Throwback Post: January Reads.

 
Reading for pleasure has been one of my fav past times for a while. When I first started though I was reading a whole lotta everything! Somewhere along the way my I found my lane in Romance with a pinch of Self-help. This month I was really intentional with my self-help reads, especially coming off of my feelings from the end of 2022.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

To start the year off right ,y first read of 2023 was actually a reread. This was one of the very first books I read almost 10 years ago. I remembered it being very repetitive, and deliberately so, but good! Mr. Don laid it out plain and simply, in order to live a happier life you need to Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don't Take Anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions, and Always Do Your Best. I have been struggling with the not taking anything personally agreement because well, experience I guess. This was definitely a great reminder and one to start the year off! 

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

This was the second book I read had a ton of work related examples and advice from C-level folks at large companies. Once you get past all that you can still apply what he's saying to other areas of your life when it comes to "protecting the asset (which is you) in the name of self-care. As quoted from the book, “Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done. It doesn’t mean just doing less for the sake of less either. It is about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at our highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential.” It even touched on how the idea of  "doing both" is kinda toxic because you end up stretching yourself too thin when you know you may not have the capacity for it. It was an enlightening read that's helped me put into perspective the things that are important to me.

Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Tawwab

Okay, so I'm a physical book type of girl which makes me give pause to even mentioning this next book because I read (listened to?) it as an audiobook. It was the perfect extension of Essentialism! She pretty much stated everything Greg did in his book, but she provided examples of how to implement the practices she was speaking about as a therapist.

The Sisters of APF by Zane

This next book is one I'm still reading, and another reread...but from middle school :)  I have no clue who was circulating their moms sex books in my middle school, but somehow I got a hold of them and this was one. Please note, I'm not a prude by any means, but I've already clutched my pearls a few times while reading this. It's much more raunchier than I remember it being lol I'll probably update this post once I finish it.

Updated Feb.1, 2023: As a whole, this read was more about stepping into your sexuality, owning it and knowing what you want. The unabashed way in which these women carried themselves confidently through this book was refreshing! I just need to know when the next interest meeting is.

This month was my most productive reading month ever and to think I squeezed 3 self-help books in there is wild! I'm proud of me and look forward to keeping the momentum up. 

Well, that's all for now. Byeee!