Reading Wrap-Up - Five Books I Read in January

Reading Wrap-UpFive Books I Read in January

As the January chill is still blasting around the country, I am finishing up my fifth book for the month.  At this point last year, I had read ten books, but hey! Every year is different.

I did spend part of my month trudging through a book that I only sorta liked, but I put it down to save for later.  And then bam! It was like I was a speed reader after that.  I blew through The Forgotten Garden and Nine Perfect Strangers, both of which I had been anticipating for a long time. And they were definitely worth it.

Five Books I Read in January 

 

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

Find it on Amazon here; review here

The motivational book that is sweeping the nation!  Rachel tells you how to get over lies you’ve been telling yourself, and how to grab life by the horns.  She gives detailed, practical advice alongside the story of her own life. I laughed, I cried, I took a good look at myself and really thought about things.  If you need someone to just look at you and say, “Of course you can do that – go follow your dream!” then you need to read this book!

 

Woman Last Seen in her Thirties by Camille Pagan

Find it on Amazon here

This one was recommended to me by Sarah’s Book Shelves.  As a young mother, I sometimes worry that I will lose myself in my children and their lives, and wake up one day in my 50s and wonder who I am.  This book explores those feelings as Maggie suddenly finds herself an empty-nester, divorced, and not sure what to do with herself.  She goes on a journey to re-discover the person she last saw in her thirties. 

I didn’t find it as deep (or depressing) as I expected.  Camille Pagan did address inner questions, desires and longings, but in an enjoyable way without being too cliché. 

 

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Find it on Amazon here, review here

Kate Morton takes you back and forth through time spanning from 1900 to 2005 intertwining the details of a family, a house, and a secret.  In 1975 Nell is trying to figure out who she really is after she was left on an Australian dock at the age of four in 1913.  She dies before she can discover the truth, and in 2005 her granddaughter, Cassandra, takes up the task. 

I absolutely fell in love with these characters, their surroundings, and their places in time.  It was one of those books where you obsessively keep reading, but you don’t want to stop because then the story will be over!

 

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Find it on Amazon here, review coming soon

Nine people attend a ten-day retreat at a health resort.  As the days go by, things begin to get more and more strange.  Until there is a breaking point.  How far is the staff willing to go to give their guest the transformations they desire?  How much would you be willing to do to really change your life?

While I was reading Nine Perfect Strangers, I had to hide the book from myself or I wouldn’t have done anything else all day!  (And my family tends to want to eat, so I had to put it down).  Like most of Liane Moriarty’s books you slowly get to know different characters, their lives begin to merge, and then you reach an “un-put-downable” point. 

 

Church of the Small Things by Melanie Shankle

Find it on Amazon here

There are a million tiny details, actions, and words that make up your life.  You show love, you take care of others, you give in small, sometimes insignificant ways.  It’s such a strong reminder that the little things you are doing matter.

This book had me literally crying from laughing so hard. But then – bam! – she’d hit me with some really serious, profound tidbit that would also make me start crying, for a different reason.  It was such a joy to read her funny stories that actually make you take a look at the world and realize, yes, this is a great life.  I will say there were some moments in her book where I was thinking where is she going with this, what exactly is the point? But, I think looking at everything as a whole is her point.  Sometimes these random, tiny, insignificant (and sometimes slightly wandering) stories are what make up a beautiful life worth living.

What did you read this January?  Keep track of it on my free reading goals tracker!

Happy Reading!

Hannah

You might also like:

Books I Read in2018

Finding Time toRead January Edition

Book Review – TheLife-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Book Review - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

Does that spark joy?  

Have you been sucked into the Netflix series that everyone is watching?  Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.  My friend was inspired and purged their house of clothes, toys, and random things, filled up her husband’s truck and brought it all to Goodwill. 

But then Goodwill turned them away!

Can you believe that? They were so full of donated items that they could not possible hold any more.  Apparently, at least where I live, everyone is watching this show!

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up – the book

Get it from Amazon: here

I read the book a few years ago, and I can see how it might really be life-changing.  That is, if I had followed all the steps in their totality.  I mostly devoured the book sitting on the couch thinking: yes, that is such a good idea!

Marie Kondo Is a Japanese woman with a love of tiding and a plan that can make it work for your home.  The idea is if you tidy in a certain order of broad categories (first clothing, then books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and then sentimental items) you will be able to tackle your belongings and bring order to your home.  Her method includes taking inventory of every item in your home.  You hold each item, one at a time, and ask yourself, does this spark joy?  If it does, keep it, if it doesn’t ditch it. 

