Embrace the Joys of Reading: Our Favorite Books, Essential Tips, and How to Cultivate a Lasting Reading Habit

For those who follow our journey on the blog, it’s likely no secret that I, Jami, am a passionate reader. But did you know that Brian shares this love for books just as deeply? It’s true! In fact, some evenings, you might find us quietly engrossed in our respective reads instead of tuning into the latest TV show. (We know, we know – is that considered unconventional in today’s screen-centric world?) While we’ve touched upon our literary interests in various podcast episodes throughout the years, we’ve never dedicated an entire discussion to the wonderful world of books – until now. This episode marks that remedy, and trust us, we must have been eagerly awaiting this opportunity, because it has turned into our longest episode to date! You’d truly never guess that we held back; we seriously could have continued our conversation for hours.

So, join us as we dive into a comprehensive exploration of why immersing yourself in books offers a far richer experience than merely scrolling through bite-sized social media posts. We discuss the various formats available, emphasizing that audiobooks absolutely count – and in some scenarios, they might even be the superior choice for busy lives. We also share our top strategies for acquiring books affordably, often for free, and provide actionable tips on how to carve out dedicated reading time in your demanding schedule. Beyond the practicalities, we offer a heartfelt overview of some of our all-time favorite books, a task that proved incredibly challenging to keep concise! As always, you’ll also find our beloved regular segments: some personal life updates, a practical real-life example of our weekly meal plan ideas, and our latest “cool things” recommendations.

This enlightening episode is readily available for download on your preferred podcast platform. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. Alternatively, for immediate listening convenience, you can stream it directly below on this page. Afterward, be sure to utilize this page as your comprehensive resource to explore any links, detailed notes, or compelling photos we referenced during our discussion. Note: If you are accessing this content through a feed reader, you may need to click through to the original post to view the embedded player.

Please be aware that some links provided within this article are affiliate links. Should you choose to click on them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at absolutely no additional cost to you.

The Profound Reasons Why Reading Books Enriches Our Lives

As you may have already gathered from the extensive length of this podcast episode, our passion for books runs deep! The act of reading offers an unparalleled escape, a gateway to knowledge, and a profound exercise in empathy. It’s not just about absorbing information; it’s about engaging with different perspectives, developing critical thinking skills, and expanding our understanding of the world and ourselves. The Pew Research study on the main reasons Americans give for reading books, which we discussed in the episode, highlighted several key motivations, including pleasure, learning, and staying informed. These reasons resonate deeply with our own experiences.

Having grown up with a book in hand, pursued reading-intensive fields like History and English in college, and consistently found immense joy in the pages of countless stories and non-fiction works, I can attest to the transformative power of literature. However, even the most avid readers can face what I call a “reading dry spell.” There was a period in my life where, despite my lifelong love, reading felt like a chore, a habit I struggled to maintain. It was this realization that spurred me to actively cultivate reading goals each year, a practice that has revitalized my passion and ensured that books remain a central part of my life. You can read more about that personal journey and how it led to setting annual reading objectives here.

Practical Tips to Find More Time for Reading & Discovering Affordable Books

One of my most significant and effective tips for integrating more reading into your life involves wholeheartedly embracing audiobooks. In today’s fast-paced world, finding dedicated time to sit down with a physical book can be a luxury many can’t afford. Audiobooks transform mundane tasks – commuting, exercising, cleaning, cooking – into valuable reading opportunities. They allow you to “read” even when your hands and eyes are occupied, making them an invaluable tool for busy individuals. For those who might wonder if listening to an audiobook is “cheating” compared to reading a physical book, rest assured, scientific research consistently demonstrates otherwise. Here’s just one of many articles that illustrates how listening to books engages your brain in a way that is remarkably similar to reading traditional paper books, fostering comprehension and retention just as effectively.

Where to get books cheaply or even for free?

