As you may have noticed, I’ve not read as much as I usually do this year. And many of you have wondered where my book posts have been and have asked me to please write more about what I’ve been ready.
The truth is, I just haven’t been reading as much. I’m still reading a little every day — but that means I’ve only been finishing a few books per month, if that.
Some of my lack of reading as much has been because life has been full of a lot of other good things and building real-life relationships, some because I’ve been really allowing myself to savor just a few books instead of reading multiple books at the same time (like I usually do), and some is because I’ve been challenging myself to explore and try new things this year.
But on vacation this past week, I finished 10 books in 4 days (it’s amazing how much reading I had time for when I was unplugged!) and I remembered how much I love reading and how much I’ve missed it. As a result, I decided to cut back on a few more of my online work hours to make more time for reading.
I’ve already cut back on work time a lot this year, but being completely offline and unplugged for 4 days inspired me to see if I can cut back even more — especially if it means I can fit in more reading time by doing so!
Of the books I read last week, here were my top 3 favorites:
Scary Close — I loved getting to spend time with Don and Betsy on the Israel and Italy trip and Don referenced this book a few times so I knew I had to read it. I ended up really loving it and being inspired by it. If you struggle with authenticity in relationships and trusting people, I think you’ll find it inspiring.
The Happiness Dare — As a result of reading this book, I’ve been taking The Happiness Dare — and wow! It’s been SO good to go through my days looking for the happy.
Savoring Slow — This book resonated with me so much in my Year of Rest. I’m going to be scoping through it over the next week and would love for you to join me!
Here’s my book stack I chose for this week! I’m really excited about these titles as they’ve come highly recommended to me by different people. {We’ll see how many I get through this week! I am going to limit myself to just reading two at a time and not starting a new book until I’ve finished another book.}
My Current Book Stack:
- Born Standing Up
- Even If Not
- Loving My Actual Life
- Where’d You Go, Bernadette?
- Better Than Before
- It’s What I Do
- If
What are YOU reading right now? Any great book recommendations for me?
Angela says
I’m looking all over for a book you briefly mentioned last week, about loss, on a scope. I meant to replay it, but forgot. Now I can’t find it anywhere. Does anyone have any clues to what it might be?
Crystal Paine says
I think it’s this one? http://amzn.to/22e1RjB
sandra says
I read seven books in the months of March and April! Here’s a link to a post I just wrote about each of the books. Maybe you’ll find something good here to put on your “to read” list! Plus I am giving away one of my favorite books from the list!
https://trustinghisplan.wordpress.com/2016/05/11/reading-goal-update-and-a-give-away/
Jessica Distad says
I was on the “IF” book launch team and I loved it! I’ve also read (and loved) “In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day.” I think I’m going to have to everything by Batterson! 🙂
Donna says
Silly Question 😉 …. With all you have on your plate, how do you manage to read so many books in such a short period of time ? … We still have five girls at home and we homeschool. I Love to read, but can’t seem to finish a book to save my life lately ! 🙁
Crystal Paine says
Ha! Well, I was kid-free, unplugged, and on vacation last week, so that’s why! Otherwise, I usually only get through a max of 2, possibly 3 books on a good week. And recently, it’s been more like 2-3 books per month, it seems.
Here’s a post I wrote on how I find more time to read: https://moneysavingmom.com/2011/06/qa-tuesday-how-do-you-find-time-to-read.html
Donna says
Thank you ! … I appreciate your answer so much ! 🙂
Tana Henry says
I read Dear Mr. Knightley last month based on your recommendation. I posted about the other books I read last month here: http://www.luggageandliterature.com/what-i-read-april-2016/
I love your posts about what you’ve been reading and what resonates with you. Thanks!
Jessica says
I love a good bookish vacation! I had a similar spurt in March, but my reading has really been slow this last week or two because I keep getting sidetracked (mostly by the internet). 😉 Time to unplug and get back to my waiting stack of books!
Jenna says
Currently reading The Orphan Train and liking it so far!
Katie @ My Joy in Chaos says
Loving My Actual Life is such a fantastic book! I wrote my review here http://www.myjoyinchaos.com/home/2016/4/book-review-loving-my-actual-life
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for sharing!!
Aimee says
Better Than Before is on my list! I’m currently reading Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. So, so deep and insightful.
Melissa H says
I was thinking about your year of rest. Thought you may appreciate this song. I am giving you the live version bc it’s my favorite.
“Why is it easy to work but hard to rest sometimes”
Lament by Audrey Assad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMynrSVbIKc
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for sharing!!
Jody says
I am currently reading:
Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court (John Wooden)
Ok I just have to share a few quotes from it:
“By applying yourself to the task of becoming a little better each and every day over a period of time, you will become a lot better.”
“So often we fail to acknowledge what we have because we’re so concerned about what we want.”
“A wise person once observed, “How much more pleasant this world would be if we magnified our blessings the way we magnify out disappointments.”
And I could go on and on with quotes, I’ve highlighted so much already and I’m only on page 19 but one final one:
“Never believe you’re better than anybody else, but remember that you’re just as good as everybody else.”
