I’ve met amazing women through blogging and I wanted to end my Book Week by paying tribute to them and recommending some of the great books they’ve written, especially since they’re all non-fiction and many of you have requested suggestions in that genre.
You now have a solid reading list to get the year started for you and, because it would be helpful to also have a planner to keep track of them and everything else you want to do, I’m giving away a couple more of the fantastic Choices notebooks I’ve written about before from another blogging friend, Kimberley Montgomery.
You can enter below but first check out these eclectic titles. Happy reading, and I’m glad I’m traveling again soon so I can find time to read a new batch of books!
Going Gypsy by David and Veronica James
The subtitle of this travel memoir is One Couple’s Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All, which also describes the James’ inspiring website, GypsyNester.com. After their kids left, they decided to actually do what many of us just dream about — sell their house and hit the road in an RV. Because, as we know, the journey is as important as the destination, their tales are not just about the places they’ve been but about their family, their marriage, their self-discovery. Be prepared to experience wanderlust and consider joining them on the road.
Love Her, Love Her Not: The Hillary Paradox by Joanne Conrath Bamberger
A number of my friends have essays in this thought-provoking book about Hillary Clinton who, for some reason, we all seem to be so conflicted about one way or another. As a Hillary supporter who admits she’s far from perfect, I found these essays compelling and important reading. Carefully curated, they form a powerful collection which should be required reading before the 2016 election. Ultimately, it’s the essay by Bamberger herself, “I Don’t Need Hillary Clinton to be Perfect,” that sums it all up for me. She says, “The only perfection I need is to see a woman who shares my political beliefs sitting behind that desk in the Oval Office in my lifetime. If that day comes, that will be the perfect day of all days for me, especially if I get to see it with my daughter.”
Ketchup Is My Favorite Vegetable: A Family Grows Up With Autism by Liane Kupferberg Carter
Carter’s writing has sometimes taken my breath away. Her memoir about raising a son with autism is honest, brave and oh so real, and I would think it would be a bright light for every other parent in that community. With humor and wisdom, she reveals the struggles and triumphs that come with the diagnosis, and she shows the importance of being your child’s biggest advocate. She shares the emotional toll life with a special needs child can take on a family but is unwavering in her love for her son. As a reader, you will also fall in love with Mickey — and his Mama Bear of a mother.
Redefining Girl by Melissa Atkins Wardy
As the subtitle says, this must-read guide shows How Parents Can Fight the Stereotyping and Sexualizing of Girlhood, from Birth to Tween. Activist blogger Wardy covers everything from getting past the all-pink aisles in toy stores to “navigating too sexy too soon.” She provides resources and tools for using your voice and your purchasing power to change the way girls are portrayed and to raise confident daughters who believe they can be something more than a princess.
Bristol boyz Stomp: The Night That Divided a Town by Doreen M. McGettigan
McGettigan’s brother, David, was brutally and senselessly murdered by local gang members in 1998 in a case of road rage, leaving behind a wife and young son. This memoir recounts the events of that night but focuses on the long, painful healing process that followed. McGettigan and her family were shocked to realize that our court system is horribly broken and that victims’ rights are often trumped by criminals’ rights. This is a very personal book which offers a glimpse into the tragic way lives are changed forever by violence. McGettigan has become an outspoken advocate for victims of crime, and her story will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading the book.
Who Left the Cork Out Of My Lunch? by Vikki Claflin
Okay, Vikki Claflin is hilarious. Her blog, Laughlines, is where I often go when I need to be reminded that middle age is actually funny. Her new book addresses all the topics of this stage of life — menopause, the empty nest, sex, marriage — but in a way that makes you snort with laughter. Despite its title, do not read her essays while you have any liquid in your mouth because it just may end up coming out of your nose.
To keep your own reading list, I’m giving away a copy of the Choices notebook to two lucky Midlife at the Oasis subscribers. (If you’re not a subscriber, first sign up for my weekly newsletter in the right sidebar of this page.)
For a chance to win, simply leave a comment below. For a second chance, tweet this:
[Tweet “6 #books by #bloggers and a Choices #notebook #giveaway @pigtailpals @gypsynester @jlcbamberger”]
Contest ends on January 17 at midnight Pacific time. Winners will be notified by return email. Prizes can only be sent to a U.S. mailing address.
Thank you so much Lois, I am honored to be listed with all of these fabulous writers!
