Atomic Habits by James Clear

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Atomic Habits by James Clear, which was nicely narrated by the author. Atomic Habits was my last read for the month of September.

I've been meaning to read Atomic Habits for quite awhile, but I had been putting it off for other reads instead. 

Then, about six weeks ago, a Ukrainian woman living in Kyiv, Ukraine that I am an English buddy with, asked me to read Atomic Habits with her. We will be discussing this book via video chat this upcoming week.

I really enjoyed reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. This work of nonfiction about how to change ones habits was very engaging and straightforward. There are four laws to follow to enact changing ones habits. The laws themselves are broken down into easy to follow steps that seem very doable. I also like the fact that there are several pdf downloadable worksheets to help facilitate changing ones own habits. 

Below is the publisher's summary for Atomic Habits by James Clear from the Goodreads website:

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

Learn how to:
- Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
- Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
- Design your environment to make success easier;
- Get back on track when you fall off course;
...and much more.

Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits--whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

I am giving Atomic Habits by James Clear a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

I hope you're reading something special this weekend!!

Share with me which book you're reading and if you're

enjoying it so far.

Indigenous Horror Book Recommendations

 

Halloween is upon us this month!! Are you looking for horror book recommendations? The above short YouTube video highlights some indigenous horror reads that I've never heard of before. So, if you are looking for a different slant on the horror theme, then check out this video.

It Starts Today! Join Us For 'The Accursed' Spooky Season Read-Along!

 

 

Welcome to the Shadows: Announcing 'The Accursed' Spooky Season Read-Along!

Get ready to dive into one of the most wildly ambitious, darkly atmospheric historical fantasies of modern literature just in time for Spooky Season. From October 1 through October 31, 2026, Marianne @ Let's Read and I are teaming up to tackle Joyce Carol Oates’s epic Gothic masterpiece, The Accursed—and we would love for you to join us!

Set in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1905–1906, the novel weaves real historical figures—like Woodrow Wilson, Grover Cleveland, and Upton Sinclair—into a chilling, surreal Gothic mystery. When a supernatural "curse" overtakes the elite families of the town, society crumbles under the weight of mysterious abductions, demonic visions, and long-buried hypocrisies.

At over 600 pages, it is a dense, feverish read—which is precisely why reading and discussing it together over the 31 days of October will make it so much more fun.

October Reading Schedule

We will break the novel down across the four weeks of October (roughly 150–170 pages per week) so we can all finish together right on Halloween night:

Timeline	Assigned Reading	Key Themes / Focus
Week 1 (Oct 1–Oct 8)	Author's note, Prologue, + Part 1	The curse descends on the Slade wedding; Woodrow Wilson's strain
Week 2 (Oct 9–Oct 16)	Part 2	Historical cameos; the eerie Bog Kingdom; social satire
Week 3 (Oct 17–Oct 24)	Part 3	Hysteria spreads; moral decay of the Princeton elite
Week 4 (Oct 25–Oct 31)	Part 4 to End of Novel	Climax, resolution, and unpacking the narrator’s reliability

How to Participate

• Weekly Discussion Posts: Every Friday in October (Oct 9, 16, 23, and 31), a new post will go live right here on the blog with guided discussion prompts, character trackers, and space to share your thoughts.

• Comment Section: Drop your theories, favorite quotes, and reactions in the comments of each weekly post as you read along with Marianne and me at your own pace.

Grab your copy, dust off your reading chair, and drop a comment below if you're joining us this October!

The Nudge by Joseph Fink

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Nudge by Joseph Fink and nicely narrated by Cecil Baldwin & Kevin R. Free. Joseph Fink is a new to me author. Hoopla had recommended this novella to me based on the books I have read or listened to this year via the Hoopla app. 

I chose to listen to this novella based on the high ratings and also its short length at 2 hours, 28 minutes. Plus, I couldn't resist this horror and psychological thriller themed read as Halloween approaches.

Like the publisher's summary mentions below, I found the The Nudge by Joseph Fink to be atmospheric. I liked the duel narration for this novella as well. I also found the storyline to be interesting and engaging. As a side note, while I was listening to The Nudge, I found certain scenes reminding me of particular pop culture things... Like the song, 'Hotel California' by the Eagles, the Winchester Mansion, 'Psycho' (both the movie and novel), and the novel, Cujo. None of these things (Cujo, Psycho, Winchester Mansion, the song 'Hotel California') were actually referenced specifically in The Nudge, but certain scenes that were written made me think of of these particular pop culture icons.

