This year, I've decided to focus on reading books that have only been highly rated and recommended—books that truly move the needle in my life. This doesn't mean I've filled up my library with self-help books. To be honest, only a few of those actually mean anything; the rest are iterations of other books. Once you've read a few, they start to get redundant. I also love a celebrity memoir, but some are just complete trash. You can tell they either had a ghostwriter or simply don't have much of a personality. So, I've decided to only read memoirs of people I admire and want to learn about, fiction that helps me see a different perspective, and non-fiction with new concepts.
It's like the scene in Good Will Hunting when Matt Damon's character calls out the Harvard student for only repeating things he's read, unable to develop his own original thoughts. I felt myself getting to that point. The best way I've found to spark inspiration and creativity is to read books from different genres and find connections between them. This ignites my brain again. With that said, here are some of my favorite books of the year so far and my thoughts on them.
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis:
Wow, this one really sparked some new thoughts in my brain. If you're even slightly interested in theology, this is a great one to start with. I highlighted every page and know I'll need to re-read it multiple times to grasp all of Lewis's concepts. It felt new and fresh, even though it was written decades ago. It was like when I first started reading books about investing and compound interest in my 20s. I understood the concepts but not enough to explain them to a 5-year-old. This book ignited my interest in theology and led me to start reading more in this genre.
Stories from the Motherline by Naomi Ruth Lowinsky:
I had to get on a waitlist for this book because it's so rare and relatively unknown. But wow, it truly put into words everything we feel when we become mothers, especially to daughters. One concept here is that as mothers, we view our children as our past, remembering our own childhood, and our mothers as our future, seeing what it will be like in 10, 20, 30 years. Yet, our children are our future and our mothers are the past. It's fascinating how women think like this and how it weaves into the nature of our motherhood and womanhood.
Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton:
This is one of the celebrity memoirs I actually loved. I admire Dolly for what she's built, how she’s stayed true to herself, and how she's universally loved. Her long-lasting marriage and seemingly happy life are inspiring. Although this book was written decades ago, it still resonates. I'd love for her to write another memoir from where this one left off. Her stories influence how I operate day-to-day.
Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive by Stephanie Land:
This one became popular when it was adapted into a Netflix series. I couldn’t watch the series; the trailer alone brought me to tears. After having kids, some things hit too close to home. I read the book slowly, but every night, it filled me with immense gratitude for my life. The home I’m constantly redecorating and complaining about cleaning, the daycare I can afford, and the luxury of taking sick days without financial stress—all of it. My husband’s support and love also stood out. This book affected every part of my life. Whenever I find myself complaining, I remember the lessons from this book, and it helps me find gratitude.
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