For years, I resisted it. “It’s one more screen to distract me,” I said, proclaiming that even though I had an iPhone, I didn’t want an Apple Watch.

Then I saw my mom with her Apple Watch, and I realized it was motivating her to exercise more. Now that was something I needed.

“Still,” I said, “it’s too expensive.” To prove my point, I looked it up, and I found that I could get an older style of Apple Watch for way cheaper than I thought.

Wanting some “movement motivation,” I asked for one for my birthday. The birthday fairy (okay, my husband) came through.

And you know what? I’m moving way more than I was before. My watch has these three “rings” correlating to exercise time, how often I stand, and calories. I have goals for each of these, and if I “close my rings,” it means I met all my daily goals.

I laugh at myself because I’m letting a watch control me. Before I got this thing, there's no way I would've spent twenty minutes walking briskly around my house (and up and down our stairs) to close my calorie ring, like I did last night. And my husband recently called me Dick Tracy when I was talking to my watch.

But hey, if this is what it takes to get me focused on exercise goals again, I’d say it was an excellent birthday gift!

(Pic of today’s rings so far, plus a bonus...my dog in the background.)

I suppose a lot of us who love reading have trouble getting up and moving. Sitting with a book is so much more cozy. (In fact, during my indoor exercise jaunt last night, I was reading on my Kindle as I walked!)

Whether you’re an exercise fanatic or a couch potato, here are today’s book suggestions.

This Week’s Affordable Read

Reset by Holly Ice is the start of a teen dystopian series. (Love that cover, don’t you?) Free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. Buy it here.

This Week’s Free Books

Love urban fantasy? Check out Grimoire. It’s free here! 

The Matchmaker Coven is a YA fantasy short story, and it’s free! Download it here.

More urban fantasy, this one for people who love magic and nature! Download Wizard Island for free here.

Over 35 free sci-fi stories! Choose your faves & download them free by clicking here.

This Week’s 20-Second Story

Once a week or so, I like to share a super-short story with you. Hope you enjoy this one! I write these on Twitter daily; you can follow me @CBethAnderson. I got romantic with this one...

Enjoy stories like this? I have an entire book of them! Check out The Curio Cabinet on Amazon and other retailers!

Enjoy your Wednesday and the rest of your week!

-Beth 

You can always check out all my books at this link—including The Seer’s Sister, free to newsletter subscribers!

If you love my books and want bonus content about my characters, worldbuilding, etc., join my Super-Fan newsletter. Sign up here.