book recommendation

Truly, I think it’s the responsibility of every (great) reader to do a round up of recent favorite books. After all, it’s my chance to relive those books while sharing them with anyone who cares to take a peek. Of course, your To-Be-Read list probably rivals mine. I don’t know why we do this to ourselves.

[by the way, i’ll be using affiliate links. this adds no cost to your purchases.]

But come on.

It’s because we love the book inspiration, and I love, love, love a book recommendation from someone who is excited about the books.

Cordially Barbara’s Book Round Up

So I think I’ll start with my most recent favorite and work my way back in time. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Just The Way You Are by Pepper D. Basham

Heavens to Betsy did I giggle my way through this book. Eisley Barrett feels like every-woman, and she’s on a mission to solve a family mystery. But, in the midst of the mystery-solving, she collides with a movie star with a Vivian-Barry-crazy-past.

May I just say that I love a well-written crazy character? Vivian is definitely that. And Eisley’s take on Vivian is even better. I should make a list of all the creative names that Eisley came up with for Vivian.

Release Date: April 6, 2017 for Kindle

Alongside by Sarah Beckman

Seriously, if you’ve ever watched your friend journey into the Valley of the Shadow of Death and you didn’t know whether to follow or not. This book is for you. Sarah breaks down the level relationship and practical lists of what you can do for others.

Honestly, I really wish that I had read this book a few years ago.

A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken

I’m with you. Why would anyone want to pick up a book entitled a severe mercy. Doesn’t that sound absolutely awful? And yet, this is one of the most beautiful love stories that I’ve ever met. And the craziest thing is that these were real people. Not fictional.

I can tell you all about fictional love, but this type of love that Sheldon shares is more than I could ever imagine.

The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green

You know, it blows my mind that only a couple of years ago, the reality of life was short, hard, and violent. Moreover, the snippets of history shown in these pages shocked me. I kept choking back the words of, “What?! That happened?”

Not only was the plot twisting, surprising, and transformative, it also had some of my favorite ingredients: romance, strong woman, and forgiveness.

Rising Strong by Brene Brown

If you ignore every book on this round-up, don’t ignore this one. Perhaps, I’m the only one who feels that I’ve face-planted into failure more often than success. But if you relate at all to that feeling, Rising Strong illustrates what it takes to push yourself back up. Not only is it a how-to, but this book also is a collection of stories of people rising strong.

 

What Have You Read Recently?

 

Helping too review books is one of the great joys and difficulties in my too-full, yet rich life. When the emails arrive with book suggestions for review. I want them all.

Full disclosure: I received this book free in exchange for a review. My opinions are my own.

Alongside by Sarah Beckham struck me in all the choices that I had, though, because…well, have you read the subtitle? “A Practical Guide for Loving Your Neighbor in their Time of Trial”

Book Recommendation: Alongside by Sarah Beckham

Honestly, Alongside should be required reading for every human who interacts with other humans. And I’ve been telling everyone who listen that I’m reading this amazing book that deals with how to love people who are hurting! In fact, I wish that those surrounding me while I grieved the end of a relationship, dreams, and my grandmother’s death had read this book. However, I wonder if a few of my friends helped to write this book.

If you want to learn how to help people who are dealing with loss, you need Alongside by Sarah Beckham.

About Alongside

Part personal story and how to, Alongside maps the route for offering comfort and swerving around the potholes of unhelpful and even hurtful cliche statements. Alongside shares lists of how to analyze what you can do and gifts. Furthermore, Alongside gives rules of thumb to guide you on the meal-preparation-teams, the hospital visits, and what-not-to-say (we need a tv show for this one).

Alongside STRUGGLES

Honestly, this is going to feel like nit-picking. But I wanted more. I wanted more on how important it is to sit in the dark with your hurting friend.

And I wish that Alongside had the space to include the fact that loss includes more than severe illness, death, and divorce. What about the loss of dreams? A job? A dating relationship? Your world perspective?

Alongside LOVES

I really love this book and I think it could change a lot of potentially painful moments for the better.
LOVED that Alongside uses personal experiences, not only the author’s but also stories from others.
LOVED the easy-to-use lists.
LOVED the simple mantras: “it’s not about you” and “listen; don’t speak” and “don’t get caught in grief comparison.”

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On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, Alongside by Sarah Beckham is a cold glass of full fat milk. It’s thick, refreshing, and nutrient-filled-bone-strengthening goodness.

Alongside challenges readers from page one to take stock of his or her relationship to the hurting person. It’s not about you. And if you want to serve others well, it can never for a moment be about you. More importantly, Alongside emphasizes the gift of listening and not speaking.

Not only do I recommend Alongside, but I think it should be required reading. I know very few people who know how to walk alongside grieving individuals well (and I’m rarely good at it). If you’re struggling to know when and how to care for someone in a tight spot, Alongside is for you.