Since I discovered audiobooks in the last couple of years, I have been able to read SO many more books. It's a great way to multi-task as I do chores around the house, drive, walk the dog, or go for a run! I can only physically read about 1 book a month, unless I am on vacation where I have more time to sit and read, but I can listen to several books a month if I am in the mood!
Allow me to share both the physical books as well as the audiobooks I read this year! You'll notice that I am a huge non-fiction fan, but hopefully I can add some fiction books to my collection in 2021.
Physical Books:
1. Get Out of your Own Way: A Skeptics guide to growth and fulfillment by Dave Hollis. I'm a huge fan of Dave Hollis, and this was an easy, interesting, humorous read about all the lies he's believed that got in his way of becoming who he was made to be. I find it a little sad now, as he dedicated this book to his wife Rachel Hollis, and many chapters discuss their marriage which no longer exists as she chose to end their marriage this summer, only a couple of months after this book released, but I look forward to his next book in the works.
2. Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to being Glorious You by Jen Hatmaker. I enjoy Jen Hatmaker's "tell it like it is" humor and I enjoyed most of the book. It's a good read if you want to feel empowered to be your authentic self and stand up for what you believe.
3. Fear is not the Boss of You: How to Get Out of Your Head and Live the Life you were Made for by Jennifer Allwood. I loved this book. It was an easy, encouraging read to help you get un-stuck and go after the big dream that God has called you for. I loved the Biblical perspective she wrote it from. Excellent book from a 1st time author. She has an amazing podcast as well.
4. Live in Grace, Walk in Love: A 365-Day Journey by Bob Goff. I love EVERY single thing that Bob Goff puts out into the world. This is an excellent daily devotional that is easy to incorporate into your morning or evening routine. If you haven't checked out any of Bob Goff's books or his podcast, do yourself a favor, and read and listen to them all.
5. The Great PJ Ride: A Christmas Tradition by Cheryl Gillis. An adorable little Children's picture book written by a self-published author like myself. I've followed Cheryl's writing and publishing journey on social media and added this book to our Christmas collection. The illustrations in this book are adorable.
6. And of course there are my 2 books, both released in 2020! Transformed, My Story as a Farmer's Daughter with Big Dreams & an Even Bigger God is a bit of a memoir and all the lessons I've learned so far. It was a gift for my daughters, but I decided to self-publish it early this year. And just this month, I published my new book, Fill up to Spill out, Because we can't pour from an empty cup, by Allison Smith. As a 2nd time self-published author, I really enjoyed writing this one in the midst of a very challenging year with Covid-19. This book is about focusing on what truly matters, taking time to fill your cup with all the things that bring you peace, joy, and purpose no matter what season you are walking through. I am biased of course, but I think this is a really good book to read at the end of 2020!
Books I am currently reading or are on my to-be-read stack on my nightstand...
1. You Be You: Why Satisfaction and Success are closer than You Think by Jamie Ivey. This is a good read so far. I enjoyed her 1st book and absolutely love her Happy Hour podcast.
2. On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle. I love her humorous way of writing. This is also a good read so far. She's written many good books over the years.
3. The Home Edit and the Home Edit Life Books by Clea Shearer. Hasn't everyone purchased these books this year after watching the Home Edit on Netflix?!?! I can't wait to dive in as we start the new year.
4. Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for Peace and Purpose by Rebekah Lyons. I can't wait until I have time to read this one. I have enjoyed her podcast with her husband this year.
5. Frontier Follies: Adventures in Marriage and Motherhood in the Middle of Nowhere by Ree Drummond. I love all things Pioneer Woman, so I know this will be another good book!
And now for books on Audible:
1. The Impossible First, From Fire to Ice- Crossing Antartica Alone by Colin O'Brady. This book is so good! It is thrilling, deeply moving, and inspiring. It reveals how anyone can reject limits, overcome immense obstacles, and discover what truly matters. I couldn't stop listening. He just released a kid's version of this book and I bought it for my 11 year old daughter for Christmas.
2. Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. It's an interesting listen about a philosophy of relentless optimism, a growth mindset, and a mantra that retrains your brain to think more creatively and positively.
3. Dream Big by Bob Goff. So good!! I could listen to Bob Goff read his books to me all day long! Listen to this if you are wanting to uncover a wild and exciting dream for your life and take the steps to achieve it.
4. Everybody, Always by Bob Goff. An older book of his from 2018. How to love like Jesus, excellent listen.
5. The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell. An older book from 2012, I finally got around to listening to this highly recommended book of his. Not the best book to listen to as an audiobook. I would recommend reading this one so you can highlight and underline, as there are lots of great concepts and quotes you'll want to remember.
6. Live in Love by Lauren Atkins. Wife of country music star, Thomas Rhett Atkins, this is the beautiful story of their childhood and love story, revealing what it actually takes to live in love, stay in love, and grow together. I loved listening to this one. It reminded me a lot of my own childhood. I couldn't stop listening.
7. Everything Beautiful in Its Time by Jenna Bush Hager. Another great book by Jenna. In this moving book, Jenna pays homage to her grandparents in this collection of heart-warming stories. Loved it.
8. Didn't See That Coming by Rachel Hollis. I mostly listened to this one out of curiosity. I was a huge fan of her 1st book, Girl Wash your Face and I have been a fan of the Rise community and Start Today products she has built over the years, but after her sudden and shocking announcement of her divorce this summer, I wasn't sure if I was still a fan or not. Like most people, I "Didn't see that Coming." It's a different kind of book for her. It's honest, raw, and sad at times. It's a good listen for anyone going through grief or loss or something difficult. She has a book about health coming out in 2021.
9. Greenlights by Matthew McDonaughey. By far the most entertaining book of 2020. This is a MUST LISTEN. I can't imagine just reading this. It needs to be read in Matthew's voice. This book feels like you are in the movie theatre. It's funny, it's honest, it's vulgar at times. I loved it, and couldn't stop listening.
Currently listening to...
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi. Really enjoying it so far. Practical tips to be lazy about the things that don't matter and genius about the things that do.
As you can see, I wrote, read, and listened to SO MANY WORDS in 2020. Words have power, and the words we tell ourselves matter. Writing my own words and reading and listening to other people's words during a year like no other has given me incredible perspective. I've chose to grow in 2020, and I'm going to keep growing in 2021. I hope you'll join me!
~ Allison
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