The 8 Books I will never stop reading

I was recently interviewed by Betsy Aimee from The Currently Podcast wherein I shared how books have helped me grow and deal with life's ups and downs.  As an avid reader it took me awhile to narrow down my list. Here are the books that have impacted my life the most and I will never stop reading: 

The Untethered Soul

The Gifts of Imperfection

The Bible

The Highly Sensitive Person

The Conscious Parent

You Can Heal Your Life

The Power of Positive Thinking

Start Where You Are

Ever since I was a little girl, books have been my escape.  As an adult they have helped me understand my part in things.  The Untethered Soul taught me to pay attention to my inner voice, The Bible reminds me I am loved as I am and The Conscious Parent helps me look within when I am having a parenting dilemma.  I also included, Start Where You Are, which is a book and prompting journal.  I find writing my honest thoughts in a journal or taking notes after I read these books is healing.  I even keep a copy of the miniature version of The Power of Positive Thinking in my car for those unexpected waiting times. These are all books I have read, re-read and often recommend.  

Please know books are not a substitute for human connection and/or therapy.  There are times in our lives when a book is not enough and that's okay. Reach out to someone you love, and if necessary, reach out to a medical professional.  

With that said, a good book at the right time can make a great impact on your life and realign your way of thinking.  I would love to hear what books have impacted your life the most. 

xo, Lendy

5 Books Everyone Should Read

It's a New Year and you may be turning the page, and want to add some reading to your daily routine.  Here are 5 books I think everyone should read:

The Alchemist

Law 101

The 5 Love Languages

Designing Your Life

Why Didn't They Teach Me This in School?

If you have any must-read suggestions, please share. 

Thrift Store Haul + Current Reads

Last week Luna and I went thrifting, and I had a goal in mind to look for dumbbells or kettle bells.  I read somewhere thrift stores are a great place to find workout gear. Here's what we came home with (I linked the current prices):

• 15lb dumbbell $1.99
• Nike backpack $1.99
• Mickey Mouse jump rope $0.25
• Indoor bowling set for $2.99
• Polar Express book for $1.50
• Go Dog Go book $0.25
• Put Me in the Zoo book $0.25
• Vintage hair barrettes $1.50  

I am happy with everything I bought, and to be giving these things new use in our home. 

Besides the new thrift store books we are also reading a few other books.  I am currently reading, The Homegrown Paleo Cookbook, Faithful Place (I am going through a Tana French phase), Small Victories, and Running Like a Girl. 

Luna's current favorite books are The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbach Goes to School, Time to Pee! (she likes the book more than potty training!), Pepper & Poe, and Leonardo the Terrible Monster (she going through a Mo Willems phase). 

Library Haul + Thrifting

We recently took our monthly trip to the library so I wanted to share what Luna and I are reading these days. Also, here's another library tip, when all the popular books are unavailable in regular print, always check the large print section.   

I am currently reading All The Light We Cannot See along with everyone else who is raving about this book. As you may be able tell by the cover, it is in large print--score! 

At Home in The Whole Food Kitchen is a beautiful vegetarian cookbook, and I cannot wait to give some recipes a try like this roasted fig and raspberry tart with toasted almond crust. 

I watched the Being Mortal documentary, and when the book came out I knew I wanted to read it. I also found this one in the large print new releases section of the library.

I am a big fan of Judy Blume, and  therefore, In the Unlikely Event has been on my hold requests for months. I really hope Judy doesn't disappoint me! Lastly, Astonish Me which was recently in my Friday Favorites because I have been dying to read this one.  I can't help it I love ballerinas!

For Luna's library books, I place a ton of books on hold because I know some will be a hit or a miss. Since I checked out a gazillion books for her, I am only highlighting the books she instantly took a liking to. 

Don't let the Pigeon Stay Up Late (she likes all the Pigeon books because they're funny), Count with Maisy,  Polar Bear's Underwear, Bear and Duck and Flora and the Flamingo.

Another great place to find books are thrift stores. I currently purchased some seasonal books for 49 cents each!

My best finds at the thrift store were the Nancy Drew books, an Eileen Fisher skirt for $2 bucks (Nordstrom has them for over $100) and the marble canister. Marble is everywhere right now so I was super excited to find a high quality marble piece for $7 bucks. 

My search for books lead me to some great finds, and I am so excited to keep searching for Nancy Drew books for Luna's collection. 

Library Haul + Current Reads

As you all know by now, we are a family of readers.  I recently picked up our library holds and we went to the bookstore, and I thought I would share. If you are looking for some book suggestions, I highly recommend any of the books listed below. 

Luna's stack was the largest, and here are the books I chose for her: While Mama had a Quick Little Chat, Part-Time Princess, Hoot Owl, Please, Mr. Panda, Hooray for Hat, And Away we Go!, I love you, Stinky Face, I Spy with My Little Eye, and Tippy-Tippy-Tippy, Hide.  Her favorites are Hooray for Hat, I Spy with My Little Eye and While Mama had a Quick Little Chat. 

