What I’m Reading: January 2016

From books to blogs to articles, magazines and newspapers — reading all types of writing definitely makes my everyday extraordinary!! This past year, my love for reading was reawakened and renewed. It never left me, but the busyness of life caused me to forget how much my mental health and happiness benefits from the simple act of reading. In 2015, I began to read voraciously again, as I have most of my life. I featured some of my favorite books on the blog in the Extraordinary Everyday {EE} Reads posts on Tuesdays.

I don’t want to lose the reading momentum, so for 2016, I’m introducing a new monthly post for me: What I’m Reading, a contribution to Modern Mrs. Darcy’s monthly quick lit link-ups.

This month’s books are separated into sections, but I’m sure the format may shift throughout the year depending on what’s currently happening in life (you never know, right?!). I’m excited to start this recurring post, and I would love to hear suggestions on what to add to my to be read (TBR) list or what you’re currently reading in the comments!

Finished this Month:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou – I will admit, this book took me FOREVER to get through. Not because the writing is anything less than superb, but the content is heavy and sometimes difficult to follow. But maybe that was just me…it is a classic.

Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink – this is an extremely thought provoking book about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in a New Orleans hospital. This one was riveting to me as both a medical professional and a citizen of the United States. The was the Extraordinary Everyday Read of the Week this past Tuesday.

Wings of Glass by Gina Holmes – my first of Holmes’ books to read, and I wasn’t disappointed. She writes with a vivid, first person voice in this sobering story about the dangers of an abusive relationship and the courage it takes to leave.

Nobody’s Cuter than You by Melanie Shankle – I had heard great things about this author and her blog, but this is the first book of her three I’ve read. I snatched up two copies in December when it was on sale — my best friend and I laughed our way through this friendship memoir together (and wished, as we often do, that we lived next door to each other!!).

Currently Reading:

Housebreak Any Dog by Audrey Carr – becoming puppy parents fast approaches  for us, and I realized that I needed to start reading about how to save our hardwood floors from accidents sooner rather than later! So far this older book is simple, easy to understand and packed full of good tips and advice.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – this bestseller was recommended multiple times. I’m seventy percent into this one, greatly intrigued by the author’s unique style so far.

Seamless by Angie Smith — I received this devotional for Christmas and just started it this week. I’m excited to see how the author brings the Bible’s many theme’s into one fluid story about Jesus.

Bought this Month:

Simply Tuesday – I follow Emily P. Freeman’s blog and participate in her “What I Learned” link-up each month, so I was thrilled when I saw her latest book on sale for 99 cents! It’s ready and waiting for me on my Kindle.

The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron – Until I read about this one on Modern Mrs. Darcy, I had no idea there was such thing as a highly sensitive person (HSP). After reading and doing some online quizzes — I think I am a HSP. When this book (the Bible for HSP as far as I can tell) came on sale this month, I snatched it up. I love learning more about personalities (Quiet by Susan Cain was awesome!), so I’m excited about this one!

Coming Clean by Seth Haines – I read Seth’s wife’s (Amber Haines) book Wild in the Hollow, last year and it was wonderfully raw and poetically written. When this new release went on sale for $1.99 last week, I had to take advantage of the kindle deal. Looking forward to reading this memoir.

Up Next:

Out of Sorts by Sarah Bessey – I bought this book the day it released, and wrote about my shift of perspective in a link up on the author’s blog; however, it has moved down my TBR list as some of my non-renewable library holds have become available. My anticipation for this book hasn’t dwindled, though, and I can’t wait to start it soon!

The Case for Grace by Lee Strobel – We received this as a gift for Christmas from my in-laws (a signed copy, actually, the author visited their church), and I am hoping to incorporate a chapter or two into my daily quiet time.

The Nurses by Alexandra Robbins – My best friend, a fellow nurse, gave me this book for Christmas. It’s always so intriguing and engaging to read about a subject on which you are so familiar and passionate about. Excited to read and then discuss this book on “the heroes of the hospital.”

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That’s my end of December, January reading so far — how about you? What are you currently reading?

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