Must-Read Monday: The Happiness Project

 Typically, on Must-Read Monday I feature fiction, but today I thought I'd share a non-fiction book that I recently read and loved. Now, I know I'm probably behind the curve on this one because it came out a few years ago, but hey, better late than never. : ) 

If you stopped by the blog last week, I mentioned this book in my post about Journaling for the Chronic Journal Abandoner, but I didn't really go into details about the book. So here's today's recommendation:

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin

Blurb:

Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. "The days are long, but the years are short," she realized. "Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter." In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.

In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.

I picked up this book because I'd seen it mentioned on a few blogs and then found Gretchen's blog. I liked her voice and the concepts she was blogging about, so I was compelled to try it. And I'm so glad I did. I'm a pretty happy person by nature, but I'm always open to ways to make life more purposeful, meaningful, and mindful. Time does pass too quickly, and sometimes we go through our days unconsciously putting one foot in front of the other, unaware of time just falling away. So I really wanted to see what she had to say on finding happiness and meaning in every day life.

I really enjoyed her voice and the way the book was laid out with each chapter being a month of tackling new resolutions specific to on topic such as Vitality, Marriage, Parenthood, Money. And I found myself taking notes and making my own resolutions as I went. It really was a great book for self-reflection. Plus, I love making goals, resolutions, and commandments, and learning new ways to think about things. It's already affected how I've gone about my days since I've read it. And now I have my mom reading it, and she's having a similar reaction.

I really do think there is something in this book for everyone--great nuggets of wisdom and practical advice. And if you're unsure if you'd be into the book, it's worth checking out The Happiness Project blog to get a taste of what the book is like.

So, has anyone else read this? Thoughts? What books have you read that really made you stop and think about the way you were doing things in your life?

Must-Read Monday: A Hero in Drag? Yep, It Totally Worked

First, a few quick announcements of guest posts I've put out there in the world. Would love if you stopped by:

• Entering a Writing Contest? Five Newbie Writing Mistakes To Avoid at Savvy Authors
• Ten Every Day Items To Add A Little BDSM Spice to Your Relationship at Romancing Rakes (and a chance to WIN Fall Into You!)

All right, now on to Must-Read Monday...

You ever read the back cover of a book and think...yeah, I'm not sure how they're going to pull THAT off?

Well, even though I'm about as open-minded in my romance as they come, this was one of those books for me. A few weeks ago, I saw buzz on Twitter from some of the romance reviewers about a book called Painted Faces--a book with a straight, alpha male, drag queen hero. Yep, you're reading that right. Even though my first reaction was what I said above and I was worried because I like my heroes very alpha, my tastes tends to run closely to these particular reviewers (here are their reviews: Smexy Books, Fiction Vixen, and Dear Author) so I figured, what the hell, I'll try it. (Plus, it was on sale and you know how I am about a book sale.) And I'm SO glad I did.

This book was totally unconventional and different but also really sweet, funny, sexy (and dark at times). Nicholas dresses in drag for performances only, so during his every day life, he's in guy mode. But both sides of him are very important (and there is believable backstory attached to this.) And the heroine, Freda, embraces both sides of him, which is the beauty of their relationship. Also, Freda is a fun heroine to go on the journey with. She's quirky, awkward, sarcastic, and self-deprecating. Because this was in first POV, it also had a "new adult" feel to it. 

Painted Faces by L.H. Cosway

I can't say I'd ever expected to read a romance where the hero teaches the heroine how to walk in heels, lol, but it totally worked. Don't be afraid of the unconventional hero, and check this one out. It's only 2.99 in ebook.

Has anyone else read this one? What book have you read that you kind of didn't expect to like but it totally surprised you? What's on your must-read list this week?

Reading Sexy Books For or With Your Partner & A Message to the Dudes

Photo by M31 (flickr cc)Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! 

Today, I ran across a post by Maisey Yates over at the Peanut Butter on the Keyboard blog on why it's important to keep the sizzle in your marriage. And I ended up having a sideline conversation with her about it where the topic of romance novels came up. Obviously, we both write romance, so we're a bit biased, but both of us see them as relationship enhancers rather than detractors. Life can be crazy and busy and exhausting. And sometimes when we finally roll into bed at night, the last thing on our minds is sexy times. We can forget how nice it can be to lose ourselves in the touch of the person we love most.

And sometimes all we need is a little nudge or reminder. Taking a few minutes in the evening to decompress and read a book that focuses on the greatness of romance can be just the thing that puts us back in the right frame of mind. It reminds us how transcendent kissing and touching (and kinky things, if you're reading one of my books) can be with someone you love. It provides space in our minds again for romance and sex, shoving out all those other things--the dishes, the kids' homework, the pound we gained this week, the project at work-- at least for a little while. It can remind a woman what a sacred space we can create when it's just you and the person you love with nothing else between you.

So when I hear some guys deride romance novels or worse, get jealous of them, I kind of want to smack them on the back of the head. The logic goes something like this: "I should be enough. I don't want her lusting over some fictional dude to get turned on for me." Come on, guys. It's not about wishing you were some other dude. Women need to be in the right state of mind for sex and often it's harder for us to block out the other stuff and focus--reading a book and getting swept away in some sexy story can help refocus us. It makes us fall for you all over again and reminds us--hey, we have this guy we love sitting over there and all this sexy stuff that is going on in this book--well, we can have that too. Right. Now. Hello, there.