All look excellent. I’ve already read Gypsy!
They all sound great. I love starting the year with a list of books longer than my arm and then seeing how many I’ve read by years end.
What a wide ranging cornucopia of books … I simply have to Pin them for future reference.
Thanks for the opportunity! What a wonderful start to 2016 for someone!
I have heard of the Ketchup one. I will check out these others!
I have seen several of these books around the blogosphere. Who Left the Cork Out of My Lunch is on my list of books to check out.
Thanks so much for recommending these – can’t wait to read every one of them!
As a girl on the autism spectrum, I’m sure I would love Ketchup is My Favorite Vegetable! Will definitely check it out from my library if available! I love planners and fingers/toes crossed. You can never have enough planners! I also tweeted the above message. Thanks Lois!
These all sound like great books. I will have to add them to my must read list.
What a wide range of friends you have ! I’m intrigued.
I agree! I am intrigued with a few of these selections also!
What a great post, and thanks for the giveaway contest!!
How exciting thank you so much for offering this! ??
Great blog…thanks for hosting a great giveaway!
Ooo, thank you for sharing these! I shall add to my list of “to-reads” for 2016!
A wonderful list! I had not heard of all of these, but look forward to looking into them.
Thank you so much for this list, always looking for the next good read. And I love the idea of the book journal too, glad to know I’m not the only one who tries to keep track (but doesn’t do a stellar job of it).
Ok now I know I need the planner. Adding these to my good read list. You just have to tempt me with books don’t you. I guess better books than food.
Some of my favorite reads I have found from my blogger friends! These all sound really good! I’ll have to add them to my 2016 must read list. Thanks for sharing!
I am writing a book this year finally. You gave us some really nifty options here for a variety of titles. Thanks for the tips!
Adding these to my list !!
A planner…perfect for beginning a new year. Thank you for the giveaway.
This is a great list! I’m going to add some of these to my reading list!
Each book sounds wonderful! Thanks much for the giveaway!
That book by Vikki looks hilarious! I need a good read with some humor.
What a great list of books to check out. I love finding new authors and some of these look like great authors.
Thanks, Lois! So honored to be included with such great writers 🙂
These looks are really interesting. I am hoping to get back on my reading habit this year.
Great List, Will def check out the ones I haven’t read…and Yes!! I have read some of them. Also, great idea to put a list on your blog….and a giveaway…I’m stealing that generous and pay-it-forward idea! Thanks, Lois! And Happy Birthday to you!
Great list. I’m glad you included the book about Hillary that I have an essay in. Happy New Year Lois.
Ooh I’ve never heard of any of these. I will have to check them out! They sound interesting.
I’m really curious about Going Gypsy! This is a move I can see my husband and I making one day. It appeals to me after the Empty Nest phase to finish what we want to do. Thanks for some interesting additions to my TBR list!
All these books sound great. I’m going to add them on my list.
These books look so good! I am adding them to my reading list. Wish I had more time to read.
Ooh, I don’t already have all of these and I should have! I still NEED that planner! And I don’t know how I don’t already have Vikki’s book!
I have read a few blogger books but don’t think I’ve read any of these. I guess I’ll have to add these to my reading list.
Lots of books I need to be checking out. I’ve heard of “Love Her, Love Her Not: The Hillary Paradox” but haven’t read it yet!
You have such great lists! I can’t wait to add a bunch of them to my to read list. Thanks for some great suggestions and a giveaway!
Looks like a great list for the new year
What a great list! I’ll have to be sure to pick some of them up to add to the reading list
I think it is great that you started off the new year sharing the work of these bloggers. It’s a wonderful way to pay it forward.
I would be interested in reading Ketchup Is My Favorite Vegetable. My so has Aspergers, this sounds helpful.
I just love reading lot of books that are of different & unique style from various authors. These are some great collections which are almost pretty new to me & I am going to get them sometime soon.
Thanks for this list! I’m a paper girl too and the Choices Planner looks very doable for me.
There is something awesome about having friends who write books and being able to share them.
WOW Lois! We are so honored to have Going Gypsy among these great books (and to be publicly declared as your friends – VERY cool indeed!). Here’s to a great 2016! – David & Veronica
Not only is this a great list but I can say knowing a few of these authors that they are great women making the list even sweeter!
Lois- Isn’t this a great season of life for us women?
Thanks for the exposure to reading I finally have time to do!