It’s obvious that I surround myself with books.

It’s a good thing.

It really is.

When I find books that I love, that resonate with me  I like to share.  So today a quick post about 4 books that I have read recently or am reading that I love.

First up is The Great American Read: The Book of Books which is promoting The Great American Read by PBS.  It is a fabulous book that Chris got me for Christmas and that I got for Erin for Christmas.  It is one of those books that I am reading slowly and savoring because it is just meant to be read that way.  The book itself is beautiful to look at and it graces my coffee table and brings a pop of color and delight.  Inside the covers the reader is introduced to 100 books listed in alphabetical order. Each selection includes illustrations, covers and a brief synopsis of the book.  It is glorious and I am discovering just how many of these wonderful books I have yet to read.  It is inspiring.

Next up is the latest book by my now favorite Southern author Sean Dietrich.  I have extolled his praises many times on It’s Just Life and you can read my latest post sharing my fandom here.   Sean is a prolific writer and his latest book, The South’s Okayest Writer: The Adventures of a Boy Columnist, is just a fun offering from Sean.  His short stories are the perfect thing to sit down and read anytime.  I guarantee a few of them will turn your day around.  Sean also has another book coming out  that I have pre-ordered . Stars of Alabama is a novel set to publish in July 2019 so get yours pre-ordered today. It looks like another great piece of Sean Dietrich storytelling.

Ever since my last trip to Beaufort, SC I have become a HUGE Pat Conroy fan and this book, Beach Music, was such a wonderful example of the gift of writing that Mr. Conroy possessed.  It is a long book but don’t be scared.  It is totally worth the time and effort spent reading it.  I love the way he writes and his command of the English language is unprecedented.  I had to look up the definitions of words often and it stretched me to read unfamiliar words and phrases.   This was the perfect book to read during our Christmas week at the beach and I would recommend it (and have) to anyone looking for a really wonderful novel that will stick with you long after the cover is closed.

My final recommendation is a book written by one of my favorite journalists Tommy Tomlinson.  I have loved his writing and when I heard he was going to be releasing a book about his weight loss journey I knew it was going to be on my list.  I opted to get an audiobook because Tommy reads it himself and I love listening to him.  If the option of having the author reading the book is available in audiobook form I admit it pulls me in.  The Elephant in the Room:  One Fat Man’s Quest to Get Smaller in a Growing  America  did not disappoint me at all.  In fact this book is about so much more than weight loss that if that isn’t a topic that is of interest for you I think you might still enjoy reading (or listening) to it.  Mr. Tomlinson writes from the heart and from a place of depth.  His weight loss journey has been just that – a journey.  He shares in his book the many truths he has discovered about himself and his love of all things food.  In the South food is definitely a means of comfort.  Uncovering many of the truths about his food habits was eye opening and the most powerful part for me was hearing him report each month what his starting weight was and what his ending weight for the month was.  Brutally honest but powerful.

So there are a few recommendations to put on your to read list.  Tell me, what are you reading that you would recommend?  Leave me a comment and Comment for a Cause . Each comment this month means a 50 cent donation to Dementia Society of America.  It all counts.