With hundreds of thousands of books published every year, it’s clearly impossible to read them all (especially for a busy mother).
So I thought I’d take this opportunity to share three fantastic books that are well worth the read.
(Please feel free to share your favorites in the comments!)
Book #1: Essentialism by Greg McKeown
There have only been a few times in my life when a book has literally made me breathe easier.
This is one of them.
Do you ever feel like your life is packed with worthwhile, necessary things–but you don’t feel satisfied at the end of the day? Essentialism teaches specific strategies for getting more out of our lives by doing less.
One of my favorite ideas from the book is to disregard “the trivial many” to focus on “the vital few.”
After reading Essentialism, I developed more courage to say no to time-suckers, I started getting more sleep, I created more of a buffer into my daily schedule, and I began to more fully savor my time with my family.
This book is pure gold, and the process of reading it is a gift.
Related Links:
Book #2: Mindset by Carol S. Dweck
Want to reach your potential in life? According to Dweck, much of that depends on whether you have a “fixed” mindset or a “growth” mindset.
A fixed mindset means you look at life as though your qualities are carved in stone. You always have to prove yourself. What others say or think about you is critical. Failure destroys you. You will never become more intelligent, successful, or skilled. You’ve been “dealt a hand,” and if your life is hard…too bad for you.
The growth mindset, however, is “based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts.” People with growth mindsets see beautiful possibilities in their futures–possibilities that only broaden as they work hard and with persistence. They are okay with being wrong (it’s a chance to learn!), they aren’t ashamed when they fail, and they readily admit when they need help or advice.
This is just a brief description of the premise of this book, but as I read the hundreds of fascinating “fixed vs. growth” mindset examples, I couldn’t help but see myself (and my children) in many of them. Our discussions and progress have already been heavily influenced by this information (for example, it’s completely reshaped the way I praise my children). Honestly, if you want to improve your marriage/family/business/relationships/level of happiness, this is a must-read.
Related Links:
3-Minute YouTube Video Where Carol teaches to praise children for effort, not “intelligence.”
Book #3: The Calorie Myth by Jonathan Bailor
Until three months ago, food and exercise had always been a source of stress for me. I never had an eating disorder, and I never yo-yo-dieted, but I couldn’t figure out for the life of me how to reach that place of “nutritional serenity.”
The Calorie Myth solved this for me.
Out of the nearly 50 “healthy eating/weight loss” books I have read, this is the only one I have ever recommended.
I no longer count calories. I am never hungry. I eat whole foods and tons of vegetables. My body is stronger and more slim. And I feel happy–happier and more energetic than I have felt in my entire motherhood career.
Jonathan Bailor is now a loved and respected name in our home, and I am on a mission to share his message with anyone who is ready to move toward optimal health (that means no more starving yourself, okay?).
Related Links:
Power of Moms Podcast with Jonathan Bailor
New Power of Moms email group for anyone interested in learning more about healthy eating
Jonathan’s Website (where you can sign up for a free membership)
Books are like oxygen to me. They fuel my brain and help me to feel excited about life.
As far as when there’s time to read, here are a few strategies that work for me:
- I listen to audiobooks while I rollerblade two or three days a week (yes, did you know rollerblading is coming back?).
- We have family reading time about once a week after dinner–on a night when no one has to be anywhere and we can all just enjoy quiet time at home.
- I read for twenty minutes at night (a couple of times a week) while soaking in a hot bath. Lovely!
Those minutes–plus any others I can squeeze in–add up over time, and when I am reading the best books–those that I really, really need in my life–that investment of my time absolutely pays off.
Because when you think about it, how much time and effort is it worth to invite some of the best minds in the world to point us in the right direction? I’m willing to give it all I’ve got.
QUESTION: Which books have changed your life this year? When (and how) do you make time to read?
CHALLENGE: Choose a highly-recommended book that you believe can help shape your life for the better. Then take two minutes to order it–either as a physical book, an eBook, or an audio book–from the library, from a book store, or from an online retailer. Decide you are going to invest time in yourself by reading books that fuel you. (I’d love it if you would report back!)
Thanks for sharing your widsom and tricks of a seasoned mom. You infuse me with hope that I too can conquer this stage of life. Thx!!!
So happy to hear that, Azallie! Thank you so much!
I went to the library this morning with my 3 year old and 17 month old, while my son was at school. (The library is sooooo hard with a 17 month old!). As we were checking out our 2 bags of books, I looked over at a display and there was the audiobook for Essentialism. It was right there begging me to pick it up! I grabbed it so I can listen while folding laundry, doing dishes, etc. I thought is was awesome that I had seen your recommendation just this morning before our outing!
