Covid-19 is on the top of everyone’s minds. Travel bans have begun, employers are asking workers to log in remotely, and schools are closed. My middle school aged daughter was so disappointed today to find out her band tour to Disneyland is being cancelled, but her spirits lifted later in the day when she learned school won’t resume next Tuesday following her regularly scheduled spring break (I can still hear her currently rejoicing with her friends via FaceTime 🤦🏻♀️).
I am dedicating my morning devotion to our U.S. healthcare workers, showing up and working tirelessly every day. I’m praying for those who have been affected by coronavirus, checking WHO for updates and breathing deeply whenever I feel like I’m slipping into a fear or anxiety spiral.
With extra time in our home, I’m reminding myself of how grateful I am to have a home. I’m planning to start some spring cleaning projects, and I’m going to get after my reading list!
I thought I’d share my February book list (January is available too!) and solicit any other great reads you recommend. Reading has always been, and will likely continue to be, my most favorite past time. Here are the books I finished in February- whether via audio or hard copy.
February Book List:
The Alphabet vs. The Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image (written by Leonard Shlain) is a SUPER interesting walk through world history and the examination of the fall of egalitarian civilizations linked to the rise in alphabet literacy. I read the audio version of this on Hoopla and definitely recommend for my fellow feminists. Be warned: it’s a dense read, over 24 hours.
Super Attractor (by Gabrielle Bernstein) is the second book I’ve read now from her, and she is quickly becoming a new favorite in the world of spirituality. This book had some great reflection activities and meditations that I used to help pull me out of a slump I fell into towards the end of the month. I listened to this one on Audible.
I’m seriously committed to upping my fiction game this year in the pursuit of enjoying life more (and striving less), so of course it made sense to re-read my most precious and favorite series of all time, Harry Potter. I actually jumped straight into the fifth book last year, and finally wrapped up Deathly Hallows in February- which is actually only the second time I’ve read the final book. Tears! If you haven’t read HP, please do yourself a favor and begin this series ASAP. Nothing but good old hard copies will do for Harry.
Worth It (by Amanda Steinberg) is a financial insights book geared for women. So far, all of the financial advice I have read come from older men (i.e. Robert Kiyosaki, Dave Ramsey, Napolean Hill), so it was refreshing to have perspective not only from a woman, but from someone in her forties who can better relate to life and finances in the digital age. Her recommendations on budgeting and saving for retirement led me to some different strategies that I am excited to implement and assess by this time next year. Definitely recommend! Even better was that I listened to this one for free on Libby!
Mary's Thoughts & Things 