On My Nightstand

Some of you might have noticed to note-to-self I included in Project Life 2013 | Week Five about reading more. I go through phases where I'm completely immersed in reading and others where the last thing in the world I want to do at the end of the day is pick up a book. I definitely feel ready to carve out some time again. The words are calling to me and the pile on my nightstand has been growing tall.

As you read my book list below you might notice that they are all non-fiction. That's where I'm at right now. The common themes are openness, bravery, courage, mindfulness, taking action and memoir. These are the things that I want to fill my head with, what I want to invite into my life as I take the next steps on my own crazy, glorious adventure.

Here's what's currently there to read (or in-progress):

• 
  Wild: From Lost To Found On The Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. I started this one a few nights ago and was immediately engaged in her story.




• 
  A Kiss Before You Go: An Illustrated Memoir Of Love And Loss by Danny Gregory. I learned about this book via Andrea's blog (and if you haven't revisited Andrea's Superhero Life site in awhile you really should) and have been a fan of Danny's since I read his book Everyday Matters.




• 
  Daring Greatly by Brené Brown. I will read anything she writes. She's one of my favorite people and my life is better because of her.




• 
  The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly by Seth Godin (man I love his homepage). Lots of buzz online surrounding this book and I got sucked in by some of that and made an impulse purchase. The reviews are interesting (good & not so great of course) but I love that basic concept that we are all artists.




• 
  A Field Guide To Now: Notes On Mindfulness And Life In The Present Tense by Christina Rosalie. I first "met" Christina through her beautiful photographs and blog called "My Topography" a few years back. She has a beautiful writing voice and is a fantastic storyteller with an emphasis on celebrating the everyday. I've loved witnessing her grow via her website and am even more excited to dive into her book.




• 
  Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow by Elizabeth Lesser. Kelly Rae recommended this book to me a few months ago and it's speaking to me on so many different levels. And yes, open is my word for 2013 so it's a really great fit with some of my intentions for this year.

I'm super excited that Cathy's 12-week workshopClean & Simple is open for registration.

Here's a bit about the class:

Say goodbye to your rulers and hello to a solution that allows you to use Photoshop Elements (or Photoshop) to build scrapbook pages in the digital method, which you'll print and piece together—using additional supplies from your stash—to create beautiful hybrid layouts. Digital sketching has been the core of Cathy's approach since her very first layout, and it's a key part of the Clean & Simple process. You'll learn how to use Photoshop Elements to plan and design pages, just like Cathy does.

Read more and sign up here.