Living – Page 5

Living

What I Read in February

I kept the momentum going in February, I read nine books…however, we’re now in March and I’ve hit a wall. Stay tuned for next month’s post to see if I was able to catch up.

On to what I read. Last month I mentioned that I wasn’t feeling audio books, I stuck to my guns and didn’t listen to one book last month. I physically read them all.

Here they are:

Handcrafted: A Woodworker’s Story by Clint Harp
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Black Girl in Paris by Shay Youngblood
She Begat This: 20 Years of the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Joan Morgan
The Silent Patient (book club read) by Alex Michaelides
Make Something Good Today: A Memoir by Erin Napier
Training School for Negro Girls by Camille Acker
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

As I mentioned last month, I won’t be giving in-depth reviews in these monthly wrap-ups. Head over to my Goodreads page if you are interested in my reviews.

My favorite book for the month was a tie between “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” and “The Silent Patient.” I’m leaning more towards the former. I couldn’t put that book down, but the latter was a definite page turner with an unexpected end. Both are must reads if you ask me. I’ve affiliate linked them if you want to head to Amazon and see for yourself.

My least favorite of the month was “Training School for Negro Girls.”

I read some really good books last month, if I had to recommend a few others they would be, “The Dutch House“, and “Handcrafted: A Woodworker’s Story” both were very good.

I’m not a fan of self-help books, I prefer memoirs that highlight an individual’s growth and success, which is why I loved “Handcrafted,” it fell in line with “The Magnolia Story” and “Capital Gaines,” which are all books that touch on the Chip and Joanna Gaines story. If you need a little inspiration to keep chasing your dreams, these three are a must-read.

That’s it for last month’s reads. Make sure you are subscribed to my newsletter so you don’t miss any of these monthly wrap-up book posts and all of the other content I post!

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Feature• Gardening• Living

How to Start a Garden +My 2020 Garden Plans

Hello garden season, it’s good to see you again. It’s time to get back in the garden and I couldn’t be happier to get my hands dirty, and my little piece of heaven cleared of leaves and back in the game. If you are wondering how to start a garden, I may have a little insight for you. I don’t consider myself an expert, but the last 6 years have taught me a little something!

If you remember last year I did a complete overhaul, expanding it from this to this. I am constantly getting messages that my garden is goals, while it may be, it didn’t happen overnight.

I started back in 2015 with a few pots. I knew very little about gardening except I wanted to give it a try. Here are some tips that I gave back then.

I kept at it, and eventually moved on to 3 small raised beds in 2017, I wanted to make sure I was invested…turns out I was. I was so proud of this space, it took another 2 years of functioning here before last year’s expansion.

Now that I don’t have anywhere else to go space wise, it’s time to continue adding to my current space in terms of pots and garden decor. I’m so excited for all of the wonderful ideas I have to come to life this season.

Over the years, I’ve shared some valuable information on how to get started gardening whether it be in one pot, or twenty. Here are a few posts to get you started…don’t forget there is also YouTube university!

My 2020 Garden Plans

I’m slowly realizing beautiful gardens are built with layers, and are likely never finished. They are always changing with new inspiration, and a good structure is just the beginning.

Last year I had a huge problem with pollination, I need to add more flowers this year and I’m so excited. I’ve already started many things indoors so I can have a jump start in April.

I’m also adding a potting bench, a new longer and deeper bed, and finishing off the fence that we didn’t get to last year. I’ll be digging out the perimeter area for wildflowers and other cut flowers.

There are also plans for a small greenhouse to be done in the fall.

I. Am. HYPE.

I had a few crops hang around from the fall like these brussel sprouts and a few cabbages. I’ll let them stay until I need the space. At the rate they are going, they will be ready for harvest just in time for their eviction date…read last frost day.

I recently did a video tour of the current space, and talked more in-depth about my plans and intentions for the space. If you aren’t already following me on YouTube, hit that subscribe button…I’ll be doing weekly progress videos that may not always make it to the blog!

