Later this month, I’m going on vacation with my family—visiting relatives, hiking through national parks, doing a historic train ride, and enjoying screen-free time. 

Whenever I travel, I love visiting local independent bookstores. Iced coffee in hand, empty tote bag ready, browsing for my next great read. Heaven!

I always leave extra space in my suitcase to bring new books back home.

As summer begins, here’s what I’ve been reading lately…

Nonfiction

How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7  by Joanna Faber and Julie King

Relatable stories. Practical advice. Useful tools for parents with young kids. Highly recommend the audiobook—the voice actors are amazing!

Retire Often: How Anyone Can Take Multiple Career Breaks to Unlock Adventure, Advance Their Career, and Find Financial Freedom by Jillian Johnsrud

I read this a while ago and keep returning to it for inspiration.

It's about how to plan a mini-retirement: an intentional break from your career for a month, a season, a year, or more. Time to focus on health, family, or creative projects that light you up. 

The author encourages readers to take a mini-retirement every few years—or more frequently if you can swing it. Why retire just once when you can retire often?

Money for Couples by Ramit Sethi
 

Money for Couples changed the way I think about money—and how I talk about it with my husband.

Much like Retire Often, this is another book I return to frequently. It’s the kind of book that stays with you day-to-day, rather than one you read once and forget.

Fiction

No Matter What by Cara Bastone

A story about a couple on the verge of divorce who find their way back to each other. Difficult themes, including PTSD, but ultimately so hopeful and uplifting. I also loved Promise Me Sunshine by the same author.

One & Only by Maurene Goo

A 40-year-old matchmaker who can see past lives and identify your soulmate—except she hasn’t met her own yet. Romance, magic, and a lovable cast of characters that you'll wish were your friends in real life. 

Next on my reading list: Goo's Throwback, a YA novel with a mother-daughter storyline—and a time-traveling twist. 

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

Whenever Abby Jimenez releases a new book, I run so fast to buy it, I leave a trail of smoke behind my sneakers!

If you enjoy swoony, slow-burning love stories with emotional depth, you'll love all of Jimenez's books, including her newest, The Night We Met. I stayed up way past my bedtime finishing it.

Exciting News

My book Awestruck: 52 Experiments to Find Wonder, Joy, and Meaning in Everyday Life was selected by Bookshop.org as a featured title for its Mental Health Awareness Month campaign.

I’m honored that Awestruck has been included alongside so many wonderful books, including:

• Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
• Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
• The Burnout Workbook by Amelia Nagoski and Emily Nagoski
• And many others

Check out the Mental Health Awareness Month book list. 

Last But Not Least...

My friend and colleague Lindsey Smith wrote a hilarious, heartwarming new book: Summer Haters Club.

If summer is your least favorite season—you hate being hot and sweaty, and can't wait for cool, crisp, sweater weather to return—this book is for you. 

Personally, I love summer. But I celebrate Lindsey's new book nonetheless! So proud of you, Linz.

Whatever you're focusing on this summer—career goals, financial priorities, family time, your health journey, or all of the above—I'm wishing you the greatest success.

-Alex

PS. My favorite music playlist right now: Reading In a Castle.

PPS. I lead the Hawaii Writing Retreat once a year. A week in paradise, where you can focus on writing your book, business plan, blog posts, or another writing project of your choosing. 

The next retreat is sold out. To be notified about future retreats, email [email protected] and say, “Please put me on the retreat waitlist.” Thank you!