More than empty words

Have you ever read a book that literally changed something about how you live or how you think? When I was younger I only read fiction and I know I was shaped by some of the classics I read. Things like George Mcdonald books, Anne of Greene Gables, Little Women and all the other books by Alcott I could get my hands on (i.e. Jos Boys, An Old Fashioned Girl). I love a good fiction book and sometimes think the stories influenced me more profoundly than I realized at the time. The problem for me with fiction is that once I start reading a good book, I have a REALLY hard time putting that book down until I finish it. I'm talking about laundry not getting done, children getting "help yourself" snacks instead of meals and me staying up until 2 or 3 am to read "just one more chapter". Its a sickness, I know, but I can't seem to help it. In high school, my mom would threaten to take away the offending book or declare, "The house could be burning down around you and you wouldn't know it!" In college and especially grad school, I just had to ban fiction all together (unless assigned for a class) or I wouldn't get my school work done. When babies came, I really had to limit the fiction or the house would pile up around me.

Because of my fiction problem, I find myself reading more and more non-fiction these days. Its much easier for me to read a page here or there and then put a non-fiction book down. I get proper amounts of sleep and my house and family can more directly benefit from what I'm reading. So the other day I started thinking about the stand-out books that have changed the way I actually live on a day-to-day basis and I was wondering if other people had that same experience. So, I thought I would share a few of the books that come immediately to mind and ask what your top, life changing books are (besides, the Bible, which of course is at the top of the list). Here are a few of mine by category:
Spirituality
A book I read when I was at Wheaton by Pope Gregory the Great on the spiritual sin of pride. It changed my outlook in ways that I still go back to. I'm not actually sure this is it, but I think it might be:

This book helped me think more about my role as a mother being a calling and how I need to structure my life to reflect my priorities and not the other way around:

















This book confirmed my inclination that children can and should be taught to worship. Probably my most recent read that has impacted our lives. Just ask the kids :)



















The next book blends spirituality and one of my other favorite (needed?) topics, parenting. I read it a while ago and don't own it, but have been thinking I need to read it again. The idea that we can work on our attitudes has stuck with me though, and my kids often hear that they need to do just that.




















A foundational and yet very practical book for me, as I've learned to parent has been this one:


















Also on the practical level would be the Fly Lady book, Sink Reflections. I now try to do a load of dishes every day and two loads of laundry :) We use fifteen minute de-cluttering, too. I'm also trying to remember that ANY cleaning I do blesses my family and I don't need to have a perfect house . . . oh, so many little things do add up to a good thing!






















And last, but not least, the book that spells out some baby steps for getting finances in order and keeping it that way! I wish someone had taught me all these things when I was a teen, but better late than never!






I know that as soon as I post this I'll think of 10 more influential books, but I'm just going to content myself with this partial list. What are some of your most influential/ life changing books? And don't worry, if you suggest a fiction title, I promise not to read it until I have time and no children will be neglected. Ah, glorious summer . . . .

Oh yeah, I didn't even mention my favorite cookbooks! I'll have to leave that for a future post.