When I was young, I was a bookworm. I devoured any book I could get my hands on and felt like I was pretty well-read for someone my age. But then there were several years of my life when I felt like I was too busy with raising the kids to find time to read a book. I would guiltily read the occasional light read on a trip or something, but for the most part I just didn't read much for a number of years and I missed it.
I remember going to a RS evening meeting during that time and a woman with young kids sharing how making time to read was something that kept our brains active and engaged. Intuitively I knew it, but I wasn't living it. Her comments awakened in me a desire to read and I left that night with a resolve that I would join the ward book group and strive to read one book a month.
That resolve changed everything.
That was probably 12-years ago or so, and I have kept to that resolve pretty faithfully since then. I occasionally miss a month here or there, but these days I usually read more like 2-3 books a month. To be totally honest, these days, a good portion of the books I "read" I actually listen to as an audiobook. I'll have to tell you about my favorite site for that sometime (it's not Audible).
I used to mostly read fluffy, fun reads, but lately I've found myself seeking depth and meaning. This past year I read several thought provoking books that rocked my world and changed my perspective.
This is one of them:
"The Choice: Embrace the Possible
" by Edith Eva Eger. It's a memoir written by a Hungarian Holocaust survivor who is still living. I found myself entranced by her story of healing and hope. She got past the horrors of her past by reinventing her life, going back to school, and helping others to heal. There's a good dose of psychology in it, something I love reading about, and I really was inspired by her energy, her ability to overcome, forgive, and help others to do the same...all the while being true to herself and to the pain she'd experienced. I also love that she tells her story all the while validating that we all have our own "concentration camp" experiences and mindsets that hold us back.
I was so rocked by it, that I bought and sent copies to all my kids that live away from home. If you read it, send me a note. I'd love to hear what you thought of it too!
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*This post contains affiliate links. This means that a special tracking code is used and that I may make a small commission on the sale of an item if you purchase through one of these links. The price of the item is the same for you whether it is an affiliate link or not, and using affiliate links helps me to maintain this website and support my family.
I remember going to a RS evening meeting during that time and a woman with young kids sharing how making time to read was something that kept our brains active and engaged. Intuitively I knew it, but I wasn't living it. Her comments awakened in me a desire to read and I left that night with a resolve that I would join the ward book group and strive to read one book a month.
That resolve changed everything.
That was probably 12-years ago or so, and I have kept to that resolve pretty faithfully since then. I occasionally miss a month here or there, but these days I usually read more like 2-3 books a month. To be totally honest, these days, a good portion of the books I "read" I actually listen to as an audiobook. I'll have to tell you about my favorite site for that sometime (it's not Audible).
I used to mostly read fluffy, fun reads, but lately I've found myself seeking depth and meaning. This past year I read several thought provoking books that rocked my world and changed my perspective.
This is one of them:
"The Choice: Embrace the Possible
" by Edith Eva Eger. It's a memoir written by a Hungarian Holocaust survivor who is still living. I found myself entranced by her story of healing and hope. She got past the horrors of her past by reinventing her life, going back to school, and helping others to heal. There's a good dose of psychology in it, something I love reading about, and I really was inspired by her energy, her ability to overcome, forgive, and help others to do the same...all the while being true to herself and to the pain she'd experienced. I also love that she tells her story all the while validating that we all have our own "concentration camp" experiences and mindsets that hold us back.
“We cannot choose to have a life free of hurt. But we can choose to be free, to escape the past, no matter what befalls us, and to embrace the possible.” Edith Eger
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*This post contains affiliate links. This means that a special tracking code is used and that I may make a small commission on the sale of an item if you purchase through one of these links. The price of the item is the same for you whether it is an affiliate link or not, and using affiliate links helps me to maintain this website and support my family.
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