On the bookshelf
(click on images to view them full size)
What am I reading right now?
I thought I’d do a fun post about what I’m reading as there are some interesting intersections in the books I have on the go right now. It has become a running joke with my friends what book I’m reading as I start many conversations with, “I’ve been reading this book and…..” Before I start I should come clean about a few things - like the fact that I usually have multiple books on the go at any given time - right now there are eight in varying stages of completion and my hope is to finish them before the end of the year.
I actually keep a running list of all the books on my to read list as well as those that are recommended for me to read and yes I do keep track of the ones I’ve finished. Right now there are 51 on the to read list, 23 on the recommendation list and 39 finished in 2025 (this doesn’t count the 8 outstanding).
The library where I do my morning reading. (EXIF data iPhone)
It’s interesting that I used to read one book at a time cover to cover, but since I’ve started doing multiple books - I actually read more. I tend to read bite size sections from each book on a daily basis and I underline and makes notes in margins so that I remember the important or impactful bits. Somehow this seems to help me retain more from the book - and another interesting tidbit is that I tend to link the books I’m reading together, so that I’m able to recall where I read certain things and how different books are linked.
The linkage could be that one book referred to another (such as Deep Work by Cal Newport led me to Rapt by Winifred Gallagher and in that book Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson is mentioned. I love when there is the interconnections as this tends to cement thoughts and concepts for me much more effectively.
Strong Ground
I’ve been reading Strong Ground by Brene Brown and let’s be honest - when she comes out with a book - I’m going to read it. I find that the topics she explores and the way she articulates concepts really resonates with me. In this latest book she is using pickle ball and physical training metaphors to capture some key concepts from her leadership training books and then she expands on the research updates to her Dare to Lead work as well as bringing in updates for other books that relate to leadership development. It’s probably not the first Brene Brown book I’d recommend as there are a number of references to other material, but if you’re a long term fan/reader of her work then I would highly recommend.
Strong ground like the giant sitka spruce and cedars on Haida Gwaii. (EXIF data f5.6, 1/250s, 50mm, ISO100)
The sports metaphors are really relevant for me with my focus on strength training and how I’ve been working on really strengthening my core muscles to enable me to move easily and carry heavy loads. Strong ground is a term which actually refers to being rooted and immovable from your stance in the gym - I really enjoyed these references as they made so much sense to me. Leadership feels like it should be rooted in some strong foundational ideas in order to ensure that it is not some flavour of the month or trendy fad. Good leaders have flexibility and resilience as well as strength, but they also have firm foundations that enable them to demonstrate those other attributes effectively.
I’m sure you’ll be seeing some quotes from this book in future blog posts as I’ve found some gems that really resonate with me.
Positivity
The next book I’m reading came from a reference in Brown’s book and I’m so glad that I looked into this little gem. Barbara Fredrickson spends the first half of the book really digging into what heartfelt positivity is and how it can transform your life using all sorts of scientific evidence. Her arguments are compelling and quite honestly who wouldn’t benefit from more positivity in their life.
So many days we’re greeted with amazing sunrises which just lifts me up. (EXIF data iPhone)
The second half of the book talks about the positivity ratio and that a ratio of 3 or higher tips the scales to expanded positivity in your life. She then goes on to describe ways to reduce the negativity in your life and increase the positivity in order to increase the ratio and get it over that tipping point.
Such common sense, but presented in a way that makes a compelling argument with practical examples and tips for improving your life. This is a pretty easy read and well worth picking up. I have raved about this book so much that one friend is building a coaching session based upon it and I’m also going to be leading a book club session around this book in the spring. A definite recommend.
“As a culture, we’re coming to care a lot about the foods we eat. If we don’t want to ingest unnecessary toxins, we buy organic produce. If we want to avoid unhealthy fats, we read ingredient labels. Yet we ingest toxic messages without a thought.” (Positivity - Barbara Fredrickson)
Focused Attention
The next two books came to me via Cal Newport’s book entitled Deep Work which is about getting into a state of deep focused concentration or “flow”. I’ve talked about the state of flow before with my photography and when I’m in the zone the rest of the world just melts away. Hours can go by without me having any real sense of time.
House Finch fluffed up and focused on staying warm. (EXIF data f6.3, 1/250s, 400mm, ISO800).
I was so interested in this topic that when Newport recommended Rapt and Flow as follow up reads - I picked them up. Both of these books relate to focused attention and how we can train our brains to have better focus. Focused attention lead to the state of flow which has all sorts of positive impacts on our brains and our lives. I am fascinated to learn how our brains work and the ways that I can use this information to understand how to reprogram my brain to achieve personal growth and happiness.
These two books were a bit more challenging with deep dives into the workings of the brain, but well worth the time and effort it took to dig in and understand them.
Not all serious
I am reading some lighter works as it can’t all be serious. Actually I usually have a photography book or some sort of creative book on the go at the same time, but for some reason I didn’t have one lined up when I started this series of books. However, I did pick up The Book of Qualities by Ruth Gendler which is a bit whimsical and light - a wonderful description of feelings and emotions with lovely illustrations - sort of line drawings for each topic.
A bit of whimsy like the back lit grasses in the morning sunlight - might there be a pixie flitting about in there? (EXIF data f4, 1/80s, 100mm, ISO400)
This book has been a bit of a surprise for me in that I am not only enjoying the verbal playfulness of the text, but I’m also being inspired to come up with my own versions of each of the feelings and emotions - using my photography to illustrate them rather than line drawings. We’ll have to see where this goes as it’s a 2026 project.
Bedside table reads
I’ve got three books on the go on my nightstand and these tend to be my short pre-sleep reads. Richard Rohr’s Falling Upwards is a re-read for me in that we’re using it as part of a contemplative prayer group. I enjoyed reading it the first time through and the second pass is offering up so many new gems that I'm glad that I decided to give it a second study. Rohr has such interesting thoughts on the paradoxes we must navigate to live a rich and fulfilled life - I’m often tied in knots trying to figure them out, but it is well worth the effort.
Reading provides me with so much pleasure to unravel the layers and try to understand things better. (EXIF data f4.5, 1/80s, 300mm, ISO400)
Light Eaters by Zoe Schlanger is so fascinating - it is a continuation of my dive into An Immense World by Ed Yong, but this time the focus is on plants (hence the title - love the play on words). Schlanger explores plant intelligence and some of the information is not only fascinating but also compelling evidence that there is more to plants than we realize. It’s early days with this book, but I’m already fascinated by the information I've been uncovering.
Finally I have Flourish by Martin Seligman which continues my exploration of positivity. I’ve only just started this book, so stay tuned for more.
The pleasures and joys of reading
I cannot recall a time when books weren’t a central part of my life. My mum used to read to me before bedtime which led to my sister and I reading to each other when we shared a room and it seemed natural for me to continue to unfold the mysteries of life within the pages of a book. Sometimes they are an escape, but most often now they are the key to knowledge and connection as I discuss what I’ve been reading with others. I’m sure that my fascination with books will continue.
Do you enjoy reading and if so please drop me a recommendation in the comments below or contact me directly by clicking on the Connect With Me button.
The sparkle and mystery of a good book is like the magic of a winter light display. (ICM image of zoo lights f14, 1s, 120mm, ISO64)
I hope you’ll come back soon, share a cuppa, relax and enjoy more of my musings.
