This post has been on our to-do list for quite some time, but better late than never right?
Let’s face the facts here people. The first four months of my initiation into motherhood have been difficult. Don’t get me wrong, I love Charlotte more than I could have ever imagined and can’t even think about her without tearing up most days, but the girl is NEEDY.
I do, however, think we are turning a corner. She’s gaining weight now, seems to be growing out of her reflux, and is *finally* starting to sleep through the night! We see a light! And don’t bother telling me about the chaos that’s to come in the next stage. Just let me have this.
Anyway, one thing I will say about this stage is that I have done a LOT of reading.
A few weeks after Charlotte was born, I realized I was spending way too much time on social media. All I would do was scroll, scroll, scroll while nursing or rocking her to sleep (both of which took forever for the first few months). Bad mojo.
So I broke down and got a Kindle.
Believe me, I’m the first basic b* to go on about how I just love a physical book and the way it smells and feels. I used to sit so smugly on planes, rolling my eyes at Tyler on his iPad as I pulled out my beautiful stack of books I’d curated for the trip ahead.
As it turns out, though, new moms don’t have two hands to devote to the joy that comes from diving into a wrinkled up paperback.
So I ordered a Kindle Paperwhite in one fell swoop while nursing in the middle of the night and haven’t looked back since. I love it.
I’ve read more than I ever have–I’m already at ten books this year! While I do attribute most of that to the sleepy newborn life, I really do think the Kindle has made all the difference.
It’s lightweight, easy to hold with one hand, and so convenient. I’m also the Queen of Instant Gratification, and I love that I’m able to start reading a book within 30 seconds of someone suggesting it to me.
I couldn’t recommend it enough, and that’s saying a lot for someone who has spent their life accumulating a library that could serve a small town in middle America.
Needless to say, I am PUMPED for this post. I had several books that I was just dying to put on here, but I’ve narrowed it down to my favorites from the past few months. And of course Tyler will share his top picks, too.
Ruth’s Picks
Educated – Tara Westover
This book, a memoir written by a woman who grew up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho (and who now has a PhD), is NUTS. I had seen Educated grace the bestseller list for a while now but hadn’t taken the time to look into it. Once I began reading about Tara Westover’s unthinkably difficult childhood, I couldn’t put it down. I don’t want to give too much away because everyone should read this, but this book is gripping, eye-opening, and inspiring.
Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
I couldn’t unglue myself from this one either, and it definitely lives up to the hype. Delia Owens’ debut novel centers around a girl who has grown up on her own in the marshland of coastal North Carolina and details the mystery surrounding a local man’s death. Where the Crawdads Sing is fascinating and keep-you-up-in-the-night-til-you-finish good.
The Rosie Project – Graeme Simsion
I loved this book, and Don Tillman might be my favorite protagonist/narrator ever. Set in Melbourne, Australia, The Rosie Project illustrates an (undiagnosed) autistic professor’s extremely calculated search for a wife. Rarely does a book make me actually laugh out loud, but this one had me cracking up and re-reading sections of it to Tyler (which I’m sure he just loved). I highly recommend this to anyone looking for something lighthearted and witty.
Honorable mentions:
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday (reading through this right now and will probably post about it at the end of the year).
Tyler’s Picks
Essentialism – Greg McKeown
Simply put, everyone should read this book. I intend to re-read it yearly. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less focuses on how to reframe your life through removing unessential activities and really determining what are the most high-value, important tasks and priorities. Think Marie Kondo but for your life, not your closet. I’m reminded of this book all the time and it helps me clarify my goals.
Note: Great podcast with Greg McKeown HERE.
Basketball and Other Things – Shea Serrano
This is a must-have book for any NBA fan and historian. Shea Serrano is one of my favorite follows on Twitter. He has an amazing sense of humor and knows the NBA like few others. Basketball and Other Things (or BOAT, for short) is a collection of random chapters on really unique and hilarious questions and subsequent answers to basketball topics, ranging from “Which Year Was Michael Jordan the Best Version of Michael Jordan?” and “What’s the Order of the First Round of the Fictional Basketball Player Draft.” Not to mention, BOAT has amazing illustrations. Like, insanely good and funny. Great gift idea for any of your loved ones that are NBA fans.
Managing Oneself – Peter Drucker
Peter Drucker is a legend in the world of business and management, often referred to as “the founder of modern management.” If you don’t know of him, look him up or start with his short book, Managing Oneself, where he teaches how to take control of one’s own career to achieve the goals you want. He focuses on identifying your strengths and weakness, recognizing how you best work, and understanding your core values. You can read this in a sitting and learn from the best in the world of management, so just do it.
