Books Worth Reading ☆ October 2018

I’ve enjoyed some really great reads lately – fiction, personal development and even a cookbook. I’ve also been adding to my book list a lot faster than I can get things read but hey, that’s #workingmomlife for ya.

I’ll just keep embracing the few spare moments and slow-paced weekends that are primed for reading.

So let’s get to it…

RELATED: Books Worth Reading ☆ August 2018

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Everything, Everything

I had a hard time putting this book down. It’s a great fiction story by Nicola Yoon about risk, desire and uncertainty and whole heartedly living life to the fullest in the midst of all the fears associated with those feelings.

While the quirkiness and adventure of the book kept me enthralled, I was expecting it to have a predictable ending. Nope! I didn’t see the twist coming. But I won’t spoil it for you. You’ll enjoy reading it yourself.

I’m currently reading The Sun is Also A Star by Yoon and so far, I’m loving it just as much as Everything, Everything and I’m only a few pages into it.

Present Over Perfect

It seemed like Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist was on every book list I’ve seen on Pinterest and I noticed it was featured by Faithbox so naturally, I was curious about it.

If you’ve read and loved, Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis (read my review here) or A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman (read my review here), you’ll enjoy Present Over Perfect as well.

If you’re exhausted from trying to be all things to all people or if you’ve simply had enough of trying to pack 37 extra things into your already busy schedule or if you’re simply looking for a little more peace and presence in your life, this book is for you.

I totally resonated with Niequist’s perspective about the struggle to fully relax and be present:

“The initial voice that tells me to hustle can find a to-do list in my living room as easily as it can in an office…It’s about trusting that the hustle will never make you feel the way you want to feel. In that way, it’s a drug, and I fall for the initial rush every time.”

I hear ya, girl.

She also shares that “Productivity became my idol,” which sparked a whole new way of looking at productivity for me. My brain naturally works in productivity mode so when I have the opportunity to “just be” – whether it’s at home with my family or in the car on the way to work, my mind is constantly thinking about making the most of the time I have. What’s the next thing. What needs to be done first. And while having a natural mindset like that is certainly a blessing and a gift, it can also be quite exhausting.

My main takeaway from Present Over Perfect is that striving to be present and eliminating any sense of perfection is an ongoing process. And it’s a process that is different for everyone.

Cooking From Scratch

Whenever I’m in the mood for some lighter, sporadic reading, cookbooks are my go to.

Cooking from Scratch, from PCC Community Markets, a popular chain of grocers in the Seattle area, is full of recipes using fresh, seasonal foods accompanied by nutritional information and their perspectives on sustainable food practices and organic ingredients.

What have you been reading lately? Let me know in the comments below.