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A few years ago, my online book club folded, but I still think back to the spring and summer I read some of my all-time favorite books to recommend for book clubs. If you’re a mom, have ever been a mom, want to be a mom… or just love reading, here are four books you may not miss.
(Note: this is an update of a post I wrote a few years ago.)
Too Many Cooks By Emily Franklin
Fully titled Too Many Cooks: Kitchen Adventures with 1 Mom, 4 Kids, and 102 Recipesby Emily Franklin, this is a story of memoirs of a mom who challenged herself to serve her kids a different meal every night (nearly) for a year. It totally inspired me in my parenting, my cooking, and my blogging… Truth be told, this book actually inspired me to start my personal blog.
Still Alice By Lisa Genova
A story of early-onset Alzheimer’s which increased my interest in learning more about the disease: you attach yourself to the main character within the first three pages. Sit with her inside her as you learn her struggles with her changing mind. It’s a fascinating book and a beautiful story of love, family, and frustration.
Girl In Translation By Jean Kwok
This was the final book selection that I read as a member of the SVMoms Book Club. It’s good to close a club with an amazing book. This story of a young girl who came to America taught me acceptance of differences and welcomed me into a world that exists in my multicultural neighborhood. I was amazed to learn about hardships in our own country, inspired by the main character’s determination and able to laugh and cry reading realistic stories of young adulthood.
The Middle Place By Kelly Corrigan
Perhaps one of the greatest books I’ve ever read, this memoir tells of Ms. Corrigan’s inspirational fight against breast cancer while her father fought bladder cancer. Her story isn’t just about struggles with cancer; it’s an enlightening look into another woman’s life: her family, her youth, her priorities, and how they change. You learn about her experience growing up (in the Philadelphia area), and you enjoy the stories of her days with her husband. This story lifted me and gave me a greater appreciation of life. I recommend this book to every young mom I know. And as soon as someone hands my copy back to me, I turn around and pass it on to another friend. Reading it will change your life.
The Friday Night Knitting Club By Kate Jacobs
I never expected to be inspired by this book. In fact, I wasn’t really sure I’d even enjoy it. It’s a story of the lives of unique women, women with nothing in common who forge friendships that force them to realize everything in common. Surprisingly, it was this book, in a chapter where the main character had coffee with a priest, that taught this Jewish blogger (that’s me) to pray.
I’m always looking for new books that will move me. What books inspired who you’ve become?
