BONUS POST: New Books I Want to Read This Month/Year

So, I love to read, but that’s no secret. I used to be able to consume a book very quickly, sometimes staying up late if I had to. However, now due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI), I read a lot more slowly. My neurologist says I need to give myself grace because I am still able to read and comprehend. I tried the 52 Book Challenge last year, but fell dismally behind. So, I’m going to continue to read as I can…and only what interests me.

My busy life working (two jobs), taking care of my disabled veteran boyfriend, and sorting out the remnants of my past life, leave me little time to read; so I do so on my work breaks and lunch (when I’m not running errands for someone). I sometimes do at home for about 20 to 30 minutes also, so I’ve decided that I am satisfied with that. I probably get 30 to 45 minutes per day of reading in. That’ll have to do…after all, it is still progress, isn’t it?

I want to read books about women “winning” at life. She can be winning at love, her career, against evil, as the deduction whiz in a mystery, in a historical account — I don’t care. I need to read about women succeeding and living their lives on their terms. I will read fiction or non-fiction, paperback or hard cover (or Kindle), borrowed or owned…I don’t discriminate. Reading makes me a better speaker and writer, so I could sing the praises of reading all day, every day. Instead, you will usually just find me with my head in a book. It’s cheap therapy, really, although my therapist says it’s an “escape.” Whatevs.

My Amazon “Wishlist” is where I save all of my To Be Read (TBR) books, so once I read them, I can leave a review and then delete them from my wishlist. I honestly think it’s around 20 pages right now, to be completely frank! Does anyone else take photos of book covers, so they can add them to their wishlists and read excerpts? Anyone?? I have also learned how to borrow digital ones on the Libby app and push them to my Kindle. While I much prefer a physical book, this has been a godsend, because I need to have both of my hips replaced, so my mobility has been greatly compromised. Borrowing books helps my pocketbook, and the digital ones sent to my Kindle help my access! WIN-WIN!

You might be thinking: why read about women “winning”? Because GIRL POWER, that’s why! I’m a Gen Xer and we [as women] really have come a long way in rights and pay and position. My own story was one of over 23 years of domestic abuse, where I was the unwilling submissive. I do not have the energy to read about another woman being beaten down. We are ingenious! We find ways to exist and thrive. I need inspirationL mind fuel to keep fighting and winning, because I almost didn’t. I almost gave up and let him overtake me. I still have unfinished things to do, things to write and publish, and lives to change. I don’t have time to read about the ordinary and mundane. I must read about the extraordinary.

Read. Read often. Stimulate ideas. Cultivate free will. Thrive!