Blurb:

Favorite Quotes:

My Thoughts:

Have you read Transcendent Kingdom? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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Emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted. I am unsure of my future with our new management. Will I continue on or start anew? It’s all very exciting and scary at the same time. One way I have been trying to maintain my sanity and reduce my rather intense anxiety is by immersing myself in books. 

August Reads

August has definitely been one of my better months in terms of reading than it has in the past. I made sure to carve out time to get through some books that have been trying to get through forEVER and those that pique my interest after my many trips to the bookstore, perusing each aisle until something catches my attention. 

12 Rules for Life- An antidote to chaos by Jordan Peterson

Good Reads Summary – Humorous, surprising and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate await those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you see one on the street. What does the nervous system of the lowly lobster tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? Why did ancient Egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention to highest gods? What dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant, and vengeful? Dr. Peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure, and responsibility, distilling the world’s wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 

My thoughts

Have you ever started reading a book, only to put it down, over and over again. That was my situationship with 12 Rules for Life. It literally took me a year to read this book. I know, I know… you are probably wondering why I continued on. I have a problem, to where if I start a book, I have to finish it. No matter how dismal or complex it may be. Honestly, I felt as though this book was complex when it did not need to be.

The message could have been conveyed in half the words used in each chapter. But I digress, there were some really good nuggets of information in each chapter. Information that can be applied to real-life situations. So do not let my whining about the nature of this book deter you from reading. It may be a joy to read and you may have a totally different perspective of the information provided. 

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

Good Reads Summary – Told from the perspective of an older woman as she looks back on her youth with both pleasure and regret (mostly pleasure), City of Girls explores themes of female sexuality and promiscuity as well as idiosyncrasies of true love. In 1940, nineteen-year-old Vivian Morris has been kicked out of Vassar College, owing to her lackluster freshman-year performance. Her affluent parents send her to Manhattan to live with her Aunt Peg, who owns a flamboyant, crumbling midtown theater called the Lily Playhouse. There Vivian is introduced to entire cosmos of unconventional and charismatic characters, from the fun-chasing showgirls to a sexy male actor, a grand dame actress, a lady-killer writer, and a no-nonsense stage manager.

But when Vivian makes a personal mistake that results in professional scandal, it turns her world upside down that it will take her years to fully understand. Ultimately, though, it leads to her new understanding of the kind of life she craves – and the kind of freedom it takes to pursue it. It will also lead to the love of her life, a love that stands out from all the rest. Now ninety-five years old and telling her story at last, Vivian recalls how those events altered the course of her life – the gusto and autonomy with which she approached it. At some point in a woman’s life, she gets tired of being ashamed all the time, she muses. After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is. 

My Thoughts

Let me start by saying, I loved City of Girls. Basically, told from the perspective of the main character, she relives her good and not so good days of her life from the 1940’s onward. Though a different time frame from now, I felt as though I could relate to her and what she was experiencing, especially in a society that tells you how you should look, feel, and act.

From her naivety to her bold determination to live life on her terms, and her terms only, she lives the life that most young girls and women live on the daily. One of my favorite quotes – “The world ain’t straight. You grow up thinking that things are a certain way. You think there are rules. You think there’s a way that things have to be. You try to live straight. But the world doesn’t care about your rules, or what you believe. The world ain’t straight, Vivian. Never will be. Our rules, they don’t mean a thing. The world just happens to you sometimes, is what I think. And people just gotta keep moving through it, best they can. ” – Frank Grecco 

Spot on…right?

Girl stop apologizing: A shame free plan for embracing and achieving your goals by Rachel Hollis  

Good Reads Summary – Rachel Hollis has seen it too often: women not living into their full potential. They feel a tugging on their hearts for something more, but they’re afraid of embarrassment, of falling short of perfection, of not being enough […]  She knows that many women have been taught to define themselves in light of other people—whether as wife, mother, daughter, or employee—instead of learning how to own who they are and what they want. With a challenge to women everywhere to stop talking themselves out of their dreams, Hollis identifies the excuses to let go of, the behaviors to adopt, and the skills to acquire on the path to growth, confidence, and believing in yourself.

My thoughts

This is my second book by Rachel Hollis that I have enjoyed reading. Her self-help books are simple and easy to read. She stays away from overly complicated words to get her point across, speaking in real-world lingo that we can all understand and relate to. In this book, her focus is all about the woMAN. Challenging us to be a version of ourselves, no matter what we are in life- wife, mother, daughter, friend, etc. This book definitely came into my life at the right time. Especially at a time where I was making excuses about achieving my goals, thinking that I was not enough, and forgetting to own who I was and what I wanted. 

