Each week I hope to share the books that I am currently reading for my Read 100 Challenge, as well as interesting links related to faith, family, and frugal living.
Books
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
I finally finished! I have been reading this book for the past four weeks (an extraordinarily long time for me), and I really enjoyed it. Duhigg discusses habits: how they work, why they are important, how our brain creates them, and how we can change them. My biggest takeaway? Cues automatically send us into our habit. For example, you go into the bathroom in the evening and automatically brush your teeth. The time of day and the location are the cues that trigger the habit of brushing your teeth. You don’t even think about it. If I want to change my habits–exercise more, write more frequently, etc.–then establishing cues can help me accomplish that change. I plan on writing more on this topic as I implement it into my own daily practice.
Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin
Happier at Home has changed the way I view my life more than any book since Laurie Vanderkam’s 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think (you can read my review of Vanderkam’s book here). Rubin set out to create a home that made her and her family happier. She focused on one key area or habit each month and describes that month in one chapter. She has inspired me to make my home my happy place.
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
Track star Jessica is involved in a horrific car accident that kills a team member and takes her own leg. Now an amputee, Jessica must relearn how to move, walk, fit in at school, and find hope. This my new audiobook for my commute, and I am loving it! A fantastic book for children grades 6-12 which explores strength, friendship, special needs, and empathy.
Links I Love
Faith
Daily Prayer With Toddlers Do you want to begin a routine of prayer in your home but aren’t sure how to do it with toddlers in tow? Check out Fresh and Faithful’s practical tips!
An Early Christian Prayer to Mary Are you wondering about the role of Mary in Christianity? Confused about how Orthodox Christians view her or why they call Mary the Theotokos? Orthodox-Reformed Bridge has a great post on the subject.
Family
1 Simple Tip to Help You Stop Yelling I admit that I struggle to maintain a calm voice with my children when I get upset. This post by Lemon-Lime Adventures has one fantastically simple trick that may help moms like me stop yelling.
3 Reasons Your Kids Don’t Listen In a similar vein, Rock It Like A Mom writes about reasons why our children may not be listening to us in the first place.
Frugal Living
How to Save Money on Road Trips Our family takes a big road trip back to see extended family every summer. I’ll definitely be implementing many of Six Figures Under’s tips for saving money on the road!
How to Set Financial Goals in Three Easy Steps Financially Wise in Heels writes about the importance of creating financial goals for yourself (or your family if you are married). Then she gives great advice on how to establish those goals.
What are you reading this week?
(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)
Thanks so much for sharing my post!
I’ve been wanting to read the Power of Habit FOREVER, but kept it sitting on my to-do list…I think it’s time! LOL:)
You’re very welcome, Julia! I hope that you do read the Power of Habit. I wouldn’t call it light reading, but it was certainly thought-provoking.