Needless to say I’m loving this book and highly recommend it! (I think you’d really enjoy it Crystal, you share so many similar sentiments!)
Crystal Paine says
Oh wow! Thank you so much for sharing all of these quotes! This definitely looks like a book I would like!
The Jewish Lady says
I’m reading “Unstuffed” by Ruth Soukup. Very good for anyone who wants to simplify!
Victoria says
Heads up the The Abundant Mamas Guide To Savoring Slow is just $2.99 in Kindle Format right now! I grabbed a copy since the title was enough to catch my eye the first time you posted about it.
Crystal Paine says
Yay! Thank you so much for mentioning that!!
Antonella says
Hi Crystal,
any chance that you can upload your scopes on another platform (that saves them) now that Katch is folding? I love hearing all you have to say 🙂 esp. on books and entrepreneurship, but I cannot follow you live.
all the best
Crystal Paine says
We uploaded all the old scopes to YouTube and are now working on a solution to make new scopes public through FullScope.tv!
Antonella says
Wow! Thanks a lot!
Leah says
I’m currently reading 93 books that came in my homemaking bundle 🙂
Crystal Paine says
🙂
Cassey Stanger says
I currently work for scholastic book fairs as their merchandiser in Utah. I have tons of great book recommendations but my favorite of the last month are.
I’ll Always Write Back by Martin Ganda and All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor. Both of these books are for young adults but have great messages that really resonated with me.
Kaitlyn says
Unbelievably happy that Even If Not is on your stack! 🙂 🙂
Katie says
The Pecan Man by Cassie Dandridge Selleck
Julie says
I finished “dear mr. Knightley” and loved it a lot more than I thought I would.
Am starting “Resilience: a story of twomsisters and mental illness” by Glenn closes’ sister (Jessie Close).
Awhile ago I read “the year of no sugar” while it was funny, it was just that- a memoir. Not a whole bunch of health info, or the positive side effects of cutting out sugar, pas the basics.
Crystal Paine says
Yay! I’m so glad you loved Dear Mr. Knightley!
Julie McCarty says
I just recently finished Dear Mr. Knightley, because I saw it here, and completely loved it!! I talked about it so much that my husband, who to my knowledge has never finished a fiction book, read the ENTIRE novel in less than a week- so thanks for that recommendation! Currently reading The Insanity of God– that I cannot put down– about a couple doing missionary work in Somalia during their civil war, and about to start Francis Schaeffer’s How Should We Then Live. And finally, one of the most helpful books I’ve read in a long time, Money Making Mom. I’m about 2/3 of the way through. This book is a life-changer for sure! *Highly* recommend it!
Crystal Paine says
YAY! That makes me so happy!
Janis says
I loved Dear Mr. Knightly too! Thanks Crystal. I also read Lizzy & Jane by the same author, Katherine array. This week I just started Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch.
Whitney L. Wagner says
Have you read “Looking for Lovely” by Annie F. Downs yet? I just finished it recently, and I loved it! I also hope you will read Courageous: Living the Fearless Life God Intended, written by yours truly. It was released on Friday. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I want to read Annie’s book! And YAY for writing your own book — congratulations!!!
Lisa J. says
As a couple, my husband and I are reading Better Than Before too. I have read it on my own and wanted to read it with him so he would understand what I was always talking about as I go through the day quoting Gretchen Rubin!! Also on the go for myself is The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown.
Jessica S. says
I am currently reading Happiness by Randy Alcorn. It is a (long) great book that seems to fit in with where you are at.
Susan says
I read Our Souls At Night a couple of months ago and was just captivated by it. Only 179 pages so quick read, but just an eloquent, bittersweet story about finding love in your declining years (the main characters are in their 70s). Two quick notes. One, the author, Kent Haruf, died shortly after writing this so I feel like it might have been somewhat of an homage to his wife. And second, the author for some reason doesn’t use quotation marks, and this book is basically a conversation between two elderly people. Knowing beforehand about the lack of quotation marks, it didn’t bother me, but I know it bothered a lot of people.
Carrie Smith says
I’m so interested in reading Savoring Slow! I could totally use something like that in my life right now. Born Standing Up is great– I you like Steve Martin you will love it. I’m currently reading The Norman Conquest, but it’s heavier than my normal reads– trying to stimulate my brain a bit and get back to my history major roots!
Vera says
Crystal, thanks for the recommendations. Can’t wait to read what you think of If by Mark Batterson. Have you seen Mother and Son: The Respect Effect by Emerson Eggerichs yet? This is my Mother’s Day gift.
Crystal Paine says
So far, I’m loving the Mark Batterson book!!
Sher says
you are a voracious reader!
last week I read “escape” and “the reader”
this week I am reading “the crimson portrait”
I usually read 1-2 a week 🙂
I get my books at the thrift store for $1-3 per book!! woohoo!!
Crystal Paine says
I love that you get your books at the thrift store!!
Lisa says
I LOVED Where’d You Go, Bernadette! Much more than I thought I would. Almost as much as What Alice Forgot.
Crystal Paine says
I’m halfway through it and loving it so far. It’s different, but fun!
Lisa says
The Victims Against Victimhood bit cracked me up.