Access to books shouldn’t be a barrier to cultivating a robust reading habit. Fortunately, there are numerous fantastic resources available that allow you to enjoy a vast library without breaking the bank. Here are our top recommendations:

1. Daily Ebook Deals via Email Subscriptions: Stay updated on incredible discounts and free offers for ebooks by signing up for specialized newsletters. These services curate daily selections, often featuring popular titles at a fraction of their original price.
   • Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Great Ebook Deals: A highly recommended source for quality ebook sales across various genres.
   • BookBub: A widely popular service that sends personalized daily emails based on your preferred genres and authors, ensuring you never miss a deal on books you’ll love.
2. Your Local Library – A Treasure Trove of Digital Content: The public library remains an invaluable resource, now more powerful than ever with its digital offerings.
   • Hoopla: In our experience, Hoopla is hands down the BEST app for accessing both audiobooks and ebooks. What makes it truly stand out is its instant availability – there is NO waiting list! If a title is in Hoopla’s catalog, you can download and start enjoying it right away, making it incredibly convenient.
   • Libby: If your local library isn’t currently partnered with Hoopla, Libby (by OverDrive) is an excellent second-best option. While it often involves waiting lists for popular titles, its extensive catalog and user-friendly interface make it a fantastic resource for borrowing digital books and audiobooks directly to your device using your library card.
3. Audible’s Daily Deal Email – Unbeatable Value for Audiobooks: Audible, the leading platform for audiobooks, offers an incredible “Daily Deal” that can save you a significant amount on premium listens. We’ve acquired some of our most cherished audiobooks through this very feature! The process is simpler than many people realize:
   • Once you sign up for a free trial (which typically grants you 2 credits, good for 2 audiobooks), you establish an Audible account.
   • Crucially, you will always retain access to this account, even if you decide not to continue with a monthly membership after the trial period ends. This was a point of confusion for me initially, but it’s vital to understand.
   • You will permanently keep your account AND any books you have purchased, whether through credits or direct purchases.
   • Even without a monthly subscription, you can still purchase any audiobook you desire, including taking advantage of the fantastic daily sales. These daily deals usually price high-quality audiobooks between an astonishing $1.95 and $5.95 per book, offering incredible value that’s hard to beat.
   • Click here to sign up and claim your 2 free audiobooks to get started.
   • Then, follow this link to learn how to subscribe to the Daily Deal emails, which you’ll find within your new Audible account settings.

Our Highly Recommended Books: A Glimpse into Our Literary Loves

While we discussed an extensive list of titles during our podcast conversation, we’re sharing a curated selection of some of our absolute favorite books below. These are the books that have resonated with us, offered profound insights, or simply provided immense entertainment. (This was so hard to keep brief!)

Brian’s Top Recommendations:

• The Pickwick Papers, Charles Dickens: A masterful work of classic English literature, full of witty observations, memorable characters, and Dickens’s characteristic blend of humor and social commentary. It’s a delightful journey into 19th-century England.
• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The quintessential collection of cases featuring the world’s most famous consulting detective. Each story is a brilliant puzzle, showcasing Holmes’s unparalleled deductive reasoning and Doyle’s genius for intricate plotting.
• Resurrection of the Son of God, N.T. Wright: A monumental theological work that meticulously examines the historical and theological evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. This book is incredibly dense but profoundly impactful for anyone seeking a deep dive into Christian origins. (We are genuinely shocked at the current price of this volume – what?!!)
• Dune, Frank Herbert: A science fiction epic that transcends its genre, exploring themes of ecology, religion, politics, and human evolution on the desert planet of Arrakis. Its complex world-building and philosophical depth have cemented its place as a literary masterpiece.

Jami’s Top Recommendations:

• Persuasion, Jane Austen: My personal favorite Austen novel, this story is a beautiful exploration of second chances, quiet resilience, and enduring love. Anne Elliot’s journey is both poignant and ultimately deeply satisfying. (I also absolutely adore this BBC adaptation of it!)
• Brave New World, Aldous Huxley: A chillingly prescient dystopian novel that depicts a future society engineered for conformity and control through pleasure and conditioning rather than overt oppression. Its themes remain incredibly relevant today.
• North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell: Often compared to Austen, Gaskell’s novel offers a vivid portrayal of social divisions and industrial change in Victorian England, with a compelling romance at its heart. The clash between the rural south and industrial north is captivating. (And I absolutely LOVED this BBC production of it – that last scene! Sigh…)
• The Broken Way, Ann Voskamp: A deeply spiritual and poetic exploration of brokenness, vulnerability, and finding joy in unexpected places. Voskamp’s writing is beautiful and profoundly moving, challenging readers to embrace their imperfections.
• Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, Francis Chan: A powerful and convicting book that calls readers to a deeper understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit. Chan’s direct and passionate style encourages a reevaluation of modern Christian practice.

