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Favorite books to add to your reading list

If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ve probably noticed I love to read. I always have a few books on my nightstand and a very long “to be read” list.

I often get asked what books I recommend when it comes to living a balanced life, so I’m compiling some of my favorites for you today!

I love to read a wide variety of books and learn from a variety of different perspectives, and these books all have elements I enjoyed and really made me think…

  1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
    • A favorite of TBL team – all about building good habits and breaking bad ones.
  2. Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
    • I am really excited about this one and can’t wait to dive in! I’ve been following Nedra on Instagram and loving her posts.
  3. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
    • This one is more business related, but it’s so helpful for anyone. It helps you determine what is essential, what is not, and help you manage your time!
  4. The Telomere Effect by Elizabeth Blackburn and Elissa Epel
    • So many aspects of this one are similar to what we talk about – the importance of sleep, exercise, nutrition on your life and how stress and negative thoughts also play a role in a healthy, balanced life.
  5. The Little Book of Big Lies by Tina Lifford
    • Tina was a guest on The Balanced Life podcast and I love her insight into the importance of “inner fitness” – focusing on our mental health, thoughts patterns, and so much more.
  6. The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
    • A favorite parenting book all about nurturing your child’s developing mind.
  7. Metabolical by Robert H. Lustig
    • I’m currently reading Metabolical and so far it’s fascinating and extremely insightful. I’m really enjoying it.

Do you have any current favorites you are enjoying right now? I’d love for you to share in the comments!

xo,

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27 thoughts on “Favorite books to add to your reading list”

  1. I am a consultant with Usborne Books & More, and James Clear is one of the keynote speakers at our virtual convention this week. My team leader sent me the book Atomic Habits, so it is so cool to see it coming up here, too! 🙂

    1. Jackie at The Balanced Life

      Wow that is so exciting, Becky! We hope you enjoy the book, as well as the convention!

  2. Joanne Beasley

    I have three books I’d recommend right now. I love this devotional “Mornings and Evenings In His Presence” by Bill & Beni Johnson. I also am enjoying “Bringing Up Bebe – One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting” by Pamela Druckerman. The author takes you on her journey of living in Paris with her two little ones and her French husband and the differences between American & French parenting. It’s fascinating and it’s like sitting across the table from her & having a conversation. She writes so well. It’s a fun book & inspirational & educational & she has a good sense of humor too. Since I’m a first time grandma (& loving it!), the third book is “52 Prayers for My Grandchild” written by Steve & Annie Chapman.

  3. I think my all-time favorite parenting books are “Simplicity Parenting” and “The Soul of Discipline” both by Kim John Payne. Also, on a personal level, I LOVE Denise Lynn, especially “Secrets and Mysteries: the glory and power of being a woman” 🙂

  4. Donna Thomisee

    I just want to add that sometimes you just need a fun quick and uplifting read and I love to turn to a good romance or mystery novel – I just finished the Bridgerton romance novels and I love the following authors in no particular order: Catherine Coulter, David Baldacci, Vince Flynn, JD Robb, Daniel Silva, Tom Clancy, Brad Thor and of course James Patterson.

    1. Jackie at The Balanced Life

      Yes love to sprinkle in fun and lighthearted reads! Thank you so much for sharing your favorite authors. ?

  5. I loved atomic habits it was super. If you want if you want another good psychology based one Mindset by Carol S Dweck is worth a read a d a superb novel series My Brilliant Friend and the following novels, by Elena Ferante I read all four last summer and have not read anything as good since, highly recommend these.

  6. I’ve been reading Overcoming Estrogen Dominance by Magdalena Wszelaki. I’m nearing 46 and have been dealing with fibrocystic breasts and breast cysts, so this has been an interesting read on how we can learn to fix things with diet and everyday living. I think it’s a great read for women, especially just learning how complex our bodies are and what we can do to feel our optimal best. I’m going to check in to Metabolical that you’re reading. Sounds interesting!

    1. Jackie at The Balanced Life

      It’s great that reading Overcoming Estrogen Dominance has provided you with valuable takeaways – thank you for sharing this, Nori. We are cheering you on in your journey! ❤️

  7. I’m currently reading While Justice Sleeps, a novel by Stacey Abrams. This was a recommendation from one of Robin’s guests in her podcasts, Hitha Palepu. I’m picking up my reading habit again after a loooong time so I’m looking for things that really pull me to read. This one, so far very good! I have Atomic Habits on my night table too, so I’ll be jumping onto that one soon!!

  8. I love to read . Plus I am always listening to an audio book at work while I am transacting parts and putting them away . I work at factory and I am allowed to have one earbud in and one ear bud out. Plus I am reading a book now by Terry Goodkind the book is called wizards first rule . I read and listen to fiction and non fiction. I also like to read books like you posted on your blog. Those look very interesting. I am going to look into reading them or listening to them on audiobook.

  9. I also love to read and usually have afew books on the go. If you’re interested in Indigenous knowledge, nature and botany the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimerer is inspiring, entertaining and educational. I’ve also been reading The BFG by Roal Dahl purely for the fun the language his BFG speaks. It’s a great fun read.

  10. Just finished The Boy in Striped Pajamas and Twelve Years a Slave. Hard but great books. Both. Currently reading Psychology of Money, Opposite of Spoiled and Everyone’s a Theologian. All excellent.

  11. A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23 by W.Phillip Keller. I could not understand why this was a classic until I recently read it after owning it for about 10 years. It really helps you to understand Gods amazing love for us. I also could relate it to the all encompassing love that moms have for their children.

    1. I read this recently!! We studied John this last year and someone recommended this book. It is one of the most eye opening books.

  12. The book You Are Not Your Brain by Jeffrey M Schwartz has been a HUGE help too me as I have been working to overcome postpartum anxiety and OCD! It teaches you principles—in easy steps—that can ultimately change the ways your brain responds to different triggers. I recommend it to anyone who deals with any unwanted thought patterns.

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