On the Reading Porch: A Book List For Mamas Who Read
“Now that’s a good book. I feel like I could do anything.”
Those were the words that came to mind a few years ago when I reached the last page of a really good book my friend recommended. I underlined the last line, closed the book, hopped out of my hammock, and headed inside a new me. I’d been dabbling in personal growth and self-help books for two decades at that point. But all of a sudden, I was tired of dabbling. I wanted more. I needed more.
I knew I was meant for more. So I rode the high from that one good book and applied for the online graduate school program I’d been putting off for 14 years. Pretty soon, I was reading more books than I ever thought possible – especially as a busy mama. Taking the plunge was heaven – I was on fire and loving it. No burning out in sight. And when my graduate degree was finished, I felt like I was only getting started.
Something had been flipped on inside of me.
Something I hope never gets flipped off again. I became a mama who reads. Insatiably. Uncontrollably. All the freakin’ time. And my personal growth has multiplied exponentially as a result.
I’ve started watching myself bust past mindsets that held me back for years. I started earning double (almost triple) what I thought possible in my nonprofit-focused career. And I started saying goodbye to relationships I needed to break away from for decades. It felt like I was finally starting to step into my fullest potential like never before. I’m nowhere near where I want to be–not even close. But I’m a better mama, better wife, better friend, and better human than I was before. I still struggle, doubt myself, and have fears to overcome, but it feels good to be getting started.
My gut tells me you either know how this feels or you’re aching for it.
You send me book recommendations in the email group. You comment on my book posts on Instagram and send loads of likes every time I talk about what’s on my reading porch. You even send me books in the mail and ask me what I think of them. Clearly, you’re mamas who read. Thank you.
You’ve helped me get ready to start sharing my favorites in a book list for mamas who read. A book list that goes beyond the 5 books I wish I had read as a new mom. A book list completely separate from what my teen and tween love to read. A book list that’s ever-growing, always changing, and forever being added to for years and years to come. One straight from my ever-growing book stack to yours.
Here’s how it works:
Below is a list of books I’ve read and loved organized by category – all completely unpaid, unaffiliated, unadulterated opinions by only me.
I’ll add books to the list as often as I read good ones.
How to participate:
Bookmark this page for easy access when you’re looking for your next read.
Read the books & share on social media with a tag to this page (& me).
Stay tuned in the email group to be notified when new book are added to the list.
Comment below to tell me what you think or what I should read next. Or shoot me a note privately to chat about books (or even about swapping a few by mail if you want).
I hope you love them! (*All possible book links go to bookshop.org - a great way to support local, independent bookstores as an alternative to building Amazon’s wealth. I’m not an affiliate - just a fan. A big fan.)
Daily Inspiration
Simple Abundance by Sara Ban Breathnauch
Creativity
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Bird by Bird by Anne Lammott
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
On Writing by Stephen King
Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
Dusk Night Dawn by Anne Lammott
Wild Words by Nicole Gulotta
Parenthood & Child Learning
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk
The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
The Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment
Creative Schools by Sir Ken Robinson & Lou Aronica
College Without High School by Blake Boles
How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. Sampson
How Children Learn by John Holt
Why Are You Still Sending Your Kid to School? by Blake Boles
Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison
Togetherness Redefined by Celeste Orr :)
Health & Healing
Eat to Live by Joel Furman
What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey & Dr. Bruce Perry
Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Karr
The Kripalu Kitchen by Jeremy Rock Smith & David Joachim
Crazy Sexy Kitchen by Kris Karr
Love to Lose by Camille Martin
Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
Business & Productivity
You are a Badass by Jen Sincero
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
Do Less by Kate Northrup
The Calling by Rha Goddess
Off the Clock by Laura Vanderkam
Big Dreams, Daily Joys by Elise Blaha Cripe
Professional Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi Jones
Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
The 5am Club by Robin Sharma
This is Marketing by Seth Godin
Social Justice
Rescuing Hope by Susan Norris
Small Great Things by Jodi Piccoult (a novel)
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins (a novel)
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Becoming by Michelle Obama
The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult (a WW2 novel)
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Money & Wealth & Abundance
You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
The Latte Factor by David Bach
Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens by Robert Kiyosaki
Money, A Love Story by Kate Northrup
The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles
Other Random Really Good Ones
You Learn by Living by Eleanor Roosevelt
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Piccoult
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (a novel)
Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequest
The Honey Bus by Meredith May
The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey
What about you? What books do you love? Which ones set your soul on fire?
Leave a comment below to tell me what you think. (& be sure to include what I should read next) Or, shoot me a note privately to chat about books (or even about sending me a book in the mail if you want).