I’ve always loved to read. And I’m an avid reader of many, many blogs. Which I absolutely love for quick reads, up-to-date style/happenings/fashion/food/health information. And I’m embarassed to admit to how many magazine subscriptions I have (I justify that I would spend more money on them paying at the grocery which is totally true). However, this year I’ve made a mental note to start getting back to the basics and picking up more acutal-real-live books, some of them which are written by bloggers (yay, you go ladies!). I love to learn and I have noticed that what I’m reading is a reflection on what stage of life I’m in. Gone are the days of Babysitter’s Club and Goosebumps – I’m 100% into non-fiction reads these days. The following list includes 10 reads that I can’t wait to finish (I would say start but I’ve already started few of these… some things never change, I always read multiple books at one time) this year. I hope you may find some of them worth picking up too:
1.) #GIRLBOSS: Sophia Amoruso, CEO/Founder of Nasty Gal is totally nailing it with this book. The marketing was outta control good for this read and I’ve seen it sooo many times as I scroll through my Instagram feed that I had to pick it up when I was stranded for about 5+ hours in O’Hare last weekend. I’ve made it about 1/4 of the way through and I love how inspired I feel from Sophia. I could easily finish the rest of this book in one sitting. It’s that easy, inspiring, realistic, and interesting to read. I highly recommend thus far. Plus, it’s made me just wanna go out and own it. I feel like I’m a total #GirlBoss in training.
2.) The Everyday Supermodel: My Beauty, Fashion, and Wellness Secrets Made Simple: By the beautiful supermodel, Molly Sims. I actually have bought this book as well. I picked it up at Target the other day because after perusing through a few pages, I noticed Molly gives a lot of details about what she has ate over the years and health/fashion/beauty tips + tricks that have worked for her. She’s open about how it’s been extremely hard for her to maintain her supermodel weight and she wasn’t just blessed with “great genes” as a lot of supermodels claim (maybe they do?) have. She’s had to work hard to maintain the image she needs for her career. A few pages in, I’m totally hooked and this is a book I will keep picking up to reference anything from healthy eating ideas to workout ideas.
3.) I Quit Sugar: Your Complete 8-Week Detox Program and Cookbook: So interested in this book written by Sarah Wilson. I love sugar, crave it. I find it so interesting, as Sarah states, that cavemen could eat an entire bush of fruit and never feel full. They would gorge themselves on it and gain all this energy from it. Sooo interesting and so what I have done. I don’t want to necessarily “quit” sugar but I do want to become more aware of the sugar that I don’t even realize I’m putting into my body.
4.) The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing: This read by Marie Kondo is on the Best-Sellers list of a reason and I can’t wait to read it. I’ve learned that the basis of this book is all about surrounding yourself with only things that create happiness + joy. It’s all about what you keep and not what you throw away. According to the reviews, this book is all about changing human behavior and becoming happier. Lord knows we all could dare to part with a few things here and there and I’m all about minimizing clutter in my life.
5.) Bossypants: Hahahaha. This read is too funny. Yet another book I’ve started reading while in Miami last weekend (hence beach pic below… take me back…). I love this book so far because it’s such a light read with humor thrown in when you least expect it. I’ve definitely laughed out loud multiple times and I’m only a few chapters in. Love Tina Fey and how she’s able to laugh at her crazy life.
6.) Camille Styles Entertaining: Inspired Gatherings and Effortless Style: I’m a daily reader of Camille Style’s lifestyle blog. And this book looks like it’s filled with beautiful photography and insight on how to entertain and entertain with style. I adore Camille’s aesthetic and respect her expertise in event planning so I think I would thoroughly enjoy reading this book as I would love to entertain more at my own home, especially during this upcoming spring and summer!
7.) French Women Don’t Get Fat: Okay, so I’ve already read this one. But I wanna read it again. Mireille Guiliano just killed it with this book. I read it about two years ago and it completely changed my way of thinking about how Americans eat/drink/live. I’m always interested in how others are living their life – especially if they are living a healthy one. So, I may just buy this book (as opposed to checking it out from the library) because I find it sooo interesting. I highly, highly recommend if you’ve never read it.
8.) American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History: I would absolutely love to read this book by Chris Kyle before going to see it at the movie theatre. Buuut I doubt I do. I still want to read it regardless if it’s before or after seeing the movie (because obviously I’m dying to see it at the theatre). It’s an autobiography of SEAL Chief Chris Kyle, who is the record-holding sniper in U.S. military history. This is such a different life from the one I lead and that’s why I’m interested in it.
9.) The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun: Each month for one year, blogger Gretchen Rubin focuses on small changes that could potentially cause more happiness in her life: The Happiness Project. The book follows the mantra, “The days are long, but the years are short.” and “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” I like how Gretchen chooses to focus on one specific area of potentially improved happiness each month. I think we all could be a lil’ happier, right? And happiness comes from within as Gretchen explores in this read.
10.) The Skinny Confidential: A Babe’s Sexy, Sassy Health and Lifestyle Guide: I love Lauryn Evart’s lifestyle blog, The Skinny Confidential. She has a way of relaying healthy lifestyle information in a way that is so real and so helful. Not to mention, she makes it look eaaasy. Which I believe can be if you make it what she has: A lifestyle. She has all kinds of healthy tips + tricks and I mean, this girl is a babe, so I think I’m going to take her advice. I can’t wait to read her book from start to finish because it looks packed full of useful info to easily improve your fitness, fashion, nutrition – basically your overall wellness!
What books are you looking forward to reading this year? I always love hearing what others are finding useful or entertaining!
I’m reading American Sniper now! I can’t put it down!
Ah girl! Did you buy it? I may have to borrow if so! 🙂
I love that you wrote this as I gave myself a goal of reading 15 books this year. I’ve been wanting to read more non-fiction so I will be adding a few of these to my list! I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago about 5 books I have on my list for this year. Feel free to check it out!
http://www.briareece.com/5-books-want-read/
Bria – You’re going to have to let me know how The Casual Vacancy is! I keep seeing it because the cover is so catching!
Travels Castellum & Travels Vinculum by D. L. Summer are the first two books in the Travels trilogy. The novels are about a quirky teen who finds herself thrust into a dystopian-like world with plenty of adventure and unforgettable characters (eBooks only). And the best part of this is that the author is a current OSU student! See her author’s bio on Amazon.
Oh Carol, thank you for sharing this! I will definitely look into these books. Love local talent!
great picks! adding these to my never ending list 🙂