I had set a goal in 2019 to read 50 books that year. I only felt short of 10 books. However, I realized that I was reading to finish and achieve a number rather than enjoy the book. Bill Gates reads 50 books a year and he is able to retain 80-90% of what he read. I am no Bill Gates. I am glad it took me 40 books to realize that. So this year, I will only read to enjoy.

My absolute favorites that I enjoyed reading and would easily read again are:

• 12 Rules for Life- Jordan Peterson
• Small great things- Jodi Picoult
• The Hero with a Thousand Faces- Joseph Campbell
• Daring Greatly- Brene Brown
• The Gifts of Imperfection- Brene Brown
• Meditations- Marcus Aurelius
• The Untethered Soul- Micheal J. Singer
• My Autobiography- Charlie Chaplin
• Small Giants By Bo Burlingam
• The 80/20 Principle By Richard Koch

Like me, Azah also had a great year reading some fabulous books. Reading books to Azah has always played a key role in developing her language and understanding of the world. Since her 3rd birthday, she is able to narrate events of the immediate past like a story. She is able to come up with imaginary characters, provide a good setting for the story, name the protagonist in the story and come up with her own plot. Her only request while we play with toys is “Tell a story, Mama”.

She immersed herself in classic fairy tales, books about successful women and her favorite book being ‘Courage’. She sees herself as being courageous and brave. I love that courage plays a role in a difficult decision making process, if that means saving a lollipop for the next day. She would say, ‘Courage is saving one for the next day’.

The following books are great to foster awareness of rhyming words, sequencing a story and a fun narrative.

• Courage by Bernard Waber
• Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
• A little bit Brave By Nicola Kinnear
• Jane Austen- Little people, Big dreams
• Amelia Earhart- Little people, Big dreams
• The Slightly Annoying Elephant By David Walliams
• How to Hide a Lion at School By Helen Stephens
• Cat in the Hat By Dr.Seuss
• We are going on a Bear Hunt By Micheal Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
• The Girl, The Bear and the Magic Shoes By Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks