Rediscovering the Joy of Reading: A Journey Through Books and Life

Finding My Way Back to Books

I remember when I used to love sitting on the couch with a good book. I was part of a book club back then. I always read the books, but I never really clicked with the girls. So, I would usually skip the actual meetings.

These days, I love listening to books while I edit photos. I honestly wish I had more time to actually sit down and read again.

Funny enough, I’m currently in THREE different book groups. But after Christmas, we all kind of stopped meeting. I really need to get back on the ball with that.

A Morning Well Spent

Today, I spent the morning with Courtney. We did an 8 a.m. Barre class, grabbed breakfast, and then went to get our toes done. Technically, I should be editing right now—finishing up some long-awaited images that have been calling my name. But instead, I find myself sitting by the pool.

I’ve got an umbrella over my head, a drink next to me, and pistachios I keep nibbling on while I read through my old journals. I’m looking for entries I want to turn digital.

Of course, I’m wearing my swimsuit. It’s a million degrees outside. So, I read a little, jump in the pool, write a little, then jump in again.

Meanwhile, my poor husband is covered head to toe in sweat. He’s outside building me a backyard trellis so we can hang two swings and really enjoy our space back there. Although honestly… I’m enjoying my lounge bed in the shade just fine.

Home Improvements and Family Life

He only started this project yesterday, and I can’t believe how much he’s already gotten done. I just ordered pillows for the sofa swing and the hammock. Follow Durstfamilychaos on IG or TikTok if you want to see the progress.

Slowly but surely, we’re getting things done around here.

While reading through my journals, I came across this post I wrote back on Sept. 4, 2011:

“I went to see The Help this morning with my sister-in-law Ashleigh. I think this was the first book-to-movie adaptation where I had zero complaints. It was excellent. In fact, they changed a few little things that I actually liked better in the movie. I cried and cried during several parts, and by the end, I was emotional because it felt like the kind of movie my grandmother and I would have loved watching together. She probably would have read the book first and then told me I needed to read it too.”

My Reading Journey

Back during my book club days, I read all the Twilight books, all the Hunger Games books, This Is My Words, and an FLDS escape memoir that really stuck with me. I’m sure there were more, but those are the ones that stand out the most.

Now, I mostly listen to audiobooks on Amazon. Right now, I’m listening to My Husband’s Wife. I just finished The Perfect Divorce. The Fourth Monkey was pretty good too. I can’t seem to finish The Fifth to Die, though—it feels a little slower.

I love Freida McFadden and have read just about all of her books. I used to really like Colleen Hoover too, but after reading Verity, I kind of lost interest. Her books started to feel a little over-sexualized for me personally.

A Summer Reading List

I have a pretty long summer reading list waiting for me. For now, though, I’m going to jump back in the pool and cool off. Then, I’m going to sit down and rewrite the story of Charlotte’s birth—especially the scare we had leading up to it.

And remember… you can leave comments. I’d love to know what you want to hear more about: my mom, my childhood, current life, or stories from the past. Eventually, I’ll get it all out one page at a time.

But you’ve got to follow along… and please leave a comment.

Love,

Jen