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I really enjoyed each book I read this month, which I can’t always say. I especially crave the fun or thrilling novels during the warm summer months, which made my first read below extra exciting. Do you have any fun books lined up for the summer?

Here are the books I read in May with some quick thoughts:

Where the Crawdads Sing -by Delia Owens

This was by far, the most engaging thing I read all month. I tore through this book in a few days of reading during every nap time and bed time opportunity from my boys. It was beautifully written and such an intriguing story, set in the swamps of North Carolina.

The Count of Monte Cristo -by Alexandre Dumas

I have been reading this since 2010. I took a nine year hiatus, but really, finishing this book has been a loooong time coming. I have never been super interested in it but bought and started it a long time ago and always wanted to finish. Once I got past the halfway point of the book though, and really established who the characters were (using spark notes, haha) I absolutely loved it. I was worried it would be just like watching the movie—which I had already seen—but I was so happy to find that there were crazy amounts of detail, and events that happened in the book that were completely new to me.

Atomic Habits -by James Clear

I’ve been a habits girl since the day I was born. My dad specializes in habits by profession, and this sounds silly, but I thought I knew most of what there was to know. This was a really good book regardless. I learned so many new things and have so many notes on my phone I’ve been putting into action. One of my favorite concepts he writes about is habit stacking, basically pairing habits with each other to help them reinforce one another and become part of a routine. I’ve been habit stacking my routine during naps with the boys (pray, read from the Book of Mormon, work on a blog post, read a book for fun), and it’s been super helpful.

Before We Were Yours -by Lisa Wingate

A heartbreaking read that, for the most part, I could not put down. It was such a good book and, being a historical fiction, gives a really crazy look into one of the largest scandals involving children in US history. Also, some interesting similarities with Where the Crawdads Sing, both being set on the water in the South, and both families being deeply connected to their surroundings.

Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better -by Pema Chodron

This was an unexpected favorite. My sister recommended the author and this was the only title by the author my library had. I figured it was a shot in the dark, but it was so amazing. It couldn’t have come at a better time too; it is the most therapeutic and reassuring book. One of my favorite quotes, “Instead of failure and regret being the seed of self-loathing, it can become the seed of compassion and empathy.” So powerful!

What have you been reading lately?

Do you date night in? If so, how?

Nick and I haven’t ever had a consistent date night in. We’ve dabbled with it here or there, with renting a movie at home and splurging on some fancy drinks, or one of my personal favorites (that we haven’t done in way to long), truth or dare! Have you ever done this with your spouse, boyfriend, partner, etc? We’ve gotten the best laughs out of it, and we’ve watched each other do some pretty hilarious stuff (rubbing our face in snow for 30 seconds, eating weird combinations of food, etc.).

To help motivate us to make more of an effort to have a routine, weekly, date night in, I got a few ideas from friends. Their answers inspired me so much, hopefully they’ll be helpful to you too.

Here they are:

The other day we went to Michaels and everyone picked a craft, then we got take out and ate at home. We did crafts all together, got the kids to bed, and watched a movie. The dating divas are also awesome, we bought a bunch of her stuff and did a few of them. She has date ideas like indoor, outdoor, free, creative, etc. -Katie 

We usually rent a Redbox, put the kids to bed and watch a movie at home. To make it special, we have a no phones rule, bring down lots of blankets to snuggle under and I usually plan to make or buy our favorite treats! Usually movie theater candy and our beverage of choice or cookies and popcorn. -Ashley M.

We sometimes go on walks around the neighborhood just the two of us and that’s really nice. We’ve also read a book together in the past and that was really special. I also was thinking a fun date night would be developing a new hobby together. Like one could teach the other piano, or art, etc. -Ellie 

I get cheese and meat platters and we eat those together in bed with a movie. or other fun snacks like that, that we wouldn’t normally buy. I buy cheap $5 board games like SORRY and trouble and we play those or we play scrabble or jenga! I got things to make mocktails one night and since we have all the stuff we do that sporadically. And sometimes we just binge watch Netflix and drink sparkling water since sparkling water is our fav lol. Oh and twister. I force him to play twister with me and it’s always hilarious! -Taylor 

We pretty much do the same routine every time. We eat the same dinner (homemade popcorn and smoothies) and will pick out a movie to watch. Pretty low key! -Lindsay 

To try and keep the spice alive since we didn’t leave the house for a date, we would play strip HALO after we put the kiddos to bed. (It’s a video game that my husband and I enjoy playing every so often. )

The rules were, whoever lost each round in the game would have to remove one piece of clothing for every loss. Anyway. It was fun and kept us feeling youthful and close. We definitely got some good laughs from it! -Ashley D

Our favorite thing to do, is to take the money we would’ve spent on dinner and make what we’re really feeling like eating. Another date night in we love is to get $10-$15 crafts from Hobby Lobby and make them together: bird houses, etc! -Jenna

Austin and I love a classic popcorn (Costco’s Kirkland Movie Theater Popcorn 44 pack!) and movie night. And those happen just about every night. We usually have a series or two we watch together and we swear to not watch them without each others. Some of those shows have included: This is Us, Riverdale, Stranger Things, and One Tree Hill.

More at home dates include fondue nights (cheese and bread, broth for meat and vegetables, and chocolate and fruit after), buying a couple different sodas or any other category of food and taste testing which ones best, cooking together, and playing Pass the Pigs together (my favorite game-we have tally’s every time we play on who’s winning).

Overall I think when it comes down to it, just setting aside time specifically for the two of you to just hang out together is what makes an in home date special. It can be the simplest thing, but when you’re both focused on the ideas that that time is just for the two of you to do something together, it makes it fun. -Tori

**Bonus idea: Nick suggested having a series of fun or silly competitions. One of his ideas was a cookie and milk dunking competition, so basically who can dunk a cookie the longest before it falls apart in the milk. Haha, I love it! Definitely trying this one soon.

Do you date night in? If so, how do you do it? I’d love to hear more ideas!