How can we possibly be barreling into the end of July already? This week, I got out my 21 for 21 list and turned it into a summer bucket list for August. I’m planning for a fishing outing with my son, some colorful toenails with my daughter and some good Mexican food on date night. How are you making the most of your summer days? Here’s how I filled my week with some reading and writing, too. 

What I’m Reading:

Oh, do I have two very different, but very appealing, books for you this week!

Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley was such a REAL read. It was a beautifully illustrated graphic novel telling Jen’s story of her life on a farm after her parents divorce. From adjusting to a drastically different lifestyle to accepting her mother’s new boyfriend Walter and his two daughters, Knisley showcases family in a way I haven’t seen yet. She’s not hiding the frustration Jen feels toward Walter and his less-than-optimal personality, or the strained attempts at getting along with her potential new siblings. She’s not even hiding how Walter’s personality impacts the way the others feel about him AND themselves. Now that’s real and will make many feel less alone. I know it did for me. Add in the fact that Jen is a fellow notebooker, too, and I was completely hooked. I highly recommend this book. 

Up next? Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle. I wanted to read this book ever since I read Untamed and finally got around to it this week. Oh, I wish I had this sooner. And not just sooner as in closer to when I read Untamed, but sooner as in when I was in my early twenties just starting to figure out the world, how it worked and what my voice would be in it. While Glennon and I had drastically different life situations, her honesty with how she handled them offered lessons for any woman to take with her on her own journey. I’ve opened my eyes to a new way of thinking, a new way of being and a whole lot of new possibilities for how I approach the future. Can you tell I loved this book?

What I’m Writing:

This week, I’m not writing as much as I am documenting. A few weeks ago, I started another notebook (I know, I know!) to give me a sense of control over some health challenges. Now, that notebook has gone through a few iterations, but I’ve finally settled on the format that will work for me: a Simplified Planner calendar with a few specially-added pages to track my health journey. As Gretchen Rubin reminds us, we manage what we monitor, so I’m doing exactly that in this new notebook. If you’re intrigued by the idea of a wellness journal and think you might benefit from one too, you won’t want to miss my session with StartOver on this very topic in September. Stay tuned for more!

What I’m Learning:

I’m learning how to be more productive with Ruth Soukup. I’m taking her 5-Day Reset Challenge and learning so much! I’ve audited my time, figured out things to delegate and am sprucing up my habits. If you don’t follow Ruth yet, you should. She’s a treasure-trove of living goodness. 

What I’m Loving:

These links are sure to bring a bit of literate love to your world this week:

  • My beloved quote graphics from Natural Life are now PHONE WALLPAPERS! I couldn’t download these fast enough. 
  • Did you know there is such a thing as waterproof notebooks? WHAT?! I really, really want this. And while I’ll choose yellow because it’s my favorite color, they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. 
  • Out of Print is having a sale! Almost everything is buy-one-get-one-free! I mean, don’t we all need a library card coffee mug and socks with books on them? Yes, we do. 

There you have it! I hope this inspires you to make space for more reading and writing in your own life. What are the highlights from your literate life this week?