In the middle of 2022, I started to feel lost. Lost in a way that I wasn’t sure who I was anymore. I knew I was a mom and a wife… I knew I was a daughter and a colleague… but who was I to myself? So, during my journey of self-discovery, I realized I needed to start doing things for me. I needed to do this to not only have time for myself, but to show my children that you can have a family, be employed, and still have a piece of yourself that’s just for you. For me, this was reading.

Growing up I was an avid reader, so when I saw my friend, M, continuously post about all the books she was reading (with two kids and working full time!), I knew I wanted back in that world. I knew I could BE back in that world. I reached out to M in June and she was more than willing to share her recommendations, lend me books, and immediately inspired me to make a GoodReads account (feel free to connect with me!).

What I love about GoodReads is that I can pick a reading goal. Given that it was already June, I didn’t want to go too crazy – but I did want to challenge myself, so I made my goal 14 books. Two books a month. Two books a month to get a piece of myself back. Something that was 100% for me.

When I picked up my first book of the year, I was instantly in love with reading again. I remembered how good it feels to immerse yourself in another world. To allow yourself to be transported inside the mind of someone else… to take a moment in another life. It’s the same reason I love movies, but books take you a level deeper. Nothing better than being lost in a story.

On December 31, 2022, I finished my last book of the year – surpassing my goal with a total of 22 books! As I closed that last book, I felt so good. For the first time in years I made something for me a priority. Taking that time back has already done wonders for my stress. I would argue it has helped me be more present in my family life as well, helping me to de-stress and zone out in a way that doesn’t involve my phone. In addition, a few family members have started a monthly book club – encouraging each other to go outside of our comfort zones, reading all different type of books.

Reading again has energized me. I am so thankful for the inspiration and support of my friend M, as well as all the new book connections I have made along the way. For 2023, my goal is to read 50 books. In the meantime, check out the books I read and my top 5 of 2022. Please feel free to leave your book recommendations below!

Sasha’s Top 5 Books of 2022

1. Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren

2. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

3. Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

4. Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

5. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Runner Up: Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy