Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle
Nobody’s Cuter Than You by Melanie Shankle
A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson
Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist
Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel
Radical by David Platt
God is Able by Priscilla Shirer
So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore
Breaking Free by Beth Moore
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
The Battle Plan for Prayer by Stephen Kendrick
If you’re looking for books on adoption…my very favorite is Forever Mom by Mary Ostyn. I believe I read 11 books on adoption before I read this one…and then, I felt silly because I really only needed to read this one book. This author knows her stuff and covers everything. Love this book!
I get asked a lot what I read when I was struggling with infertility and honestly, I didn’t read anything besides my Bible and different Bible studies I was doing at the time (I did a lot of Beth Moore studies during that time). I wish I had a great recommendation for you, so if you have one, please share! I get asked this question all the time!
Whew! So, these are my favorite topical books. Again, if I missed something, please let me know.
Tomorrow, I’m going to talk about something I get asked about all the time. It’s currently trending as my number one question via email (and often comments too)…it’s the one thing that makes people who know me go, huh? Really? She’s so not techy at all? This doesn’t make sense?
Tomorrow, I’m talking about my Apple Watch :).
#imthelastpersonwhoshouldownone
Check this out for Meal Planning Monday…
…or this…
…or my other yummy recipes for the week!
You don’t want to miss any of them! Click here to see them all!
Happy Monday friends!
xo
Tricia Cole says
This recommendation is for uplifting any girl in an unhealthy relationship. Someone gave this to me and it was a HUGE wake-up call. Years later, I gave it to someone else and then she gave it to someone else and so on. It's called, "What Smart Women Know," by Steven Carter. Easy read. Great information! I wrote my name on the inside cover so my friend would remember who she borrowed the book from and she could return it. When she returned it, she had signed her name with a little note. I passed it along, and each girl that read it, wrote a note and signed their name before giving it back. Although I didn't intend for that to happen, it's really inspiring to read what other thought of the book or how it helped them. Lots of good energy!
Erika Slaughter says
?????? I have the BEST infertility book!!! Hannah's Hope! There are probably some newer ones out now but I loved it!
JHL says
I was just about to recommend this book! Hannah's Hope helped me tremendously when I was suffering from infertility. God has since blessed me with three precious children all on his own timing. Hands down the best infertility book!!
Kristina Reimer says
Definitely the best one I read when we were going through that two years ago!
Narci says
Oh, this is so wonderful! Great recommendations for all of these topics, friend!! Xoxo
Loren Lately says
YAY for the apple watch review…. I can't wait to read more. I struggled and still struggling with infertility and the What To Expect- Trying to Conceive forum, and the What To Expect- fertility treatments forum are great ways to reach out and talk to other women with the same situation and to hear success stories… one thing that helps me is reading success stories and being able to interact with women who are going through the same thing… especially when you are feeling so alone and everyone around you is having a baby…. its nice to be able to talk to a complete stranger about how sad you are feeling and they know exactly how you feel!
Regine Karpel says
Love.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Lindy says
One book that I have given to many friends is I Will Carry You by Angie Smith. It is the best book for anyone who has suffered a miscarriage, Infant loss, or really any extreme grief. I would recommend every woman read it because we all know someone who has been through a miscarriage. It helped me so much after I had an ectopic pregnancy.
Deanna says
The absolute best book to encourage single moms is "My Single Mom Life" by Angela Thomas. Thanks for the other recommendations!
Meagan @ The Clanahan Fam says
Great list! I would also add a couple for marriage… I think every couple should read The 5 Love Languages for sure. We've been married almost 13 years, but I still need to revisit this every now and again to make sure I'm showing love the way he receives it. Oh, and Love & Respect is an eye opening book as well! I'm convinced it pretty much saved our marriage about 10 years ago.
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Great idea to organize your top recommendation by topic! This will e so helpful to all of your readers out there!
Liz says
Can anyone suggest a book for patenting a strong willed, defiant child? We are really struggling with my 8 year old daughter & I'm looking for something that may help.
Lee and Anna Hogan says
I really like the book Personality Plus for Parents. It goes through four different personality types (strong-willed, laid back, etc) and how to parent each one and also how to relate to each one depending on the parents' personality. I have found it very helpful in regards to my tone of voice and discipline methods with each one of my kids.
Tara G. says
The Heart of Anger by Lou Priolo has some great insights.
