Hi! Happy Friday (or whatever day it is you’re reading this!)! I wrote in this post that one of my goals for 2019 was to implement #lessscrollingmorereading into my daily routine. I wanted to be really intentional about the time I spent on my phone (aka Instagram) and instead of mindlessly scrolling, my goal was to train my mind to reach for the nearest book. As a result of that, I wanted to finish a book a month. It’s a good thing I’m writing this post at this time because it’s forcing me to realize that there’s still a bunch of room for me to improve in this area, despite the ten books that I’ve finished this year so far.

A friend of mine knew about my desire to read more and told me about this app called Good Reads. I downloaded it and it’s amazing! Originally I was just keeping a notes tab on my phone that I’d check off but now I enjoy using the “want to read” feature on the app. You can also read book reviews, create lists for what you want to read, have finished reading, and are currently reading, have discussions about books, check out book ratings, and more. I think it’s so helpful and useful! The whole thing is like social media of sorts but for books so you can see what your friends rated and thought about a book which I think is really fun!

If you wish to download the app and request to be my friend, you can find me at goodreads.com/jordyjean

Did you know that most libraries offer an app service now so you can download books to read and listen to for free using your library card? When I learned that last year I was amazed! Our library uses the app Hoopla so that is typically how I read/listen to books. It saves us a bunch of money on subscriptions such as Audible and buying books that will take up space in our home eventually. I highly suggest checking into your local library to see if they offer a similar service! By the way, there’s nothing wrong with going to the library and physically picking up a book too!!! I find it so nostalgic. If you don’t have a library card, get your bum up and to the library! You pay your hard earned tax dollars to get that FREE service!

A few months ago I asked on Instagram for book suggestions. I received so many back from you all! Thank you for that! I compiled all of the recommendations and am sharing them below. I also went ahead and added them to my “want to read” list on Good Reads so you can find them on there if you want to add them to your own list. I was reading through their summaries and they sound so good!!! I’ll also share my own TBR list that I’ve been compiling from podcasts, other books, and friends below.

Here is a list of recommendations from you all:

• A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
• Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
• Beartown (series) by Fredrik Backman
• Bright Side by Kim Holden
• Circe by Madeline Miller
• Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
• Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
• Educated by Tara Westover
• Fall of Giants (The Century Trilogy) by Ken Follett
• Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
• Lamb by Christopher Moore
• Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
• Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
• Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
• Night Road by Kristin Hannah
• Split Second (series) by David Baldacci
• The Cactus by Sarah Haywood
• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
• The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
• The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, Michael W. Smith and Rich Mullins
• The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
• To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (series) by Jenny Han
• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

My own TBR list (along with the books listed above):

• 29 Gifts by Cami Walker
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Body Love by Kelly LeVeque
• Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller
• Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines
• Curly Girl: The Handbook by Lorraine Massey
• Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet by Sara Hagerty
• Fifty Shades of They by Ed Young
• Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
• Girl Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis
• Grace like Scarlett by Adriel Booker
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J.K. Rowling (I can’t alphabetize these it just feels wrong…)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
• It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett
• It’s Not Supposed to be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst
• Loving What Is by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell
• Misfit Table by Tiffini Kilgore
• Relentless by John Bevere
• Remember God by Annie F. Downs
• Richistan by Robert Frank
• Split Second by David Baldacci
• Soar! by T.D. Jakes
• The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell
• The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer
• The Cactus by Sarah Haywood
• The Essential Oil Hormone Solution by Dr. Mariza Snyder
• The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn
• The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
• The Infertility Cure by Krishna N. Sharma
• The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
• The Little Book of Lykke by Meik Wiking
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
• The Year of Less by Cait Flanders
• Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst
• You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
• You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

The last thing I want to share on here is THESE illustrated Harry Potter books. You guys!!!!! Have you seen these before?! I didn’t know about them until my friend (the same one that suggested I use Good Reads) showed me hers. I was in shock! They are so beautiful! When she found out my goal was to finish the series this year she let me bring them home so I could read them versus my tattered alternatives at home. I can’t get over how well done they are! They only have 3 out currently but they are releasing the Goblet of Fire on 10/8! THIS is the best price I’ve found them.

Time to sign off for the weekend and get lost in some Harry Potter! I hope you all have a good one. Thank you always for your endless support.

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