What I Read: February 2025

What I Read: February 2025

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After complaining about how January was dragging on, February flew by! It’s somehow already almost mid-March. I’m genuinely not sure how or when that happened.

This was a slower month of reading for me. I tend to listen to audiobooks when I run, but as I’m dealing with a running injury, I haven’t been reading/listening to as many books. That said I did still read 5 books and it was a rather eclectic mix:
-I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
-Night by Elie Wiesel
-The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas
-The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy
-Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Let’s get into the reviews!

What I’m Into: February 2025

What I’m Into: February 2025

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I’m stuck in the February doldrums right now.

I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by what’s going on in the world as well as some personal stuff. Add in a complete lack of motivation and a lingering running injury, and the blah feeling is real.

So, I find myself leaning into self care and relaxation practices and wanted to share some of my recent favorites!

What I Read: January 2025

What I Read: January 2025

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I don’t know why, but January always seems to drag on forever. Is it the return to routine after the disruption of the holidays? Is it the cold and gloomy weather? Whatever the reason, I found books to be a big comfort this month.

January’s reads included:
-The September House by Carissa Orlando
-Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul by Dorcas Cheng-Tozun
-Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
-All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
-The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene
-Something Lost, Something Gained by Hillary Clinton

Let’s get into the reviews!

A Year Without Clothing Shopping: My No-Buy Year

A Year Without Clothing Shopping: My No-Buy Year

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Given the state of the world lately (*gestures vaguely toward everything*), I’ve been giving thought to how I can make a personal difference without feeling completely overwhelmed.

It’s with this mindset that I recently watched Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy on Netflix. While I knew consumerism (especially surrounding the fashion industry) was a big problem, this documentary brought attention to some horrible truths.

YEAR IN REVIEW: A Breakdown of My 2024 Reads

YEAR IN REVIEW: A Breakdown of My 2024 Reads

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I always get so excited about this post!

I love getting the chance to reflect on my favorite reads for the year and the chance to dive into all of the data. Now that I’ve been tracking my reading for a couple of years, there’s even more to look at and compare.

In 2024, I read a total of 86 books!!! I really had no idea I was reading so much. Usually, I’m in the mid to upper 60s range. (For comparison, I read 79 books in 2023, 68 books in 2022, 72 books in 2021, and 65 books in 2020.)

Let’s get into the specifics!

What I Read: December 2024

What I Read: December 2024

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Somehow, 2024 has already come to an end.

I don’t know if it’s getting older or what, but I swear each year passes faster and faster. And each year feels slightly crazier…

But the end of the year chaos didn’t slow down my reading. December’s reads included mostly fantasy:
-Caraval by Stephanie Garber
-A Court This Cruel and Lovely by Stacia Stark
-Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco
-The Chain by Adrian McKinty
-Fate Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
-We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

Let’s get into the reviews!

Review: Garmin Coach 5K Training Plan

Review: Garmin Coach 5K Training Plan

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Don’t have money for a personal running coach? Me either.

But as a Garmin user (I have the Forerunner 245), I realized I already have access to a number of free training plans in the Garmin Connect app. While I was initially skeptical of how well the plans would work for my goals, I was happy I stuck it out for a 17 week plan!

What I Read: November 2024

What I Read: November 2024

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I can’t believe 2024 is already almost over. Yet, I find myself sitting here next to my Christmas tree and thinking about new year’s resolutions. I feel like this fall has been an absolute whirlwind and I’m not sure exactly why. Does anyone else feel this way or is this just a me thing? Regardless of this weird time warp that I’m in, I continued to pick up books and made it through some long ones! One was 608 pages…

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What I Read: September & October 2024

What I Read: September & October 2024

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Does anyone else feel like life is non-stop lately?

Both September and October have been an absolute whirlwind and with the holidays fast approaching, I’m not sure I’ll have time to catch my breath. But that’s clearly not stopping me from picking up a book…

I read 12 books over the course of September and October:
-The Other Woman by Sandie Jones
-The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
-Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
-The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
-The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen
-The Spite House by Johnny Compton
-The Butcher Game by Alaina Urquhart
-Bride by Ali Hazelwood
-Nobody Wants Your Sh*t by Messie Condo
-Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White
-The Unraveling by Vi Keeland
-The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

As you can see, fiction has my attention lately, and I’ve been continuing quite a few series.

Let’s get into the reviews!

Personal Ramblings: Reaching a Running Goal

Personal Ramblings: Reaching a Running Goal

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Running is so strange.

I wouldn’t say I like it, but I like having done it and I like having goals to reach for.

But I’ve realized, I’m totally guilty of beating myself up when I don’t reach a goal, but barely pause when I do reach a goal. It’s just a sudden switch to ‘now what’?

I’m trying to work through this tendency, so I wanted to share how I’m celebrating and acknowledging a big goal I’ve been working toward for a few years in case it helps change your mindset too.