Must Read Monday. {what's on my shelf?}

Monday - here we are again + if your Monday has been anything like mine, it's dragged on forever and left you dreaming of your bed and being pantsless in your apartment. 

The bright spot in my Monday is I have 2 books on hold at the library + that is life changing for a nerd like myself. With two new books to start and finish, here are a few of my summer recommendations to keep the Monday blues at bay - 

Pretty Ugly by Kirker Butler was a quick read for me for so many reasons! Taking on the world of beauty pageants and reality TV obsessions, Butler creates identifiable characters in Miranda Miller, Bailey, and Ray - I instantly could relate his fictional characters to real life people in the lime light. Using satirical humor, Butler pokes fun at the state of reality TV and the need to live up to the Joneses'. If you're looking for a darkly humorous, yet perfect beach read, check this one out. 

Another quick read was Read Bottom Up by Neel Shah and Skye Chatham - it took me a day, a literal day, to finish this hilarious gem that is written in e-mails and text messages. Chronicling the relationship of Madeline and Elliot, it resonates so many relationship realities that we face in the 21st century. Too long text messages, not texting enough, texting too much - Read Bottom Up takes on social media's impact on relationships and does it in a cute and romantic way. 

Remembering my mid year resolution to try a new recipe each week, Food Network Magazine: 1,000 Easy Recipes has become such a helpful guide. It comes complete with grocery lists and most of the dishes require minimal cooking skills. It is separated by sections, making it easy to plan by the ingredient that you plan on using for dinner. While I borrowed it from the library, it's been added to my purchase list, so I can track the changes I make to the recipes. 

Here are just a few of things on my shelf - enjoy your week, loves! 

Until next time, 

Must Read Monday!

Oh my goodness - it's Monday! (Read that in my excited voice, please.) It's the first day of the week, the first day back for teachers (and some students), and a day closer to my birthday! There are so many reasons to be excited about today, and I am sure there are so many reasons in your own life to be happy and in love with your life. 

In memorial of the last day of summer and the start of the school year, here are some Must Read Monday suggestions to help you taper off from your summer reading addiction: 

Photo credit: Google Images

1. Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella - I read this series before, but re-reading it brings out so much more from the books. I love love love love Rebecca; there are so many similarities between her and myself, I can't help but be in love with her and her ridiculous problem solving skills. Humor is difficult to write, but Kinsella hits it out of the park through the whole series. If you're looking for a comfortable, casual, and funny read to destress from a long work day, check this series out. Shopaholic to the Stars, the next book in the series, comes out in October, so be ready for Becky taking over LA.
Honorable mention: Can You Keep a Secret? is also another great read by Kinsella. 

2. The Everything: Budgeting Book - Yes, another self help book has made the list, but that's what your twenties are about - making yourself into a better person. Whether you want to admit it or not, money is necessary and it's necessary to understand how to make money work for you and you not work for money. It's not cute to have a $2,000 bag and not have $2,000 to put in it, so hence the budgeting book. It's a quick easy read, as most self help books are, but this book doesn't have to be read chapter by chapter - I jumped around, based on my specific questions about budgets and finance. Starting off by identifying your short term and long term financial goals will make this book easier to read, and make sure you have your numbers ready to be crunched, like your expenses, income, etc. We should all be saving money, and we should all be fiscally responsible - don't let debt run you! 

Honorable mentions: Magazines from Groupon bucks - I had a credit to Groupon from a bad purchase and they recently red a promotion for $5 magazine subscriptions. I subscribed to Town & Country, Elle, Food Network, and Vogue. I am obsessed with home-making and fashion and elite social circles, so these magazines help fuel my need to live above my temporary status. Magazine subscriptions may seem old fashioned in the age of e-readers and iPads, but I love real print of anything, so it was a summer (cheap) treat to myself. 

So, loves, here's to Must Read Monday and the eternal search for a new favorite book - 
have a great Monday, sweets! 

-xo

Photo credit: Facebook

 

Must-Read Monday!

It's Monday - such a great day for carpe diem and just being awesome! (: 

Typically, my Monday posts have an overall motivational tone, building up for a great week and a chance to take a few steps closer to your dreams, but today, I am trying something different - a Must Read Monday! 

It's no secret that I love reading. That's an understatement, really - I am obsessed with it. I carry a book or my Kindle with me every where. I subscribe to magazines by the dozen, and visit the library more than three times a week. I love it, and as a nerdy girl and a teacher, I want other people to love it as much as I do, hence the birth of Must Read Monday. 

My current obsession right now is a suspense author, Michael Robotham and his mind bending thrillers. Michael's series center around Joe O'Loughlin, a criminal psychologist who makes a living breaking into criminals' minds and picking apart their actions. Robotham creates a literal page turner that winds together so many literary elements, but pulls it off in a flawless fashion. Noteworthy mentions by him: The Suspect + Lost (related titles), Shatter, and Bleed for Me. 

I am also reading a lot of DIY books, thrifty living, and urban homesteading - my mom and dad are twenty first century pioneers and have more than inspired me to take a leap into self-sufficiency.  My favorite two, so far this summer, have been: 
- be thrifty. edited by Pia Catton & Califia Suntree -> It's organized by categories into tips to be more thriftier in your daily life. It covers everything from home improvement to cooking to beauty routines. I think, especially in your twenties, that it is important to be financially literate and practice good money habits that can carry you through life. This book is easy and well written and filled with practical tips. 
- The Bust DIY Guide to Life by Laurie Henzel & Debbie Stoller -> This has been my favorite DIY book this summer. The cover is pink and immediately caught my eye, but the content kept me interested. Tips range from Repurposed Fashion to From Scratch in the food section. It is easy to follow and organized well, so you can look by section or from cover to cover. 

With Monday being such an important mental step in the week - it can be a struggle week or a success week, take your pick - it's important to find stuff for you to enjoy for yourself. For me, it's reading - for you, it may be something completely different, but that find that release and find that free time for yourself. It's invaluable for success. 

Until next time, loves 
- xo