It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great.*

2013 Reading Goal

January - 4

Total =4

Reached by Ally Condie - I started this series last year and then had to hold off for the third book to come out - and then by that time I was in no hurry to read it (it happens).  I really liked it.  When I first started reading the series I wasn't so sure how I would like it, I didn't like the characters...but by the end of the book I really enjoyed the character development and storyline.  And there was one "situation" that I wasn't sure how she would resolve it to the point that I would like it - but she did it! Well done Mrs. Condie. I'd recommend the series to read (especially if you like teen fiction or dystopian novels).

Your Happily Ever After by Dieter F. Uchtdorf - I know this is a little cheating, but it's a book so I count it.  It's a quick read and if you have the Deseret Book application on your smart phone, tablet, ipad, kindle, etc. it's a FREE download - you're welcome - now back to our regularly scheduled program...  Loved it! I love this man too!  He talks about how we must each go through trials between our "once upon a time" and our "happily ever after".  He's also why I have decided to sign up for the half marathon again.  He said, "Would the marathon runner feel the triumph of finishing the race had she not felt the pain of the hours of pushing against her limits?" Which made me think of the movie quote that makes the title of this blog and I realized that while I can, I am going to continue to do hard things.  The hard is what makes it great!

You are Not so Smart by David McRaney - 48 ways I'm deluding myself...great.  Actually, I really enjoyed this book.  I remembered a lot of it from my Intro to Psychology course in college, but there were things in there I had never read before.  Such as Extinction Burst - which is why I can give up sugar for a while but then go cra to the zy with a sugar binge and subsequent diabetic coma. Doesn't mean I can't still figure a way to eat better, I'm just now equipped with the knowledge that my habits will fight me on this one as they take one last breath! muhahaha!  Er...um...really good book - read it.

The Beginning of Better Days by Sheri Dew and Virginia H. Pearce - INCREDIBLE! I absolutely loved this book! I started it on the plane ride out to Texas and finished it on well before I got back to Richmond.  It had great insights into the role of women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It also gave me a lot of think about as far as my own personal progress and growth.  If you are an LDS woman - I would say READ IT - others may read too - I just don't know if it will have the same effect. Four stars.