My sister, the serial killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Good Reads Summary – When Korede’s dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what is expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This’ll be the third boyfriend Ayoola’s dispatched in, quote, self-defense and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first. Until that is, Ayoola starts dating the doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede’s long been in love with him, and isn’t prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificingthe other…

My thoughts

I came across this book based on the recommendation of my book club. Just the front cover of the book and title, would have been enough for me add to this to my TBR list. I guess I’ll start with the fact that this was an easy read, like done in two days easy! Well, more like a day and a half. While I enjoyed the book, I found myself becoming increasing frustrated with Korede and her need to constantly clean up her sister’s “messes”. Other than that, the book was interesting, dark, full of family loyalties and dark secrets. Not what a would call a suspenseful thriller, but enough to keep you turning pages until the end. It was a nice break from the non-fiction reads that seemed to consume my entire month. 

The chaos of longing by K.Y. Robinson

Good Reads Summary – Organized in four sections – Inception, Longing, Chaos, and Epiphany – K.Y. Robinson’s debut poetry collection explores what it is to want in spite of trauma, shame, injustice, and mental illness. It is one survivor’s powerful testimony, and a love letter “to those who lie awake burning.”  

My thoughts

If you love short, deep thought-provoking poems, then The Chaos for Longingdefinitely brings that to the table. Though only, 50-some odd pages, this book had me all in my feels. Feeling sad, hurt, angry, happy, and satisfied with every page. It amazes me how we can relate to someone’s “truth” like it was our own. Like they have the voice we never had. The ability to place words carefully, instilling so many emotions like we were right there along with them, experiencing what they may have felt. Never been into poem anthologies much growing up, but I do enjoy short, relatable collections. 

Current Reads

The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene

Best Self – Be you, only better by Mike Bayer

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

Americanah by Chimanmanda Ngozi Adichie

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Alone by Lisa Gardner

A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James 

With love,

-Nawdeeya

I am always looking for recommendations for what I should read next.  What books have you read recently? Let me know in the comments.

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Title: Warrior Goddess Training: Become the woman you are meant to be by HeatherAsh Amara

Publisher: Hierophant Publishing

Genre: New Age

Source: Paperback

Goodreads Rating: 4.15

Book Synopsis: Its no secret that women today are juggling a lot. We now make up more than half the workforce in the United States and are busier than ever with partners, children, family, and friends, often putting the needs of others ahead of our own. And if we feel overwhelmed by it all or fall short of perfection, many of us have learned to be our own worst critic rather than our own best friend. 

That’s where finding our inner warrior goddess comes in. 

In the Warrior Goddess Training, best selling author HeatherAsh Amara provides the antidote to the flawed idea that you are not enough. Direct, honest, and unapologetic, Amara will show you how to release the layers of expectations to finally see yourself for the authentic, perceptive, perfect woman you really are. 

Drawing on the wisdom Buddhism, the Toltec tradition, and ancient Earth-based goddess spirituality, the Warrior Goddess path includes personal stories, rituals, and exercises that will encourage and inspire you to become the true warrior goddess you are meant to be. 

My Thoughts!

Have you ever wondered about who you are? What’s your purpose?  Many of us struggle with the idea that we are not enough. As women, more often than not, we go through life putting the needs of others before our own. Whether it be our significant others, husbands, family, kids, even friends. Wouldn’t it be grand to see that we are enough?! In Warrior Goddess Training, Amara provides 10 simple life lessons. To be our authentic selves.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

• “Committing to your true, authentic Warrior Goddess self is the beginning of life long journey of living authenticity.”
• “The keystone of committing to yourself is very simple: Learn to love all of who are, flaws and all.”
• “Being a warrior goddess is about falling in love will all of you: with your judge self, your victim self, and your wise Goddess self. You are worthy of love, and the heart healing comes when you stop looking outside for love and open to the immense love your heart has for you.”
• “As Warrior Goddess women, we can bring healing back to the planet and the people. We must be brave, open, trusting, and giving. We need to move past old stories of being lady-like or nonthreatening or normal and break the chains of our fears to share our gifts fully.”
• “Be the woman you are meant to be. Not the women you think you should be, or the woman others want you to be. Look in the mirror and say hello to the Warrior Goddess staring back at you. Befriend her. Support her. Love her. And let her wings open to soar.”

I hope I didn’t give too much of the book away. At the end of the day, we should all be living our truth. Amara provides practical lessons on how to do so, gifts which are little nuggets of information, and exercises on how to use the sessions in your life.

Enjoy!

What’s currently on your reading list, let me know in the comments!

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Book Description: Lilly Singh isn’t just a superstar. She’s Superwoman- which is also the name of her wildly popular YouTube channel. Funny, smart, and insightful, the actress and comedian covers topics ranging from from relationships to career choices to everyday annoyances. Its no wonder she’s garnered more than a billon views. But Lilly didn’t get to the top by being lucky- she had to work for it. Hard.

Now Lilly wants to share the lessons she learned while taking the world by storm, and the tools she used to do it. How to Be a Bawse is the definitive guide to conquering life. Make no mistake, there are no shortcuts to success, personal or professional. World domination requires real effort, dedication, and determination. Just consider Lilly a personal trainer for your life – with fifty rules to get you in the game.

