When I thought about my 2025 New Years Resolutions, one goal was to improve my reading habits. I’m a book lover at heart, but FINISHING an entire book is a rarity for me. I wanted to change that.
So I started a book club.
What’s funny is that, despite starting this club to hold me accountable to ONE book… I’ve learned that I am a multifaceted woman! I like to dabble into a variety of topics, almost like a research project. I pull out my journal to take notes, get halfway through the book and decide I’ve learned all I need to learn. I’ve picked various self-help books for the club this year. I find myself a couple chapters in before realizing that the authors voice just drones on and on and on. Why do they have to talk for so many pages? Can’t they just simplify the message and get to the damn point?
Last week, in the height of my ovulatory phase…
I stopped at the library and glanced through the used book store. Now here’s the thing about estrogen — did you know that it stimulates the language centers of your brain? This time of the cycle is when I find myself gravitating towards podcasts, reading and… talking my husband’s ears off. LOL
So naturally, while browsing the self-help section, I was pulling book after book off the shelf with keen interest. Here’s what I ended up with —
1. Belong: Find Your People, Create Community and Live a More Connected Life
By Radha Agrawal, Co-Founder of Thinx Period Underwear
My sense of belonging used to come from a church community. I moved to a new state in 2022, but then jumped towns a few times with one more move planned next year. I have small pockets of community at the library, work, my kid’s school… but I crave a community that’s in person.I really desire that physical proximity — there’s something about shared energy fields that you just don’t get through the computer!
I’ll probably find myself reading this book during the ovulatory phase when I feel the most outgoing :)
2. The Silent Passage: Menopause
By Gail Sheehy
While I still have plenty of time before my period completely stops (I’m only 34!), I frequently interact with women in the process (peri-menopause) or haven’t had a period in over a year (menopause). When I mention that I help teens and adults to track their cycle for natural birth control and PMS/PMDD mood relief… the term “menstrual cycle” elicits a range of responses from menopausal women packed with personal disgust, cultural trauma and a longing to be validated. Needless to say, I’m interested to see how this artifact from 1991, helped shape the narrative around this hormonal passage of life.
3. Lean In: Women, Work, And The Will To Lead
By Sheryl Sandberg
This book shares about how men still hold the vast majority of leadership positions in government. I’ve been giving a lot of thought lately to pay wage and career achievement. As someone who has a master’s degree (but hasn’t been a breadwinner in a while), I’m hoping the author will shed some light on the topic. I’m curious to see if the book touches on hormonal stereotype — the stigma of PMS as hindering women’s reputation and hurting our ability to earn trust as a rational decision maker.
4. Mystery Book… lol
Remember when we had to cover our school textbooks with a brown paper bag? I covered this book because I don’t like the title and have ZERO intention of revealing it’s name on the internet (maybe when I’m finished it?). This is your standard, run of the mill self-help psychology book for increasing energy naturally, developing inner peace and letting go of the past. I’m particularly interested in the chapters on goal setting and asking for what you want!
I’ll probably gravitate to this book when I’m looking to do inner work, which I find is easier to tap into during my luteal phase.
What book(s) are you reading right now… or hope to read one day? If you have any suggested titles, please share!
Till next time,
Mary Nordahl