Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Top 5 Tuesday - Top 5...Books to Inspire/Motivate

 



Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme that explores different topics. Originally created by Shanah at Bionic Book Worm, it is now hosted by Meeghan at Meeghan Reads. For a list of December topics you can click here. To participate, link your post back to the weekly post.

This week is a Top 5 Tuesday freebie. I didn't even know there was such a thing. Since we are heading into the new year, I figured I would share books to inspire/motivate you. It is the time for goal setting and resolutions. :) 


If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, "What starts here changes the world," he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better.

Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments.



Millions of readers have acquired the secrets of success through The Magic of Thinking Big. Achieve everything you always wanted: financial security, power and influence, the ideal job, satisfying relationships, and a rewarding, happy life.

Set your goals high...then exceed them!

Millions of people throughout the world have improved their lives using The Magic of Thinking Big. Dr. David J. Schwartz, long regarded as one of the foremost experts on motivation, will help you sell better, manage better, earn more money, and—most important of all—find greater happiness and peace of mind.

The Magic of Thinking Big gives you useful methods, not empty promises. Dr. Schwartz presents a carefully designed program for getting the most out of your job, your marriage and family life, and your community. He proves that you don’t need to be an intellectual or have innate talent to attain great success and satisfaction—but you do need to learn and understand the habit of thinking and behaving in ways that will get you there. This book gives you those secrets! 

 Believe you can succeed and you will:

-Cure yourself of the fear of failure
-Think and dream creatively
-You are what you think you are
-Make your attitudes your allies
-Learn how to think positively
-Turn defeat into victory
-Use goals to help you grow
-Think like a leader


One of the best books I've ever read. Love every book by Og Mandino.


The Greatest Salesman in the World is a book that serves as a guide to a philosophy of salesmanship, and success, telling the story of Hafid, a poor camel boy who achieves a life of abundance. If Mandino's suggested reading structure is followed, it would take about 10 months to read the book.

What you are today is not important... for in this runaway bestseller you will learn how to change your life by applying the secrets you are about to discover in the ancient scrolls.




Are You A Human Ostrich?

Do you stick your head in the sand at the thought of dealing with a task that seems boring, complicated, or unpleasant? Do you pay your bills late because the last time you balanced your checkbook was more than six months ago? While working on a task do you keep thinking you should be dealing with a different task?

Is your living space messy and your life unorganized?
Do you clean up only when family or friends will be visiting-only to let your place fall back into untidiness after they've gone?
After you've cleaned for visitors, do you tell yourself "it doesn't count!" because you weren't doing it for yourself?
Have you stopped having visitors over because you're ashamed of your mess?
Do you worry you'll feel embarrassed if the landlord, a plumber, or a repairperson needed to visit your place?
Do you constantly compare yourself to people who seem to "have it together?"
Does your habitual procrastination leave you feeling depressed and anxious?
Do you know the 25 characteristics and behaviors of the human ostrich?
Are you concerned that your child or someone you care deeply about is becoming a habitual procrastinator?

The Solution To Your Habitual Procrastination Is Here!

Learn the golden rules of overcoming procrastination. Stop falling victim to the downward cycle of procrastination and depression. Stop feeling overwhelmed and immobilized with fear by learning how to effectively cope with your tasks and responsibilities. Become a "do"-er by learning easy to use and highly effective new tool - The J.O.T. Method™.



For out-starting upstarts of all ages, here is a wonderfully wise and blessedly brief graduation speech from the one and only Dr. Seuss. In his inimitable, humorous verse and pictures, he addresses the Great Balancing Act (life itself, and the ups and downs it presents) while encouraging us to find the success that lies within us. 

 And will you succeed?
Yes! You will indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

A modern classic, Oh, the Places You'll Go! was first published one year before Dr. Seuss's death at the age of eighty-seven. In a mere fifty-six pages, Dr, Seuss managed to impart a lifetime of wisdom. It is the perfect send-off for children starting out in the maze of life, be they nursery school grads or newly-minted PhD's. Everyone will find it inspired good fun.

I included that last one because we should all tap into that young person inside us who dreamed big and believed we were invincible. 

Top Ten Tuesday - Favorite Books of 2020



Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

It is that time of year again--time to share our favorite books. Hope you enjoy my list.

Top Ten Favorite Books of 2020



Though I have enjoyed all the books in the Tradd Street series, these two are the ones I liked the most of the four I read in 2020.


It is rare I don't enjoy a Christmas story, but this one was so sweet. Hallmark needs to grab this one for a TV movie. 


This was a strong start to a new series by Charlotte Hubbard. I am reading the second book now.



The Caitlin Strong novels by Jon Land are always fabulous reads. How deeply personal to the main character this story is makes it even better. 


An engaging historical adventure.


Deputy Tempe Crabtree has been a favorite of mine for years. I am wondering what new adventures await her after this one. 