Are you into gardening? Can I answer any questions for you?

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for real time updates!

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Living

What I Read in January

If you missed the announcement I made last month, I’m setting out to read 100 books this year.

You heard me.

Before I made up in my mind I was going to go for the goal, I knew in order to stay on track I’d need to read at least 8.5 books a month… or somewhere in that ball park. I honestly thought it was going to be hard, but I succeeded in meeting my goal last month.

I read a total of 10 books last month, which put me ahead of the curve a bit. Of the 10, I listened to 3. While I mentioned that I would be including audio books in my goal, I have since decided I don’t want to do that.

I have nothing against audio books… not one thing. I just don’t like them. I’d rather listen to music. My attention span doesn’t like nice things, like books being read to me.

Here are the books I read in January:

“Kindred” by Octavia Butler
“Becoming Mrs. Lewis” by Patti Callahan (book club read) (audio)
“Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Hurricanes: A Memoir” by Rick Ross (audio)
“The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson
“Ninth Ward” by Jewell Parker Rhodes
“Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves by Glory Edim
“Far From the Tree” by Robin Benway (audio)
“Caucasia” by Danzy Senna
“Heavy” by Kiese Laymon

As much as I would love to give you all an in-depth review of every book, I don’t have time. I write them as I go on GoodReads, so head over there and give me a follow if you would like my honest opinions on the books that I will read this year.

I will say HANDS DOWN my favorite book for the month was “The Warmth of Other Suns” (affiliate link) it was a story about the great migration of black individuals and families from the south to the north. I absolutely loved this book, and will be purchasing it for my own collection. My least favorite was a tie between Heavy and Americanah.

I’ll be back in a few days with my February wrap-up. If you ever want to chat with me about books, my Instagram DMs are always open!

What are you reading?

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Feature• Living

How I Plan to Read 100 Books in a Year

I’ve set quite a lofty goal, influenced by a little peer pressure to read 100 hundred books this year. That averages out to about a little over 8 books a month. The issue is I’m busy, and while I love to read this is going to require a little bit of strategy.

When I announced my goal on Instagram, I was surprised at the response I received from people who were ready to set their own reading goals, some not as lofty as mine, but I was happy to have influenced folks to grab a book or few this year.

I’ve been thinking about how I’m going to accomplish this goal, seeing as how I’ve thrown it into the universe… and accountability is key. I’ve been using GoodReads to keep track of what I want to read, what I’ve read, and I also use it to keep an eye on my competition. You can follow me here!

I plan on doing a monthly wrap-up post of the books I read, along with my thoughts and recommendations. I’m excited about this challenge and reading a lot of books this year. Who knows, I might even surpass my goal.

Here’s how I plan on meeting my reading goal for the year:

Read at least an hour in the morning and in the evening.
Try to read at least two books at a time, one short and one long.
Utilize the Hoopla app which allows me to listen to books for free through my local library. ( Check to see if your library system offer this option before resorting to Audible)
Stay up to date with my neighborhood book club reads. I enjoy our monthly meetings, not to mention these are 12 books I’m obligated to read.
When I feel unmotivated visit the library or the bookstore. If you love books then you totally get how this can jumpstart a rut.
Utilize the library more, nothing fuels a rush to finish a book than having to return it before you finish.
If I don’t like a book by page 100, I’m going to ditch it. Nothing kills my momentum more than getting caught up in a bad book.
Replace mindless social media scrolling with reading.
Listen to audiobooks when I clean, grocery shop, do drop-offs, etc.
Include a variety of genres. I’m smitten with historical fiction and memoirs, but I plan to expand to include YA, and some other genres I wouldn’t normally read.
Dedicate Sundays to reading when I can.

Hopefully you’ll be inspired to start your own reading challenge this year, whether it be 10 books or 50, reading is a great way to escape into another world, learn something new, or be encouraged.

If you are planning to start your own challenge be sure to find me on GoodReads so we can hold each other accountable.

What’s on your reading list?!

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