Books I’ve read lately – The Fitnessista

Sharing a recap of books I’ve read lately and if it’s worth adding them to your collection. 

Hiiii friends! How are you? I hope that you’re having a lovely morning so far! We’re doing the usual homeschool thing around here and I’m looking forward to an F45 class this afternoon.

For today’s post, I wanted to chat about books and share some of the ones I’ve read (and quit) lately. TBH, I haven’t been devoting as much time to reading lately. I’ve been working hard through my IHP Level 3 modules – I’m trying to finish by the EquiLife conference in October – and honestly, scrolling at night a lot more. The days are SO wild that it feels amazing to curl up with my weighted blanket and scroll, but the reality is that reading feels good and actually does something positive for my brain. I downloaded about five new books in the hope that one completely sucks me in, so I can be back into my bookwormy ways.

For now, here’s a roundup of the latest books! I’d love to hear what you’ve added to your collection lately and couldn’t put down.

Books I’ve read lately

One Golden Summer – DNF

I had high hopes for this one, and I’ve read other books by this author and loved them. They’re usually fast, breezy, with decent writing, and a swoonworthy storyline. This one was FLAT. I kept reading, hoping that it would get better, and I was just slogging through it. I finally called it quits at the 70% point. UGH. I was pretty annoyed with it, but the reality is that reading time is sacred and I’m not going to waste time reading books that I’m not loving — there are too many good ones out there. 4/10

From Amazon:

Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life.

Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she’s most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she’s been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it.

Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he’s all grown up—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice’s soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart.

Because Alice sees people—that’s why she is so good at what she does—but she’s never met someone who looks and sees her right back.

Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life

I’ve been a huge believer in manifesting, ever since The Secret hype days. I really believe it works and believe that if you feel your goals and future before they happen, it will happen. (A million years ago, I worked at lululemon and they had us do a visualization exercise of our entire day, start to finish, 10 years from that point. Almost everything I manifested during that time came true, including our two perfect girls, who were just a twinkle in our eyes at the time. At that time, we were also trying to get pregnant and had not been successful.)

An interesting question is the distinction between manifestation and prayer, and if you can use them together, especially if you’re religious. For me, I use them entirely differently. I don’t typically pray for things I want to happen, but instead use it as time of reflection and gratitude. I use manifesting to envision the future and the actions I need to take to get to that point.

The author breaks down manifestation techniques and strategies, as well as short journaling exercises. While a lot of it was review for me, I loved the reminders and the book was concise and impactful. 9/10

From Amazon:

Change your life with the first truly practical guide to manifesting, the hugely popular self-development practice that will transform your life for good . . .

Written by self-development coach and ‘Queen of Manifesting’ Roxie Nafousi, this book is the essential guide to anyone and everyone wanting to feel more empowered in their lives. In just seven simple steps you can understand the true art of manifestation and create the life you have always dreamed of.

Whether you want to attract your soulmate, land the perfect job, buy the home you have always wanted, or simply find more inner-peace and confidence, Manifest will teach you exactly how to get there . . .

1. Be clear in your vision

2. Remove fear and doubt

3. Align your behavior

4. Overcome tests from the universe

5. Embrace gratitude without caveats

6. Turn envy into inspiration

7. Trust in the universe

Unlock the magic for yourself and begin your journey to turning your dreams into reality.

I’ll Have What She’s Having

Along with the Twilight Series, Chelsea Handler got me back into reading “for fun” post-college, and her first book made me cry with laughter. (All of it is inappropriate and probably not PC from what I remember, so if you’re an easily offended person, I would stay away.) When I saw she had a new book, I downloaded it instantly, and it didn’t let me down. I highly recommend the audio version so you can hear the stories in her voice. This book was surprisingly inspirational and heartwarming in addition to being totally hilarious. 8/10

From Amazon:

There’s a woman I want to become, Chelsea Handler thought as a child. She’ll be strong and confident. She’ll light up a room and spread that light to make others feel better. She’ll make a living being herself. She’ll be a survivor.

At ten years old, Chelsea opened a lemonade stand and realized she’d make more money if the drinks were spiked. So she added vodka to her recipe and used her earnings to upgrade herself to first-class on a family vacation—leaving her parents and siblings in coach. She moved to Los Angeles and got fired from her temp job when she admitted she didn’t know how to transfer calls. She’s played pickleball with the scions of an American dynasty. She’s sexted a governor. She shared psychedelics with strangers in Spain. When she accidentally ended up at dinner with Woody Allen, she was not going to leave the table without asking him a very personal pointed question. She went on national television and talked about having threesomes. She’s never been one to hold back.

But this life of adventure and absurdity is only part of her story. Chelsea knows what it is to truly show up for her family—canine and human, biological and chosen. She’s discovered how to spend time with herself, how to meditate, how to be open to love, and how to end a relationship with dignity. She is a sister to the many women who rely on her.

Surprisingly vulnerable and always outrageous, Chelsea Handler captures the antic-filled, exhilarating, and joyful life she’s built—a life that makes the rest of us think, I’ll have what she’s having.

Ok, friends: what’s on the Kindle right now? Any books you’ve devoured lately and are recommending to everyone you know? Can I please be on that list? Thank youuuuuu

xo

Gina