If you love to learn as much as I do, you might be looking for some great book recommendations. I currently have my nose buried in 5 eye opening, inspiring reads, centered around the topics of Parenting and Marriage/Partnership. I’m happy to share my review of all 5 with you today AND I’ve included a BONUS suggestion for fellow bloggers at the end of this post.

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Before we begin I’ll disclose that this post contains affiliate links from Amazon, which means that if you click on one of the following links and purchase something, I’ll receive a small commission. These funds help support our creative projects. 🙂 Be sure to read my full disclosure here. I purchase from Amazon often because of it’s selection and convenience, and I always link to brands that I personally own, use and recommend. This post was not designed around any product.

1. Hands Free Mama

By Rachel Macy Stafford

Category: Motherhood/Parenting

You know a book is good when you pick it up for a second read! Rachel began her writing career in the blogging world. Her page Hands Free Mama, currently averages 1 million visitors a month! She’s been featured in USA Today, TIME.com, MSN.com, The Huffington Post and Reader’s Digest. Her book Hands Free Mama is “A Guide To Putting Down the Phone, Burning the To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters!” This book is a MUST READ for any Mother of the 21st century!

2. Positive Discipline: The First Three Years

By Jane Nelsen, Cheryl Erwin and Roslyn Ann Duffy

Category: Parenting/Toddlerhood

Originally written in 1998, this book has been revised and updated to reflect current day issues. Having sold over 2 million copies since then, millions of parents have used these strategies, “to raise happy, sucessful children.” It’s focus is on the first 3 years of life, which is a critical time for development. It embraces connection, encouragement and nonpunitive methods of discipline. Also, it’s only one book out of nearly 15 in the Positive Discipline series!

3. Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff In Love

By Richard Carlson and Kristine Carlson

Category: Marriage/Partnership

What I love about this book is that I can read it in snippets. Each chapter is roughly 1 page, making it easy to sneak into my busy day. Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff In Love offers, “simple ways to nurture and strengthen your relationships while avoiding the habits that break down your loving connection.” Some takeaways for me have been learning to let go, scheduling date nights into my calendar and most important, discovering my role in our marriage. Also, look for the many other books in the “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff series.” I own 4 from the series myself!

4. Year Of Yes

By Shonda Rhimes

Category: Inspiration, Empowerment

I absolutely adore Shonda Rhimes. I began following her career with the television series “Grey’s Anatomy.” Then came “Scandal.” Then “How To Get Away With Murder.” Then “The Catch.” OK I admit it, I’m a Shonda Rhimes addict! And this book, Year Of Yes might just be her best work yet! In a nutshell, she chronicles her journey through a year of saying yes to anything that fell outside her comfort zone. Her writing style is honest and relatable, painting detailed pictures of topics no one else will write about. And she’s funny. I’m talking ROTFL funny! Pick up this book to learn “How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person.”

5. The 5 Love Languages

by Gary Chapman

Category: Parenting/Marriage/Partnership

This is another timeless book that will sit on my nightstand until I’m old and gray. It’s that good and meant to be read over and over again. I first read Gary Chapman’s The Five Love Languages: The Secret To Love That Lasts to improve my relationship with my husband. It made such a profound affect that I picked up The Five Love Languages Of Children once Dutch was born. In both books he details the 5 Love Languages of humans. We each have a primary love language, one in which we prefer to be shown love. Understanding your spouse or child’s primary love language allows you to show them love in the way they need it through bridging communication gaps.

BONUS FOR FELLOW BLOGGERS!

6. ProBlogger Podcast

By Darren Rowse

Category: Blogging/Writing

I stumbled upon Problogger recently, in an effort to improve my own page. Darren Rowse has been in the Blogging industry for over a decade and is most famous for his pages ProBlogger and Digital Photography School. I’m currently in the midst of his series, “31 Days to Build a Better Blog” from the ProBlogger Podcast. Each day contains a 10-20 minute cast on actionable topics that, if implemented, will lead to a more successful blog. Some takeaways so far have been creating an elevator pitch for my page, creating a social media plan for promoting my posts, and ideas for creating valuable content for my readers. I believe that if you want to become successful at something, find someone who already is and study what they do!

What the heck, while we’re at it, let me share 5 of Dutch’s favorite books right now:

There you have it, 5 (actually 6) reads that your nose should be buried in right now! Plus 5 suggestions for your little one! Did you enjoy these recommendations? Have you read any of the above? Share with me your takeaways in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you!

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