Tracking My Reading

I've been keeping a secret.  Well... not really.  I've shared this with some of you with whom I interact IRL this past year.  I've been tracking my reading on my Journal app.  Yes, the app that lives on my phone... I'm sure you have it, too.  It just doesn't get used by a whole lot of people, I don't think.

So... here is how I do it in 3 simple steps:

1.  I take a picture of the book cover when I finish the book.  The app automatically date stamps the photo.

2.  I add the title of the book on the title of that journal entry.

3.  I add a sentence of two about that book.

That's it.  Here's the caviat:  If I don't finish the book, I leave the photo in black & white... and add the page number I stopped reading that book in the description, in case I want to pick it up at a later time.  

I've known people that keep notebooks, journals, and spreadsheets.  I've tried them all.  

How do YOU track your reading?  Just curious... 

How to Get Your Kids to Read... and 3 Amazing Books I Read This Month.

I'm wrapping up this month of July with a full heart.

Our schedule was FULL.

As a family, we juggled between lots of activities, lots of late nights, and lots of tired faces in the morning.  However, I was pleased to see that in the midst of camp, soccer, 4-H, county fair, swimming lessons, and playdates, WE managed to take some time to read some awesome books.

I'm Addicted to Books

I have a problem.

And I'm willing to admit my weakness.

7 Favorite Books I Read in 2017... And A Few Honorable Mentions.

I made a goal at the beginning of 2017 to return to reading.  But not just reading, I made a goal to fall in love with books AGAIN.

Since finishing graduate school in 2007, I gave my brain permission to rest and reset.  But what I didn't realize is that by not picking up a good book consistently through the years, I was decreasing my ability to critically think about important issues, be expose to rich stories, experiences, and different cultures.  I was starting to inundate myself with noise... voices on the screen, social media, podcasts, and neglecting my forgotten passion for the written word.  The touch of crisp or crinkled pages.  The very act of holding a book.  A collection of stories.  A door and window to someone's world.  

So, this past year was good, as I awakened my love for books.  

And I read some INCREDIBLE books!

A Quick Read... and Recommendation.

Are you wondering what I've been reading lately?  

I need to confess that I've been going through a LOT of good books.  Some amazing books, actually.  And I really want to share some of the best ones I've had the time to read this past year.  

In the meantime, I've been meaning to make you a quick recommendation.  

A Prayer: An Invitation

Holy Spirit...

You are welcome here.

I'm ready to receive everything you have for me today.

I RECEIVE everything you have for me today.

The good you have for me.

Everything.

May I see it.

Experience it.

Take time for it.

May I hear it.

Sense it.

And may I recognize that it is from You.

Guide my lips, eyes, mind.

Be my peace.

Holy Spirit... come and stay a while!

Letting The Words Flow... Inhaling & Exhaling

I recently heard that if you're a writer, a poet, a baker, a runner, or anything that requires consistent action and practice, you're also meant to do those things regardless of your audience.  Do it quietly.  Do it without accolade.  And more importantly, do it for yourself.  For the simple act of exercising your gift.