Alright. I’m a personality geek. I read basically everything there is about personality tests. One of my favorite pastimes is to “peg” people by guessing their personalities. I’m right 75% of the time, and that’s no exaggeration. 15% of the time I’m going the right direction. 10% of the time I am way-off. The enneagram is a popular personality test right now, and let me tell you I didn’t need to take ANY test to know that I am a type 5. While it doesn’t describe me perfectly, it’s pretty darn close. And my love of books is no exception. I find that most every conversation I have has the phrase “I’m reading this book…” or “Oh, I have a book you might like!”
Books are life. Plain and simple.
I read or listen to an average of 1 book per week. I love audiobooks. But I will always love real books. No one has an excuse not to read, and I don’t even feel bad about saying that. Even if you literally cannot read, you still can read a book by listening to an audiobook. If you think you don’t have time, I’d argue that you absolutely do. You just don’t want to prioritize reading. And I think that’s a shame.
Hear me, please. I’m not saying reading is easy for everyone, there are legitimate reasons reading is hard, like Dyslexia. I’m not saying everyone should read a book a week because not everyone is an enneagram 5 and enjoys reading. What I’m saying is that everyone needs to prioritize reading. Reading is scientifically proven to reduce stress, make you smarter, make you more empathetic and helps you communicate better.
Storytelling is the bedrock of culture and society. It is how we learn and pass on knowledge. Storytelling was how humanity passed on traditions and belief systems. Stories are how we engage our humanity.
Please for the love of books, read. Even if it is only for 10 minutes a day. I have some tips for you to make reading part of your rhythm.
- My biggest suggestion is to listen to Audiobooks. Honestly, I couldn’t keep my book or more a week pace if it weren’t for audiobooks. I listen to books during my workouts, while I do chores, while I drive, while I drink my coffee in the morning. I especially love to listen to fiction and memoirs on Audio. Go to your local library and get a card. All libraries have audiobooks and apps that you can utilize to check out audiobooks for free.
- Keep your physical books in the living room where you can see it. This will help you remember to pick it up and read a little before you sit down to watch TV.
- Set a goal. Maybe its to read for 10 minutes every day. Maybe it’s to read a chapter a day. No goal is too small, but it will help keep you on track.
- Don’t be afraid of Fiction. I used to hate reading fiction because I felt like I missed out on learning. This was a backwards way of thinking. Fiction is awesome and is amazing for stress relief! Find what you love. I personally love dystopian/utopian novels and crime novels.
Here are a few of my favorite books I read this last year:
Non-Fiction:
- Educated by Tara Westover
- The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State by Nadia Murad
- Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey
- The Experience of God by David Bently Hart
- Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson
- Finding God in the Waves, by Mike McHargue
- Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas
Fiction:
- The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
- Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
- Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard
- The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell
I hope this list helps get you started reading. I want to know, what are you favorite books?
Elizabeth Horn 
Great post!