Quarantine Reading

I remember on New Years Eve, I was excited for 2020. I had a feeling it was going to be a great year. It’s pretty clear I’m not a psychic because damn…so far, I can only describe 2020 as a dumpster fire. This Coronavirus is ruling to world right now. Our couples trip with my college friends and their husbands has been cancelled. Our trip to Iowa for my stepson’s graduation probably won’t happen either. I’m constantly worried about my family who works in healthcare and I’m going slightly crazy being in self quarantine at home. I feel bad being upset about it because there are people who have waaaaaay worse than me. Most of my friends are working from home, homeschooling their children, and trying to do their normal household stuff. Since my stepkids are back in Iowa, it’s just James and I here. And mostly, it’s just me. He is still going to work as he can’t work from home and golfing when he can.

You can’t freaking escape the virus talk either- turn on the TV and someone is talking about it. Check social media and people are talking about eating all the food, their home workouts, homeschooling tips, and quarantine home improvement projects. My sister repainted her kitchen island and cabinets this week and they are beautiful. They were a plain, boring oak color and now they’re black. She’s so talented. I keep telling her to start an Instagram account about decorating and her diy projects. When she can visit again, she said she’s gonna paint an old bookshelf I have. Of course, COVID19 is making sure she won’t be here for awhile. I hate Coronavirus. I really do.

Before and after of my sisters kitchen

The only thing I’m liking about 2020 so far is all the good books I’ve read. I really like reading memoirs and autobiographies of interesting people. So far this year I’ve read Open Book by Jessica Simpson, Untamed by Glennon Doyle, Forward by Abby Wambach, I’m Fine…And Other Lies by Whitney Cummings, and On The Bright Side by Melanie Shankle. These are all good for different reasons. I’ve always been a fan of Jessica Simpson. I remember watching her on MTV while I was sitting in my college dorm room and wishing I could look like her (I still wish that!) I watched her on Newlyweds and was disgusted at the way her husband talked down to her all the time. Apparently, she was too because she divorced his condescending ass. She started her own clothing line which has become a billion dollar business. Her clothes are really cute and surprisingly affordable. During all of that, she became an alcoholic, had kids, got married again, and got sober. Her books is really relatable, even if you aren’t a mega super star or an alcoholic. She talks a lot about body insecurities (Remember those photos of her at a chili cookoff where everyone said she had gotten fat? She was a freaking size 4!!!), how past relationships have hurt her, and how it felt to go through all of her struggles in the public eye. Read it then go shop on her website.

On the way back from Iowa last month, I read Untamed by Glennon Doyle. Glennon Doyle is an incredible writer and like Jessica Simpson, she’s really relatable. Her first books were about her struggles with alcohol, a husband who cheated, and finally a divorce. This book is about how she met and fell in love with her wife. Yes, her wife. It’s really interesting. And her wife just happens to be Abby Wambach. Abby Wambach is an Olympic Gold Medalist and holds the world record for scoring the most soccer goals ever. More than any other man or woman. I also read Abby’s book entitled Forward. It’s her first book (written before she met and married Glennon). She talks about her soccer career, her pill popping habit, and her rise to be the best soccer player that ever lived. She also talks about her decision to retire from soccer and how she became an activist for equal rights (and equal pay!) for female athletes. I really want to read her other book, Wolfpack.

I didn’t really know who Whitney Cummings was until I listed to her on Armchair Expert a month or two ago. Turns out, she’s really funny and she’s an incredible writer. Her book, I’m Fine…And Other Lies is both funny and thoughtful. I actually laughed out loud reading it. She talks about her crippling anxiety, eating disorders, and codependency but somehow makes it all seem… fine.

On The Bright Side is probably the best book any of us could have right now. Melanie Shankle is one of the funniest authors I’ve ever read. This book has funny stories about things that have gone wrong in her life (like accidentally losing her daughter’s hermit crabs in the backyard) but have ended up having a bright side. Weirdly enough, she was supposed to be on book tour during this time but is stuck at home. It’s an excellent book for what we’re all going through.

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All the books I’m recommending this post

I suppose I should look on the bright side too. On the bright side, I’m able to work from home and neither my husband or I have lost our jobs. James has been awesome about going to get all of our groceries so I can stay home and stay safe. This quarantine is happening while the weather is really nice and sunny, so I’m able to walk Deuce 2 or 3 times everyday. My former career as a hairdresser has been a bright side too- last weekend I toned my own hair and colored my own brows. I love our house so being quarantined here isn’t a hardship. (Sidenote: we realized we’ve lived in our new house for almost a year now. That went fast!) Netflix has plenty to choose from when you need it, but lately I’ve been rewatching Hart of Dixie. Why? Because it’s interesting and I don’t have to think too hard while watching it. Also, the outfits provide me with fashion inspiration for when this quarantine is over. Right now, it’s leggings, sports bras and tank tops. My favorite jacket from Academy Sports is on sale right now and yes, I ordered another one. I wear it at least once a week and for $14, I can afford to own it in 2 colors.

That’s all for now! Happy Quarantine!!!