Not having to read for school is wonderful. 

I always forget this feeling until I have it again, and now that I’m finished with school for good (well, at least for the next few years...), the possibility of reading whatever I want, whenever I want is both intoxicating and overwhelming.

So. Much. To. Read.

You’ll notice my Reading List (because I’ve just pointed it out) is very close to reaching last year’s goal of 30 books. I’m at 24 books read this year (almost 25, if I could push through The Bees - it’s longer than I remember). What I didn’t tell anyone except myself was that I want to beat this number - I want to read 40 books this year. *gasp*

As I’m jumping head-first into fall, I’m realizing I’ve got a lot of work to do to get there. So I’m upping my game and turning to Audible to fit my 40 in by the end of the year. 

So far, I’ve started The Circle Series by Ted Dekker, My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead, 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson (it’s about time I read this; I’ve been a fan for years), and Trip to Echo Spring by Olivia Lang all on Audible. In physical form, I’m still working through The Bees by Laline Paull, I’m reading through a Colossians & Philemon study book for Women’s Discipleship at church, and I’m starting the novelization of the Star Wars movies because now I’m obsessed (shocker). You mean to tell me there’s a way to know Anakin’s innermost thoughts when he sees his son for the first time AND when he decides to save his life?! Get out. I have to read immediately. 

I’ll spare you the next-on-the-list list after these seven. They’ll show up on my Reading List page, I swear it. 

All this to say, not having to read for school is giving me quite the jump start. I get to read fiction whenever I want; I get to read leisurely; I get to read what people recommend to me; I get to read for fun again. 

I’m not knocking reading for school; the pressure of getting a good grade, the desire for a pat on the back from someone who’s proud of me, and the need to learn more and more have all been trustworthy forms of digging myself out of a reading rut. But the freedom I’m finding in reading not for school is reminding me of when I first fell in love with reading - a dear activity void of pressure. And just in time for cozy weather. 

What are you reading right now? Anything you think I’d like? Gimme book recommendations!! If they make it on my Virtual Bookshelf, I’ll drop you a shout out and maybe a meme about the book. 

Until I finish The Bees, see ya!