I liked the characters for The Nudge too. However, The Nudge, was not as engrossing as I'd hoped it would be based on the overall rating of this novella.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Nudge by Joseph Fink I found on Chirp's website:

A new horror novella from the creator of Welcome to Night Vale and Alice Isn’t Dead.

On the open road, evil doesn’t chase you. It waits . . .

Late one night, a wounded man checks into a remote roadside hotel. He’s running from something he can’t explain or escape. And over the course of a night, he’ll tell the hotel’s proprietor how his life fell apart.

It started with his wife. Subtle changes. Smiles that didn’t belong to her. Then violence—sudden, intimate, almost casual. Therapy offered hope. Recovery seemed possible. Until it wasn’t. He believes a hidden influence has attached itself to him, one that never forces, never commands. It whispers. It suggests. Nudges people toward their worst impulses.

Now the man wanders the country as a fugitive, hoping to break free from the evil that’s wormed its way into him. But as our narrator’s story unfolds, he begins to question whether he’s fled far enough …

Tense, atmospheric, and chilling, The Nudge is a slow-burn tale of suspense that will linger like a whisper in the dark, long after the story is over.

I am giving The Nudge by Joseph Fink a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

I came across the audio version of Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard via Hoopla. I like eating Indian fry bread, although I haven't eaten it in years. I also wanted to learn more about Native American Culture. Because of this, I chose to listen to Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard. 

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story is a children's book published in 2019 and it has numerous accolades including the Winner of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Medal, Publishers Weekly Best Picture Book of 2019, Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019, and NPR's 100 Favorite Books for Young Readers.

I really enjoyed listening to the audio version of Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story, which is nicely narrated by the author. My only complaint about listening to the audio version of this book is that the reader misses out on viewing the illustrations found within the physical book.

For being an illustrated children's book, Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story is filled with plenty of information about fry bread and also about Native American history. I learned that the Navajo tribe was the first to make fry bread over 150 years ago. There are also several different recipes for fry bread, which I thought was interesting as I only thought there was one universal recipe. The author even included his own recipe for fry bread and how to make it.

Additionally, I learned that there are 573 federally recognized Native American tribes here in the USA and 67 state recognized Native American tribes. There was plenty of other information within Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story that I found informative too.

I am giving Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!! 

Point Reyes Books in Point Reyes Station, California

Point Reyes Books is absolute magic!! In fact, it is a bibliophile’s dream bookstore. I could have walked away with a couple dozen books, but my bank account and husband weren't having it! If it isn't obvious already, I'm in L-O-V-E with Point Reyes Books.

Point Reyes Books has everything an independent bookstore should be—welcoming, thoughtfully curated, and deeply tied to the local community. Every shelf feels like it was put together with real care, making it impossible to walk out empty-handed. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Point Reyes Station, stopping here is an absolute must!

I walked away with a signed copy of The Extremities by Samantha Kimmy. Samatha Kimmy also happens to be the store manager for Point Reyes Books.

Point Reyes Books is located in the heart of downtown Point Reyes Station, California. Downtown Point Reyes Station is very walkable with many eateries and small businesses to explore during one's visit. 

The following is a summary for The Extremities by Samantha Kimmy:

One day at work, a young newspaper reporter is suddenly struck with a mysterious pain in her hands that renders her unable to type. Kim initially believes the disorder—as she refers to it—will disappear quickly. But attempts at treatment fail and no medical professional seems able to diagnose her. Is it a problem of posture? Stress from work? Fear of nearby wildfires or a past trauma, perhaps connected to the tragic death of her maybe-a-hoarder mother many years ago? Though the disorder puts her job, her relationship, and her state of mind in jeopardy, Kim begins to feel a strange kinship to the pain, a desire to “obey” it—a sentiment affirmed by her naturalist boyfriend, who has plans of his own for an idyllic future. Will submitting to the pain enable Kim to transcend it, or will it further derail her from the life she intended to lead?

Doesn't The Extremities by Samantha Kimmy sound like an interesting read? 

New to Me Little Free Library in Inverness, California!!

 

Last weekend, my husband and I visited Inverness, California for the weekend. While we were in Inverness, we discovered a Little Free Library down the street from our AirBnB. I left five books inside the Little Free Library. What a cute LFL in a cute residential neighborhood!