Luna loves to do yoga with me so I checked out Itsy Bitsy Yoga and the Little Yoga. Her definite favorite is the Little Yoga book which she has been carrying around since I came home with it, and its worth the purchase. 

Now onto my current reads.  I read How to be Parisian which has great tips for us francophiles and woman in general. I also checked out One Step Too Far, The Pocket Wife and Love is Red. I am carrying this little French book in my purse, Loretta et la petite Fée, and my current serious read is Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn. 

Lastly, I also wanted to share what my husband is currently reading. He is listening to and reading Linchpin, and I believe he is also listening to The Success Principles both of which I plan to read when he is done. 

If you have any good book suggestions for us to add to our next library haul or bookstore trip, please let me know. I would also love to hear what you all are currently reading. 

Library Haul + World Map

This weekend was my monthly library trip and lots of Father's Day celebrations. As part of my husband's gift we gave him a World Map, and he chose to put it up in Luna's play area so all three of us can constantly look at it and plan our adventures.  The highlight of this gift has been her reaction. She loves the map! 

Below our the books I picked up for myself. As mentioned in this post, I am starting a new series of becoming a Tourist in my own Town, and the Fodor's Northern California book is for my research. I also have been hearing great things about The Smartest Kids in the World, and so far I understand the hype.  I am a bit of an Anna Quindlen fan and I am looking forward to reading Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake. Lastly, my current light readings have been Young Adult, and I'll Give You the Sun has great reviews. 

Luna's library books are Giraffes Can't Dance, Rosie Revere Engineer, Steam Train Dream Train, Dream Animals, The Little Engine That Could, and Dear Zoo. My favorites so far are Dream Animals and Giraffes Can't Dance. One of my favorite reasons to check out library books for Luna is it helps us narrow down which books we want to actually purchase. 

The biggest tip I can pass along for library trips with toddlers is to place books and videos on hold.  If Luna goes with me to the library, we can play in the toddler area, and I know we have a great selection of books on the hold shelf. 

Friday Favorites

It was a great week, and the weekend is going to be even better because we do not have any big plans. The past three weekends we have been busy so I am looking forward to lounging around with my people and taking a trip to the library. 

Here are this week's favorites and a little Love on Top.

Favorite App: Calm app. Great for a little escape mid-day. I am currently on Day 3 of the 7 Days of Calm. 

Favorite Indoor Greenery: Dwarf Lemon Tree. I am obsessed with adding more greenery to our home. Can you imagine the smell of an indoor lemon tree?!

Favorite Quote: Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. 

Favorite Manicure: white nail polish. I was inspired by this photo. 

Favorite Beauty Product: The Body Shop - Drop of Youth Eye Concentrate. I seriously think this stuff works! 

Favorite Reads: Night Road by Kristin Hannah. I read this in two days because I could not put it down. 

I love this song--I can't help it! I am a sucker for love...enjoy!

Have a great weekend. 

Library with Luna

Our trips to the library are always so much fun. On this morning, Luna kept repeating over and over again, "going to the library!" 

These days Luna wants to be right next to me all day everyday! My husband tried to keep her in the children's section, but instead I could here her saying "Mama where are you?" So she ended up hanging with me while I searched for some books. 

I did not have much time to look so I went down the aisles to find some authors that came to mind.  I am especially looking forward to reading The Secret History and the graphic novel, Relish. 

Okay time to head back to the children's section..

She chose one of her favorites, Say Hello Like This, which has come home with us several times.

Here's Luna's stack of books. 

I love that Luna has gotten accustomed to going to the library, and is definitely becoming a book lover like her Mama and daddy. Good times.

Mindful Monday: Books I Read in 2014

It is time to lighten it up on this Mindful Monday by talking about books. Last year I kept a list of the books I read, and it was great looking back.  I read about 25 books (I think I may be missing a few). How many books do you think you read in a year? This year why not write them down. 

As I mentioned before, during my "me" time I love going to the library. I have become an expert at placing books and videos on hold for all three of us. Now as soon as I see an interesting book, I quickly check the library's online catalog and add it to my holds if available. If its not available, then iPad reading it is.  Though I do believe there is something so wonderful about a tangible book. No matter what way you prefer to read, the important thing is that your reading.  

Below is a list of the books I read in 2014:

• Bringing Up Bebe
• In praise of Stay-at-Home Moms
• The Happiness Project
• Where'd You go Bernadette
• The Other Typist
• The Cuckoo's Calling
• French Women Don't Get Fat
• Gone Girl
• The Paris Wife
• The Alchemist (2nd time)
• Reconstructing Amelia
• Bossypants
• The Fault in Our Stars
• One Plus One
• The Circle
• The House on Mango Street
• Big Little Lies
• The Body Book
• The Hundred Foot Journey
• People of the Book
• The Goldfinch
• The One and Only
• Unleash the Power of the Female Brain
• Me Before You
• *The Conscious Parent 
• Bark George (This counts because I read it to Luna every single day)

*currently completing.

Lastly, I will leave you with this thought...

I would love to hear any book recommendations, and let me know what you are currently reading.