I set a goal of reading at least 3 books a month and I’m still getting stronger. Share a summary of what I read in August and if I recommend it!
Hi friends! How is the day? Hope you have a nice morning so far. I’ll head over to the kids’ school for a bit and then take content photos with Kristi later today.
For today’s post, I’m sharing a summary of the books I read in August! I set a goal at the beginning of this year to read at least 3 books a month, and without such a strong and super specific goal, there would be no way for that to happen. (I think accountability through the blog has made a huge difference too!) I feel like I’m playing more games than ever right now in terms of work (Fit Team, blog, podcast, videos, feed clients, personal training clients, beauty counter) But reading is something I really enjoy as a hobby. This goal really encouraged me to stick with it and carve out the time, although it would be convenient to omit it from my routine.
Here is my pick for August!
I received this in my country book of the month Subscribe and I was wondering if I would like it. The author is one hit (Evelyn Hugo’s Seven Husbands) and one miss )Daisy Jones and the Six) Mine. I had no clue what I was doing, but decided to give it a whirl, and totally enjoyed it. I ended up reading it in a couple of days because I was so immersed in the characters. I don’t feel like much *happens* in this book, but the character development and backstory, alternating between two eras, made it all worthwhile for me. 8/10 would recommend.
from Amazon:
Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end of summer party, and anticipation is at its peak. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, a talented surfer and model; brothers Jay and Hood, one a championship surfer and the other a famous photographer; and their beloved baby sister, Kate. Siblings together are a source of fascination in Malibu and around the world – especially as they are descendants of legendary singer Mick Riva.
The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who was publicly abandoned by her professional tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hood – because it’s been so long since I’ve confessed something to a brother he hasn’t parted with since he was born.
On the other hand, Jay counts the minutes until dark, when you promise the girl he can’t stop thinking that she’ll be there.
And Kate has secrets of her own – including the guest she invited without consulting anyone.
By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva Palace would have been on fire. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, alcohol will flow, music will play, and all the love and secrets that have shaped the generations of this family will appear.
Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in a family’s life: the night they each have to choose what to keep from the people who made it. . . And what will they leave behind?
broken (in the best way possible)
I LOVE LOVE Jenny Lawson, and I remember listening to her book Let’s Imagine This Never Happened and laughing so hard I cried. I’ve listened to this on Audible as well, and ended up feeling a bit like it. I just didn’t laugh at the funny parts, and the sad and deeper parts simply made me sad rather than find comfort in it. Some parts about her experience with depression excite me (and I’m so grateful that she’s shared her story with others to remove the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses), but I think it’s multiplied by everything that’s going on in the world. Maybe I’ll have more fun at another time, but it was too much for me now. 5/10 would recommend.
from Amazon:
As hundreds of thousands of Jenny Lawson fans know, she suffers from depression. In Broken (in the best way possible), Jenny brings listeners with her on her mental and physical health journey, providing heartbreaking and hilarious tales along the way.
With people suffering from anxiety and depression now more than ever, Jenny humanizes what we all experience in a very realistic way, reassuring us that we are not alone and making us laugh while doing so. From the business ideas you want to pitch on your Shark Tank to why Jenny can never get back to the post office, Broken leaves nothing to the imagination in the most flattering way. And of course, Jenny’s long-suffering husband Victor – Ricky to Jenny Lucille Ball – is there all the time.
Broken is a beacon of hope and a fountain of laughter when we need it most.
I just received this book from publicist Katie Bowman (I still can’t believe Katie was in my podcast!!!!!!!!) and was so excited to delve into it. This book provides real-life examples of how to create a family a movement-focused lifestyle. Kids are on the move a lot these days, and I’m always looking for ways to add more movement to our lives and make them fun.
This insightful book (with beautiful color photos!) includes tips for stabling motion, spending time in nature, proper footwear, gardening, cooking, seasonal activities, furniture, and home additions to promote less sitting and more movement, learning, etc. I feel it’s easy to get confused when you’re looking to change your lifestyle in any capacity, but this book includes plenty of easy habits and tips that you can continue to build. 10/10 would recommend.
from Amazon:
From Katie Bowman, biomechanical scientist and best-selling author, comes her eagerly awaited guide to getting kids—from infants to pre-teens—and their families moving more, together, outside.
Our children are on the move less than any other generation in human history; Indoor time and screen time have skyrocketed. As adults and children turn more to technology-based “ergonomic” solutions, tasks that once required head-to-toe use of our muscles and bones can be done with a tap and swipe. Without realizing it, we have replaced rest with the movement-rich environment on which our physical, mental, and environmental health depends.
Parents do not know what to do!
But there’s good news: While the problem seems huge, the solution is simple…and fun!
Grow Wild isn’t just about the “big ideas” behind movement as feeders, it serves as a field guide – how to spot all the movement opportunities we’re currently missing.
Learn how to ‘Stack Your Life’ for Richer Experiences That Don’t Take Longer:
Prepare your home to promote more movement, naturally
Dress for (movement) success
Add snacks to your meals
Plan dynamic celebrations
Create a dynamic homework space
Bring nature into your home and play
And much more!
One of the movement’s pioneers, Bowman wrote his book “Grow Wild” to show where movement is used to fit into the activities of daily living and, more importantly, how again this can be done.
The perfect companion to Bowman’s bestseller, Move Your DNA, Grow Wild provides nature-rich, everyday ideas on how to let kids pass on their DNA while doing the things they love.
Tell me, friends: What did you read in August? Any show stoppers? What should I add to the September list?
xoxo
Jenna
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