Last year I wrote about how I feel more human again, more whole, since finding ways to read more as a mom. I also included a list of books that changed my life, and it was one of the most popular posts as people added their own favorite books and discussed reading. I loved that book conversation, so I’m making a list again for this year. Here is the 2016 edition of books that changed my life. Enjoy, and add a few picks of your own! This post contains affiliate links to Amazon.
The Top Life Changing Books Overall:
Mindset – This book discusses the work of Carol Dweck who describes the growth mindset. This important way of thinking helps you grow, learn and stretch towards your potential – not just in academics, but also in your relationships, in your work and in your creative growth. I’m excited to have a name to put with this phenomenon of believing everyone can learn and grow. I’ve realized what it is I teach here at Bounceback Parenting – the growth mindset in parenting. Our capabilities are not fixed, and our mistakes are not indicators that were failures as parents, they’re indicators that we’re learning. I highly recommend this book – it’s readable and applicable to all areas of your life.
Sketchnotes – If you are even remotely a visual thinker, you’ll love this. This book got me to embrace the fact that, truly, I remember things best if there are pictures to go with the text. It has revolutionized how I take notes and improved it so much for the better. Now I actually go back and use my notes again, and can quickly recall what I was writing about in them. Not only that, I’m having so much fun making visual notes about helpful parenting concepts for my League members. Sketchnotes has increased the fun and knowledge in my life.
Life Changing in the Parenting Realm:
Smart but Scattered – Blew my scattered mind 😉 This book is all about executive function (how we plan/organize/manage emotions and more). It gave me insight into how my kids’ brains work and how that relates to the way they learn and behave. I was also able to find out about my own executive function strengths and weaknesses. It increased my understanding and compassion for myself and my family. It’s such a practical book and gives plans for how to improve various organizational, self control, or focus based skills. Highly recommended for…basically everyone.
The Five Love Languages of Children – I’ve skim-read this before, but this year I took the time to delve into each of the five love languages as they pertain to my kids, and it’s been so helpful to me in getting better at recognizing when my kids are asking for love. Learning more about these concepts has allowed me to be more aware of how I can show them love in the way they really will FEEL loved.
Kid Books I’ve Adored:
Rosie Revere, Engineer – This book has been a favorite with my 6 year old this past year. The message is so wonderful about experimenting, making mistakes and courageously continuing to try, try again. I’m looking forward to reading her other books: Izzy Peck Architect and Ada Twist Scientist.
Bedtime Math – This series of books has especially captured the attention of my 9 year old. These short-story math challenges (math bedtime stories, really) are truly fun. They have multiple levels of difficulty for each question and they get him thinking in creative problem solving ways. I love that this book brings math into this regular routine of our day – great way to make it approachable and interesting.
Ranger’s Apprentice – This series is one I’ve read with my middle schooler. Not only is it a fun read, having a book series that he and I can discuss and enjoy together has been a new and delightful way for us to connect.
Fantastic Fiction I Read This Year
Freshwater Road – In a year when I heard and saw so much about racism and racial injustice, I wanted to gain context and learn more about the history of the civil rights movement in the U.S. This book is an enthralling (and chilling) account of Freedom Summer, which has begun broadening my education in a much needed way, and got me wanting to read more about this and the relationship to today’s ongoing struggles.
Cutting for Stone – I did not think I would so love a book about a surgeon. I am not one who loves reading detailed descriptions of medical procedures – and there were those in this book written by a renowned surgeon, but this book was far more than a story about doctors. It drew me in to life in Ethiopia, living in a country undergoing revolution, the complex interweaving of father and son, the ties that bind brothers, love and redemption. Very, very good.
The Ian Rutledge books by Charles Todd. This series of mystery novels is written about an inspector for Scotland Yard who is back on the job after returning from World War I battling shell-shock and trying to reclaim his prewar life. The mysteries are intriguing, and the flashbacks to World War I evoke thought about how our current service men and women are coping with the devastation of war. The best part of these is that there are now over 20 of them, so if you like the series you can keep reading and reading…which is why there is so little other fiction on my list this year 😉
Your turn – I’m always looking for my next great book – what have you read and loved recently? Leave a comment with your favorites! Last year I discovered so many wonderful books from your comments – including one of my favorites (Cutting for Stone), and I discovered Georgette Heyer and Kate Morton. Thank you!
My absolute favourite book this year was “The Greatness Guide” by Robin Sharma. A friend wrapped it up and left it at my house this fall “just because” and it was a great read!!!
Thank you!
Top parenting books:
Raising Human Beings by Ross Greene on coooerative problem solving with kids
Raising Happiness by Christine Carter
The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Siegel
The Art of Roughhousing by Anthony DeBenedet and Lawerence Cohen
Favorite read alouds this year:
Fortunately, the Milk by Niel Gaimen
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Ooh, I will have to take a Look at the Ross Greene one for sure – and yes, Whole Brain Child was on my list for last year and I keep referring to it. So much good in the work by Daneil Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson! Thank you for the book ideas!
Thank you for a great summary! My favorite 2016 reads were:
The Book of Unknown Americans, Cristina Henriquez
A Little Life – Hanya Yanagihara (read reviews if you aren’t sure about surprises. I read it based on recommendations and it stretched my comfort but an amazing book – the story and the writing)
The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins – Fantastic!
Building Better Girls – Elissa Schappell
The Terrible Two- Jory John & Mac Barnett (YA)
The Girl with all the Gifts – M.R. Carey
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl – Jesse Andrews (YA)
& I loved Cutting for Stone, too!
Thanks for the book list Lisa!