The Resolution
I have never been one to make (much less keep) a New Year’s resolution. Even when I have resolved to do something, it was the basic health-kick type goals, which just didn’t last long into the year. Last year, I decided that I wanted to make a realistic resolution, one that was manageable and a little different. I decided to read 12 books in a year.
Before my resolution came to fruition, I had been keeping a long list of books to read based on suggestions from friends and reviews from podcasts. I started to receive piles of books for birthday and Christmas, so I had a good place to start my resolution when January 1st rolled around.
The Routine
Once I had made my resolution, I knew I needed a plan or routine in place to make sure it became a habit. Without that routine/habit, I was sure to give up in the early months of the year.
I already wake up earlier than my family during the week to workout. I decided to add a little more time to my mornings to get some reading in each day. I went to workout, came home and made my usual cup of coffee, and settled into the comfort of my couch to read for about an hour before any of my family woke up. This morning routine set the course of my day, and it started to make a difference in my overall mood and mental health.
Eventually, I started to choose reading over other mindless activities like surfing social media or watching trashy TV. I started reading before bed instead of turning on a re-run episode of Friends and falling asleep with the TV on. That turned into waking up more refreshed and having much more restful sleep.
The Outcome
I savored my time alone in the mornings, and I looked forward to waking up early during the week.
I looked forward to getting through books to start the next one. It was easy to read a book a month because the pile I had growing was enticing me to hurry up and keep reading!
I got my first library card since moving to DFW. I was reading through books so quickly, it felt wasteful to keep buying, so a library card was the perfect solution!
I sounded more intelligent discussing books rather than the latest episode of “Housewives” drama.
I felt my mind quiet down and could tell a difference in the state of my overall mental health. I could tell that my disposition throughout the day was noticeably nicer and less agitated as well.
I also came to realize that it is okay to stop reading a book part of the way through if you really don’t like it. I started reading a book about a mom and her toddler son who had been trapped in a zoo with an active shooter and decided that my state of mind could not handle more than 3 chapters of that book. So I closed it, and I never went back. (Another good reason to have a library card!)
The List
I did read 12 books this year… here is the complete list. I wrote a little about each one and linked to them on Amazon. HAPPY NEW YEAR, READERS!
*Amazon Affiliate Links are used below. Thank you for supporting Dallas Moms with your purchase!
Superficial by Andy Cohen – Okay, so I didn’t completely rid myself of “Housewives” drama – I am still as obsessed with Bravo and Andy Cohen as I ever have been. I have read all of his books, and this one was just as amazing as the others!
Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel – I wrote a blog post about how parenting books helped my marriage more than my parenting, and that was in direct relation to this book. I loved and highlighted every page!
Fast Girl by Suzy Favor Hamilton – This book was one that I struggled to put down. I wanted to read it all day, every day. It is about a former olympian who turned into the 2nd highest paid call girl in Vegas.
Sprinkle Glitter on my Grave by Jill Kargman – I fell in love with Jill from another Bravo show called “Odd Mom Out”. She is hilarious, and I loved her writing.
From Depths We Rise by Sarah Rodriguez – This is the saddest book I read all year, and possibly the saddest I ever will read. The author lost her husband to cancer when her son was turning one and decided to have another baby with his banked sperm after he passed. It was gut wrenching, but life-giving at the same time.
Triggers: Exchanging Parents’ Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses by Amber Lia & Wendy Speake – Written for toddler mommas, good stuff!
How to Raise the Perfect Dog by Cesar Milan – We got a puppy this year, so this one was timely.
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She Reads Truth by Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams – If you are a Christian woman, go buy this book right now. DO NOT BORROW because you will want to mark it all up. I have referred this book to several women in my life, and they have all agreed that this book is amazing.
Love Unending: Rediscovering Your Marriage in the Midst of Motherhood by Becky Thompson – This is about dating your spouse after kids. The theme is about dating how you did when you first met and replicating that in your relationship now.
Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker – I know I share a love of Jen Hatmaker with many of you. She is simply hilarious and lovely. Her writing makes me feel like we are shooting the breeze on her front porch.
Potty Training in 3 Days by Brandi Brucks – You know, the stage of life.
The Daily Walk Bible NLT – This was the most transformative part of my year, reading the bible from Genesis to Revelation. I have never read the bible in full, and I have not spent much time reading scripture in my personal journey in the last few years. Much needed and very refreshing in my daily walk.
