8 captivating books I’ve devoured lately

Books are one of my favorite things in the world, and it’s high time I did a post sharing my recent reads. Here are a few of the books I’ve read in July and August.

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Wired for Love: A Neuroscientist’s Journey Through Romance, Loss, and the Essence of Human Connection, by Stephanie Cacioppo

Wow was this book a breath of fresh air! Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo was a middle-aged woman who had never been in love when she met her future intended. After a whirlwind romance, wedding, and 7-year marriage, he succumbed to cancer. Despite that, the book wasn’t sad for me, it was hopeful. Love is good for us – physically, emotionally and even intellectually, as the author proves.

The Small but Mighty Real Estate Investor by Chad Carson

“Coach Carson” is a prominent voice in the FiRE (financially independent, retired early) community. His books have helped people learn how to become successful real estate investors.

I doubt I’ll take action on this for a few years, but I am very interested in eventually buying a duplex or small apartment building, and I’m glad I’ll have this book to guide me.

Existential Kink: Unmask Your Shadow and Embrace Your Power by Carolyn Elliott, PhD

This book was recommended to me by my Atlanta homegirl Kiersten of RichandRegular. She’s another powerhouse in the FiRE movement. I heard her speak again, recently at FinCon’s Women and Money, where she mentioned the book. I downloaded a sample on my Kindle app, and by the time I’d read the first chapter, I was intrigued enough to buy the book.

Fascinating. The author suggests that often, we get physiologically aroused by things we claim we dislike. (Jung and Freud said the same thing, interestingly.) As an example, Elliott “hated” being broke. But after doing some inner work, she realized that a part of her loved the struggle and the thrill of her own scrappiness. When she accepted and even embraced this part of herself, her finances began to turn around dramatically.

This is one I’ll need to read a second time immediately when I complete it. Deep stuff! (Note: I don’t agree with some of the more esoteric spiritual beliefs of the author, but I don’t have to, to benefit from the overall message. And it’s certainly entertaining to read!)

Rethink Your Position: Reshape Your Exercise, Yoga, and Everyday Movement, One Part at a Time by Katy Bowman

If you’ve been reading my blog for a long time you might recognize the name Katy Bowman. Years ago when I was podcasting, I interviewed her, and I’ve reviewed a couple of her books here. Big fan of her work!

Katy is a biomechanist who teaches people how to move their bodies more, and in ways that prevent pain and premature aging.

The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path Forward by Britt Frank

Wow this book is refreshing. I kept seeing it referenced everywhere online, as if something was nudging me towards it. When I read it, I had just begun to feel a shift after a long period of stuckness (which for me is a trauma response, I’ve been diagnosed with cPTSD and religious trauma syndrome). Returning to writing frequently on this blog is evidence that I’ve been able to break through it!

I love how the book is structured. It has short, easily digested chapters with 5-minute homework assignments. Definitely plan on re-reading this one.

Speaking of trauma and stuckness, I also enjoyed this read:

How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by KC Davis LPC

I’ve never really struggled with housekeeping, but due to the aforementioned mental health struggles, I was feeling like I was drowning for a bit. Going through a divorce, becoming a single mom responsible for five kids, putting kids in school after years of homeschooling, becoming a homeowner and landlady, etc – overwhelming. This book was a beautiful read.

Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters by Laura Vanderkam

Laura has been one of my favorite writers for a long time, so I was happy when my friend Kristen gave me a copy of her newest book. Far from being a typically boring time management book, Laura offers fresh perspectives on making the most of and even altering your perception of time.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgsen Burnett

One of the suggestions in Vanderkam’s book is to add whimsy to your schedule. I realized that re-reading favorite books of my childhood would not only be fun, but might also help me heal old wounds.

As a kid, Burnett was one of my favorite authors. (As it turns out, I have quite a bit in common with her.) Since I identified so strongly with Mary Lennox, I started with The Secret Garden.

“The main theme of The Secret Garden is healing. By tending to the garden, Mary and Colin heal their relationships with themselves and those around them.” – Study.com

Tasha Tudor’s illustrations make this book even more lovely to read.

What have you been reading lately?