^{This post contains affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission from your purchase. All your support is appreciated!}

These are the books that I read this year. I know there are readers who can go through 12 books a month. With life the way it is right now, 12 is about all I can handle! That was better than last year too! 

Welcome to my life! Haha

The first book I chose was to help with a certain child who I was butting heads with constantly. He and I are so similar I just needed help on how to help him control his emotions a little better.

Strong Willed Child or Dreamer by Dana Scott Spears & Dr. Ron L. Barund

This book was fantastic. It gives examples of other kids who have been approached by a parent or teacher in good or bad ways and how the child responds. It dives into what they are thinking and why they are making the choices they are. 

It gives clear advice on how to approach the kids and when to back off. It helps you, as the parent or teacher, understand how the kids are thinking in a clear way. Their logic IS NOT our logic. 

I think the biggest take away was that the kids are so much harder on themselves than we ever think they are. They are wanting to be acknowledged and respected even if their ideas seem crazy. They are working and seeing things in a different way than we are. 

I give a lot more explanations now and ask for input. I also let him problem solve for himself because OBVIOUSLY his way is better than mine. As long as it works and is safe, I’m going to let him try it his way. 

Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley

Finding a good rhythm in homeschool can be so challenging when each day presents something new. This book was a quick read that touches on easy ways to maintain a good flow in your home. It makes you feel so good as you are reading it. There is a greater purpose to the mundane tasks we have to complete each day. 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

This book will make you a better person. Louisa May Alcott knows how to word things in a way that makes them feel magical. There’s a sense of sophistication woven through her stories that wraps beauty through the whole book. You will laugh, cry, and want to read more. This classic easily became my favorite book of all time. 

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

This detailed biography outlines how Elon Musk became the man he is now. It goes from birth and some very intense stories when he lived in South Africa. The area, culture, everything was very different from the United States. His traumatic environment shaped him to be a strong person with a haunted past that affected his work and personal relationships. 

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon

This book speaks the unspoken truths of building anything worth building. It was a fast, lighthearted book with profound concepts. You can read it quickly but go back and pick a chapter and really think about it. 

Show Your Work by Austin Kleon

I needed a change after some of the long books that I read and Austin Kleon did not disappoint. I borrowed these from a friend who said I would love these and she was not wrong. This lighthearted, wonderful perspective on creativity makes you want to find your own passions.

Harry Potter 4 book set by J.K. Rowling

Does this series need any introduction? I don’t think so! We read Harry Potter 4 this year. We have done each of these as read alouds in the morning. I do accents and voices. I tried to let them switch to the audio version and they wanted my voice. So in a way that was great and in a way it was… a lot more work!

Everybody Fights

Relatable. Anyone who’s in a relationship is going to have a connection to this book. There are funny stories that bring up deeper issues that most marriages have. I loved reading this one and it was a quick read because of the stories that describe what they have gone through. 

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

This was a fun personal development book that helps break down the subconscious decision making process! There are so many instances where our brains are working faster than our thinking. When we don’t know how that’s happening we can’t change our response. Having that information brought to the forefront of our mind helps to actively change what reaction we present. Go down the rabbit hole to figure out your own mind and develop better habits, responses, and environments!

Heart of the Matter by Russell M. Nelson

Russell M. Nelson was the previous prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was a heart surgeon who had literal miraculous experiences that trained him to save lives. It was absolutely amazing to read his story of how to develop a life saving surgical procedure. The stories, guidance, and inspiration touched my heart. This is definitely a book that will help you grow your faith!

Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

Buy Back Your Time was a book I bought because I started watching Dan Martell on youtube. There is definitely some language in his videos, but the message is clear and to the point. This is a great business book to help prioritize what you are doing with your time. It helps give clear instructions to be your own auditor. Check yourself! Implement strategies to actually make your life better. Focus on what’s important to you! It’s a great read. 

Thanks for checking out what I read this year! It may not be a lot but it’s actually 12 books which is a feat for me! What did you read? I’m getting my goals and lists ready for next year so I’m open to all the suggestions! 🙂