A couple of nights ago I was out to dinner with a dear friend and her now grown son, Mical. During the conversation Mical mentioned he just starting working for a start up company in Austin managing their marketing. Here is where my ears perked up. I mentioned that I could pick his brain for hours about marketing my own small business and on with the discussion we went about websites, SEO, social media blah blah blah.

Later, his mother told me she had no idea I knew so much about business (since I formerly come from a nursing background) and asked how I new so much about all that stuff.

Well, little did I know when I opened this photography business of mine how little it would be about taking pictures and how much it would be about marketing, networking, and getting my name out there. This statement is true for any business owner.  I became a sponge for information in all things related to owning my own business. One of the biggest things I believe is that we never stop learning. The minute we stop learning and trying new things the faster we wilt like an un-watered plant.

In short, I have become a voracious reader. Reading has become my nightly ritual. It’s a way for me to wind down and turn my brain off from the busy day and the long list of to-dos I’ve already got planned for tomorrow. I have so many books in my office I don’t know what to do with them all.

In light of that, I thought it would be fun to start the Amy Odom Book Club: a once a month post letting you know what I’ve been reading and loving, and you might want to check them out too. Let’s dive in with my two December favorites.

1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. This book written by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love, is all about creative living. She talks about fear and how not to let it be a roadblock in going after what you want. She reminds us that “life is short and rare and amazing and miraculous and you want to do really interesting things and make really interesting things while you’re still here.” This book is exactly what I needed at the end of a busy year to rekindle my creative drive. If you’re passionate about your art, writing, singing, dancing, whatever makes your heart happy this will give you inspiration to find your way.

2. Everybody Writes. This book, by Ann Handley, is a daily devotional for writing. She lays the foundation for taking your writing from awful to elegant (something I’m still working on). This book is not just for the aspiring writer, which I clearly am not. It’s written under the premise that we all write something and she teaches a somewhat humdrum topic with a little wit. For me, that something I write is content for blog posts, marketing materials, and social media updates. This is a great book if your writing skills could use some strengthening.

So, I would love to hear about something good you’ve recently read. Comment below and lets connect and share our love for books.

Are you interested in keeping up with the monthly Book Club? Join the email newsletter here so you never miss a thing.

Amy 🙂