Not to start out 2020 on a negative note, but my goal for 2019 was to read two books a month. I only read ten, but I also had a baby so I’ve been a little busy (and tired). My goal for this year is 25 books. If you don’t have a Goodreads account you should create one, it’s a great way to keep track of everything you have read or want to read.

I really enjoy reading but if I don’t make it a priority or set some goals for myself I won’t do it. Instead I’ll sit my butt on the couch and scroll through my phone.

10 Amazing Benefits of Reading

1. Stimulates your brain (puzzles are also great for this, another hobby of mine that I LOVE!)
2. Lowers stress
3. Expands your knowledge
4. Increases your vocabulary
5. Improves your memory and focus
6. Deepens empathy
7. Helps you relax
8. Boosts your mood
9. Strengthens your writing skills
10. Enhances your imagination

I’ve included the {kindle price} for each of the books on my list but I encourage you to check out digital books (or hard copies) through the library. They are FREE, and you can only check them out for 2 weeks so that always gives me incentive to get it done. Some of the more popular books are on a wait list but that makes it exciting when you finally get to check it out! #nerdlife

10 Books from 2019

1. Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou (Shortest Book) – This was a gift from my husband for Mother’s Day since we were expecting our first daughter. I saved a lot of great quotes from this book and he wrote me the sweetest note in the front cover. {$4.99}

2. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty (Longest and Most Popular) – It’s pretty hilarious that this is the longest book I read because I actually didn’t finish the last few pages, my loan from the library expired just as I was almost finished. This book is always on a wait list. To be honest, I had a hard time keeping track of 9 characters. Anyone else?! {$9.99}
3. The Accident by Natalie Barelli (Least popular according to Goodreads) – Loved this book. Always love a good read about a sociopath. Nothing is what it seems in this one! {$3.99}
4. Hate Notes by Vi Keeland (Highest rated on Goodreads) – This book turned out to be more R-Rated than I thought but I liked the story. Workplace drama at it’s finest. {$3.99}
5. All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda – The story is told backwards which I have to admit can make you feel a little lost, and it’s the only book on my list that I gave 3/5 stars. Not worth $12 in my opinion. {$11.99}

6. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell – Finished this in less than a week, easy read. Definitely a page turner and as the author describes it – “brilliantly bizarre.” I liked her writing style a lot. Best seller on Amazon. {$11.99}
7. The Break Down by B.A. Paris – I was about halfway through this book and feeling like nothing had happened. Just feeling really bad for the main character but I promise there is a twist and I loved the ending! {$9.99}
8. The Best Friend by Shalini Boland – They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer … Wrong. A quick intense read with another good ending. Free to read on kindle unlimited. {$3.99}
9. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen – You’ll never guess the ending on this one. I’m still a little bit confused and might read it again! haha {$9.99}
10. I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll – I can usually pinpoint the killer but I was proved wrong and wrong again with this one. Free to read with kindle unlimited. {$5.99}

What Am I Reading Now?

I’m reading The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. This was Reese Witherspoon’s book club summer reading pick. She always chooses a book with a woman at the center of the story, and if you read my list above, so do I. It’s a historical novel about a female spy in World War I. Loving it so far, and this isn’t my typical read.

Would love to start building my list of books for this year, leave me your favorites below!!

Love,