She has people say thank you to each object before they discard them.  Seems a little hokey to me, but the sentiment is right.  I agree that you should be thankful for what you have. Thank God for the money to buy those pair of shoes, be thankful that your friend gave you that shirt for Christmas, be thankful that you do have enough clothing to protect your body from the elements.  I bet it is easier to get rid of something if you appreciate it’s value.

Can “tidying up” really change your life?

In the introduction Mari Kondo says, yes! IF you “Start by discarding. Then organize your space, thoroughly, completely, in one go.” (pg 1) She has many testimonials of people who get their space in order and it affects them drastically in other areas – starting their own business, getting a divorce, increase sales, get along better with their husband, loose ten pounds, etc.  She says, “…when you put your house in order, you put your affairs and your past in order, too.” 

Mari Kondo points out that her personal coaching on tidying is so successful because no one really teaches us how to tidy.  We are expected to pick it up along the way, but you can’t take a high school home ec class on tidying.  Although, I’d argue, you can find all kinds of ideas on Pinterest!  And I know of so many blogs that talk about organization and purging.  Also, there’s the whole minimalist movement… But, anyway, her point is she has developed a method to teach you – and you need to learn!

Once we’ve learned, and followed through, she is promising huge life results.  

We have too much stuff!

Just an hour ago I rallied my family together to pick up all the toys.  We had a friend over to play yesterday, and between two toddler boys the toys were EVERYWHERE.  Obviously, rambunctious boys who are excited to play together will naturally create a mess, but if we didn’t have so many toys cleaning up would be an entirely different matter. 

Now, I’m not sure my family is ready to radically embrace Minimalism.  However, having toys (and clothes, and kitchen appliances, and – yes even books) everywhere doesn’t mean they are actually getting used.  In fact, I’ve noticed that my kids play with toys more when there are less toys available.  I think it’s time to take some drastic action and cut back. 

Considering our Goodwill is apparently full to the brim. however, I’m going to have to get more creative.  How should I give away our unused toys?

Watch the Netflix show or read the book?

Watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo was a great visual to have of the process.  And you can see the actual people whose lives are changing!  My favorite thing is to see Marie showing her method of folding clothes- so helpful. 

But, as they say, the book is always better!  I think the book will give you more information.  You will be able to see why her method is this way, her childhood influence, and her steps for tidying.

Her writing style (along with the translation) is easily readable, and relatable.  Ok, you might not relate to her urgent need to organize everyone else’s things in her house and classroom, but you will likely relate to her personal stories.  She shares examples from her life as well as from her clients.

And sprinkled throughout her personal stories and detailed, practical advice, are other nuggets of wisdom.  Many of them are bolded on the page so your eye immediately notices them.  For example, when she is discussing why it is hard to get rid of an item, even if we know it doesn’t spark joy, she explains our attachment like this: “But when we really delve into the reasons for why we can’t let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future” (181).

Ultimately, I feel like the Tidying Up with Marie Kondo is satisfying to watch, and it is motivating me to actually start this process.  But I think the book will come in more useful.  Holding the book in my hands is like holding all the magic knowledge of Marie Kondo.  The steps, the process, the why, even the encouragement. 

 

Instead of a Reading Challenge, a Challenge to DO what you’ve READ

Now, I know I said I read this book a few years ago, and I also started folding my clothes differently, but have I actually followed her program?  No.  eek!  Why not? If all those people profess that it is life-changing for them, why have I not tried?

How about you?  Have you tried the KonMari Method?  Have you been transformed by The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up your own home?  If so, let me know in the comments!  I want to know how this is going for other people!

 Want to try? Get The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Read if…

You’ve been watching the Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo

You are inspired to clean up your space and you want to know where to start!

Happy Reading (and tidying!)

Hannah

You might also be interested in:

How to Reduce Stress in Your Life

Slowness, Stillness, Simplicity

Why You Should Stop Reading That Book

Further Reading…

The Complete Bookof Home Organization by Toni Hammersley – I’ve followed A Bowl full of Lemons blog off and on for years.  It’s my go-to when I need and idea to organize something. 

The Gentle Art ofSwedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson

Disclosure: Some of the links above may be affiliate links.  This means if you purchase something I may get a small percentage at no cost to you.  Thanks for supporting The Cozy Reading Nook!