I saw an Instagram post today that read, “What will you do with an extra 24 hours in 2020?”

2020 is a Leap Year and this Saturday will be February 29^th. Post reading this quote, I thought about what I would do with my extra twenty-four hours. I am a college student on a budget so most of my activities are low key and at home. I enjoy cooking a new recipe (looking at you Lucky Charm cookies), binging a new show on Netflix, or, of course, reading!

It is now the end of February. The weather is still so cold and most of us (or at least me) have lost sight of our New Year’s resolutions. I feel like I need some almost-quarter-of-the-year-inspiration. The following is a list of four books (one for every year between leap days) that will give you inspiration this Leap Day or any day.

1. 100 Days to Brave by Annie Downs

You might recognize the name Annie Downs from my introduction post. If you have not read my introduction post, go read it! Downs writes books about developing one’s bravery. This particular book is a devotional with a page to read each day for one hundred days, all having to do with courage. What better day to start than Leap Day! If you start now, by June you will be a braver version of yourself! One quote from the book that has stuck with me is, “If God has put the sparks of an idea into your mind, you can be brave enough to follow through.”

• Fail Until You Don’t by Bobby Bones

Bobby Bones is a radio talk show host that I love to listen to every. single. day. Bones is so funny and inspirational and after each one of his radio shows I feel so joyful and refreshed. He wrote his first book called Bare Bones about his life story, but this book is tactical advice for working toward your goals. My copy of this book is filled with highlighted sections. One of my favorite quotes from the book that I think of often is, “I always say nerves are a sign that whatever is happening- good or bad- matters.”

• Live in Grace Walk in Love by Bob Goff

Similar to 100 Days to Brave, this book provides a reading to do each day. I always feel inspired after finishing a day’s reading. Instead of one hundred, this book offers an entire year’s worth of daily devotionals. A quote from the book reads, “No one is remembered for what they just planned to do.” This book always leaves me feeling more optimistic about my day.

• Body Love Every Day by Kelly Leveque

Body Love Every Day is a textbook, lifestyle book, and cookbook all rolled into one. Leveque offers so much knowledge about nutrition and healthy living in this book. I learned of my favorite smoothie recipe, the Cookies and Creme Fab Four Smoothie, on these pages. This is a great resource at any time of year, but why not dig in this extra day of 2020!?

No matter how you spend your Leap Day, I hope it is a great one. Let me know what you are up to in the comments below! Happy Reading!

Hello! Thank you for taking your time to read my blog. It really means a lot to me. I thought as a way to get to know me, I would share my five favorite books with you.

1. 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker

This was one of the very first books that, as an adult, made me feel excited about reading. It was recommended by a woman I follow on Instagram and she said it made her reevaluate the way she was living her life and after I read it I felt the same way. The book is about how the author simplified seven areas of her life, all based on the number seven.

2. The Husband’s Secret by Liane Loriarty

I devoured all four hundred plus pages of this fiction book in a single weekend. Never have I ever, read a book as quickly as I did this one. After reading this book, I immediately looked up other books written by this author and loved all seven just as much. This particular one is about a woman who finds a letter written by her husband that was intended for her to read after his death, but he is still alive.

3. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Dr. Gary Chapman writes in this book, about the five ways in which people feel loved. I first heard about this book (of all places) on The Bachelor. I found this book so interesting and learned that I felt most I feel love through what he calls words of affirmation.  My husband Brody’s love language is quality time. Understanding each other’s love languages positively impacted our relationship and I highly recommend this book because it can apply to any kind of relationship!

4. Let’s All Be Brave by Annie Downs

Let’s All Be Brave opened my eyes to the world of Christian non-fiction. The author Annie Downs was able to explain principles that I thought were complex and complicated in a simple and understandable way. This book changed the way I faced intimidating situations and led me to read her other books with similar themes.

5. Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand

Elin Hilderbrand books are FUN. I read this book after I had surgery and it was so enjoyable and mood lifting. This fiction novel is about a wedding that takes places on Nantucket and all of the people that are involved. All of Elin Hilderbrand’s novels are relatively light in nature and simple to read.

That is a little bit about me through the descriptions of my favorite reads! I have a wide range of reading interests and I want to add more! I am always looking to try reading something new. With that said, I am done talking about me (for now!) What are some of your favorite reading and authors? What was the first book that made you love to read? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me. Talk to you soon!

Hello!

Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog, Emily’s Bookshelf.  I loved to read as a child, but reading became my main hobby as an adult when I needed a peaceful pastime. Through reading, I have gained so much knowledge and learned more about myself!  I want to create a space to share the books that have shaped my life and how I spent my time. I cannot wait to talk with you! What’s on your shelf?