Skip to main content

Books of 2024

Lonely, no problem, reach for a BOOK!


   This year I have noticed that since my daughter left the nest, I have been reading more and more. I believe that I have read over 60 books this year, and most of them since summer. I find that audiobooks are the best fit for me. I can multi-task while reading.


   For me, anytime I am sewing, I am either listening to a book or music. However, with so many books on my “must read” lists I find myself reaching for books over music these days.  

   Books can feel more like friends, when you live alone. So, I am constantly wanting to find out more and check in with my make-believe friends. Moving forward I am going to track and share my reads on my blog. And since there are so many books to list for 2024, I am having a hard time narrowing it down.

   Moving forward I plan to share my current reads and reviews on TheStoryGraph. I know that Goodreads seems to be the top choice, but like many of my friends, I am trying to go into 2025, with a little less Bezos, and a little more small business. Which means I am queuing up my Libby App with all my future reads and will share them on TheStoryGraph.  


StoryGraph Username: Lamaestra_emptynestikigai


Please check back for updates on my 2024 best reads and my progress on TheStoryGraph. I have queued up all the NYTimes best of 2024, that I have not read onto my LibbyApp and also some recommended on NPR. I see lots of pages in my future.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Finding My Ikigai: Crafting a New Chapter in Mexico

"As we walk into the future with purpose, our ikigai will reveal itself. "  The Dream That Keeps Growing For as long as I can remember, I’ve had my eye on something just beyond the horizon — something that combines all the things I love into a new and meaningful chapter. I’ve always believed that retirement doesn’t mean the end of making a difference — just the start of doing it in a new way. And although I have a few years to go, I am thinking ahead.  This was my first year as an Empty Nester, and as my blog suggested when I started writing, I have been on the search for the next chapter, my Ikigai. I started out unsure of what the future would hold for me, or how I would navigate these new uncharted waters. For the past 26 years my principal role has been Mom first, teacher second, and always a wanderlust at heart.  Here’s what I know for sure: I am retiring in Mexico. I want to continue to make a difference. I love traveling, art, and crafting. I thrive when brin...
2 comments
Read more

About Me

 My name is Lorena, and I am an American teacher living in Japan, I moved here in 2016 with my daughters. Both my daughters are off pursuing their own dreams and living their best lives in USA, this is my first year as an empty nester, I know based on my life experiences that this year is going to be full of many new adventures and lots of growing pains. I decided to use this blog to document the journey.  Living in Japan, has given me the opportunity to live freely and taught me to be more present in the moment, slowing down and appreciating the little things. It has helped me make sense of life and focus on what really matters.  I want to share my unique perspective and hopefully my experiences will be inspirational and possibly open up new possibilities As I navigate this new phase of life known as the "Empty Nest," I believe it to be a fertile ground for growth and self-discovery. No longer tethered to the daily responsibilities of parenting, I suddenly...
2 comments
Read more

Embracing a new philosophy in 2025!

The first sunrise of 2025,  "Hatsuhinode"  is believed to bring good luck in Japan.  This year, I've fully embraced the Japanese philosophy of W abi Sabi.  I am letting go of the idea of waiting for perfection and embracing the imperfections of my life as perfectly-imperfect.    This year, I am fully embracing my life where it is now, and not waiting for “when.” It is a liberating feeling and I am excited about the possibilities. I have always been a little unpredictable and a little more of a free spirit, so W abi Sabi seems fitting. In Japan, I've learned a lot about their way of life. The peace and tranquility here are hard to ignore. It's the people and their lifestyle that make it special. It makes sense that they have a term like Wabi Sabi . It describes their unique state of being.  The idea of Empty Nest Ikigai came to me when I said goodbye to my youngest daughter at Haneda airport and she left for college in August 2024. ...
Post a Comment
Read more