Before we get started, a note about the main photo here: Yes, I did get Michelle Obama’s book at Costco and have Raz put it in the cart and yes, I did make it look like it was under the tree when really I’m already reading it and it won’t even get wrapped. I have no regrets.

My goal this year was to read two books a month, one every two weeks. I felt like this was realistic for me given that some books I inhale like a double scoop of Gold Medal Ribbon from Baskin’s and others take me a bit longer. I lucked out in the front half of 2018 finding book after book after book that I absolutely loved and couldn’t put down.

I exceeded my goal. By almost 50%. It usually doesn’t work out that way, but I’m pretty sure Raz is the only one complaining about it. The percentage would probably be higher if we hadn’t moved last month and had everything get REALLY STRESSFUL AND CRAZY for a few weeks.

I recently took a writing class where the teacher reminded us that part of our work in becoming the great writers we are/are meant to be is to read a book a week. I’ve been thinking about that in relation to my reading goal for next year. I’ve heard that many successful CEOs also read a book a week. And the reality for me is, I have a toddler and a husband and a lot of shows I really like to watch. Honestly, the toddler and the husband would probably still allow me to hit my reading goals. It’s the shows and the podcasts and the magazines and all the other media consumption I try to regulate but can’t always (THERE ARE 5 HOUSEWIVES CITIES ON RIGHT NOW. FIVE) that keep me from even setting a 52 books in 2019 goal. Besides, I don’t want it. It’s not for me.

So, I think I’ll make it round and pretty and easy to remember. I’ll make it a stretch, but still attainable. I think I’ll make it 30. 30 was a good year for me. I grew and birthed a baby, I grew and birthed a business, and I continued to get clear on zeroing in on how I spent my time, meaningfully and with intention.

2019 will be the year of 30 books. Recs?

Here are a small handful that I plan to finish at the beginning of 2019, some of which I’ve already started and abandoned for library books, which have harder deadlines: