I keep a small basket beside my living room couch, filled with the books I’m currently reading. I love having a few within easy reach—ready to flip through whenever a quiet moment appears. This little habit keeps my reading life alive and helps me actually finish the books I start.

It’s especially helpful in the evenings, when I’m tired and tempted to reach for my phone. Having books close by makes all the difference—if they’re within arm’s reach, I’m far more likely to read than to scroll.

I like to keep a good variety in my basket so I always have something that fits my mood. On mornings when I wake up before my daughter, I’ll reach for a thoughtful, soul-stirring book while my mind is still clear and fresh. In the evenings, I tend to lean toward novels that help me unwind and slow down.

My basket usually holds a mix of classic literature, a faith-based book, my Bible, my gratitude journal, and whatever library books I’m currently exploring. It’s a small practice, but it keeps books woven into the rhythm of my everyday life.

Here’s my current collection for October:

1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

2. Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

3. The Bread of Life: Savoring the All-Satisfying Goodness of Jesus through the Art of Bread Making by Abigail Dodds

4. The Practice of the Presence of Jesus by Joni Eareckson Tada

“The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” – Albert Einstein

Happy reading!

Your friend, Brooke