Books & Reading
I’ve always been an avid reader. Growing up, I was either reading or outside playing. By the age of 12 my mom let me start reading her books as I had read all the age appropriate books I was interested in. I loved John Grisham as I was sure I’d grow up to be a lawyer. But I will admit I never got through The Chamber – it was just a bit to heavy for my 12 your old brain. And, I’ll also admit I couldn’t never get into her Danielle Steele books either!
As a teenager, I almost always had a book in my hand. I wasn’t quite as bad as Rory Gilmore who always carried a book in her bag, but I was pretty close. Reading was my addiction and I was always encouraged to read whatever I wanted. My bookshelf was always full, and I always had a stack of book waiting to be read next. When we travel my standard souvenir is always at least one book on the amazing places we see. And I even showcase my favourite cookbooks on floating shelves in our kitchen. And when we bought this house I convinced Mr. MPB that I needed large bookshelves in the basement to house all the books I’d been moving around with me in very heavy boxes since I was 18. I wanted custom built-in bookshelves but in the end we decided on Ikea bookshelves that would do the job at an affordable price. I took great pride in organizing my bookshelves, Mr. MPB wasn’t even allowed to help. It’s organized by genre and author. I even have the books I care the least about at the bottom of the shelf just incase we ever have another basement flood. Some of the shelves are three books deep because I am running out of space. I truly love my wall of books.
Now, Baby MPB seems to have my love for books. His play area is right beside a child sized Ikea bookshelf that is full to the brim of books. In the rare moments that he’s not crawling and exploring he will sit down with his books and “read”. The next moment he’ll stand up, pull all his books off his bookshelf and then find the perfect book to sit down and “read”. He’ll repeat this over and over and over again countless times throughout the day. And of course, we read to him all the time, but more often then not he steals the books to “read” himself so we just pick up a new book and read it, until he steals that one too. He has a few favourites, and has even managed to completely destroy a few board books because he loved them so much. Both Mr. MPB and I love his passion for his books and will always encourage it. Right now he seems them as some sort of a toy, but he also sits and looks at the pictures and sometimes sits still with us when we are reading them. Passing on my love of books really is a dream come true.
Yet, as we watch Baby MPB read, I realized I don’t remember the last time I read a book. I mean read a real book, not a blog or a newspaper article. I haven’t touched a book since before we found out about Baby MPB, but probably even longer. I’m guessing my last read was maybe a Brene Brown book a few years ago? I still have my standard stack of “must read” books tucked away somewhere in the basement, but I haven’t even been adding to it frequently. Instead, when we are at the bookstore I head straight to the children’s section and undoubtedly pick up a new book or two for Baby MPB. And last year when I found a 2 amazing used book sales I stocked up on books for Baby MPB and didn’t even look for myself. And now when we travel I’m searching out a board book for Baby MPB from the city we are in.
I’ve realized I want to read a real book again. I really do. But, I also want to fit in time to go to spin classes. I want to eat healthy home-made meals. I also want mommy and Baby MPB playtime. I also want to write. I also have to work. And I also really need to sleep. Time is just not something I seem to have a lot of these days.
So, my question today is if I can find time to read a real book, what short book should I read? (I need a short one to ensure I actually read the whole thing because I tend to become obsessed about finishing a book once I start it so I need to know I can get through it). I love good biographies and memoirs. I love happy books. I have no interest in anything scary and right now I have no interest in anything related to world politics or mental health. I just want something pointless but also something that’s virtually guaranteed to be good. Suggestions are very appreciated.
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No help here 🙂
I read Mills and Boon and Nora Roberts. I cannot read heavy stuff, and I prefer reading about a world where everything is perfect and love guarantees a happy every after! :))
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I love the guaranteed happy ever after books!! We need more happy in our world! 😊
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I say go with easy grab you hard right away.. Girl on the train! Read recently and enjoyed – When Breath becomes Air, Drunk Mom, both great 😀 I’m an avid reader of just about anything! Right now I’m reading All Out by Kevin and Alex Newman – fantastic
Let us know what you pick!
