Amy’s Recommended Reads 2017

In this post, I’m sharing some recommended reads from my 2017 list—first, a little story. 

Although I am an avid reader—as I’m sure you can relate—I’ve gone through a couple of periods in life recently that have not allowed that luxury.

One was grad school (you know what kind of reading happened then), and the other was the first few years of opening my piano studio. During that period, I read a lot on business, teaching, and productivity.

Even though it was all by choice, I still found myself continually saying how much I missed reading for pleasure. A few years ago I finally determined to allow myself better balance.

I started setting goals for how many books I wanted to read and worked to increase it by 1-2 books per year. In 2017, the goal was 20, and I hit it spot on. Next year, the goal will be 21.

If you see yourself struggling to read as much as you would like, set a small goal and only increase the goal in easily manageable steps. Before I know it, I’ll be reading 30 books a year – who knows, maybe even 50!

Inspiration

A couple of quotes also inspired the idea to try and start incorporating re-reads into the mix.

“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”

~Oscar Wilde

“It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.”

~C.S. Lewis

I hope you can find some inspiration for your personal book list below. In the comments, let me know what you’re reading and some of your top recommendations from this past year!

The Savvy Musician by David Cutler

Beware, this book is more of a manual than a pleasure read. 🙂 It is absolutely chock full of ideas for thinking outside the box as an independent music teacher. New teachers and those looking to build their businesses or explore new income streams will find this book helpful.

The Success Factor in Piano Teaching by Elvira Pearce

This is another book that is especially good for new teachers. For seasoned teachers, it will feel like a good refresher course.

Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire by Mirelle Guiliano

I really enjoy Mirelle Guiliano’s style of writing. Years ago, after reading her first book, French Women Don’t Get Fat, I wanted to read her two follow-up books, French Women Don’t Get Facelifts (listed below) and this one.

While Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire was geared toward women, specifically in the business world, I still found it an enjoyable and interesting read.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

A popular and best-selling novel and now a major motion picture, Wonder is a beautiful story of a little boy with facial anomalies. We can all learn something by seeing life through his eyes. I even keep this one in my little studio library for students to check out.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (re-read)

This was my first “re-read.” I read Gilbert’s book when it first came out in 2007, and while I already knew the stories in the book, they still came to life and were as pleasurable to read as they were ten years ago.

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

This has been on my to-read list for a while. It’s a very motivating book choice – especially for the beginning of the year when many set their sights on goals for the new year.

Intuitive Eating by Elyse Resch and Evelyn

A friend recommended this book to me. While I don’t wholly agree with their philosophy of food and eating, I gleaned a lot of practical advice and principles for having a healthy relationship with food from this book. P.S. It’s one of those books I didn’t read in full but skimmed a lot of sections.

French Women Don’t Get Facelifts by Mireille Guiliano

Again, I like to stick with the same authors, hence book #2 by Ms. Guiliano in 2017. She has many great suggestions for personal care in general, including specific products.

I purchased and LOVE these items: this hairdryer (which is so sturdy I’m convinced it will last me 20 years), this apple cider shampoo that I use on the weekends as a sort of “cleanser” from my regular shampoo, and this foundation makeup brush.

Unceasing Worship: Biblical Perspectives on Worship and the Arts by Harold M. Best

The first book I read by Harold Best was in an undergrad music and worship class I took. I remember thoroughly enjoying the book Music Through the Eyes of Faith. The author is Dean Emeritus at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and a Past President of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The book took me quite a while to get through as it requires deep thinking and slow reading to help you absorb all he is saying, but it is very worth reading. It is already on my read-again list.

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What are you reading?