When You Need Something, ANYTHING to Read

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I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm. My earliest memories of school were zipping through all the reading primers my teacher had and her marching me down to the library to pick out Little House on the Prairie books for my nightly reading assignments. I just love to get lost in a book. I’m sure many of you can relate.

Not long after I had our first child, I had a friend text me for a book recommendation. I had absolutely not one recent book to recommend because I’d been so caught up in preparing for baby and just making it through that final trimester. After a “who have I become?!?” moment, I decided to refocus on a good reading list for myself so that I’m always reading something. It’s something I enjoy and having a plan keeps me on track, just like with anything else.

I came across a list several years ago that I can’t find anymore titled something like “One thousand books to read before you die.” I was stunned to realize that despite a challenge to my high school self to read every book on the AP reading list, there were many classics I had not read. So lately, I’ve been focusing on those.

One of the most awesome things about this is that most of the classics are now public domain and delivered for free through Amazon and other e-book delivery channels.  Did you know that Amazon has a ton of free books to enjoy?

As much as I love the feel of a book with real paper in my hands, I can’t deny how much I love my e-Reader. When I can pre-order a book and know that it will download right when it’s available, thus saving me a trip to the store (kids in tow, likely) or a wait on a delivery truck, it gives me positive feelings about e-Books.

I have an iPad and pair that with the free Kindle app.  It works well for me for a couple of reasons–one, it’s free, and two, it syncs with my iPhone, so I can read anywhere if I have a break.

FREE, I tell you!

Here are a few of my favorites lately, all available for free through Amazon. Some of them are children’s classics, others I’ve read a hundred times. I wanted to include them in case you’ve always wanted to try them and just haven’t done it yet.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Oh y’all.  I love, love, love this book. I know you’re feeling me on it. Download it to your Kindle app, and it will be with you whenever you need to read that part again where they meet in the early morning in the field.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Who doesn’t love them some Marmee and the girls? Maybe you’ve only seen the movie. The book is free!

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. When I feel the need to stretch my imagination, I read this one.

Emma by Jane Austen. I really could list all of JA’s titles here, but instead, I picked my top two. Did you know the movie Clueless was based off of this book. I mean, “as if!?!”

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This is one that older children could read with you. I was intrigued by it after the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie came out back in my childhood. Maybe in your childhood too?

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Another great one to read with older children.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. This tale of star crossed lovers is enough to wear me out. But it’s a good read.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I did my senior high school thesis on this book, although I can’t remember exactly what I wrote particularly about it. It’s slow in the beginning, but just keep reading. It gets really good. Is it okay to admit that I skip to my favorite parts of books when I re-read them?

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What is on your “must read” list?

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