was not good for me. I knew I needed to find something else to fill my time and had no idea how much this “filler” would “fill my soul.” I strive to always have a book on me and it has become a form of self-care and part of my wellness journey. It is good for our minds, imagination, creativity, stress relief and a wonderful mental break! I am telling you the books I have read, the conversations I have about books, book sharing with friends and visits to the library truly fill me cup…and social media was not doing that for me.
Stop by your local library, pick up a book at Target, ask a friend for a book or 2 they will let you borrow, and put a few on your Christmas list! A little reading break each day is good for the soul! You do not have to jump in to the 23 books in 2023, just start with challenging yourself to read 10 minutes each day vs scrolling on your phone.
Here is a list of books I have read this past year. I am sharing them & put a * by my top 6 with a link to order your copy in case you need some inspiration.
Night Road by Kristin Hannah ( I LOVE all of her books that I have read, but this one is my favorite!)*
Fierce, Free & Full of Fire, Jenn Hatmaker (audiobook, read by her & so fun! Great for a commute, long drive, house cleaning, or folding laundry)
Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah
People you Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (great beach read)
Summer Island by Kristin Hannah
Distant Shores, Kristin Hannah
The brothers of Auschwitz by Malk Adler
True Colors, Kristin Hannah
Where the Crawdad’s Sing by Delia Owens (I was late to the party on this one; for me it was slow for the 1st 100 pages, but then I absolutely loved it…I still need to watch the movie)*
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Not what I expected at all but loved it so much)
Home Front, Kristin Hannah
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
The Accidental Virgin by Amanda Quisenberry (local author so I was curious…unsure how I feel about this one…so much to process)
Nov 9 by Colleen Hoover (my 1st of her books & it was GOOD!)*
Glad you are Here by Walker Hays & Craig Allen Cooper (OMG so good! I want to gift this to all my reading friends! Its a must read in my opinion)*
Wish you were here, Jodi Picoult
Atomic Habits by James Clear (2nd time I have read this book & everyone should read it)*
Mama Bear Apologetics -excellent book & love their podcast
Will by Will Smith - I did the audible of this one & it was him reading so I really enjoyed it
Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade
I would love to know what you have read or are reading! Comment below & share!
