I feel like my reading life has been weird this month.  I have felt the urge to plan my reading for the rest of the year: looking at the three books that I need to finish the Modern Mrs. Darcy’s (MMD) 2018 Reading Challenge, meeting my goal of reading 38 books this year, and reading books for my work.  However, random books have appeared in my life that just had to be read right now, throwing off my carefully-laid plans.  Well, at least I am only six books away from my yearly goal and it’s only September.

Currently Reading

• Journal of a Solitude by May Sarton. “I have time to think.  That is the great, the greatest luxury.  I have time to be. Therefore my responsibility is huge.”

• Transformational Speaking by Gail Larsen. Just beginning this one and while I have no desire to a transformational speaker, I am working to be a transformational writer. Hoping this will help.

Read

• The Girl Who Takes and Eye for and Eye by David Lagercrantz. This one wasn’t as good as the others. As I write this, I am having a hard time remembering the storyline. That tells me something.
• Write Happy, Write Smart by Cheryl St. John. The kick-in-the-rear I needed to get my writing life together. And the catalyst for prompting that reading plan I talked about earlier. Written for writers, St. John shares some interesting truths about conquering fear, releasing perfectionism, and others that are applicable for everyone.
• Still Lives by Maria Hummel. A dark and twisty novel that was August’s Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick. Boy, does Maria Hummel have a way with words: “Most days pass in a pleasurable blur of words and pictures” – that’s a good line. But the book paced a little slower than I prefer.
• The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Astonishing Dialogue Taking Place in Our Bodies Impacts Health, Weight, and Mood by Dr. Emeran Mayer. Very interesting scientific facts regarding probiotics and your digestive system. The most fascinating thing that I learned was that your digestive system has its own nervous system, known as ENS, that is practically independent of the brain. And is often referred to as the “second brain”.  Thus the accuracy of such statements like, “I feel it in my gut.” WOW!
• How to Walk Away: A Novel by Katherine Center. One that entered my life quite suddenly and that I just had to read. Which I did. In two days – I absolutely loved this novel. Center takes a difficult and depressing event in her character’s life but somehow makes it an enjoyable read with lessons to boot.  She is also majorly gifted in writing from a character’s point-of-view.  I was inside Maggie’s head and was thoroughly impressed.
• I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel, of Modern Mrs. Darcy fame. This sweet little volume of Anne’s reflections of her reading life inspired me to do my own reflection of my love of books and reading which led to some pleasant and even tearful experiences. Coming soon.

 Abandoned Reading (Temporarily)

• The Odyssey by Homer. Translated by Emily Wilson. I have been reading a lot (6 books this month alone) and I want to slow down and savor this one when I don’t have as much of a reading agenda.

What have you been reading this month? And I really could use your help with the MMD category: Book nominated for an award in 2018. Thanks.

enjoy life…