Books: Top 3 Reads of January 2020
Here’s the Top 3 Books I’d Recommend from my January 2020 Reads
In January, I set the goal of reading 35 books during 2020. I knew that I actually wanted to read 100 (just because I think it would be cool to say that I’ve accomplished that goal). However, I wanted to be realistic. If I hit anywhere close to 100, I was going to be extremely happy. However, considering my history of making it to 50 books or less, I didn’t want to be disappointed.
January was a month that finished 11 books. My process is to always be reading four different kinds of books: poetry, non-fiction, fiction and skills/learning. When I finish a book in one of these categories, I choose another book in the same category and incorporate it into my reading.
My Top 3 of January 2020 reflects two of the above categories. I loved each of these books for different reasons.
The Devil’s Inbox by Barbara Laymon
This book is modeled off of the classic work of fiction by C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters. This month, I chose to read the classic and then the spinoff.
The Devil’s Inbox is written in the form of e-mail correspondence from a senior tempter to a junior tempter working on her first case. In this series of e-mails, the senior Tempter, Anesthia advises her charge of the proper acts of tempting for her young patient. They are on a mission to tempt the patient to fall into a life of spiritual complacency and coming down to hell to be devoured by them.
I enjoy this book (and it’s predecessor) because it is relatable. How many times am I willing to fall into the traps of missing the present moment, getting overbooked with things that don’t matter at the end of the day, and ignore the things that actually matters?
Theology is weaved in, however, to me this book is more about the considering the small things and not missing the present moment. It’s about looking for the pitfalls and distractions that can be easily avoided.
How to Be a Zombie: The Essential Guide for Anyone Who Craves Brains by Serena Valentino
Witty, humorous, and engaging. I’m not one for zombie books (more of a vampire fan). However, this book had my attention the entire time.
At under 130 pages, half of it is artistic work other than text. However, it covers everything from fashion (the tips to doing zombie makeup alone is worth the read) to interacting with the living. It’s also full of fashion tips and playlists.
Overall, it’s a great that’s entertaining enough to distract from one of the worst days.
Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis
This book is one of the reasons I’m glad that I chose a smaller book goal. I know that I can’t read this one only once. It’s so jam packed with good tips on striving for goals and dreams.
Hollis speaks to her readers as if they were close friends. She talks about excuses why women don’t go for the dreams that they have- including reasons based on identity (that’s not what women do) and restrictions (don’t have enough time)- and tells the truth about why these excuses are invalid. She then goes on to talk about traits needed to achieve dreams and how to go about actually chasing dreams.
There are so many amazing takeaways from this book. Two of my favorite principles are the “5 to Strive” which is setting 5 solid hours at your best times to strive for your goals every week and “10–10–1” which is the process of coming up with 10 dreams for 10 years and then narrowing down to decide which dream to pursue first.
When a book has an much hype around it as this one does, I become skeptical. However, this book is worth all of the hype. It’s one of those books that can be listened to over and over without feeling bored or tired of it. It’s also one of the first books that I’ve wanted to buy, read every month and mark the living daylights out of… and maybe memorize some of the passages.
It’s a book I think all women need to read.
Each of these books were brilliant in their own way. Whether that was through entertainment or motivation. I’m looking forward to going back in the future and rereading these books.