It also can make us more adventurous and open to new things in bed. I'm sure there are many men out there right now (especially after the surge of BDSM romance out there now) who are smart enough to not make fun of the thing that made their women say--so, hey, honey, maybe you could tie me up tonight and tell me exactly how to please you. Lol. 

I've had a number of my readers tell me that they even pick out their favorite scenes from my books and read them aloud with their partners. How fun is that? It's a sexy activity and it provides a more comfortable way to convey--hey, maybe we could try something like this. AND, it conveys to the woman that her guy is totally secure in himself and their relationship and is willing to hear her fantasies without all that judgey-ness.

And nothing is sexier than a guy who is confident and secure enough to know that there's no way a fictional hero could compete with him in his woman's eyes. Promise. That. Is. Hot.

So go forth and have a fantastic Valentine's Day!

Blatant self-promotion alert: And if you're looking for a sexy, short read for you and your partner to try out, STILL INTO YOU, my novella, is about a married couple re-kindling the flame by getting a little sexually adventurous and is only 2.99.

Anyone read steamy books with their honey? How does your partner feel about your reading habits?

Book Sales: What I've Bought & Why I Can't Resist

If you know me, you know that I'm not a shopper. Shopping for clothes? Meh. Shopping for shoes? Ick. Shopping for furniture? Shoot me. I do enjoy the gourmet grocery store or a trip to IKEA, but that's about it.

Then there are books...

That's a whole other story. 

There's not much I enjoy more than browsing books--both in bookstores and online. There's such possibility. Where am I going to find that next story that sweeps me away or shocks me or keeps me up at night?

And even more irresistible than a regular book is a book ON SALE. Gah. Might as well wave cupcakes in front of me and ask me not to bite. Surprisingly, I'm not attracted to FREE! because I've been burned there and usually question the quality. The only time I download a free read is if it's from a trusted author or publisher or I've gotten a rec from a friend. But that low sale price? Yeah, that gets me.

I'm still selective in which I choose usually. I have so much in my TBR pile already that I want to make sure it's something I will truly read. But if I've heard good things about the book, hear a rec, or the book has great reviews from trusted sources, then I'm usually buying. (And if it's YA or NA, I'm emailing Julie Cross with--"have you read this? Should I get it?" Because she's usually ahead of me on her reading.)

And I've already told you about my discovery at the used bookstore of boxes of romances that sell for $15 (above) for 44 books. Hubs bought me a couple of those. I mean, how could I turn away from that?

Even though I know I'm short on reading time, I can't seem to turn away from a story that sounds interesting. It's like I'm afraid that one day I'll run out of stories to read. If I didn't have an e-reader, I'd probably look like an episode of hoarders, lol. But I guess one can have worse addictions. (At least that's what I tell myself and hubs.)

Plus, the Daily Deals are particularly enticing because you know that the next day that 1.99 sale is going to jump back to 7.99-9.99 so you need to act now. Yeah, I know, that's the point. But clearly, the method works on me.

If you want to keep up with Daily Deals, you can sign up for the Kindle Daily Deal email (and I'm assuming Nook has something similar). You can also follow Dear Author's Daily Deal posts (I like hers because she often gives commentary on the choices that either sells me on it or steers me away), and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books features romance deals regularly too.

Here's what I've bought on sale recently (and haven't read yet)--note that all of these aren't necessarily still on sale. Click covers for more info on the book.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Have heard really good things about this one, so it was a no-brainer buy.

 

Painted Faces by L.H. Cosway

Saw this one on Dear Author with a rec. I have to say I'm really intrigued at the idea of an alpha male hero who dresses in drag. Not something I'd normally think would work, but I've heard from multiple sources that it's a great book.

 

The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines

There's a lot of buzz in the New Adult world about this author and lots of strong reviews on this book, so I figured I'd check it out.

 

Austenland by Shannon Hale

Saw this one on Smart Bitches when there was a sale on all things Austen. I recently watched Pride & Prejudice for the first time (the mini-series) and have been watching the first season of Downton Abbey, so I guess I'm just in the mood for something Austen related.

 

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

This is one I emailed Julie about. She gave me the thumbs up. Plus, what a cute cover and title. :)

 

Midnight Man by Lisa Marie Rice

A strong rec on Dear Author had be buying this one.

 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Have heard lots of good things about this one, though I've been warned that I need to be prepared to buy the sequel after finishing this one.

 

The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux

I'm making a point to read some old school 80s/90s romances which is part of the reason I'm happy I got those boxes at the used bookstore.

 

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Have heard good things about the author and the blurb intrigued me.

 

The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty

This was totally a "back cover sounds interesting" buy. I may have checked reviews on Goodreads first, too.

 

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Good reviews out there on this one and I love a good time travel story.

 

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

I used to read Dean Koontz and I know this is the start to one of his biggest series, so I grabbed it.

As you can see, sales help nudge me into purchasing things outside my normal authors and genres. I love that. I don't need to wait for sales to buy my favorite authors or to buy an erotic romance. I buy those when they come out. But the sales on other stuff helps fill in the gaps with new, outside my genre stuff. Win-win.

So what about you? Do you have trouble resisting a book sale? How do you decide what to buy if it's not an auto-buy author for you?

**I'm not sure why some browsers are not showing the book covers. I've checked it on both my computer and phone and they're showing on my end. Seems like half of you can see them and others can't. I've gone back and added the titles with links in case you can't see the covers. Sorry! Not sure what the issue is.