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Thanks for all the suggestions!! My amazon cart is getting very full!! And even more importantly I’m really excited to read all the books that are being suggested – I miss that kind of excitement for reading! 😃
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Library is always a decent place to get newer titles like breath becomes air. I dusted off my library card and introduced Charlotte to ours ( she loves it! ) and it’s FREE!
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When Breath becomes Air. One of my favourites from last year.
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Thanks!! I’ve already added it to my amazon cart, and I’m already expecting to cry through it, but it sounds like exactly what I like to read. Thanks!!
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I know you didn’t specify fantasy, but if you want something fun and short and ridiculous (and British), might I recommend Terry Pratchett’s discworld novels? Starting with Colour of Magic, which is a very quick read.
If you *have* read that, and/or are interested in fantasy, then maybe Railsea by China Mieville or the Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson, which are both short, more traditional fantasy that end happily.
Also this post couldn’t be more timely. I need to get back to my own reading. Just so hard to make time to sit!
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I don’t know that I’ve ever read fantasy…. I’m definitly going to check out colour of magic. Thanks for the suggestions!!
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I’d say the Alchemist or Trevor Noah – Born a Crime. When Breth becomes air was amazing too – but I remember crying uncontrollably at that one.
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I was just reading reviews on when breath becomes air and all I thought was I will absolutely cry through this book! It’ll be great, but it’ll be a tear jersey! Thanks for the ideas!! My amazon cart is getting very full!
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I missed reading so much after having my twins that I eventually figured out a way to fit it into my schedule. I generally read over lunch hour and when my children are in bed.
When Breath Becomes Air is on my to-be-read list. I have actually read a few good books lately! 🙂
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I like your approach to just finding a way! I know that I’m going to have to do the same thing. 😊
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My hubby and I love reading as well and love to read to our daughter already!
I haven’t read for fun in a long time just like you as my time has been consumed by internet reading. I’ll be looking at the suggestions from others and look forward to seeing what you pick!
The most recent stuff I’ve read is all somewhat scary and apocalyptic so I won’t recommend them, even though they were awesome and super fast reads!! But if you do decide to read that way I’m happy to share!
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I so hope we are able to instill the love of reading into Baby MPB! Just like you, we are reading to him all the time!! In fact, part of why he has so many books is that we get board of them and buy new ones to keep us slightly more entertained.
I’ll keep you posted on what I decide to read. I’m leaning towards When Breath Becomes Air. But I also have Drunk Mom, Colour of Magic and Trevor Noah in my amazon cart. I expect to add more today and then make some decisions before I spend too much money on books. 🙂
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I love this post! I’ve always been the same way! I tried to read the Hobbit series when I was about 12 or so, but it was too heavy for me to wrap my brain around. I read all of my mom’s books though at that age…John Saul, Stephen King, Danielle Steele, whatever else she had around! I’m working on building a library for C, but it’s been slow going lol. I haven’t really had a lot of time to read either, but this post inspired me to start my “Divergent” series that I got for Christmas in 2014! Thank you!
I don’t have any suggestions in particular for you. What I normally do (for the past 5-ish years) is download free books to my Kindle. Many of them are around 200 pages or so, so not bad. I have no idea if you have a Kindle, but that’s an idea for you! (There are sites that will send you daily lists of free/discount books, I can give you the info if you want it.) Also a suggestion for baby…when I was young I LOVED the Little Miss and Mr.Man books. You can find them on Amazon, I haven’t been able to find them in stores at all. They’re little about 6″x6″ paperback short stories that teach lessons. There are tons of them…I have both collections on my wish list on Amazon, I will get them at some point for C!
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I loved the little miss and Mr man books too!!! I’ve put off buying them for now because paperbacks just make really good chew and tearing toys right now. Bit once he’s a bit older he will absolutely get those books!! 😊
I don’t actually have a kindle anymore! I bought one years ago when they were new and found I much preferred real books. So mine became a pretty paperweight and I’ve never really used it.
