A few years ago I had a book recommendation series on my blog, but I got away from it to do more actual writing. Because you want new books, yes? So do I.

But… I love to read, as I know many of you do, and I love to share the books I’m enjoying, as I know you do. If you didn’t, no one outside my immediate circle would have read the Brilliant Darkness series. (Thank you for that!) With that in mind, I thought I’d post once in a while when I read books I want to share with the world. Here are a few.

Nonfiction:

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo

This book was a massive bestseller, and for good reason. It was magic to read while packing and moving homes recently. I loved Kondo’s simple writing style, and her easy plan for how best to declutter. I really responded to her idea of considering each item in your home with only one criteria: Does it give me joy? If yes, you keep it. If no, you donate or throw it out.

I flitted around our home while packing, proclaiming, “This gives me joy!” or “This does not give me joy!” and putting things in the appropriate piles. (Getting my husband and kids on board? Not so easy.) Still, it made unpacking SO much easier to know that I’d already made those decisions. Now, I’m happy to report, our home is filled (mostly) with things we love. Give it a try yourself!

Fiction:

Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase

I’m reading this now for my book club and really enjoying it. It’s well written and suspenseful, with an intriguing premise about a home where time might stand still, a crumbling estate that harbors disturbing family secrets. The structure and interesting characters drew me in right away. It’s set on the stormy Cornish coast of England, and it’s the sort of book where the setting is its own character, maybe even the main character, as the title suggests. Good so far!

I’d love to hear what you’re reading and enjoying (or not, as the case may be.) Let me know in the comments!