We casually read 2 books this month...

It's easy to minimize the amount of reading you can get in as a casual reader when you're often inspired by the creators that get in 10, 20, or 50+ books a month. Instead of comparing and humbling yourself, find another way to celebrate! How many pages were turned? How many times did you go to your local library? Did you support indie authors? And if you're a creator - did you post something? 

I gave birth on September 1st and was in the hospital through September 4th. Then we came home and discovered the HVAC was struck by lightening... SOOOOOO whatever reading I got done is a win! I also discovered that the time in between those dark and quiet night feedings were the perfect setting for me to get some reading done. In the mornings I trade scrolling my phone for reading instead. It's a tough habit to break: immediately waking up and checking my phone or looking at my creator analytics like something would change overnight, but HEY! We celebrate little wins around here. 

I'm on Storygraph to track my reading. I'm pretty on top of adding what I read plus some notes in the journal entries - I wish the journal entries had the option to be public though, I would love to discuss with mutuals...

Let's look at the stats for this month!

I looked at this monthly graphic and kind of laughed out loud...because it really felt like I did more! The days go by so fast, and I also have a newborn I'm figuring out as a first time mom. I am also really glad I made a Bookstagram this month because it gives me some wiggle room with just obsessing over books and having low-pressure fun on an account. I feel like my YouTube focuses very heavily on gaming content and Schae's Place is just a hippie hollow introducing people to all my niches: art, gaming, books, and plants. Do I plan on making a separate account for all these things? Absolutely not - I don't have that much to say about all of them to commit...

When I took a look at the calendar it made much more sense. I typically use my kindle in the night time (its much easier in bed or traveling or multitasking with a newborn) so I'm constantly juggling two books. Currently that is: Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan and Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas. Both are very emotional, but in completely different ways. Romance is not a genre I typically read, but my homegirl Roni said I would enjoy the ride and I trust her judgement! I also found some interest in Greek and Roman mythology recently; I would love some recommendations to add to my TBR. Mas was just the easiest pick out of the thousands of options while I waited for my copy of I, Medusa by Ayana Gray to arrive. It's very heavy and dark right from the jump....I'm invested. 

As stated before, I'm always going to celebrate the little wins. I read almost every day! I feel connected to the books I've been reading, and nothing is less than 4 stars. I've still got about 50% or more left in my current reads, but I don't see them being less than four stars either. Not only did I finish two books, but I also wrote two (three including this one) blogs this month. I haven't been able to sit and write almost the entire year because of my pregnancy brain fog and other things. A WIN IS A WIN!

I'm not sure what October will look like for completed books, but I do have some "Hopefuls" to lean towards when I am ready to look for something new. Do I think I'll get through all of them? PROBABLY NOT! Will I buy more and discover more during the month that I may want to start immediately instead? PROBABLY! Who cares, we do this for the love of reading anyways (and maybe the cute little graphics).

Let me know in the comments, what did you casually read this month?

What wins are you celebrating?