I spend a significant amount of my time writing, both professionally and personally. It’s probably my preferred form of self-expression (aside from performing to make people laugh), and as a result it’s become my job, my business, and my hobby! I write all the damn time – as a marketing and communications professional; as a blogger; as a stand-up comic. Writing is my life but I so enjoy taking time developing my thoughts and putting them down on paper (or these days, digitally). Writing is incredibly therapeutic for me, in all forms.

This year I’ve spent so much time on writing that I’ve let my love for reading lapse! (Unless you count reading email after email, or social media content, or listening to podcasts.) But to be a great writer, you must also be a great reader. I’ve always felt that writing and reading go hand-in-hand; in fact, reading new, interesting, or intellectual content informs my writing. So it’s time I started getting back into books. And I want to know – what are you reading?

I usually find a good book and immerse myself in it, sometimes staying up for hours past my intended bedtime, engrossed in a juicy read. I remember discovering the six-part “Dirty John” LA Times article series one Sunday morning, and I stayed in bed for hours until I finished reading it. It was so addictive. I know I can’t be the only one who does that. Anyway, I’ve decided I want to read several different genres of books at once so I’ve decided to set a reading schedule. Here’s what I’m currently/or have just started reading – and when:

Weekend: God is Able by Patricia Shirer
Monday: Work It: Secrets for Success from the Boldest Women in Business by Carrie Kerpen
Wednesday: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Thursday: The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin

I’ll probably add to the list once I get in a groove, but I think this is a good start, and it covers the four topics most important to me:
God/Christianity
Women’s Entrepreneurship and leadership
Social justice, and
Lighthearted/humor

What are you reading at the moment? Share your favorite books/book recommendations in the comments below!