I love the months when there’s more space to read. In March, I dipped my eyes into more books than a first semester freshman. I read three books yesterday while traveling. Book in hand vs. phone in hand? Book wins.

 

The book wins because:

 

Time we spend reading is worth taking.

 

The time we use for reading is useful for everything else.

 

Not only do I want to spend more time reading, but I also want to spend more time digesting what I’m reading (you can digest your books with Elle and I in our Reader’s Digestion Club. It’s my favorite “doing it because we love to read” thing.” Join us here. Wear fun socks while you read here: #SockSunday)

 

As I was turning the last page of Rob Bell’s new book a word came to mind, defibrillating. Then the idea surfaced, what if I did ONE WORD book reviews?

 

I can find and share one word that fits, one quote that takes the cake, and one thought or question the book caused me to ask.

 

Cheers to the power of constraints! Glasses clink and we’re off.

If the people like it, find it helpful, I’ll do it more.

Or, I’ll just keep doing it because I really love doing it.

Some things are worth doing even when no one else thinks they are worth doing.

 

I would love to know if you’ve read any of these gems and what your word might be!

 

HOW TO BE HERE by Rob Bell

ONE WORD: DEFIBRILATING

ONE QUOTE: Dickey lives!

ONE THOUGHT:

Rob opens a lot of chapters with the words “one time I had an idea for a book/ movie/ recorded album”. Don’t let it discourage or distract you! It’s Rob being Rob. You be you. Step into this rhythm restoring, Sabbath inducing, get-in-your-life-because-it’s-happening-currently read. It’s so good.

 

STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST by Austin Kleon

ONE WORD: INVENTIVE

ONE QUOTE: “Be nice. The world is a small town.”

ONE THOUGHT:

What if I took the 10 things no one told you about being creative and turned them into 10 months of learning to be creative? What if microtasking ONE THING could help us create so many more things? Anyone want to do this with me? Thanks Austin for the creative prod.

 

READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Kline

ONE WORD: OUTRÉ

ONE QUOTE: “That was when I realized, as terrifying and painful as reality can be, it’s also the only place where you can find true happiness. Because reality is real.”

ONE THOUGHT:

This was the most WONDERFULLY BIZARRO story, illuminating the human condition, the adolescent condition, our need for intimacy…it’s probably the most solid and unrivaled 80’s culture canon (that’s fun to read) on the planet.

 

THE FIVE LANGUAGES OF APPRECIATION IN THE WORKPLACE By Gary Chapman

ONE WORD: FACILITATING

ONE QUOTE: ““Next to physical survival, the greatest need of a human being is psychological survival, to be understood, to be affirmed, to be validated, to be appreciated.” – Stephen Covey

ONE THOUGHT:

EVERY LEADER NEEDS TO READ THIS.

 

THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECT PARENTING by Brené Brown

ONE WORD: ICANBEAGOODPARENT

ONE QUOTE: “It’s actually our ability to embrace imperfection that will help us teach our children to have the courage to be authentic, the compassion to love themselves and others, and the sense of connection that gives true purpose and meaning to life.”

ONE THOUGHT:

Get a sign for your house. “You don’t have to be awesome.” Make your home a safe container to be seen and loved in.