New & Notable
Last time on Rhenáe’s Recap, I talked about how I took a mini-break to spend time with God. I decided to start unplugging entirely on the weekends. I was able to get a project 18 months in the making done around the house. I spent some time with some friends I haven’t seen in over six months. I supported a friend’s book tour and spent time in a bookstore. More on those in Recently Acquired and Finished. I’ve also been paying attention to my social media habits during the week. I’m starting to feel a tad bit distracted and addicted, so I have been trying to unplug more during the week. I still have to determine how to balance this with posting for my blog. What’s been a big help is Screen Time on my phone. I currently have my downtime set from 10 pm to 7 am and all day Saturday and Sunday. I’ll be honest and say that I do sometimes ignore the limits, but I try and only do 15 minutes at a time. So far, it has helped me put my phone down more and be physically present in my home.
I wrote a post giving an update on my 2019 Word of the Year. I wanted to provide this update because I already have my 2020 Word of the Year and have started the planning for that. I know it may seem early as most people pick theirs in January, but I spend time in prayer asking God to send me mine. Last year, He gave it to me around Rosh Hashana, which is the Jewish new year. And while I received mine a little earlier this year, it was in the same spirit of me knowing this time of year was coming. Take a look at the post and be on the lookout for my 2020 post coming soon.
Quick Book Reviews From This Year: 1-5
Five mini-reviews at one time! Check out this post to see some pretty amazing books I read from this summer.
Letters to the Church by Francis Chan
Letters to the Church is one of my favorite books from this year and changed the way I think about the church body. My first time reading it came at a time where I was trying to decide on finding a new church home. I reread it and wrote this review.
Other Happenings
I gave you three new Down the TBR Hole posts for September. I was able to remove a total of 40 books from my TBR list. Take a look at those posts and let me know if you think I should have kept any of them.
What We Are Watching
A couple of years ago, God impressed on my heart that I needed to change what I was watching on tv. For the most part, I stopped watching TV altogether. I feel like recently I have been given the okay to start watching TV again, but I am really conscious about what I allow in. For example, I tried watching the Handmaid’s Tale, and while it was a really good show, I had nightmares for days. I love crime shows, and any shows that have a mystery to solve. So I managed to binge-watch all seven seasons of Elementary on Hulu for the past two months. This show is so good!
Our next show that we are currently binge-watching is Blacklist. I started watching this show when it first came on T.V., but my dislike for having to wait for the next episode or season made me stop. The show is currently still running but six seasons are on Netflix. Fun fact, I use to want to be an FBI agent. And it was one of the careers that I was preparing for. I was working on getting my Bachelor’s in Human Services and a Master’s in Public Administration. Then life happened, and I enjoy watching FBI agents on T.V. instead.
Currently Reading
Yup, I am still reading Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss. I found out there is another one called Tribe of Mentors that I cannot wait to get. But I won’t buy it until I have finished this one and read The 4-Hour Workweek that I also have. I really love how this book is set up so I can take the nuggets of information individually. I decided a couple of nights ago to go ahead and read the whole book instead of taking bits and pieces while reading other books.
A friend let me borrow Operating in the Courts of Heaven by Robert Henderson, and it was the talk of the town at our church last year. Although I have read through chapter one, I am going to try and finish Tools of Titans first before I dive into this one. I feel like it may just be one of those books that needs my full attention.
Recently Finished
The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
I started reading this book for the second time for September and finished it. It is one of my favorite books from this year, and I recommend everyone read it. I have started to wake up at 4:30 am and will be continuing to add to my morning routine base on recommendations from the book.
Feeding the Dragon by Sharon Washington
I was able to read one of the books on my Down The TBR Hole list and move it to my Read list on GoodReads. A quick, fun, and quirky read about a girl who spent some time living with her family in a New York library. This is one of the books I was able to download for free from Audible as apart of their Originals content.
Holding Space For Self by Cheya Thousand
Cheya has been in my life personally now for a little over a year, and when I say I am beyond thankful for her friendship, I am not exaggerating. At a time where I am re-evaluating what it means to be a friend and have friends, she is someone who embodies the word. She has been pouring wisdom and love into our friendship from day one, and I look to her as a mentor and all-around #BlackExcellance. As soon as she told me about her book, I knew I would purchase it and was able to attend her book signing this month to get a copy in my hands. She is currently doing a book tour, and I promise you it is worth it to go, pick one up and hang out with her. Head to CheyaThousand.com to see when she will be in a city near you.
We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union
I unexpectedly started AND finished this book when I was walking around my neighborhood. I needed something to listen to and just picked this one from my Audible library. I did not expect it to be so funny!
Recently Acquired
I was able to pick up the following at the San Marco Bookstore while I was there earlier this month. It was an adorable bookshop that I wouldn’t mind going to again.
Cinder Girl by Christina Meredith
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Goodreads Challenge Update: 50/52
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases using the links included in this post.
Educated by Tara Westover
