CW: Do not read if you have a newborn or new babe that doesn’t sleep. My second child didn’t really sleep until age 3 so waited to read this book….for years.

Now you know. Let the review begin:

I found this book beyond fascinating, full of learnings and one of those books that changed my sleep habits immediately from how I go to sleep, how I wake up, how I talk about sleep and what I know about health. ‘Why We Sleep’ written by Matthew Walker is not only a book about sleep hygiene but also a book about our society, our education system, our immune system and solutions for the future.

And in a word, this book is intense.

I have been devouring books as of late. The screens with the plethora of choices as you scroll Netflix or HBO, it is not doing it for me. And of course, I recently read in a book titled ‘Why Sleep Matters’ all about the blue light and LED light before bed and the brain and now I am on a rampage to read and dim the lights.

I often am asked how I make time to read when I share a new book review or a recent book stack from my library. So! I polled my book club for some ideas on how to support your reading goals this year, in no particular order, here you go:

I really, really loved this atlas. I don’t even know if I can keep it in the category or label it a ‘book’ in the way we know books. It is a larger endeavor of a read, it is an experience in storytelling which Brené is so damn good at and it beckoned me to read it like a textbook and I loved that student seat again.

But first, hold that thought, because when I picked this book up at my local bookstore I was steeped in judgement. I flipped through the large print, the pages with quotes and I felt the weight in my hands and was pretty uncertain at the start. How can I read this in my beloved bath? How do you even lay in bed with a book this size?

I really love Fredrik Backman’s writing style. Especially when you start to learn more about the discipline of writing, character and plot development - he is an absolute genius of words and connection. And I cried at the end, which is always a great sign of connection to characters.

I read this book over the holidays when the idea of self help books sends me cross-eyed, truly. I even read chapters and finished it on a roadtrip from Colorado to Texas. Somehow, some way, I am able to read books in the car - I should mention it was a hardback, this was not audible style.

I recently finished her book ‘Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life’ and I truly loved it. Written in memoir style, she is a wonderful story teller and straight shooter. I have a goal to write a book and two friends told me to read this and when a double recommendation happens, I jump on my library website to place a hold.

In this book, Anne speaks to the trials and tribulations of writing, kind of like we see reflected often in life. The discipline to sit your butt in that chair every day and write. The goal to get published while recognizing this should never be the goal at all as it can lead to empty promises, vanity and way less than expected (like way less).

In seeing every book list recap out there right now, it does seem to be at the top of the shelf for LGBTQ+ reads this 2021 year and I agree. I found the writing smart, captivating and I learned a lot with transgender character at the center stage of this novel. And I heard it is going to be made into a TV series, I always like the books better.

I feel late to the game and yet, right on time with finishing up ‘The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters’ by Priya Parker last week. I know this book was published back in May of 2018 but as books do, they show up when you need them. And Priya Parker is out and about these days making the rounds on podcasts talking gatherings in current/post COVID times, she hosted Brene Brown’s new book launch (did you order ‘Atlas of The Heart’ yet?) and her resume is full of peace processing, race relations and community connections as a strategic advisor and facilitator

I read the book, ‘Wintering’ by Katherine May actually last year but felt apropos to share again this Winter season in this weird ass time of life. And to be honest, I might read it again.

The full title of the book is actually: ‘Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times’. As if I need to share more, the title alone made me buy this book immediately to read all the pages and have as a reminder on my bookshelf at all times.

I will not lie to you, I started this book on a Wednesday evening and finished it by Thursday afternoon. Dare I say I took a day off and sat on my blue couch and read and read and read. I highly recommend a day of to read and I definitely recommend this book to be the one you do read.

I recently finished ‘Dopamine Nation’ by Anne Lembke, MD. I had 3 people send me the book title consecutive days in a row and I listened to her podcast with Rich Roll - immediately dialed my local bookstore to order. Some books I can wait on the library list, some I press the purchase button.