Hello friends and Happy (almost) New Year!

 

I thought is would be fun to re-share a few books with you all that fit into a few different categories that might interest you as we head into a new year. As many of you know, I am an absolute sucker for reflection and resolutions. The cumulative effect of everyone doing it together is energizing for me!

 

You will also notice that I have read many of these books multiple times. To quote Nate (who is most certainly quoting someone else) “the best read person hasn't read the most books, but the best books most often.”

 

If you’ve been here a while, you have heard me talk about many of these, and there's a few new ones on the list as well. Let’s dive in!

I read this years ago and am currently re-listening to it on audiobook. Earley takes you through a series of panic attacks and insomnia he has and how that leads him to a large life transformation. In this book, he offers four daily and four weekly habits, designed to help us create new routines and transform frazzled days into lives of love for God and neighbor. Sidenote: I also loved that he was a lawyer. Sometimes when a book is written by a pastor it’s hard for me to see how the specific demands on their life mimic my own. I read this while Nate was still practicing law and I felt like Nate could trust the author more knowing that he understood the demands of Nate’s job. While I loved The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, this one felt a bit more practical for the state of life we were in, especially for Nate.

 

I read this back in 2020 and just picked it up to read again. This one is a little less to do with habits and more shows us how we can become aware of God's presence in the mundane moments of the day. From getting out of bed to sitting in traffic, are everyday lives are filled with God's presence. I loved it (hence the reread) and have suggested for Nate to read it in January. 

 

I read this book for the first time back in 2017 and it helped me so much to understand the type of person I am (spoiler: I am an Upholder) and therefore what kind of goal setting works best for me. She outlines the Four Tendencies (Upholder, Obliger, Questioner, and Rebel) and how these different types of people respond to inner and outer expectations. Fun fact: the largest group of people are Obligers, which means they respond to outside expectations rather than expectations from themselves. That is why so many weight loss programs find success in a group accountability setting. I just re-listened to it in audiobook form as a refresher and love that Gretchen reads it. 

 

You have likely heard of this book, and it really is just as good as people say it is. Clear explains the importance of things like habit stacking to form good habits and break bad habits. He breaks habit formation down into baby steps, making them attainable. 

It’s been a while since I have read this one, but it contains principles I still think about. I am posting from the web: “John Cortines and Gregory Baumer met as Harvard MBA candidates in a men’s Bible study and stopped asking “How much should I give?” and started asking “How much do I need to keep?” With their top-notch education and rising careers, Cortines and Baumer were guaranteed comfort and security for the rest of their lives. However, when their plans for saving and spending collided with God’s purposes for extravagant generosity, they were each compelled to make a life-changing decision that challenges the values held by mainstream America and many Christian commentators. Cortines and Baumer show not only how to radically give, but explain how to do so responsibly.”

 

This book radically changed how I think about spending money. It is the inspiration behind my “Prime Day Pep Talks.” It goes into the behavioral psychology of why we spend the way we do and why stores offer sales the way they do. Truly, a must read! 

 

This is another book that has really impacted the way I think about money. It goes in depth into the difference between being wealthy and being rich, the importance of “not moving the goalpost,” happiness, and how we think about money. I simply cannot suggest enough. 

 

This book was less practical and more gave me some good things to think about when it comes to my children and money. To be honest, I think I need to reread it. If nothing else, I feel like it opened the door for Nate and I to have some really good discussions around money as it relates to our children. I would love to read another book on this topic so if you have any suggestions I am all ears!

 

The top book on my shelf to read is Habits of the Household. It is also by James Whitmel Earley (author of The Common Rule). So many of you suggested this one to me and I am excited about it! I feel like our life has had many big transitions over the last year and we could realy use some better, more intentional rhythms. Here’s what the web says about the book:

 

 Specifically the line: “then in January, fasting gives me the chance to practice the discipline of not having what I want at every moment.” I love thinking about resolutions in January as a healthy form of re-learning some discipline rather than a sad season of deprivation. 

GET EXCITED! If you missed it last year, the NTK Home Reset is back as of December 26th! This audio course was designed with respect for your time in mind. I know you don't have hours to sit in front of a computer screen. You want your house under control and you want it done fast. So, I made the course 100% audio! You can listen while you drive, or heck, even while you clean! 

 

Each episode comes with a printable checklist to keep you on track, while the audio keeps you motivated. This is by far my favorite thing I have ever created. I care deeply about having people love their homes and making your home work for YOU. If this sounds like something you might enjoy, you can read more about it by clicking the link below. 

 

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!!! 

 

Anyone who purchases the Home Reset between December 26th and January 1st will get The Naptime Kitchen Guide to Freezing AND The Naptime Kitchen Guide to Meal Planning and Grocery Shopping for FREE!!! That means TOMORROW is the LAST DAY to get this deal so act fast!

That's all I have for you this month. HAPPY NEW YEAR, and thanks for reading!