Tracy Happeny says
Have you heard of "Parenting with love and logic"? I'm reading it now. The main points are empathy and giving a lot of choices which I think could be helpful for children with strong
personalities 🙂
-Tracy H
Liz says
Than you ladies!!! I really appreciate you're suggestions!
Sascha says
Like Tracy H said the Parenting With Love & Logic books are so helpful when parenting strong personalities. The tools help to diminish the friction and power struggle. The book that helped me have more understanding was Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka – I was so glad I found this book!!!
Heather Green Photography says
James Dobson Strong-Willed Child is great!
Elizabeth says
I'm going to also recommend Hannah's Hope for people going through infertility! I loved that book when I was going through our infertility journey.
tina kilpatrick says
Two books by Lou Priolo. The Heart of Anger and Teach Them Diligently. My daughter is very strong willed. We read these books when she was in ninth grade and wish I had found them when she was younger. They are biblically based and show you how to apply scripture to find out the "heart" issue.
She is now completing her first year of college, working two jobs, and mentoring to elementary children. It was not an easy path from strong willed rebellious ninth grade daughter to strong willed college daughter. The strong will doesn't go away but addressing the heart issue means the strong willed is redirected. you are welcome to email me clck1173@aol.com. I am not affiliated with this author, I just read and applied and it did change my perspective. It is not over night but applying the scripture daily, you will see change.
Natalie Alvarado says
"Everything Bitter is Sweet" by Sara Hagerty was my favorite non-fiction book of 2015. My mom gave it to me for Christmas. As I began reading I noticed that she struggled with infertility. I almost closed the book because while I've had many struggles, infertility hasn't been one of them. I'm so glad I didn't close that book. I finished it in a day. It opened my eyes to see God in a new way, and I've been a Christian since I was a child. I now recommend this book to everyone. This is for anyone who has gone through any kind of disappointments. Sara knows exactly the struggle of infertility and she has experienced the joy of international adoption. Shay, you must read this book.
Julie says
EBTIS is sooooo good! I recommend it to everyone too!!
Scavenger Hunt Blog says
I just finished Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World. Best book ever especially for kids 8 and up!!!
Lesley McFarland
http://www.kltfamily.blogspot.com
Kristin Stewart says
Raising greatful children in an entitled world is one ofy FAVOURITE parenting books along with some you have mentioned.
Angela Ellingson says
Love this! Thanks for sharing! About to start Bread and Wine and I'm excited. 🙂
Skye says
Angie Smith books are amazing!
I recently lost my sweet baby girl – born at 24 weeks, and lived 23 days. It was hard. But I read I Will Carry You by Angie Smith. It was so good. It helps to know there are other Mom's who walk this walk, too & with faith in our Lord we can do it until we see our precious babies again.
http://butterfliesandpinksunsets.blogspot.com/2016/04/angie-smith-beautifully-designed.html?m=1
https://www.gofundme.com/kjpsfu98
Tyler says
Hannah's Hope for infertility!
Love this list!
Sarah Lewis says
I made the "Spicy Chicken Baked Tacos" last night from your cookbook…so far it's our favorite! 🙂 I appreciate someone who understands a good easy Texas recipe. 😉
Justin Futrell says
One parenting book I love, love, love is The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel.
Kristina @ Ms.Modify says
This is a great list! I'm all about inspirational books. One of my favorites is "Make it Happen" by Lara Casey.
Leah PS says
"Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. Its the TTC Bible.
Tracy says
For parenting teens, I loved "Parenting Teens with Love and Logic" and "Have a New Teenager by Friday". Right now I'm reading "The Power of Praying for your Adult Children".
Tara G. says
Marriage: The Meaning of Marriage (Timothy Keller); Love and Respect (Eggerichs) // Child Rearing: Withhold Not Correction (Bruce Ray); Teach Them Diligently & The Heart of Anger {first few chapters- has a great list of how parents provoke children to anger} (Priolo); Don't Make Me Count to Three (Plowman); Parenting in the Pew (Castleman); Boys Adrift (Sax); Shepherding a Child's Heart (Tripp); 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter (or Son) (Vicki Courtney); Raising a Modern Day Knight (Robert Lewis); Beautifully Made Series (Julie Hiramine); How to Keep the Little in Your Girl & Eight Great Dates for Moms and Daughters (Dannah Gresh); Passport to Purity (Dennis and Barabara Rainey – Family Life); Lintball Leo (Larimore); Raising Girls (Goff/Trevathan); Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys (James/Thomas)// Other: Leading Little Ones to God (Schoolland); Boundaries (Townsend); The Peacemaker (Sande)
Joy says
The Conception Chronicles is a great read for infertility. i struggled with it for 8 years and this book was so true and made me laugh. Loved it!https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=imgres&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjm-Yra1LvMAhWBeSYKHXQzAHkQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%2Fabout%2FThe_Conception_Chronicles.html%3Fid%3DFAq8anCItscC%26source%3Dkp_cover&psig=AFQjCNEpmjHti81CdGyvmNQgxYuf9V–Kg&ust=1462287803356418
Priscilla Slockett says
The ladies Bible study at my church is doing a one year study of the Bible. It's the best thing I have ever done. If you need a little "extra" with your daily reading through the Bible, we are using George H.Guthrie's study, and the HCSB version of the Bible, which Beth Moore often uses,and is very easy to read.The reader's guide gives you an added explanation and questions to think about. You can also do this on your own, easily.
