Books of September

                 *If you want to know more about the challenge, my original post is right here*

I am ashamed to say I didn't do as well as I hoped this month. I only read 4.5 books. I was aiming for at least 2 per week. Oh well, I'll do better next month. I'm definitely trying to learn to get off of facebook and pick up my nook instead when I get any down time. This month I read:

1. Plan It, Don't Panic: Everything You Need to Successfully Create and Use a Meal Plan by Stephanie Langford ~ This book was helpful in coming up with a few new ideas for meal planning. If you feel like you're in a meal planning rut or maybe you don't meal plan but you want to start - this is the book for you.

2.  Nurturing Creativity: A Guide for Busy Moms by Renee Tougas ~ This book really helped me recognize the importance of my creativity and how to utilize that in the stage of life I'm in now. I'm glad I read it.



3. Pursuit of Proverbs 31 by Amy Bayliss ~ I love reading about the Proverbs 31 woman. This book revealed a lot I didn't know. I really recommend it.



4.Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life by Emily P. Freedman ~ I cannot, cannot, cannot recommend this book enough. Life-changer.



And I'm still working on Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz. Its really detailed and loooong haha but I'm really enjoying it.

Next month I plan to read a lot more fiction. My brain needs to escape to another world for awhile.

Let the challenge begin!

Today is day one of our 100 book challenge!

In honor of our challenge I thought i'd show you my awesome new nook cover. It is.. uhm.. awesome. I bought it on Etsy from The2SistersShoppe. I'm kind of a super hero nerd so it's just perfect for me. (Speaking of which you should totally go buy me this bag. I'd be your BFF fo' life! They say money don't buy happiness but apparently friendship costs $65..)

I'm really pleased with my purchase. My nook fits securely. It feels like its made really well. The shop has lots of other covers. I'm especially fond of this Dr. Suess cover and also this yellow iPad cover. I would definitely return to them for my future electronic cover needs. (I'm not being paid to review this, nor did I receive it for free for giving a good review. I just really really like it.)

Tonight I plan to download Dearie on my Nook and read if after I watch a movie with my handsome husband. Do you prefer eReaders or regular ole books? What is your first book of September?

100 Book Challenge

I love goals. I am a goal oriented individual. I make them all the time. Big goals, little goals, lifetime goals, daily goals.. you get the picture. I am usually excellent at keeping my goals. Just a few months ago (March-Mid June) I read through the entire bible in around 100 days. It was a really fulfilling, worthwhile, extremely difficult with two crazy children goal. Reaching your goals feels really great!! But there is a goal that I keep setting for myself year after year.. and failing. I am not good at failing. I really don't like it one bit. But what's worse than failing? Failing publicly. So I thought to myself, Hey Ashley, (I often talk to myself. please forgive me.) why don't you blog about it. Of course! Now you can keep me accountable! I'll share my joy of books with you. You can share yours with me. We can all live happily ever after.

The Goal: Read 100 books between September 1st 2012 & August 31st 2013.
The Rules: Childrens books don't count, magazines don't count, cookbooks don't count. (I could read 100 cook books in a day.)

Considering I read less than 50 books in 2011, and only 15 from January til now, I can tell you think will definitely be a challenge. Wish me luck! Join me even!

A few books I plan to read: (if you buy them through my blog I get some money back. I'm not being paid to recommend them. I just plan to read them. Just so ya know.)

1. Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz
Why: I'm mildly obsessed with Julia Child. Her life in insanely interesting. Did you know she worked for the OSS and loved cats?? You do now!


 

 2. The One for the Money Series by Janet Evanovich
Why: I already read 1-3 and they were great! Really suspenseful and witty. There are 18 in the series so far.



 3.The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
Why: Chick flicks, chick lit, I am an unashamed romantic fanatic. I'm sure a lot of my 100 books be "chick books". (dont judge me.)


4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Why: I've never read it & its only referenced in about five thousand movies and tv shows so I just have to see what all the hullaballoo is about.


 5. A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine
Why: Gail Carson Levine has been one of my favorites since I read my all time favorite book Ella Enchanted. Her books always make me feel nostalgic and romantic. Plus who doesn't love a good princess book?? (I'm still like 5 years old, ok?)


 6. Nancy Drew Mystery Stories by Carolyn Keene
Why: More nostalgia! I read a ton of these growing up. I really can't wait to dive back into Nancy's world.
 

7. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Why: Quite a few people told me these books are amazing and I have to read them. And with a "mesmerizing world brimming with history, romance, and adventure" how can I resist??


 8. Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
Why: I am a serious fan of self help God help books. I love to better myself through the word of God and it soaks into my soul better when I read it than when I just hear someone preach. I'm a visual learner. This is one of the many I've been wanting to get my hands on.


9. Helen Steiner Rice & other poetry books.
Why: I dont read a ton of poetry (besides reading my daughter Shel Silverstien books at bedtime.) However, I do love the way Helen's words uplift my spirit. I'd love to find more poets like her as well.


10. The Hobbit (& the entire LOTR series) by J.R.R. Tolkien
Why: I read the Hobbit in high school but have never read the rest of the series and it just makes me feel like something is missing from my life. A big, gaping, LOTR shaped hole.


That's just a few of the books I'd like to read this next year. I really hope I can do it!
What books should I add to my reading list? Would anyone like to make a reading goal with me? (It doesn't have to be 100)