Last post I talked about my goal to tend the important things, and one of those runaway elements in my life has been reading. I really consider it part of my identity, so it hurt to reflect on 2017 and realize just how rarely I’d been able to focus my energy on a book. I know that prioritizing is up to me, so for the past two months I’ve been intentional about avoiding TV and Internet before bed and climbing in with a book instead. It hasn’t hurt that Miles is starting to sleep for longer periods (yay, dude!). Since I’m off to a good start, I want to nerd out a little and share some of my intended reading list - expanded from the stack I shared on Instagram (thanks for the recommendations!) - and also invite you guys to find me on Goodreads and swap books there.

Part of my goal is to splatter my list with things that have been ignored on my bookshelf for YEARS, as well as some nonfiction and things that I don’t necessarily have a predilection for. 

So you have some idea of where I’m coming from as a reader:

My favorite books are character driven and I’m a sucker for beautiful descriptive writing. I’m not tied to any particular genre, but the English teacher in me loves a coming-of-age novel or something with an interesting historical setting, interesting memoir, and I very regularly read fantasy (dragons, please). I know that makes for a crazy profile, but there you have it.

So far so good with January! I jumped right back in and I’ve been reunited with that familiar tugging in my mind throughout the day until I can get back to my book. I love it.

On to the list so far. The first 5 are the ones I’ve already read (marked with my Goodreads * rating), but after that they’re in no particular order. 

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks  - ****

A Separate Peace by John Knowles - ***

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote -*****

The Stranger by Albert Camus - * (I understand why this is beloved, but I’m guessing the reasons that it is are the same reasons that I disliked it)

The Wishsong of Shannara (Shannara #3) by Terry Brooks - current read - definitely needed this after 3 murderdeathkill books.

Fika – Art of the Swedish Coffee Break – this isn’t really a book just to read straight through, but I’m exploring it right now and really like how the recipes are woven with culture and history.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba

300 Arguments – Sarah Manguso

Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life by Marta McDowell

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck – (we just visited Monterey, so it seems like good timing)

Two Under the Indian Sun by Jon Godden

The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama

Promise Me, Dad by Joe Biden

Show Boat by Edna Ferber

Snow and Rose by Emily Winfield Martin

Other Voices, Other Rooms by Truman Capote – (really enjoyed the writing style of In Cold Blood, so I’m going to try another)

The Able Mclaughlins by Margaret Wilson

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Cheri by Colette

Willa: Life of Willa Cather by Phyllis C. Robinson

Hotel of the Saints by Ursula Hegi

So – there you have it. Please shoot me notes or find me on Goodreads so we can swap!