Not a Mom book: Beth Moore's Feathers From My Nest

Sometimes I am too tired to read a mom book. I know I fall short daily and need the wisdom they offer, but I can't even keep the house clean. Reading a book with twelve reminders of what else I am not doing is too much some days.

I know, I know, mom books aim to be helpful and inspiring and to let you know you are not alone. When my mommy brain is calm or desperate, I've find mom books to be helpful. Feathers From My Nest came along at a time when I was neither calm nor desperate. It was like a long note from a friend.

So Beth Moore isn't my in person friend (but Beth, if you you'd like to be, I'll accept), but I've done a few of her Bible studies and listened to her on video. I've laughed with her and cried with her on those videos. And I've always wondered about her. She teaches scripture with gusto and enthusiasm and vaguely references hard things in her life but never specifically. I get it. When the eyes of Christian women across the nation are on you, you want the lessons to be about God's word, not a coffee shop discussion of Beth's life.

Beth raised two daughters (like me!) and a son (for 7 years). And unlike Beth's other books, this one is personal. It isn't a biography, but you feel like part of the Moore household since she says her whole family wrote the book together (and you wish you could come over for dinner).

Each chapter is a feather (or a memory) of raising her children. And nestled in the sometimes laugh-out-loud stories is a lesson that God taught them through it. For Pruning Princesses the chapter entitled "Magazines" about one her daughter's struggles with eating is especially relevant.

When you finish the book, you will want to make Beth your friend on Facebook and your conviction to raise your kids with scripture and love will be strengthened.

Simple Secrets to a Happy Life

So as a blogger, there is an amazing opportunity to review books. Publishers send out lists of books available and you pick one, they send it to you, you review it on your blog (good or bad) and that's all. Awesome. Welcome to my first official book review. The book was provided to me free of charge by Book Sneeze in exchange for an honest review. 

Simple Secrets to A Happy Life: 50 Ways to Make the Most of Every Day 
By Luci Swindoll

First I always assumed Luci Swindoll was Charles Swindoll's wife. Wrong. She is his sister. And prior to reading this book, I knew nothing about her. 

Turns out she lived quite the life. Opera Singer, high level business executive with Mobil Oil, PR director for Insight for Living, single and loving it, highly adventurous and full of joy. Despite the resume I was turned off by all the quotes of endorsement for the book because they seemed to praise Luci more than her message. 

Really this book is a mentoring book. It is written in 50 short chapters (most are 3 pages). Each chapter is a different piece of advice for living with joy. She covers everything from : take Jesus with you every where to set the table for company. 

What I ended up loving about this book, in spite of my initial distrust, was feeling like I was sittting down with a woman who has followed God for a long time and soaking in her words of advice. Ever wish a beloved grandma had written down all her advice for living? That's what this book is like. Wise advice written in a friendly, persuasive, chatting way. 

Luci's range of topics are comprehensive too. By the end of the book you've read about faith, relationships, organization, communication and health. The short chapters make this book an easy read that doesn't take much time out of the day. 
Overall it is inspirational and I would recommend it.