So fun to hear, Star! I listened to “Essentialism” via Audiobooks, and it was wonderful. Extra nice to hear the author’s voice reading it. Yes, the library is nearly impossible to navigate with a preschooler. So happy you got the book!! Let me know what you think once you’ve read it. I’m really hoping Greg McKeown will come on Power of Moms Radio sometime. 🙂
Never read a book as life changing as Essentialism…. I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. I’ve been reading it with both a business perspective and a mother/personal perspective. Fabulous read!
Can’t wait to compare notes, Tiffany!
I already know I will love these books because I think you and I have a lot in common. My “food obsessed” history sounds so much like yours. I read that you have taken numerous before pictures, but no afters. Oh, me, too! I have never been really overweight, or yo-yo dieted, but I have always (since junior high) wanted to be a little thinner and have devoted way too much of my life worrying about what, when, and how much to eat, and have tried countless exercise programs. And all I ever accomplish is losing and gaining the same 5-10 pounds year after year. I always think that considering the time and effort I put into reading and experimenting with exercise and nutrition, I should be skinny! I just signed up for your Email group because I want to take this journey with you! I want a balanced approach to healthy eating and feeding our 6 children, and I am tired of spending so much effort and seeing such meager results. I heard you tell Jonathon in the podcast that you aren’t much of a meat eater. Same here, so I look forward to reading about how you are applying the SANE principles in your family. Thank you, April!!
Sounds like we’re “soul sisters.” 🙂 Thank you for your encouragement and all your support here at Power of Moms. This is a fun adventure we’re on, don’t you think? Thanks Mirien!
Before Happiness by Shawn Achor has changed the lens through which I look at my life!! It has helped me to see that there are multiple realities in my life and I can choose which one to focus on. He teaches that we can become a “positive genius” by learning to find the one that will best benefit our lives! Positive change can be sustained in our lives!! I could go on and on! A must read for those of us who truly believe that happiness is a choice!
So excited about that one! Thank you, Briana!!
Thanks for the helpful reviews – will have to check them out. For me, Cheryl Richardson’s The Unmistakeable Touch of Grace was truly a life changer. I have my daughter because of the impact this book had on me.
Also life changing, although only available as an audio, is Brene Brown’s The Power of Vulnerability. You can get it through Audible.com I have listened to it at least 6 times and everything I get something new from it.
Love those suggestions! I’m reading Brene Brown’s right now, and I will check out the other one, too. It’s fantastic to have such a great community of readers. Thanks!!
April, another life changing book is The Procrastinator’s Handbook: Mastering the Art of Doing It Now by Rita Emmett. We all have a little bit of “procrastinator” in us, don’t we? No one really likes to do the mundane tasks, or we simply put off having difficult conversations, or we balk at change and starting new ways of doing things, even though they might improve our health or quality of life. This book helps make doing these things easier!!! It’s also a very quick read.
So fun to see your name on here, Jaime!! Thank you for that recommendation. I can’t wait to read these awesome books!
I wrote a long comment early before my kids got up and it was deleted!! darn!
I’ve read Essentialism and Mindsets this year and they did change the way I approach life!! I’ve gone through a ton of books this year. I listen to audiobooks while working on projects and I like to read the first 20 minutes of my kids nap out of a paperback (no matter if the house is a wreck or not, I sit, set my timer and recharge 🙂
“Before Happiness” by Shawn Anchor. I would rate it up there with Mindsets and Essentialism . Even when I was listening to it (after I saw this book review) I thought I bet April Perry would like this!! haha 🙂
you’ve probably listened to his hilarious Ted talk. but here it is: http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work?language=en
“intuitive Eating” By Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole. I wrote you on your personal blog about how not to diet as a deliberate mom. (You and Saren read my note on a podcast). I was recommended this book by a friend that studied nutrition at BYU-Idaho. I’ve never been so peaceful and empowered. It was one of those books where things just clicked. It has an entire chapter on teaching your children how to listen to their intuition. I will say that I don’t think my children will have the eating confusion that I”ve had. My 3 year old has the same emotional response when he sees raw peppers as a piece of cake. He eats very nutritiously but he is not afraid of “play food”. I’ve never had to tell him “eat one more bite”, “if you eat your vegetables you get dessert”. Instead I provide a wide variety and he chooses what and how much. Its been really empowering. I worked over the phone with an dietitian that uses this method and I feel like a totally different person.
“When Panic Attacks” by David D. Burns. I get hesitant recommending this one because they had some more worldly examples. After my last baby,out of no where, I became anxious and kind of down (I’ve never dealt with that before) I went to a counselor and the second appointment she had me read the book. I feel like this armed me with tools . I am able to recognize distorted thoughts (such as all or nothing thinking etc) and make them more logical.
“Real Love in Parenting” by Greg Baer, M.D. I am not done with this book. But one of the Top women and family counselors (in Utah) said this book is the best book she has come across in her 20 years of counseling and has had a huge impact on how she counsels and her clients lives.
