10 Books That Changed My Life (and might help you too)
I mean it, the following ten books changed my life for the better. I love them.
They mostly pertain to parenting my children, one of whom is labeled as having high-functioning autism. Or is it Asperger’s Syndrome? No, that was last week. I think he’s labeled with autism spectrum disorder right now. Who can keep track of these things anyway?
All I know is that I have two incredibly amazing children and I’m trying to do my very best to give them a solid foundation to spring from so they can create the lives they want. Hence, I read a lot–to learn what I need to know to heal myself and so I can help them, teach them, guide them, release them, and so on and so forth. Cuz that’s my job.
If you click on the title or cover photo and buy one of these books, I’ll receive a teeny “thank you” to feed my book addiction. Enjoy!
#1: All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome
by Kathy Hoopmann
You may have seen me talk about this book before, heck, I even read it on YouTube, but you must know that it is my absolute favorite book about Asperger’s Syndrome to date.
The pictures are fabulous, cuddly, and full of cute. The pages are short, clear, and pretty darn accurate the entire way through. It explains so much with so little, which usually equals perfection. This book is as close as it gets in my opinion.
Note for use: Michael and I have read this book to many people, family members, and classes and it has absolutely helped every time. If you need to explain Asperger’s to someone, this book might do it better and easier than anything else you might try.
#2: How to Talk so Your Kids Will Listen & Listen so Your Kids Will Talk
by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
I’ve read this book more than six times and could (need?) definitely read it again right now. There are picture depictions of real life events and how to do them well. I love the ease of reading and the advice feels solid, easy, kind, and comfortable.
Highly recommend even if you don’t have kids. ;)~
#3: The Baby Book
by William Sears and Martha Sears
This was my morning, noon, night, midnight, midmorning, midafternoon, and every minute in between baby book. I carried it in my diaper bag and never left home without it when we travelled.
For me, it covered everything I needed to know and it did it with kindness, clarity, intellect, and easy to reference sections. I’ll never forget the moment I got to the “fussy baby” chapter (or whatever it’s titled) and almost lost my cookies.
I was like: “OMG! THERE’S A NAME! IT’S A REAL THING! LIKE THERE’S A REAL NAME FOR THE THING THAT IS LIKE MY SON. OMG, OMG, OMG, I’M NOT CRAZY! Well, at least I’m not as crazy as I thought I was.” That’s pretty much what this book did for me and it filled my every other baby need for my boys up to age 2.
#4: Mother Warriors
by Jenny McCarthy
This book gave me the motivation and hutzpah to keep on keepin’ on with my warrior mothering journey.
I sometimes felt like I was an orangutan with my baby. My baby was in my left arm hanging on and I was knocking anyone and anything down that tried to get in my way. Whoa–I was (and still am) a force to be reckoned with as far as my children are concerned.
This book was a validation for that and also showed me other ways that worked. Note: I think many different ways work for different things. Do what’s right for you and don’t necessarily go “all in” with everyone’s ways.
#5: Raising Your Spirited Child
by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
This one I actually haven’t read all the way through (gasp!), but it made the list. The thing I love about this book are the words it gives to describe children in a positive light. What stands out is the gift of description and labeling and how that awareness of language is so powerful.
by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
This absolutely delightful book, I swear, brings the meaning of life down to Earth, pun intended if you know the story. It’s a pretty accurate depiction of how I see the ridiculousness of some of our human behaviors, especially the ones that often seem detrimental to our species and planet.
It lovingly highlights our crazy ways and helps to see the hope, laughter, and light of our world through the eyes of a child. This book will hopefully help you to see the love and light in your own child who just wants to play, explore, learn, and draw boa constrictors from the inside (and the outside).
by L. M. Montgomery
The gifts that Anne of Green Gables gives me are very similar to those of The Little Prince.
It’s a gorgeous story filled with conflict and difficulties, but the most inspiring essence of the book is how Anne overcomes each one. She has this incredibly hopeful and matter-of-fact way of being, in a very difficult world, and she does it with enthusiasm and passion that gets her in trouble almost every time.
I have always wanted to be (and still want to be) like Anne. This book is great for kids thirteen and younger in my opinion. It might just become one of their reading treasures.
by Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela is one of my biggest heroes and I wish so many of us were more like him so far as his will and determination to make the world more “right.” He made many sacrifices and choices to fight for not only his freedom, but the freedom of human kind.
This is a long book, but worth it if you like to read about the lives of real people. And if you want to feel inspired? Definitely sit down with Nelson Mandela and his long walk to freedom.
by Don Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills
This is another of those books that I’ve ready again and again (and again). It’s about four ways to show up in our world from not taking things personally (the most impactful lesson for me) to always doing your best.
The Fifth Agreement has come out, which I paged through. I’m looking forward to reading more deeply about the lesson of truth.
Note: There seem to be two types of people that read this book. The first are people who devour it and love it and are like, “I’m so excited to read this book!” And the second set are people who can’t seem to make it through the first three pages. Try it out to see which one you are.
by Louise Hay
My friends and I call this book the kindergarten level of life and healing. It’s the strongest foundation that I know of to get started living the life you want to live.
If the way it works and how it’s presented (definitely get the pretty copy if you’re going to get it) resonates with you (it may repel you–who knows about these things and how each of us is so gorgeously different?) it might change your life as it changed mine.
Note about this book: There is a long affirmation toward the end of the book that encompasses many of the lessons. I read it out loud morning and night for thirty days in a row. I felt like I was a different person toward the end of the month.
Thanks for being here and for reading my words and checking out some of my favorite books!
I am grateful for you and hope you are feeling great about where you are and where you want to go. And if you are a reader, I hope you find helpful lessons in these books.
Huge love,
Mica
Meet me on Facebook to let me know your favorite life-changing books. Or if you want to hear about lessons or experiences you’re ready to learn about and what books might have your answers.
I want to have a book that talks about parenting a child who is becoming a young adult. It seems Michael’s needs have changed drastically and I’d love to know how to better support him during this time (he’s just fourteen years old).
