Welcome to The Books of My Life

First Post | Introduction | What to Expect

Who am I?

Hello and welcome. My name is Matthew and I am an avid reader. I grew up in a rural community in Missouri where my parents and grandparents encouraged my love of reading and writing. Throughout my life books have played an important role in my development as a husband, father, leader, and member of society. The written word is exceptionally powerful in its ability to convey thoughts and ideas as well as transform our lives.

I am married and the father of two children who are very nearly grown. I have been on active duty service in the US Navy for the past 23+ years and I will be retiring next year. As I begin the process of transitioning out of the military I am very focused on what the next stage of my life looks like. I want my love of reading and writing to play a big part in that which is why I decided to create this forum at this time.

What to Expect

Initially my plan is to publish a weekly newsletter that will include the following:

• A synopsis of what I have read and brief reviews once a book is completed

• How this reading relates to my life

• Interesting tidbits from my life’s adventures

• Random pictures of books and probably my dog

In time my dream is to bring you additional content throughout the week that will include deep dives into selected readings, community read-alongs and discussions, giveaways, and much more. I am open to ideas as I build this into a creative corner for myself and my bookish friends.

The Nitty Gritty

At this time, all content on this forum is free. There is no cost to subscribe. My desire is to build a community of people who love to read and are passionate about books. At some point in the future there may be a paywall for certain content but for now the content is open to everyone.

If you are so inclined then there are options available to you to financially support my work. These paid subscriptions are simply your support of the time that is required for me to develop the content. Additionally, all paid subscriptions support my efforts in promoting literacy programs by providing financial support to public libraries in rural areas. If you wish to upgrade your subscription to paid support you can do so by clicking the button below.

Join the Discussion

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I am looking to make this an interactive experience.

Thanks!

Thank you again for joining me on this journey through the written word. I am excited to see where the adventure takes us. If you find value in this content then I would ask that you share it with others who may also be interested.