One of my goals for the year is to read more books. Well, I am happy to report I am still reading and loving it. I hope to continue this habit throughout the year and beyond.

In April, I finished reading the book An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace and I also read Quitter by Jon Acuff.

Below is an updated list of my 2012 Read and To-Read Books.

Currently reading this book now…

Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Ecomony - I want to see if I can even learn more about living well while still saving money.

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Books I read in March and April

An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace 
My thoughts: Tamar Adler talks often in her book about not throwing away your scraps of food but instead finding a different purpose for it. It made me want to not be wasteful with our food. One example she mentions is turning stale bread into croutons. This inspired me to make bread crusts into French Toast Bites (read about it here.)

Quitter
My thoughts: If you want to pursue your dream job, then this book is a must-read. Even if you are thinking about it  – you should read this for inspiration. This book is not just a step-by-step guide. Jon Acuff shares his experiences – the good and the bad – and tells you what he learned from it.

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Books I read in February

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun – Read my thoughts on this book here.

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Books I read in January
(Read my thoughts on each book listed below in my Books I’m Reading – February 2012 Update.)

How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living

The Reluctant Entertainer: Every Woman’s Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year

Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

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What non-fiction books are you currently reading? Are there any you’d recommend? I’d love to know. Please HELP ME add more great books to my list.

(Note: Some links in this post are affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

One of my goals for the year is to read more books. Well, I am happy to report I am still reading and loving it. I hope to continue this habit throughout the year and beyond.

I didn’t read as many books in February compared to January. I mostly read and finished The Happiness Project.

Below is an updated list of my 2012 Read and To-Read Books.

Currently reading this book now…

An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace. I am about half way through this book. It is taking me longer than expected to finish. As I read it, I find myself visualizing all the food combinations the author passionately describes. All the food talk makes me hungry which is a bit distracting while reading. This in no way is a bad thing. I will talk more about An Everlasting Meal next month.

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On my to-read list…

Quitter

Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Ecomony

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

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Books I read in February

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun
My thoughts: This book made me think about what makes me truly happy. Is it actions, people, activities? A career, a hobby, my behavior, my habits, my relationships? What steps can I do daily to be happier. The author, Gretchen Rubin, tells you what she did for a whole year testing out studies and theories to be happier. She even breaks it down by monthly themes. I like her idea of having Personal Commandments to happiness. I should write some for myself. Visit her blog – The Happiness Project to learn more or read her book The Happiness Project.

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Books I read in January
(Read my thoughts on each book listed below in my Books I’m Reading – February 2012 Update.)

How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living

The Reluctant Entertainer: Every Woman’s Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year

Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

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What non-fiction books are you currently reading? Are there any you’d recommend? I’d love to know. Please HELP ME add more great books to my list.

(Note: Some links in this post are affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

(Photo Credit: iStockPhoto.com)

I mentioned in January one of my goals for the year is to read more books. Well, I am happy to report I have been reading more and loving it. I hope to continue this trend in February and beyond.

Below is an updated list of my 2012 Read and To-Read Books. I need to add more books to the list. I must be reading fast or the books are quick reads because I’ve gone through most of the to-read list I originally posted in January.

Currently reading this book now…

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

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On my to-read list…

Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Ecomony

An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

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Books I read in January

How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life
My thoughts: Are you a bucket filler or a dipper? Do you give positive energy which results in filling someone with good emotions or does your negativity take away from someone’s energy. I strive to be a positive person although some days it’s harder to do so. This book goes into why your positive thinking and interactions affects not only yourself but others around you.

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living
My thoughts: This book is a great read on how to go through your home and life and take out all the clutter. It makes you think twice about your possessions – do I really need this?…do I love it?…is it just clutter? I have been clearing out the clutter in my home thanks in part to this book. I’m not doing the “how-to” steps exactly like the book outlines. I’m doing it on a schedule that works for me. This book is a good motivator.

The Reluctant Entertainer: Every Woman’s Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality
My thoughts: I am definitely a reluctant entertainer. I bought this book last year in hopes of being a more confident and relaxed hostess. The book is filled with great advice on hospitality. Things don’t have to be perfect when hosting. It’s more important to make your guests feel welcome, comfortable and to make a connection.

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year
I did a review and giveaway (which is now over) on this book. You can read my thoughts on the book HERE.

Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
My thoughts: I enjoyed reading this book. You can’t just say you’ll be productive. You have to actually plan for it. I somewhat already knew this. But this book has motivated me to write my goals, make lists and prioritize them. There is much in the book that seems to be geared towards business. I simply apply those points to my personal life goals as well as my blog goals.

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What non-fiction books are you currently reading? Are there any you’d recommend? I’d love to know. Please HELP ME add more great books to my list.

(Note: Some links in this post are affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

(Photo Credit: iStockPhoto.com)

One of my goals for the year is to read more books. I’ve never been much of a reader. I recall a a brief period when I was in my twenties where I read several fiction books. This reading habit didn’t last long.

Most of my reading had been from articles in a magazine or a website. This year I want to focus on reading non-fiction books. Books on food, money, organization, living and more. Books that will challenge me to be a better person. Books that will give me new perspectives, encouragement, motivation and inspiration. Maybe along the way, I’ll learn new skills and improve current ones.

Why am I sharing this with you? I want it to be a win-win. You see…if I share my plans with you all and update you on my progress, it’ll keep me accountable. The win for you is…maybe, you’ll read one of the books listed and it helps you. Or maybe, you’ll make your own reading list.

Below is a list of my 2012 To-Read Books. I hope to add more books to the list during the year.

Books I read this month (January)
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
My thoughts: I enjoyed reading this book. You can’t just say you’ll be productive. You have to actually plan for it. I somewhat already knew this. But this book has motivated me to write my goals, make lists and prioritize them. There is much in the book that seems to be geared towards business. I simply apply those points to my personal life goals as well as my blog goals.

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year
My thoughts: I will be doing a review and giveaway on this book soon. Stay tuned.

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Currently reading this book now…
The Reluctant Entertainer: Every Woman’s Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality
My thoughts: I am definitely a reluctant entertainer. I bought this book last year in hopes of being a more confident and relaxed hostess. I am finally reading this book now! I’ll comment more when I finish with it.

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On my to-read list…
Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life

Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Ecomony

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What non-fiction books are you currently reading? Are there any you’d recommend? I’d love to know.

(Note: Some links in this post are affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)