“The Anatomy of Peace” by the Arbinger Institute. I read your book review and then My friend in my Learning Circle said this book has CHANGED her life. She is very well read but said this is one of the best books she has ever read. I have not had a chance to read it yet.
“The Power of Positive Parenting” I have not yet read it (I have gone through Positive Parenting Solutions classes so I don’t know if its similar or not?) A friend of mine said its totally transformed a child that was having a really hard time.
Thank you for all you do!! Please let us know if you find anymore great books!!!!
These are awesome recommendations!! Love this, Candi! (And thanks for re-typing everything…you’re amazing.)
xo
Love love love reading!! Especially memoir and self help books. I’ll have to check all of these out. I wrote an article on several must read books, but a few of my all-time favorites: “a million miles in a thousand years” by Donald miller. That book changed my life. “Love does” by bob goff should be a must-read for all of man kind. And “tattooed on the heart” is incredible!
Thanks for the recommendations!!!
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Essentialism!! Forever gratetul for you for sharing it with us! Just finished it on audio, and look forward to going back a second time through my hard-copy. Its an amazing book. Let’s see… A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille… it has completely transformed how we educate our children… it has literally changed our lives as we now homeschool and feel so incredibly amazing about raising and educating our children. Next, Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne, and April, I know you probably have a booklist a mile long but I think you’d LOVE this book if you haven’t read it yet… it is SOOO much about deliberate parenting. Absolutely incredible book. Also, In Defense of Food by Michael Polan… that and If It’s Not Food, Don’t Eat It by Kelly Hayford, have revolutionized how I feed my family. I haven’t read it but my husband has and its changed our lives… Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover… everyone should read this book!!! It’s a complete game-changer. His plan is incredible. Those are mine off the top of my head… so many more… Books are like air to me too!! Oops… I just re-looked at the article and noticed you said this year… these weren’t all this year, but oh well. As far as when to read, that’s one of the things I love best about our new way of educating our children… so much of our children’s education comes from what they are inspired to learn, so *I* HAVE to read, in order to inspire them to want to read! So its become a much higher priority for me to read. As they see my husband and I reading every spare moment we get, they will (and do) see how incredible reading is and want to read themselves and will get a great education because they read! So I MAKE the time because of its incredible importance for the education of my children. I steal it even when there are other important things that need to be done because it is a higher priority. Thanks for another great article April!
Love these! Thanks so much, Crystal!
These sound great. I definitely plan to check out Essentialism now.
I would recommend Life In Half A Second by Matthew Michaelewicz as one of the most inspirational and provoking reads of the year in it’s category.
I don’t often read business related self-help but this one was gifted to me by a colleague and turned out to be quite the life changer. It has given me a whole new perspective on how I approach my career and personal goals. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
http://www.lifeinhalfasecond.com/
That sounds like an amazing book, Sally! Adding it to my list! xo
“Essentialism” sounds fantastic!! I am definitely adding this to my TBR list for the winter. I often feel like I am wasting my time on trivial dramas and situations. This reminds me of a book I recently read called “Mentor Me: GA=T+E: A Formula to Fulfill Your Greatest Achievement” by author Ken Poirot (http://www.mentormegate.com). The GA=T+E means greatest achievement equals time plus energy, how true is that! The author stresses how time is our most valuable commodity and helps you figure out how to manage it more effectively. I really liked the down to earth style the author chose to write this “self help” book, he is self aware of what the genre is and offers some information that you wouldn’t expect in this kind of book. I really recommend it to anyone looking to get ahead or get out of a rut.
I was searching online to see who else read “Mentor Me.” I LOVED it! The best book I have read in a long time! It totally changed my life! Amazing book!
A book that has definitely changed my life this year is ” Social Wealth” by author Jason Treu. It was recommended to me by a friend and I truly feel like it has helped improve my life. This book really spoke to me as I have always felt personal connections and relationships were the keys to success in all things. Sometimes in life turning things around for yourself can be as simple as developing a strategy and sticking to it. This book has the tools and resources necessary to tailor a personal plan, as well as the insight to teach you how to actually use it in your everyday life. By following the advice presented here, I feel much more focused and less unsure about what tomorrow will bring. (http://beextraordinary.tv/)
April,
How awesome you recommended Mindset! Carol Dweck has brought to life how and why we are motivated to succeed… Her TED talks are highly addicting! Thanks for spreading the word about her. I wish everyone could understand the power of the tongue and the incredible effects it can have on children and adults alike! You wouldn’t believe the effect this has had on my classroom and home. Instead of “Good job!” I now have learned to say something like, “You didn’t give up when so many others would have. I saw you determined and focused even though it was hard. Wow! Look what you did! I’m so proud of you.” I recently spoke to a group of moms about this at my preschool curriculum chat. Let’s keep spreading the word!! I’ll definitely check out the other 2 books too ?
Thanks so much, Priscilla! Love to hear how you’ve applied the book to your classroom. xoxo