cold pressed

Goodreads prompted me to set a reading goal for the year, so I did. Because internet prompts are basically peer pressure. So I thought I could maybe do 52 books, averaging a book a week. I am at three books finished so far, and Goodreads just informed me I am one book behind. Luckily, I am concurrently reading 4 books (why do I do things like this, it is not sensible at all), so I can hopefully catch up with Goodreads’s expectations for me shortly.

And have I got some special treats for you… Janky graphics!! We’re taking this thing to the next level.

So far in 2015, I’ve finished The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton, My Life with the Saints by James Martin, and The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Steadman. I enjoyed all three very much, but in different ways.

If you want something deep, contemplative, and challenging: go for The Seven Storey Mountain

If you are looking for a spiritual memoir and glance into a diverse group of saints: try My Life with the Saints

If you need a quick-reading novel with an interesting take on what it means to be a parent and interesting emotional beats and dynamics: The Light Between Oceans

My favorite recent novel read is the haunting All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, but that was a 2014 book so forget I said anything.

Right now I am midway through four books:

Another James Martin book, Between Heaven and Mirth – I received this one for Christmas, and it’s focused on humor and joy in spirituality. I keep getting distracted from it, but I have learned some excellent jokes from it already. Please ask me to tell them when we next chat. (I am very bad at telling jokes.)

A book I started two years ago and picked back up recently: The Third Miracle. It’s a glimpse into the canonization process of French-American St. Mother Theodore Guerin. I don’t think I will hang on to it for a reread, but it’s an interesting perspective following alleged miracle as it is vetted by the Vatican.

Homeward Bound, which takes a look at “the new domesticity” – modern movements toward homesteading or domestic life. I am not enjoying it. The evidence is anecdotal, and the voice carries a lot of judgement. I think that’s why I keep distracting myself by starting other books.

Finally, I started The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I have already plowed through a bit of it, and I know it is going to be a challenging read. I really want to move toward a more minimal state with my possessions, as I’ve mentioned a number of times on the blog, and I think this book will help get me there if I go into it with an open mind. I have heard marvelous things about it, so I want to approach it prepared to do its bidding.

After I clear my currently reading list a bit, I want to enjoy some of the novels on the Kindle account I share with my mom.

The options are looking like

• Boston Girl
• The Girl on the Train
• Silent Sister
• Big Little Lies
• This Dark Road to Mercy
• The Pearl That Broke Its Shell
• Orphan Train

I also have a copy of The Rooftops of Tehran that I need to read and return to its rightful owner.

Have you read any of the novels? Which ones should I get excited about? (Mom, feel free to jump in here.)

Linking up with What We’re Reading Wednesday! Always pumped for book recommendations galore.