It’s officially winter now, so I think it’s time for me to share what I’ve read over the fall!
I’ve really been obsessed with habits and other personal development-type books. I’m trying to fit some fiction in though, so don’t give up on me yet if those are the kinds of books you’re looking for!
You may remember me talking about how I wanted to make exercise 3x per week on my treadmill a regular habit. I’ve been consistent with that and have stacked habits by adding reading while I’m on it! I don’t always do that, but that’s something that has helped me read more than I probably would have otherwise.
Plus, I’ve found that if I’m focused on reading, I’m also less focused on how long I’ve actually been on the treadmill. Therefore, I’m staying on it longer than when I’m staring at the timer, haha!
Here is a list of my fall reads for this year, friends!
Atomic Habits by James Clear
This is easily one of my favorite books I’ve ever read, and one of the few that I’ll find myself going back to re-read portions of it!
Speaking of which, my husband bought this book for me as an early Christmas present. I was so excited! I originally read it after I rented it from my local library, as I do most books that you’ll find on my blog.
I was so impressed by the words of wisdom that can be found in this book. It was very eye opening for me, and I really like his method of bringing habits into your life that will help you thrive! Many times to reach our goals, if not all of the time, we need to develop new habits that will help us get there.
This book is an incredible resource of how to make those new habits sustainable. That can really sum up what I got out of this book – sustainability of habits. Too many times, we start new things and then we simply can’t keep up with them anymore because we’ve demanded too much of ourselves all at once. It’s okay to start small and build yourself a ladder instead of climbing all the way to the top just to fall back down. That analogy is most certainly my own and probably a little silly, but you get the point, haha!
This one is a must-read!
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
I was on the hunt for another personal development book, but one that wasn’t specifically based on habits this time around! I came across this one, and it had such great reviews online!
You may recognize the author by her bestseller Eat, Pray, Love – I know a lot of people have read it or seen the movie. I haven’t, but I’ve heard it’s SO good, so maybe I should add it to my list too. Let me know if you’ve read it!
I really loved the author’s thought process on creativity, you might say it was magical! She wholeheartedly believes that everyone possesses a form of creativity and that each idea is out there in the universe just waiting for you to grab it. If you don’t choose to grab it, guess what? Someone else will!
That’s not to say that’s a bad thing, it’s just that she believes that ideas try to speak to us in a way that will bring them to life. Sometimes, we aren’t the ones who are meant to bring those specific ideas to life – when others are ready.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it! I really loved one of her stories that almost seemed too coincidental to be true, but Gilbert would most certainly call this magic! I don’t want to spoil it, so you’ll have to read it for yourself. I have no doubt you’ll find it thought-provoking!
Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
Another habits book, friends! While I wouldn’t rate this one as high as Atomic Habits, it is still an exceptional book. Plus, James Clear actually credits this author in his book – which is neat! So I feel like these two can definitely co-exist!
This book really zones into the benefits of starting small. I think what tends to turn off others about tiny habits (small habits themselves, not the book), is they feel they cannot be proud of a habit if it’s something too simple.
Go big or go home, something we hear all the time. The real question is, how sustainable is that? While I’d never doubt anyone’s ability to do big things and maintain them, it’s hard to start big and stick with it every single day. When you’ve set a goal that is simple and small, you’re more likely to be able to sustain that over time as well as really build on it!
I love the techniques this author gives to create real habits that are built to last! I definitely recommend this one if you’re interested in creating new habits!
That’s a wrap on my fall reads, friends! Have you read any of these books or find any that you’d like to add to your TBR list?
Thanks for sharing these! I may need to listen to the audio for Atomic Habits once I finish my current audio book!! A book is def. a good one when you go back to it for certain passages in it.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I think you’d definitely love it, and can see the audio book being super helpful!
I’ll have to look up Atomic Habits!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
I hope you’ll love it, Jennifer!
Congrats on sticking to your treadmill regimen! Thanks for sharing these reads. I would love to add Big Magic to my list. Have a terrific new year Ashley!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Aww, thank you Kathrine! I appreciate your support – always! 🙂 I think you’d really love Big Magic! Hope you’re have a great start to your New Year!
I’m a huge fan of Atomic habits! I haven’t been reading recently but your post just inspired me to pick up a book so thanks for sharing!
I am so happy you loved Atomic Habits, too! Aww, that’s awesome, hope you pick up an amazing book to start of your new year! 🙂
Congrats on keeping up with your treadmill goals! I need to get Atomic Habits to kick off the new year! I read Eat Pray Love years ago and enjoyed it. Will also add Big Magic to my library list!
Happy New Year Ashley!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Aww, thank you tons Jill! 🙂 I think you’ll love Atomic Habits, let me know if you pick it up and what you think about it – and same goes for Big Magic!
Happy New Year, my friend!
These all sound excellent. Creativity is in the eye of the beholder I don’t believe creativity is limited to what we think of a creative IE: painting and the arts. Finding a cure for a disease is technically creative. I heard of that Tiny Habits I think this is smart and approachable book to read. Have you ever heard of The Artists Way? I think you would like it.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
I think you’re absolutely right, Allie! I love your perspective on this. I haven’t read The Artists Way, but I think I would love it! I actually have it on hold at my local library, but I’m sort of way back there in terms of the number of people that are ahead of me.
I have heard good things about Atomic Habits and seeing you recommend it makes me want to go and read it! Thanks for sharing these great recommendations!
Aww, I hope you’ll love it if you read it, Laura! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
These sounds like great non fictions books to have read, and it’s sweet your husband got that first one for you as you loved it at the library so much too! I’ve definitely slowed down my reading this month, I’ve had to extend the holds on quite a few library books! Just so many things to do over December, I was often too tired to read at the end of the day!
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas 🙂
It really was sweet of him, and I’ve already dived back into the book to reread some sections! 🙂 That’s more than understandable, such a busy month with the holidays alone! You read SO many books over the last year though, which is phenomenal! 🙂
Thank you SO much and I hope you did as well, and a Happy New Year! 🙂
I want to check out Big Magic 😀
I hope you’ll love it, Kinga! 🙂
I know how hard it is keeping to regimen, you did well.
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2022/12/straight-bob-human-hair-wig-with-bangs.html
Aww, thank you tons Melody, I appreciate you and your kind words! Hope you had a fantastic New Year!
thank you for sharing this reading list
love atomic habits!
happy new year my dear! wishing you a great 2023 (:
So happy you loved Atomic Habits, too! Happy New Year, my friend! 🙂
I see we share a love for habits and “Atomic Habits” is one of my favorite books too 🙂
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Yes, we absolutely do! 🙂 It really is an amazing book and I still dive back into pieces of it!