Michelle’s Winter Book List

Hello dear reader,

I am so excited to be back on the blog and have so much to share.

For starters, I took a hard look at how I manage my time and made some adjustments.

The best tweak I made was to set and stick to a designated reading time for myself each day.

Now, every day at about 3pm (the “should-be” end of my work day, but who are we kidding…), I squeeze in at least a half-hour of reading before the kids get home from school and the chaos of preparing dinner, managing homework, and all the other evening parenting tasks take over.

For me, there is nothing more relaxing and enjoyable to do, especially with a cozy blanket and candle during these cold winter days, than curl up with a good book.

I find myself looking forward to it and how much it calms and prepares me to welcome the kids home.  It’s like a little treat I have earned after a hard day’s work. I can’t articulate just how much of a positive impact its had on me.

I think it’s best shared through some recommendations for good reads I’ve found.

I have such a great list for you.

 

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I have decided to do things a little differently with my book recommendations and reviews and add a rating to them with a the tops being 5-stars.

My rating will be based on the following criteria questions: 

Does the book have me sneaking away to read during work hours and staying up past my bedtime?

Am I failing as a parent and a spouse because I would rather read?

Does the book speak to me in a language I can understand?

Does the book leave me more curious than I was before I started?

Am I talking about the book with everyone I meet because I feel I must tell the world about it and share the wealth?

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about some books!

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“Zen Parenting” by Cathy Cassani

4.5 stars

Zen Parenting is a quick and enjoyable parenting book. The author teaches about the seven chakras and how we can apply the understanding of this yogic system to be more conscious parents. She says things like, “allow your kids to feel their pain” and “put your kid glasses on.” Solid conscious parenting guide. I do believe any non-parent could benefit from the knowledge within as well.

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“Call Your Daughter Home“, by Deb Spera

4.5 stars

This book was a gift from my aunt and one I am not sure would have caught my eye otherwise. Yes, I judge books by their cover. I absolutely loved it. Call Your Daughter Home takes place in the South in 1925, told from the perspective of three very different women. This is a story about survival, strength, and a mother’s love. This is an ode to the sisterhood. My pages were wet from my tears.

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“The Song Of Achilles“, by Madeline Miller

5 stars

How do you adapt an ancient story like the Trojan War into a modern-day masterpiece?  Don’t ask me, just read this book. You don’t need to be obsessed with mythology or even like it for that fact. Miller takes you on Achille’s journey through the eyes of his lover, Patroclus. I could not put it down, I was totally failing in the relationship department during my tenure with this masterpiece.

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“The Witch’s Heart“, by Genevieve Gornichec

4.5 stars

Drumroll, please. Sleeper hit right here. Lauren gifted this book to me because she heard that anyone who enjoyed any of Madeline Miller’s books might also like this one. This book brings Norse Mythology to life. I had not heard of this genre prior to receiving The Witch’s Heart. After some light research to better understand what kinds of gods, monsters, and worlds dwell within the Norse world, I was hooked. Loki bugged me, but whatever. This is a story about love, friendship, and revenge.

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“The Power of Now“, by Eckhart Tolle

5 stars

We are not our minds! If you are ruminating about the past and/or in constant fear of the future, this book is for you. In the name of everything that is holy, read it, and then when you are done, read it again! I read nearly every sentence twice. Life-changing and totally digestible. Super easy to understand and digestible. JUST READ IT!

 

I would love to hear what you are devouring these days.

Please share in the comments or come say hi over on Instagram.

Stay cozy,

Michelle

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