10 Books I am Reading in 2015

There are a few times in the year that I get so completely obsessed with reading that it is the only thing I wish to do. A mug of coffee, comfy chair, and good book are the recipe for days of happiness. Unfortunately, I rarely get the chance to do this and, when I do, the guild of not getting my work done is too great to sincerely enjoy it for too long. Some of you just might know exactly what I am talking about...

Well, instead of having a million books that must be read immediately, I have compiled a list of my top ten must reads of 2015. This goes along with my goal to read 40 books this year, many of which will include classics that I have never read and self improvement books that are just so darn good!

1. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens- Dickens believed this to be his best work, that alone makes me want to read it!
2. Shirley, Charlotte Bronte- This was recommended to me after my love of North and South. I was not a huge fan of Jane Eyre (gasp!), but am liking Shirley so far!
3. The Magic of Thinking Big, David J. Schwartz- This is such a great book and something I need to be reminded of often.
4. The Hobbit, J. R. R. Tolkien- Have you read it? I wanted to wait until the movies were over before starting. It is next on my reading list for this year!
5. The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle- Ethics is the first part of Aristotle's Ethics and Politics. I have started and am so very, very excited to read the rest!
6. Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis- C. S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors and this is one of his most well known non-fiction books. It just makes sense that it would be in my top ten.
7. Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte- Seen the movies but never read the book. No more excuses!
8. See You at The Top, Zig Ziglar- I have heard so many good things about this book that this year just seemed like the right time to finally read it.
9. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier- Have you ever seen the black and white movie made after this book? It is so good and one of my absolute favorites growing up. Funny, but I had no idea it was a book until my Grammie told me a few months back. Thanks Grammie!
10. North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell- I am having to hold myself back from sitting down and reading it all over again. But, sometime this year, it will be re-read!

Of course, if you would like to read any of these along with me, that would be so much fun!! This month it will be Shirley with a review to follow in February and a new book announced then as well. If you have an must reads or recommendations for our little book of the month club, please let me know so it can be added to this year's list!

Will you be reading more this year and if so, what are you planning on reading in 2015?

Motivation for Your Monday

Happy Monday! And seeing how this Monday is the first of our 2015 year, it seemed perfect to inspire vision, discipline, and all around getting things done!

I simply love this quote! It is so true- if we have dreams, visions, and goals but lack the gumption, tenacity, and self discipline to do the work and move them forward, we will stay where we are. This simple little quote is a reminder to go out there are accomplish our dreams! We can all do it, we just need to stick with it. Because, let's face it, anyone can do something for a few days but the truly successful people are the ones who continue day after day after day, when everyone else has moved on to other things. As Aristotle said, " We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit."

Happy New Year and Happy Monday!

Motivation for Your Monday

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was absolutely fantastic! We were able to spend lots of time with family that we do not usually see and, meet my Mom's new dog. I also ate a banana fosters waffle that was incredible. Some day, I will remember to take a picture of yummy foods before stuffing them into my face. Yesterday was not that day.

I also received a certain gold iPhone 6 on Friday, so that was pretty great too!! Get ready, there is sure to be a review of it and a few apps for it on the blog pretty soon. So far though, I love it. It is waaay lighter than previously thought and super pretty... Other than the back, still not a fan. Now, let's get to that inspiration!

This week for our inspiration we have a quote from Aristotle that I came across yesterday, randomly, while looking at an app. My original thought was to have a completely different quote for a completely different purpose, but that one can wait until next week to finish off this month's Monday motivations.

This one is so true and something that is so easy for me to forget. Habits define us, for the good and for the bad. We all have them and, sometimes, changing them is harder than changing most areas of our life. But, as John Maxwell said, "If you want want you've never had, you must do what you've never done". Yet another great quote that can inspire us to keep going, even when the going gets tough. I hope you are able to achieve all your goals for this week and get this done!

Happy Monday! And, if you missed it, here is Friday's post all about those we love, especially those incredible grandparents we are all so blessed to have.