reb's reading library
I am a voracious reader. I know this. I know not everyone likes to read as much as I do. But because I read so much, I always have a long list of books to recommend to friends and family. In this space I'm going to focus on Non-Fiction books for now. I've challenged myself to read 20 of them this year (2019) and I've got an ongoing challenge for my readers to read 10. So this is the place I'll list some of my favorites or some that I'm planning to read. I'll be adding to this list regularly so check back to see more books. Feel free to ask me questions about these books or for other recommendations.
STOP THE PRESSES!!!
…(or no, don’t do that but just Stop What You Are Doing and read this!) I’m sooo excited about a book coming out in April by one of my favorite authors, Jen Hatmaker. I can’t even tell you exactly why this is the book I’ve been waiting for over the last five years or so. I just know. It’s called— Fierce, Free and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You. I mean…you can tell by the title why it appeals to me, right?
I’m getting an early copy because I’m part of her online book club. (you should join us, it’s so much fun. The facebook group for this book club is the BEST fb group I’ve been in. Just really cool people. Click here for more info. I’m not an affiliate or anything like that. I just love it so I’m telling you about it.) So you can expect a review from me some time in March. In the meantime, feel free to pre-order it so we can chat about it once it’s out!
Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff
I think I read this almost straight through in one sitting and it's been highly impactful. I learned some lessons that I use daily. If you are someone who has trouble finishing projects, to do list items, books, or home renovations—anything, really—this book is for you. If you're a perfectionist who gives up when you can't do it perfectly, this book is for you. And if you're someone who usually can't finish a book about how to finish, this book is for you. Jon Acuff is funny. He makes it easy to keep turning pages. By the time I finished this book, I felt confident, for the first time in I don't know how long...since high school? That I could actually accomplish my goals for the year. And I'm well on my way! I highly recommend this one!
Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of this Wild and Glorious Life by Jen Hatmaker
It's totally cliché, but I laughed...I cried...this book just warmed my heart. As a woman who often thinks of herself as a hot mess, I find it so refreshing when other women let us in to their life a bit, revealing that we are not the only ones who forget where the field trip is, hate to grocery shop, or want a prize for returning to the gym after an 18 month hiatus. Jen Hatmaker basically tells us all to relax. This life IS messy and she encourages us to use our innate moxie to get through the struggles that different seasons of life hurl at us. And to laugh. As much as possible.
Rising Strong: The Reckoning, The Rumble, The Revolution by Brené Brown
Fall. Get back up. Try again. Brené Brown, social scientist, packs all that she's learned about feeling your way back to your feet after you've been knocked down. This is from the end of the book and I think it's beautiful:
MANIFESTO OF THE BRAVE AND BROKENHEARTED
There is no greater threat to the critics and cynics and fearmongers than those of us who are willing to fall because we have learned how to rise.
With skinned knees and bruised hearts; We choose owning our stories of struggle, over hiding, over hustling, over pretending.
When we deny our stories, they define us. When we run from struggle, we are never free. So we turn toward truth and look it in the eye. We will not be characters in our stories. Not villains, not victims, not even heroes.
We craft love from heartbreak, compassion from shame, grace from disappointment, courage from failure. Showing up is our power. Story is our way home. Truth is our song. We are the brave and brokenhearted.
We are rising strong.
Non-Fiction I am reading in 2019
Okay…and maybe some of them in 2020. Now that it’s 2020 and all. I’ll update this list for 2020 sooooon!)
Born A Crime by Trevor Noah 👂🏽
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield 💸
How To Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K White ✅
I Think You’re Wrong But I’m Listening by by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth A. Silvers ⏳
Dare To Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown 💸
The Four People Types: and What Drives Them (Mad, Glad, Sad, Scared) by Steven Sisler💬
The Enneagram of Personality by Arthur Canfield 💬
Girl Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis ⏳
The F*ck It Diet by Caroline Dooner ✅
Miracles and Other Reasonable Things: A Story of Unlearning and Relearning God by Sarah Bessey 💸
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis ✅
Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life by Gary John Bishop 💸
Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World by Scott Harrison ⏳
Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan (First book in Jen Hatmaker’s online book club) ✅
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb ✅
✅ = Completed ⏳ = Reading 💬 = Have it, haven’t started it. 💸 = Need to order or borrow 👂🏽= I’m listening on Audible 🤦🏽♀️ = I just can’t finish it
