What Do You Read?

What kinds of things do you read?

I’m always curious about what books other people love.

That’s probably why BookTok is one of my favorite places.

Well—if I’m being honest—I’m taking a break from it right now.

Somehow videos of hot dog food trucks snuck into my algorithm and I’m completely hooked.

But that’s not today’s topic.

I read all sorts of things.

I always have.

It started young—when I discovered V.C. Andrews’ very scandalous novels at twelve.

Reading Flowers in the Attic at that age definitely shaped me in strange ways.

Over the years, I’ve bounced between genres:

Classics that challenge my comprehension.

World War II historical fiction—The Nightingale will forever be a favorite.

Asian fiction—Memoirs of a Geisha, Moloka‘i, Pachinko, and almost anything by Amy Tan.

A full year of nothing but psychological thrillers.

And then—Space Alien romance.

(My daughter’s high school English teacher didn’t quite know what to do with that.)

I’ve read pieces of more self-help, leadership, and business books than I can count.

And last year? I devoured the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, the Throne of Glass series, and the first two Empyrean books.

Apparently, I was deep in my young adult fantasy romance era—

which, looking back, might’ve been a sign that something important was missing in my real life.

Anyway, I love books.

Always have.

But here’s the funny thing—

for as much as I’ve read in my life,

I haven’t made it past two chapters of any book this year.

Because for the first time in my life,

I didn’t need to consume other people’s words.

I needed to write my own.

So I did.

Life is funny like that.

Some of My Favorites

• Wild — Cheryl Strayed

• The Nightingale — Kristin Hannah

• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone — Lori Gottlieb

• Running on Empty — Jonice Webb, Ph.D.

  This one changed my life. It’s all about recognizing the impacts of childhood emotional neglect and healing from it.

• You Can Heal Your Life — Louise Hay

• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team — Patrick Lencioni

  One of my favorite books on team building and organizational culture.

• Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life — Emily Nagoski

• The Warmth of Other Suns — Isabel Wilkerson

• No Limits — John Maxwell

• Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams — Mike Dooley

• The Physician — Noah Gordon

• Fierce Conversations — Susan Scott

• The Power of Your Subconscious Mind — Joseph Murphy

And I cannot forget to include the entire Twilight series.

Team Jacob 4-ever!