Day 2: Read.

Stealing ideas. I think I shared in an earlier post that a guy I know named Nick Feitel has a blog called Write Every Day and each day is numbered. I've been trying to write every day as well, and have failed. But I noticed that he numbers each day...so I'm incorporating that here now.

So far, so good. We're on Day 2. I'm hopeful.

I'm reading a new book called The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. I'm only a chapter or 2 in, but it's incredibly fascinating so far. It talks about how habits are created, how new neuropathways can be created and it explores what things motivate us to continue repeating patterns we have learned or what forces us to create new patterns to live a better life.

I'm also reading Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. I saw that they recently released a movie based on the book, so I wanted to be sure to read the book first. I've only ever read one other novel by Thomas Hardy - The Mayor of Casterbridge, which I have to admit took me a couple attempts to get into. Once I did, it was well worth it.

My favorite author? Besides Jane Austen, because that seems pretty typical of women in their 20s and 30s... is Somerset Maugham. His collection of short stories, pretty much every volume, is amazing. After that, any of his books would be a great follow up. Many people who love him will talk about Of Human Bondage. I tried several times to get into this book and couldn't. My personal favorites and recommendations, in no particular order:

1. Cakes and Ale

2. The Painted Veil

3. The Moon & Sixpence

4. The Razor's Edge

5. Up At the Villa