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I love reading my favorite books are ones with a different world then the one we actually live in… I love the Melissa marr wicked lovely series… my sister is also an author Alissa T. Hunter malicious is the first book it’s not scary it’s young adult theme but it’s a great quick read
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I have no suggestions as I haven’t picked up a book for ages either. I am so jealous of your wall of books! I used to cart mine around too but a couple of moves ago I drew the line in the sand and gave away everything I’d already read and never intended to go back to. Now I only keep books that have been so incredible they have really impacted me so they need to be pretty special. Or those that are in the “to read” list. That is most of what I have now. I wish I had time to read more but right now it seems every time I sit down I have to get up again within minutes and that sort of stop start doesn’t work well for books!! I bought a book light to read in the evening (baby is still in my room) but I find by then I am so tired my eyes simply close no matter how interested in reading I am!!! Hope you find a nice easy “can’t put it down” read to get back into it. 🙂
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I love Vinyl Cafe series by Stuart McLean. These are short stories about one family and their friends – funny, kind, and engaging.
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I LoVE that you love reading so much and I love that baby MPB is the same way! Good job momma! Luke seems to be into books right now too. I wish he’d thumb through them himself but he’s pretty demanding about us reading them to him. Like you I love reading and have only read one book since Luke was born. I always seem to find something else to make the priority. And I’ve found I’m becoming obsessed with children’s books. I hope you find the perfect book and if so make sure to share with us! 🙂
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I only really like non fiction books so I have no recommendations for you. But if you have trouble finding time I suggest Audio books! Chris listens to his books using Bluetooth hands free set when he is feeding Aviana and whenever he is in the car.
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I would suggest Sidney Sheldon’s books. Witty and keep you on reading till the end.
We also have the same Peppa Pig and How Much I Love You books:))
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PG Wodehouse, you cannot ever go wrong with that one! And also, Agatha Christie, my all time favorite!
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Hi, I’m Krystina from KMReadsBlog and I’m a brand new blogger. I was searching for other bloggers to connect with and stumbled upon your blog. So Hello 😀 I’m going to follow you and you can follow me if you like. As far as books go, if you enjoy fantasy at all, I would recommend ‘Hinges of Broams Eld’ by Jennifer Cano. I just read it and it was fantastic, light, and a quick read. Its geared at a middle grades/teen I believe but I got a Harry Potter vibe from it as far as feeling like a book that anyone would enjoy. Its free too if you get it from Amazon. Anywho, if you prefer something romantic , quick, and excellent, I would recommend Love and Gravity by Samantha Sotto. I adore this book. I got it as an arc so its not available for purchase yet but it comes out February 7th. We also have the same children’s books you do! I feel like its a huge accomplishment to instill children with a love of reading from the start. It will follow them forever and its just beautiful to be able to read books with your children. I have done so and now my tween and I will do readalongs and discuss books. Its incredible. 🙂 Anywho, sorry my post was long. Thanks and happy reading!
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I love reading too. Actual books, not on an Ipad or other device. Having a baby kills reading time unless it is a board book, that’s for sure! On our vacation last week I read three. Three books. Oh my it was wonderful. I think it actually helped me get back into the habit. Since we came home I have been reading at night before bed.
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I haven’t read a great book in a long while which makes me sad because I’ve suffered through about 5 really awful books last year (I have to finish a book I started). I’m just stealing ideas from the comments :). The Hunger Games books were amazing if you’re looking to slip away from the real world. And a few others I kinda enjoyed last year were I Am Malala. A Light Between Oceans (infertility related). The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. The Girl on the Train.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing A Song of Ice and Fire series. But you need a lot of free time. A lot a lot.
Have fun reading!!! I am having serious envy at your collection. I need a new house with a serious bookshelf so I can put all my books that are in boxes on display :).
xx
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Have you considered reading nonfiction?
I really enjoy it because it allows me to learn the lessons that successful people learned the hard way, from the comfort of where ever I might be reading.
If you are interested in the nonfiction I have been reading, or if you want to know what the benefits are from reading this genre in specific, please stop by my page. I post book reviews over biographies, classics, and inspiring nonfiction.
https://thewrightread.com/
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