With summer upon us and quarantine still in effect, it’s the perfect time to open up a book. Reading and listening to books on Audible has become my stress reliever and a tool for self-development and learning during this crazy first half of 2020. Occasionally I buy the hard copy if I think it will be useful as a reference in the future. Because I love hearing what others are reading, here are a few of my recently completed books. To see previous book reviews, see here and here.

Book Reviews #3

Open Book by Jessica Simpson
For those who were Jessica Simpson fans in the 90’s and 00’s, you will most likely enjoy reminiscing pop culture events. It brings back nostalgic memories of listening to her music with high school friends and her Christmas album while looking at Christmas lights! Jessica narrates you through her childhood, rise to fame and adult life with humor and honesty. Go behind the scenes in her celebrity lifestyle and business ventures. She opens up about being bullied and body-shamed, while offering words of wisdom and self love. This was an easy listen and I enjoyed it so much that I finished it within a few days.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Since reading Girl on the Train and Big Little Lies, I have been searching for another psychological thriller. This story revolves around a criminal psychotherapist taking care of a patient who is suspected of killing her husband. The problem is Alicia, the patient, has not spoken since the incident. The therapist becomes interested in learning more about Alicia and the murder, and he begins to take matters into his own hands with solving the mysterious questions of how and why the murder took place. I love suspenseful novels. This was not my all-time favorite in this genre, but overall a good book that kept me interested and wanting to uncover the murder mystery.

Living with a SEAL by Jesse Itzler
If you need a workout or life motivational book, this real life story will throw any excuses out the door and encourage you to better yourself. Entrepreneur, Jesse Itzler, invites a Navy SEAL to live with him for a month to help boost his fitness game and discipline. Along the way, SEAL pushes him to be faster, stronger and mentally tougher both in exercising and in business… because when you dig deep you are most alive. While this New York Times Bestseller can be a little crude at times, I really enjoyed gaining a mindset of stepping out of my comfort zone and living your best life.

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
Easily one of the best self-improvement books ever. After learning the SEAL in Jesse Itzler’s book (mentioned above) was David Goggins, I had to listen to this book. He gets you ready to strengthen your self-discipline and mental toughness. The author takes you through his abusive childhood, prized career in the military and his athletic endeavors as an ultra-marathoner. He encourages you to better yourself with challenges throughout the book, such as creating an accountability mirror. In the Audible version, you can listen to David Goggins give first hand accounts between chapters in a podcast style format. Strong caution, however, this book is not for everyone. There is extensive use of profanity and vulgar language. Sadly, this can even be distracting at times. With that being said, I still embraced the message.

Verity by Colleen Hoover
This book was so suspenseful! Another book that I finished really quickly because I couldn’t turn stop listening! In this novel, Lowen, a struggling writer picks up where another writer left off. As Lowen researches the author’s previous notes, she starts learning more about her dark past. The more she learns, the more she wants to get involved. But doing so, complicates relationships and enters dangerous territory! Verity has a lot of romantic scenes intertwined with the suspense, and some of the love-making scenes get very, ahem, candid. This was a thriller that kept me on my toes until the very end!

How Not to Die by Michael Greger, MD
This book was published in 2015 but is still packed full of so much information! It is divided into two parts. The first part is based on “how not to die” from various medical conditions. For example, I have a family history of colon cancer and there is an entire chapter devoted to prevention from digestive cancers. The second part goes in depth on his diet and exercise recommendations. This is a book I definitely recommend buying the hard copy as it is a great resource to turn for information. He has a follow up book, How Not to Diet, that was published last year. I have not read that book yet but it is supposed to be filled with weight loss accelerating tips and more nutrition advice.

What are you reading? Any books you recommend? I love, love, love hearing any book recommendations! Please leave me any suggestions or thoughts in the comments below.

About the outfit:
The print on these shorts is so much fun for late summer and early fall! They go great with a plain cami or t-shirt. To contrast the marigold tone, I added a blue cardigan (similar). I’m wearing my beloved booties from last season (still a few sizes left), but these are almost identical! All about being comfortable and stylish!

Live your life joyfully so,

Ashley