Told in Lilly’s hilarious, bold voice and packed with photos and candid stories from her journey to the top, How to Be a Bawse will make you love your life and yourself – even more than you love Beyonce.

BAWSE\ baùs\ n: a person who exudes confidence, hustles relentlessly, reaches goals, gets hurt efficiently, and smiles genuinely because he or she has fought through it all and made it out on the other side.

My next choice for my book reading challenge is a fun and witty non-fiction guide to conquering life. I mean who doesn’t want to be a boss of their own life. Excuse me, I mean B-A-W-S-E! I picked up this read due to its awesome title and colorful pages. It does not seem like your traditional personal growth or self-help book. With sections like: Master Your Mind; Hustle Harder; Make Heads Turn; and Be a Unicorn.

I am always looking for ways to help me live my best life. Put my best foot forward. Be successful in all that I do. Working hard for all that I want. I mean, isn’t that what we all want. I know it may be easier said than done , but I am a believer in learning from mistakes in others and in myself.

Have you read How to be a Bawse? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I’m curious to know whats on your reading list this week.

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Title: Behold the Dreamers
Publisher: Penguin Random House, New York
Genre: Fiction
Format: Paperback
Goodreads Rating: 3.94

Jende Jonga, a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem, has come to the United States to provide a better life for himself, his wife, Neni, and their six-year-old son. In the fall of 2007, Jende can hardly believe his luck when he lands a job as a chauffeur for Clark Edwards, a senior executive at Lehman Brothers. Clark’s wife, Cindy, even offers to Neni temporary work at their summer home in the Hamptons. With these opportunities, Jende and Neni can imagine a brighter future.

However, the world of great privilege conceals troubling secrets, and soon Jende and Neni notice cracks in their employers’ facades.

Then the financial world is rocked with the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the global economy. Desperate to keep Jende’s job, which grows more tenuous by the day, the Jongas try to protect the Edwardses from certain truths, even as their own marriage threatens to fall apart. As all four lives are are dramatically upended, Jende and Neni are forced to make an impossible choice.

Selected as Oprah’s 2017 bookclub pick, Behold the Dreamers follows a family trying to achieve the American dream. Plagued with issues that affect many today – marriage, lost, immigration, race, and class, along with the hinderances of achieving this dream. Picked up this book due solely on the title alone. A bit of a dreamer, the title had me hooked. I love to get lost in a book and relate to every aspect of it. Curious to see the outcome of the Jonga’s intense need to be in America. I mean what better place to live… well according to them. Anything is better than home.

Have you read Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Imbue?

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I know I’m a little late but here’s what’s on my fall reading list:

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

If you read milk and honey, you’ll have an idea of what the sun and her flowers is all about. I love her raw and uncut way of expressing her thoughts in her collections of poetry. the sun and her flowers is divided into five chapters: wilting, falling, rooting, rising, and blooming.

Behold the dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

Doesn’t the title sound dreamy?! Behold Dreamers follows a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem and his family. After a bit of luck, he soon realizes that things are not as they seem, no matter how they appear on the outside. I am excited to read this book because of the reviews I have read and the fact that it was a pick on Oprah’s book club.

Vaster than the Sky, Greater than the Space: What You Are Before You Becam by Mooji

I am always looking for ways to improve my mind, body, and spirit. Mooji definitely brings inspiration and forces us to seek “truth” to achieve oneness.  Hoping that this books brings that “truth” to my personal life and relationships I that I bring in.

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

I toyed with the decision to purchase this book given the book’s closeness to the reality of many. After reading reviews, I have decided to give this book a chance. This book discusses topics like racism, gangs, police violence, change, and reality.

The Subtle Art of not Giving a F–k: A Counter-intuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

I am always looking for a no holds barred approach to self-help.  Society tends to have such an effect on the decisions we make and this book may definitely give some the wisdom to know what to and what not to care about. In a world full of flaws, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F–k shows us how to determine which cares we should not give a f–k about.

Finding Gideon by Eric Jerome Dickey

I had to add one of my favorite series to the list. Eric Jerome Dickey is one of my favorite authors. I have been following the Gideon series since book 1. Looking forward to his latest installment. I hope it is as sexy and thrilling as the rest.

Ruby By Cynthia Bond

I have read a lot of mixed reviews about this book. Beautiful, dark, horrifying- all words used to describe this book, leaving some readers unable to finish the book due to some the dark and gory details used. The book involves Ruby Bell, a woman forced to face the devastating violence of her past and the possibility of love in her future from a man who has loved her since he was a boy.

Big Magic, Creative Living Beyond Your Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Fear is always the culprit when it comes to not living the life we desire. In Big Magic, Elizabeth provides the tools needed to achieve our most creative lives. I’m a daydreamer by heart so creativity is a must. I am always looking for ways to conquer fear and grab life by the horns.

What’s on your fall reading list? Let me know in the comments. Always looking for new books to read and discover.

(I make commissions for the purchases made in the above links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.)

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