In which I go on walks with my dog Nugget, check out my new apartment for the first time, and pick up my best friend Laura from the airport.
Music:
The Paper Kites – Halcyon (iTunes/Apple Music – Spotify)
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First of all, my apologies for neglecting my seasonal book review posts these past few months. I’m going to assume that getting a puppy is a good enough excuse to be off the radar for a while. My pup is now 7 months old so I’m finally getting some more time for myself, and that means more blog posts! Here’s a catch-up post of the books I’ve read since my last seasonal book review post.
Starting with this post, I will be changing things up with my mini book reviews. Anything I read from now on will be collected in posts that cover a quarter of the year, so the next one will be Q1 (January, February, and March of 2019), rather than the season. This will make it easier for me to have an overview of the year. Hope you don’t mind the change!
The Happiness Project
by Gretchen Rubin
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Publication date: 2009
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 331
Format: Paperback
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Synopsis
Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.
In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.
In which I go to the local cat café, spend time with my autism service dog in training Nugget, and make pancakes with friends.
Music:
Joshua Radin – My My Love (iTunes/Apple Music – Spotify)
For years, my Goodreads reading challenges have been set to goals like 100, 80, 50 books (depending on how much I had going on that year). In 2019, my challenge is set to 25 books. And for the first time in my adult life, I don’t feel bad about it at all.
An overview of everything that happened in 2018.
Music:
Ine Hoem – This Year (iTunes/Apple Music – Spotify)
This is a guest post written by Laura. Check out her blog!
Hello, my name is Laura. You might have seen me around on Lauren’s channels — I am her best friend after all, meaning I often also carry out duties such as personal assistant and/or personal photographer.
Years ago Lauren donated her hair to charity, got a pixie cut, and basically never went back. When I decided to follow her lead and also donate my hair, she asked me if I would write a post for her blog about it. So here we are. I hope you enjoy it.
In which I pick up my service puppy Nugget and celebrate the holidays with family.
Music:
Joshua Hyslop – This Is How It Goes (iTunes/Apple Music — Spotify)
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me for review by the publisher. In no way does this affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
101 Ways to Go Zero Waste
by Kathryn Kellogg
Age Group/Genre: Non-Fiction, Sustainability
Publication date: April 2nd, 2019
Publisher: Countryman Press
Pages: 256
Format: ARC
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Synopsis
We all know how important it is to reduce our environmental footprint, but it can be daunting to know where to begin. Enter Kathryn Kellogg, who can fit all her trash from the past two years into a 16-ounce mason jar. How? She starts by saying “no” to straws and grocery bags, and “yes” to a reusable water bottle and compostable dish scrubbers.
In 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste, Kellogg shares these tips and more, along with DIY recipes for beauty and home; advice for responsible consumption and making better choices for home goods, fashion, and the office; and even secrets for how to go waste free at the airport. “It’s not about perfection,” she says. “It’s about making better choices.”
This is a practical, friendly blueprint of realistic lifestyle changes for anyone who wants to reduce their waste.