On the Bookshelf

My husband and I love to read. Over the past decade we have accumulated a tremendous amount of books.  We love reading so much that when we built this house we had an entire area dedicated to reading.  Seriously, who needs a formal dinning room when you can relax here?

That entire book case is filled with books.  He has his Stephen King area (two entire shelves!) and I have an equal amount of cook books.  Things got tricky when you add our shared books and business books.  To be fair, I got a Nook a year ago, so I no longer crowd the shelves with chic books.  I still love to get business books on hard cover since I like to highlight and make side notes on the margin (old MBA habit).

People often ask: what do you like to read? My answer: everything.  I am a geek when it comes to economics (my bachelors is in Global Economic Relations) and I am a sucker for chic books like the Twilight series and the adult version The Black Dagger Brotherhood.  My all time favorite book is Les Miserables and you can find me nightly reading children’s books to my kids.

I am all over the radar when it comes to books.  Just like food… I like to mix it up! Last year I read 57 books and I can’t wait to read more.  Another question I get asked often is: Can you recommend me a book? Well, here it goes. Depending on what you like I’m recommending some here! -In no particular order.

1. The Vintner’s Luck by Elizabeth Knox. A thought provoking book that it’s like nothing else you’ve ever read.
2. Freakonomics by S. Levitt & S. Dubner. Takes basic economic lessons and re-thinks them “outside the box.”
3. The Last Jihad by Joel Rosenberg. A political thriller my husband got me to read. A thoroughly researched page turner.
4. Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward. My girlfriend got me to read this grown up version of Twilight. Another book comes out next week and I’ve already pre-ordered.
5. Redeeming Love by Francene Rivers.  The author inspires, revives and demonstrates God’s love for us.  A mix of historical fiction and bible story for grown ups.
6. Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuck. A phenomenal book on personal branding using the tools you’ve got. Just bought the Thank You Economy and I can’t wait to read it (Gary’s 2nd book).
7. The Sneaky Chef by Missy Chase Lapine. This is the best book I’ve found that helps moms disguise ‘good-for-you’ stuff in food your kids will actually eat.
8. Real Food For Health Kids by Tanya Wenman Steel. Loaded with over 200 easy, wholesome recipes your kids will love.
9. Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo.  For the skeptic, it portrays a refreshing perspective of what awaits for us in Heaven. How could one not believe when you read 4 year old Colton’s story? A beautiful book we coincidentally read 2 weeks before my father-in-law passed away.
10. 5,000 Year Leap by Cleon Skousen.  My husband’s pick. The principles that founded this country and how man kind has made more advances in the past two centuries than in the 5,000 years prior to that.

It was difficult for me to pick ten but I am sure there is one you’ll find interesting enough. Happy weekend reading!

What are some of your favorite books?