My Book Recommendations
I say books are the best gifts to give and get â for others or for yourself. I canât imagine a life without books, and if youâre not a reader, thereâs never been a better time to start cultivating the habit! Below are some of my favorites by category; Iâll add more as I discover them.
Hereâs what Iâm currently reading, if youâre curious!
(p.s. â Indie bookshops depend on us bookworms to keep them open; letâs do our best to shop there first. When you shop at Bookshop.org a portion of your purchase goes both to indie bookshops all over and the work I do, at no extra cost to you. This is a great way to support the work you love with purchases youâd make anyway.)
(p.p.s. â You can also give gift cards!)
Books About Parenting & Family
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Parenting With Love & Logic, by Foster Cline and Jim Fay
I read a number of books during my early years of parenting, but this is the only one I kept. Itâs an outstanding, practical guide for laying down the foundation for raising competent, resilient kids.
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Feeding the Mouth That Bites You, by Dr. Ken Wilgus
My absolute favorite book about parenting adolescents, this one became a game-changer in our household, almost overnight.
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Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv
A call-to-arms treatise for parents (and those who work with kids) about why itâs essential the next generation spends a lot of time in nature (and off screens). Necessary reading.
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Domestic Monastery, by Ronald Rolheiser
A short book about why our homes are âdomestic monasteriesâ â havens from the world and headquarters for growth. I read this every year.
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The Tech-Wise Family, by Andy Crouch
A practical, convicting guide on how to put the ever-important tech tools in their rightful place. We donât need to throw our phones in a river, but we do need to question their place in our homes.
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The Life-Giving Home, by Sarah and Sally Clarkson
This is an encouraging, practical book on how to make our homes a haven for our families, a month at a time, by one of my favorite mentor moms.
Books About Working Well
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Leisure: The Basis of Culture, by Josef Pieper
This short classic blew my mind when I first read it, and it changed the way I think. Leisure isnât downtime or free time, itâs what weâre made for â so much so that our word âschoolâ comes from the word âleisure.â Read it and look at your life differently.
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Atomic Habits, by James Clear
If you hate setting goals, this book is for you â such a clear, logical treatise on how to build habits that actually work for you. This is my go-to recommended book on anything goal related.
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Deep Work, by Cal Newport
Itâs nearly impossible to concentrate anymore, but itâs those who can focus deeply whoâll ultimately be the culture changers. This book changed how I work for the better. I do less but get more done.
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Your Money or Your Life, by Vicki Robin
We shouldnât care about earning all the money; we should care about wisely trading our money for things that matter to us â like time. Life is short; manage your resources well.
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The Simple Path to Wealth, by JL Collins
I thought investing was complicated and intimidating until I read this. Considered the godfather of the FIRE movement, this is the best, go-to resource on how to invest really, really simply.
Books About Faith
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Orthodoxy, by GK Chesterton
There are few books that blow my mind, make me laugh, and convict me enough to immediately look for a nearby confessor. Ahead of its time, Orthodoxy is required reading, in my opinion.
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Mere Christianity, by CS Lewis
Thereâs not another book that clearly distills the basic tenets of the Christian faith that all orthodox Christ followers share. Plus, itâs phenomenally-written. Read with a highlighter.
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The Abolition of Man, by CS Lewis
This is actually my favorite of Lewisâ books. Itâs short enough to be read in one sitting every year, mind-blowing enough to read it slowly. and contemplate one sentence at a time. Why do timeless virtues matter? He explains why.
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Why I Am Catholic, by Brandon Vogt
An easy-to-read (in a good way) treatise on what it means to be Catholic, structured by beauty, goodness, and truth. This is a great, accessible book for someone with LOTS of questions about Catholicism.
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The Fourth Cup, by Scott Hahn
Scott Hahn is a great teacher and as a fellow convert, he explains things simply for those of. us who didnât grow up in Catholicism. This book unveils the real meaning of the Eucharist. So helpful.
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Hail Holy Queen, by Scott Hahn
Dr. Hahn to the rescue again â this time about Mary. If you wonder why on earth Catholics make such a big deal about Mary, this bookâs for you.
Categories Coming Soon:
My favorite books about education, history & culture, and beloved stories both new and classic, as well as my favorite gifts to give to friends, students, and kids.