girlsguidetohuntingandfishingSo I think it’s really important to read things other than industry books, which is what I’ve believed from the beginning of starting a business and blog. First of all, everyone needs some relaxation time and secondly, looking at sort of ‘non-traditional’ sources can give you ideas, about work or life, you wouldn’t have necessarily had otherwise.

My hands down favorite book ever is The Girls’ Guide To Hunting And Fishing. (I am linking to this terrible review not because I agree with the author but because you can read the whole first chapter with the link on that page.)

I don’t remember where or when I got this book, I think it was in a used book store for a couple dollars the part of one summer that I was a camp counselor with nothing to do except entertain children at odd times and plow through books I found at the used book store in town. Since I read it almost ten years ago, I’ve reread it every year and have even sent it to friends on the fence about their own relationships.



Part of the reason I like it so much is kind of self centered. I have always identified with the main character, Jane. People always tell Jane she’s funny and smart yet she keeps ending up in these relationships that don’t work out. From Jane’s struggles to figure out a career to dealing with a death in her family (I am not going to give too much away here), I feel like we’ve had semi parallel lives, not just with the dating stuff. I appreciate that the writing in this book is not at all self pitying and is actually funny. I have similarly really tried to take the turns in my life from a humorous or at least good natured angle.

The other thing I really like about the book is that it’s effortlessly well written. There is dialogue and descriptions in a nice mix (sometimes too much of either drives me crazy. Yes, I am talking about you Charles Dickens, you over describer!). I like how the different characters we meet in this novel show us some lessons we have to learn over and over, mainly that we can’t change anyone except ourselves. When I set out to write my novel in November, I really wanted whatever I ended up with to be like this book: easy to read, fun, and with some universal truths.

With the internet there are any number of sites that can give me recommendations on the next book to read. Sometimes I listen but mostly, I just reread my favorites.

What book do you reread?

Get your own copy of “The Girls’ Guide To Hunting And Fishing” on Amazon (Note: this is an affiliate link)



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