I like big books and I cannot lie…

You know how we all have little idiosyncrasies that make us weird special? We sometimes aren’t even aware of something being strange until someone else points it out. (I.e. my mom taught me to make scrambled eggs in the microwave and I thought everyone did it that way for a while). So growing up one of the highlights of the week when I was kid was getting to go to the library. And checking out the max amount of books permitted… or videos! But let’s be real, Blockbuster had the good movies. Anyways, I’m a big fan of the library. Always have been. It’s not something I think about that often as being different until my friend recently pointed it out. I know that you can read from a screen (blogger here… duh) but I love holding a book, flipping the pages, and I think it’s great I don’t have to commit to buying a book (anyone else decluttering?)

My love affair with the library started as a kid tagging along with my dad. He had such an emphasis on learning, encouraged asking questions, and it was kind of a bonding experience.

Fast forward a few years when a new student came to our school. He was cute and from Ireland and so interesting and all the girls wanted him. I decided he would be my boyfriend. (Heaven help him). Cut to us hanging out for the first time in the same library I frequent today. I brought him brownies I had made (he never even saw it coming) and I think we opened some books at some point… we were in the same AP class and I was trying to study but I remember without any words actually being spoken we kind of decided to ditch the third wheel study partner and after that we were inseparable.

So I guess you could say I have some fond memories of the library. After high school, I interned in D.C. for the Lubuto Library Project which builds libraries for kids in Africa and was started by a group of librarians. I have an affinity for learning and am always trying to better myself in some way. I bargain with myself if I’m renting a non-fiction book, I’ve got to read a book about money management too. I rented an absurd amount of books before my last trip… no like actually absurd I think I brought 8 books. (I thought people may want to read on our boat?!) The travel blogger in me knew better than to pack books I’d have to lug around but I was practically salivating at the idea of having time to read them. I wanted to share some of my favorite with you guys. I’m always looking for new books to read. What are your recommendations? I’d love to hear Xo

You are a Badass by Jen Sincero. This is like the self help book for people who hate self help books. She is funny and swears and has been in such low points in her life. She didn’t really start making money until she was 40 and now she pulls in 7 figures and travels the world. Badass indeed. I kind of needed a kick in the butt motivation-wise and didn’t really dig into her books until I got home but they did give me some much needed inspiration and some reminded me of some things I already knew but for some reason it really clicked when she said it (is that what an epiphany is?) (especially about finances) and they made me really excited for the future and all the things I’m going to build. One take away is the month before I go on vacation I work harder than ever and that’s always the month I have the highest income of the year. I need to start treating each month like I’m about to go on vacation and not lose that hustle. And I have some big picture ideas now I can’t wait to apply.

The Nightingale I read this 800 page book on my flight home from Europe in one sitting. Set in Paris and it starts out with, “Oh, there will never be another War like the Great War… Ok but the Germans will never infiltrate France… Ok but they’ll never take Paris. Impossible!” The main character I admired so much for her bravery and wit. I don’t want to give too much away but she does unthinkably heroic things. Talk about inspiration. And also made me never want to complain about anything. ever. again. Such a good book! It’s almost like one of those survival shows you watch that make you feel alive. The guy next to me on the plane kept commenting on my facial reactions but I was immersed in this story.

How to Murder Your Life I thought this book would be kind of inspirational. Well I was in for a surprise! Inspirational if you want to know what not to do. haha. The author is transparent in the best way. I wouldn’t even say she struggles with addiction because she embraces her addiction. Cat Marnell was a beauty editor at one point and has lived such an interesting life it’s worth the read.

What Remains & Fairy Tale Interrupted: What Remains is by Carole Radziwill (Of HONY fame and she’s always been one of my favorites – so down to earth and she brings some intelligence). She was a producer for ABC News and married a prince of Polish ancestry who was cousins with JFK Jr. and she was best friends with Carolyn Bessette. I really enjoyed her writing style and like her even more now. Fairy Tale Interrupted was written by JFK Jr.’s assistant and shares her memories and experiences of him and Carolyn Bessette.

I’m reading The Miracle Morning right now and can already tell it’s one of those books that gives you tips to improve your mindset which I’m very into.

Happy Reading!

