Today is National Book Lovers Day and I thought I'd share a list of some of the books that made an impact on me. This is by no means all of them. Some of them are circling around the universe and never returned home but that's ok. I think that's sort of the goal of books; to spread stories far and wide.
I've always been an avid reader. As is my mom and her mom. We devour books. Even though I read a lot, it doesn't mean I'm always reading. I do go through lulls. Sometimes I read two-three books in a month and then I don't read for 6 months. It's the ebb and flow of life but the list here will always be in my library and I refer to and/or think about them often. That is the beauty of a good book isn't it?
- Heart Talk by Cleo Wade. This book was a bible for me a few years ago when I was teaching fitness classes. Cleo's words really spoke to me, the realness of them. The pages are worn, dog eared, highlighted, full of sticky notes.
- Show Your Work by Austin Kleon. I read this book so fast and I immediately ordered his other book Steal Like An Artist right away. I really liked his frankness about art and how we should share it even if others don't like it. We're all creative and should share that gift with the world. Even it's bad. Our art, whatever it may be, deserves to be seen.
- All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols If you haven't experienced the magic of MHN yet, I highly recommend you do. This book was a gift one Christmas and I leaned into it last year which was a difficult year for me. When I need to, I flip randomly to a page and her poems always seem to be freakishly what I need in that moment.
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I believe this book should be in every creatives library. I read it years ago and I think it subconsciously set me on a path. Just get it, highlight, mark it up. It'll change you.
- The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger. This book is a story about a holocaust survivor and her life in the camps and her long amazing life after as a Dr. helping people. It was truly life changing to read her story, I cried more than once. For someone to share such kindness when she's seen such horrors was amazing.
- The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. A lot of creatives I follow on IG were/are reading this so I felt called to get it. I read a chapter each morning (they're really short) and highlight what speaks to me. It's all about being creative; our struggles, challenges, gifts etc. and how to just BE creative.
- The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. I randomly bought this book in Target one day and I'm so glad I did. It's about a resistant group trying to save their library during WWII. Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read and I read this book so fast and loved every minute of it.
- The Artist's Way by Jules Cameron. I credit this book to the seed that eventually became Cozy Mercantile Co. It's half book half work. There's homework (the fun kind!) and will jump start your creative mind like it did for me. It dusted off the cobwebs of ideas and hobbies that were always there and gave me the push to use them.
- The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. I will read anything by Kristin Hannah. Fact. I needed a break after this book, it effected me that much. Just like I did after her other book, The Great Alone. This one is about how a mother will do anything to protect her family and give them a better life during The Dust Bowl and Great Depression.
- The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman. I love this book for it's realness and how to curate a home that's "designed" yet comfortable. Little tips and tricks to help make your home feel like you. I saw my house in her watercolored pages and how I could have a tasteful yet authentic home.
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