Not A Mom says
Excited to try some of the options you listed for the faith section! I'm always needing some recommended reading for faith!
Linds @ Not A Mom
Kristin Heidorn says
Conquering Infertility and It's Starts With The Egg are two great infertility books. Both very different but both are great!
Errin Rybicki says
Vicki Iovine's Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy is my all timr favorite! Love that book
ProudAuntKaren says
Shay, how is Manda doing? Can you give an update? Or is there a place where she gives updates?
Her story has really inspired me to make every moment count and not to waste time whining… I am honored to pray for healing and other big things for her right now. Just curious. And it's awesome that you are connecting us with other ways to help support her… Thanks in advance!
Queen In Between says
Seriously….Belly Laughs was one of the funniest reads ever. I picked it up when I was pregnant with #4 and I think I read in one night. Can't wait to hear what you have to say about the Apple watch. I got a fitbit for Christmas and while it is functional I really think the watch was more up my alley.
Bekah Bruce says
Can't wait to read your book suggestion on adoption! I have been looking for one! And a parenting book favorite of mine is Loving Our Kids on Purpose by Danny Silk.
Lindy says
Loving Our Kids on Purpose is so good! Love the videos too that go along with the book, he is so funny
campdallas says
The most helpful book I had on hand when my kids were babies was Baby 411 – SO helpful and accessible! Also, when I was trying to get pregnant, I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility. In my case, the book really helped me pinpoint what the issue likely was (and helped me ensure we were doing everything "right" in trying to get pregnant!) and as a result, I went to visit the fertility specialist the first time armed with a great background and lots of documentation. Highly recommend to anyone!
Melissa says
Your friend Kara looks like Kristen Bell!
All the parenting books by Faber and Mazlish are so good. Definitely books to refer to again and again.
pam says
Sadly, my mom passed away last year. I would purchase her favorite products and think of her every time I used them.
Melissa at HOUSEography says
I'm almost finished with Raising an Adult, by Julia Lythcott-Haims. Cannot recommend it enough for parents of children at pretty much any age (or at least through college!). Everything from how to help your toddler become confident and independent to how to buck the college admissions nightmare. It's GREAT. I rarely read parenting books but this is one that really applies to any parent (or teacher for that matter).
Megan says
When Empty Arms become a Heavy Burden is an excellent book on infertility.
Ms Jenna says
A Few Good Eggs is an excellent guide to the world of fertility treatments. I devoured information out of that book. I also referenced back to Every Drunken Cheerleader, Why Not Me a lot too. Both had a lot of bookmarks and highlighting!
Holli VanderMolen says
I'll be honest. I've never been much of a book reader but after seeing your suggestions and everyone elses i'm excited to read some of these!
Unknown says
I love Jenny McCarthy, I read that book in 1 day!
Stacey Walden says
I love Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy! You are exactly correct in your description. I always recommend it to my expecting friends, especially 1st time moms because she tells you things many others do not! It was a fun and quick read!
Shelby says
I so enjoy reading your recommendations, Shay, and seeing all the others in the comments – especially a few I've read and enjoyed myself, like Hannah's Hope and Taking Charge of your Fertility. Looking forward to reading a few new ones based on what's been suggested, and I'm adding one of my own suggestions: The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler. I found it to be a fascinating study in how other families work along with so many practical applications for real life. I know it sounds cliche, but the book was life changing for me!
Layci says
Hannah's Hope is a great one for infertility. Another devotional type for infertility is Longing for a Child by Kathe Wunnenberg. She also has a really good one for miscarriage Greiving the Child I Never Knew.