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Published by sittingprettyinthequeencity

Hi, I'm Joanna. NC based. Lover of beautiful things. Welcome to my blog! I also own The Classified Design, a website design and social media management company! This blog is a really fun creative outlet for me and I love interacting with readers so if you have questions or tried something out from the blog, please share! I always look forward to questions and comments. To follow along on Instagram: SittingPrettyintheQueenCity for my business accounts: TheClassifiedDesign xoxo Jo p.s. follow me on Instagram: sittingprettyinthequeencity Twitter: JoSittingPretty https://www.facebook.com/SittingPrettyintheQueenCity For sponsorship opportunities or collaborations email sittingprettyinthequeencity@gmail.com

64 thoughts on “I like big books and I cannot lie…”

  2. I’m about the start the Nightingale! A favorite read from this year has been I know this much is true by Wally Lamb. Hands down, worth a read sometime in your lifetime! Great post!!!

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  7. I have always been a big supporter of my local library & have passed that down to my daughter. I’m always telling my friends to support our library. They do electronic lending & audio books too!

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  8. I’ve been such a huge library fan since I was a kid (and our limit was 30 books every 2 weeks, which I could go through in the summer!). I really want to read Dreamland, a book about the opiate epidemic in the US.

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  10. Love your blog, your photographs are amazing. I have always been a big supporter of libraries and reading. I wish I had more time to read all those wonderful books out there. It is like Christmas to me whenever I spot a bookstore out in the world.

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  12. I am totally the same about books. I love holding a book. I love libraries and bookstores. When I went to NY, I actually suggested to my friend that we visit the NY Public library. What could be more exciting than a large library!? I don’t think she was super interested in that which is understandable. There probably were a lot of other things to see first. Some other time, though 😊

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    1. Even if you’re not a big library person that is a landmark! Just seeing the history and architecture would be cool!! I feel like when we were kids we both loved Beauty and the Beast for that reason! haha I always have a hit list when I visit a place of things I want to see and if someone doesn’t want to join I’ll go off on my own (hence lots of solo trips) You should definitely go next time!

      Reply

  14. Poisonwood Bible! It’s by Barbara Kingsolver and it’s one you can really dig your teeth into. Lots of amazing descriptions about gorgeous African lamdscapes, and a moving story. Thanks for this fun post!

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  17. Hi my daughter loves libraries too. At her school the librarian set a new rule that before Christmas break you could only have 15 books checked out. They created it for Anna because she at one time had 44. And when asked if we used the public libraries I said we go at least twice a week they seemed shocked. When stressed I carry home anything that interests me. The books surround me and just give comfort. Luckily in Minneapolis we have a lot of good libraries. A couple of years ago the politicians were trying to close a bunch -which seemed stupid . Reading books give you doors to other cultures and thoughts…it makes people question what’s around them . The people won out and the politicians slunk back into their corners. Hooray!

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  18. With regards to libraries, I tell friends that I have tens of thousands of books in my personal collection. I have so many, in fact, that I have to store them in special “warehouses” around the area. And because I’m nice, I let other people read them when I’m not….

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    1. Thank you for reading! I am the opposite I try not to have a lot of stuff since I seem to move at least every few years but I love books I can’t wait to have my own extensive library one day in my house 📚📚📚I’ll definitely check it out!

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      1. Hey again. Thanks so much for checking out my short story ‘Tranquility’ over at my blog, and thank you for the Likes! I hope you enjoyed the read. Sorry for the late reply here, I didn’t have my email notifications turned on. But thank you again for taking the time to read my story, I very much appreciate it! 🙂

      3. Thanks Joanna, I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ll definitely let you know when I put out new content, I’m always looking for beta readers! Oh and btw, you’ll be seeing much more of Harvey and Gwen in the future 🙂

      2. So I’m completely intrigued and just on the first page! I wanted to pass along I noticed “you’re guy” instead of “your guy” and “you’re client” instead of “your client” in the dialogue

      3. Ha! That’s why extra eyes are always a good bet. Thanks for catching those, I appreciate it! I’m a bit of a grammar freak, so I’m embarrassed that those slipped through, hopefully those are the only ones. I hope you enjoy the rest of the read 🙂

      5. You’re the best, thanks so much for your help, and the ‘likes’ also. Oh, and congrats on the new design business! That’s super cool 🙂

      7. Thanks Joanna, I’m glad you liked it! Maybe one of these days I’ll figure out how to tag you on the actual story/post, rather than commenting here lol

  24. When I was a young girl I would walk to my library with a few plastic bags in hand. I would spend hours pouring over the books and their music collection. I never rented many movies, they didn’t have the good ones as you said. But I found many of my favorite musicians at the library.

    I have a book addiction now. I keep buying more and I have so many laying around that I haven’t read. My favorite fiction that I’ve recently read was “Julie and Julia,” it’s laugh out loud funny. And my favorite non-fiction is “The Girls of Atomic City.” I’m not finished, but I already love it.

    Reply

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