If you’re eager for even more of my book recommendations, I regularly compile lists of my top reads from previous years. These links will take you to blog posts detailing the best books that captured my attention and imagination:

• My Top Books from 2015
• Top Books I Read in 2016
• The Best Books I Read in 2017

AND, we are always on the lookout for compelling new reads and fresh perspectives! We’d absolutely love to know what literary gems you’ve been enjoying. Please feel free to leave a comment below, give us a call at the number provided, or tag us on social media and share YOUR favorite books – your recommendations are invaluable to us!

Life Updates: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes

Here’s a sneak peek at the extensive hair and makeup session I recently experienced, which I briefly mentioned during our podcast. It was quite the marathon, but a fascinating peek into the world of professional styling!

And here’s another visual that highlights the truly unique “foundation” we inherited with our cottage. It’s genuinely remarkable to reflect on – this stacked boulder construction has steadfastly supported a two-story home for an incredible 100 years! It certainly speaks to the ingenuity and durability of historical building techniques, doesn’t it? Truly amazing.

What’s Cooking: A Week of Inspiring Menu Ideas

To hopefully spark your own culinary creativity and demonstrate the ease and benefits of thoughtful meal planning, here’s a simple glimpse into our actual dinner menu from a recent week. Menu planning is not only a fantastic way to ensure you eat healthy and balanced meals but also a highly effective strategy for saving money by reducing food waste and impulse buys:

Monday: Delicious roast beef, gouda, spinach & dried tomato paninis; served with fresh cut veggies & our homemade hummus.
Tuesday: Quick and easy Trader Joe’s Potstickers, complemented by a hearty Vegetable Stir-fry featuring ground turkey.
Wednesday: A convenient Costco Rotisserie Chicken; accompanied by a crisp salad dressed with our signature Balsamic Vinaigrette; and warm slices of Sourdough Artisan Bread (conveniently pulled from the freezer).
Thursday: A delightful “Leftovers” night – a testament to efficient meal prep and avoiding waste.
Friday: Savory pulled pork (with buns available for those who prefer); a vibrant Spicy Cumin Lime Slaw; a simple green salad; and for dessert, scrumptious Whole Grain Peanut Butter Blondies (prepared for an extended family dinner).
Saturday: Flavorful Grilled Burgers with smashed garlic and jalapeños; paired with chips & more fresh cut veggies.
Sunday: “On Your Own” for dinner, though we were fortunate enough to be treated to a wonderful birthday brunch out!

Explore many more monthly dinner menu ideas and meal planning inspiration here.

This is Really Cool! Our Latest Book Discoveries

In keeping with our overarching theme for this episode, we wanted to share a couple of books that we’ve particularly enjoyed recently. These are the titles that have captured our interest and offered us fresh insights or pure entertainment.

Brian’s Latest Cool Books: These inspiring works by Tony Dungy, the highly respected former NFL coach, offer powerful lessons in leadership, faith, and living with purpose.

• Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life
• Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance

Jami’s Latest Cool Book:

• The Saturday Evening Girls Club, Jane Healy: A delightful historical fiction novel that transports you to Boston at the turn of the 20th century, following a group of young immigrant women who find community and pursue their dreams through a unique pottery club.

Thank you for tuning into our podcast! If you’ve found value and enjoyment in this episode, you can truly help us reach a wider audience by sharing it with your friends, subscribing on iTunes, and leaving us a thoughtful review – these actions are crucial in helping others discover our content.

And if you have a burning question you’d like us to address, or an intriguing idea for a future podcast topic, we invite you to call (541) 658-0215 to leave a voicemail. We love hearing from our listeners and might just discuss your input on the air!

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