I never tire of reading Hubbard's books. This is a story of forgiveness and second chances. 


An exciting adventure of an orphan in seek of the truth. I am eager for the release of the next book. 


A fabulous plot and superb characters make this modern retelling of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility a delightful read. 

What do you think of my list? Have you read any of these? What are some books from your list I should plan to read in 2021? 

Monday, December 28, 2020

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Dec 28



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Welcome to the last Monday of 2020. The next time we post this meme it will be in January 2021! Let's hope turning the calendar will help us turn the corner on this horrible pandemic. 

We had a nice Christmas with our children. I was blessed to receive some book gifts, which you can read about here

On the reading front, I didn't get much accomplished because the days leading up to Christmas were filled with work and holiday preparations. 

I am reading the latest by Charlotte Hubbard. This book will be released tomorrow.


Then I will work on reading these for book tours.








Then these ones are next.





I am in the middle of going through my 2021 TBR Pile spreadsheet. I don't have the time right now to go through all my stored books, but I did straighten out and rearrange the shelf in my office, which allowed me to put six books in the "donate to the library" pile. 

I am only participating in one blog reading challenge in 2021.


I love cozy mysteries and never seem to read the ones in my pile, so I am hoping this will help. I will probably keep a list on Goodreads as well. 

What reading challenges are you participating in next year? How many books do you want to read in 2021? How do you organize your TBR Pile? 

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Under My Christmas Tree

How was your Christmas? I hope it was nice, despite how different it might have been. It was just the kids and us this year. I didn't feel as much stress to get so much done, which helped. Real estate has been hectic, so not having as much to do around the house made life easier. On Christmas Eve, I quickly put up the last of the decorations, wrapped the remaining gifts, filled the stockings, and crept into bed around 2:30 am. The girls were kind enough not to wake me until around 9:00. 

On Christmas morning, I was blessed to find these book gifts under the tree.






My son surprised me with this one.


My Kindle welcomed this gift.




Receiving 5 of the top 10 books on my wish list was a real treat. What books did you receive for Christmas? Which one do you think you'll read first?

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Shelf Control - Dec 23



Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves sponsored by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up!

Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. Here's how to jump on board:
  • Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
  • Add your link in the comments!
  • Link back to Bookshelf Fantasies in your own post.
  • Check out other posts, and…

Wow! I haven't participated in this meme since August. I like to use it to highlight the Kindle freebies that I haven't read, of which there are many. 




BLURB: Rich is a police officer in Dale, North Carolina. He has seen a lot in his profession, but he has seen even more in his personal life. His wife died while giving birth to his daughter, and twelve years later, he loses his little girl to Leukemia. He now lives his life in seclusion, burying himself in old photo albums and memories of the past, closing out everyone around him in the process. Julie is a business woman from New York City who is trying to escape the big city life, and find a place to truly call home. When the two meet, their lives will be changed forever.

DATE BOUGHT: August 5, 2013... just a little while ago

WHY I BOUGHT IT: My love for costal North Carolina spurred this purchase. I am also fascinated by the impact of work trauma on law enforcement. They see a lot of tough things in their line of work, but they also have personal issues they must cope with, making them vulnerable. 

Have you read this book? It received good reviews, but sounds like it needed editing. Not sure if the author has addressed that since I purchased it.

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Top 5 Tuesday - Top 5... Books of 2020

 



Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme that explores different topics. Originally created by Shanah at Bionic Book Worm, it is now hosted by Meeghan at Meeghan Reads. For a list of December topics you can click here. To participate, link your post back to the weekly post.

I find this to be a challenging post. How do you choose just 5? I will do my best.



This middle grade adventure plots an orphan and his friends against a powerful group who doesn't want the truth revealed.


While I have enjoyed all the Tradd Street books, this one is my favorite so far because Melanie's relationships are tested in so many ways. 


Caitlin Strong has been a favorite character of mine for years. In this novel, Land really gets up close and personal with the plot. Loved this from beginning to end.


These two books from Charlotte Hubbard are a tie. I simply can't choose between them. The first one finds the maturing of a character and a new bishop who threatens so much of what the community has built. 

The second is the strong start of a new series. I am reading the second book of the series now. 



If ever there was a book that reads as wonderful as a Hallmark Christmas movie, Selling Christmas is it. I hope to read this one again.

What were your top books of 2020? What books should I add to my list to read in 2021? 

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings



Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Happy Tuesday before Christmas. Is all your shopping done? Is your brain already focused on that long weekend? I hope so. 

This week is one of my favorite Top Ten Tuesday topics. Without further ado, here are the...

Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings


These first two definitely top my list. 


Anything about Laura Ingalls Wilder catches my eye (need to add to my collection)



Murder, She Wrote only got better with Jon Land



Christmas anything makes me happy




Writers need to keep learning



Active listening is an area where I wish to improve



Love American history


So, what are some books you're hoping Santa will bring you this year? Merry Christmas!