I felt like I spent less time reading this month than last, but I read much better quality books for the September book(s) of the month list.

Book #1 – Purpose – by Gina Bianchini

From my understanding “Purpose: Design a Community & Change Your Life…” by Gina Bianchini was her debut book marketing her Community Design Masterclass. Since it’s her first book, I knew nothing about Bianchini before picking this one up and therefor had no preconceived biases.

Although the book was clearly a marketing tool for her product, Bianchini shared a lot of insight and step-by-step guides on how to build community and make your community last. I think she shared a lot more than she had to in order to sell the product, which ultimately made me trust her model.

The book was written like a workbook almost in that she would share a point, and then give you a prompt so you could follow along. If you followed all the prompts in the book, you’d be able to fully understand how communities are built and be ready to build your own by the end of this book.

I am a firm believer in people needing connection and community which is why I was drawn to this book. Although I have a great community around me now, this gave me tips and suggestions on how to build my own community, or be a host for others to connect and become a part of my community.

I liked some of the thought points, the assistance with writing my own purpose statement and a great reminder of the impact hosts and communities can have on the world.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in being a host of a community, someone who is looking for their community that best fits them, and anyone who just wants to be the best member of their community they can. It’s thoughtful, well written, easy to follow, and not too long.

Some pieces that stuck out to me while reading:
“Community is an amazing thing. It can be a source of great joy and curiosity in normal times and, in the darkest moments of grief, the most comforting”

“You can’t just write it [your purpose] down on a Post-it note and hope it manifests itself into existence.”

“A true community is where connections are made, relationships are built, quests are undertaken, challenges are overcome, opportunities are seized and people are transformed.”

Book #2 – Everything Beautiful in Its Time – by Jenna Bush Hager

Not one to get super into politics, I hadn’t ever heard of Jenna Bush Hager before picking up this book (really showing my ignorance here, I know). I think that’s probably for the best though, because this book had nothing to do with a political agenda or politics.

I gave this book a five-star review on goodreads.com, which is pretty rare for me. I didn’t rate it five stars because it’s the best book I’ve ever read, but because the book had a purpose and it 100% hit the nail on the head.

Jenna Bush Hager writes this book as a homage to her grandparents who have passed away in an attempt to thank them in the past life for their guidance, kindness, and everlasting memories.

Throughout the book, Jenna outlines her growing relationship with her grandparents through a series of memories from childhood, teenage years, and even onto adulthood when she became a parent herself.

The series of stories, memories, and lessons learned from her grandparents were incredibly genuine and heart-warming which made this book a feel-good, relatable, and easily loved book.

Jenna used her platform to ensure her children knew her grandparents like she did and others across the world who may have only seen them in a political fishbowl would also see them as loving and kind grandparents too.

Book #3 – For Every One – by Jason Reynolds

In this 20 minute or less read, Jason Reynolds shares his story about being a dreamer and encourages others to do so as well. He writes in poem format that it’s not always easy and it may not make sense for everyone, but to never give up on yourself and your dreams.

This book is more like a quick waiting room read that calms you when you’re nervous, a quick breathe of fresh air when you’re experiencing stress or anxiety. It’s a promise to life being messy and beautiful all at the same time.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book are:
“At sixteen I thought I would’ve made it by now.
Now I’m making up what making it means“

“You hope the voice that delivers the loudest whispers of what you envision never silences. That it never cowers behind fear and expectations hat other people strap to your life like a backpack full of bricks (or books written by experts).”

and lastly:
“Dreams don’t have timelines, deadlines, and aren’t always in straight lines. JUMP ANYWAY.” 

Overall, I’d say I had a good month. I wasn’t disappointed with anything that I read. I started a 4th book that I’ll finish in October .

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*You can check out my Book Reviews page or my goodreads page to see what else I’ve been reading this year if you missed any of my previous posts*