I didn’t get to do as much reading as I’d hoped in March. In fact, I fell pretty short from my list of 12 books I’d planned to read in March, but that’s life sometimes, isn’t it?! 🙂
7 Books I Read in March
- Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages
- Balancing It All
- The Antelope in the Living Room
- Fifteen Minutes
- Debt-Free Living in a Debt-Filled World
- Chasing God
- Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom
My Two Favorites:
Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages — I already blogged about this book, because I couldn’t wait until this post! 🙂 If you’ve heard me give my Say Goodbye to Survival Mode presentation recently, you’ll remember that I read the Fantastic Five for Him from this book. I loved the five simple but highly impactful things Shaunti shares that wives can do to show their husbands they love him. And my husband (and other guys I’ve asked) have agreed that the list is spot on!
If you are married or planning to get married, do yourself a favor and get a copy of this well-researched book. It’s filled with encouragement and practical ideas on how to have a happier marriage.Even if you don’t agree with everything in the book, I’m pretty positive it will make you step back and examine how your actions and attitudes toward your spouse.
The Antelope in the Living Room — If you’re looking for a fun and light-hearted read on marriage, I recommend this book. It’s not deep and filled with a bunch of steps on how to have a better marriage, but it’s laugh-out-loud funny. Not only did I laugh (out loud) multiple times while reading the book (which doesn’t happen too often for me!), but I read some of the parts out loud to my husband and we had a good laugh over them together.
AC says
My favorite March read was Tsh Oxenreider’s Notes from a Blue Bike. Inspiring, challenging, thought-provoking…absolutely loved it and still chewing on it weeks later.
Jen says
I read several books you had recommended, but my favorite was yours! Got it from the library and soon after realized I needed to use my swagbucks to buy a copy as I want to reread it as I’m applying the concepts. Thanks so much for all the time and energy that went into writing it as it was a huge blessing to me!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, you’re so sweet! This comment meant so much to me!
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
Thanks for sharing – I love to get new book ideas and I’ll be adding these to my on-going library list! Here is a list of my favorites for March: http://behealthybehappywellness.com/2014/04/march-book-review/
Crystal Paine says
Thanks for sharing your link!
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
You are welcome – hope to share some more good book ideas with everyone!
Audra says
I read Bonhoeffer’s biography by Eric Metaxes. I could hardly put it down. It challenged me as a mother, to consider the worldview I am bringing my children up in (it had a lot about his childhood) and it was fascinating to see how Bonhoeffer’s ideas and faith developed, and how they informed his actions and choices in such a dark time in history. Highly recommend it!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for the recommendation!
Melissa Kaiserman {A Time for Everything} says
I finished Samson last week. Boy, was that a hard one, but I was prepared going into it because of what you shared last month. I, too, did not realize the extent of what was inflicted at Auschwitz and the unimaginable depravity of some of the men in charge. Heartbreaking.
I needed something a little lighter after that, so I started on A Gathering of Finches by Jane Kirkpatrick since I found it at a thrift store and have enjoyed a few of her books in the past.
For nonfiction, I’m reading Romancing Your Child’s Heart by Monte Swan.
Crystal Paine says
Yes, so heart-breaking. But I’m really glad I read it.
Lu says
I actually read two from your list but it looks like you didn’t read either one. I read “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day” and “Traitor’s Wife” – both were excellent. The first one really caused me to do some thinking about how complicated life is and how in reality complicated life = blessing. Although I enjoyed Traitor’s Wife, right now I can’t even remember what it was about. I read too many books and then sad to say, often I don’t remember what they were about until I review the back cover or the flaps. I know, sad!
Thanks for your recommendations Crystal. I don’t know how you could possible read 12 books in a month when you have so much going on so don’t beat yourself up. Seven is still amazing. My goal is always two per month and I feel good when I accomplish that.
Crystal Paine says
I’m slowly working my way through In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day and *loving* it!
Nancy says
Right now I am reading Joey’s Story (about finished), by Ruth Ann Stelfox. All I can say is WOW, it’s a true story and you will need your tissues close by!
Michelle @ Book Coffee Breathe says
I read Lee Strobel’s The Case for a Creator in March. It was very interesting! Have you read any of his books? I’m curious to hear your thoughts on them.
Thanks so much for the recommendations. I haven’t read either of these, but I just added both to my wishlist. 🙂 I need a good laugh, so I’ll pick up The Antelope in the Living Room first!
Crystal Paine says
I’ve read two or three of his books, but it was a long time ago.
brandi says
I just wanted to leave a note to thank you for your encouragement to read. I tell my students all the time, 20 minutes each night, but rarely do I do the same (shhh, don’t tell them). I also love that book recommendations from you are Godly books, or at least are absent of the sexuality that so many books have today. It’s overwhelming to go to the library and try to find the gems a midst the trash.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!
Charlene @ A Virtuous Woman says
I’m a pastor of a small church and don’t get a lot of “just because”, reading in, but The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson has revitalized my prayer life, and David & Goliath: Underdogs, MIsfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell has caused me to rethink some of my past “failures”. I highly recommend both of them!
deborah says
I just started Surprising Secrets to Highly Happy Marriages and I love the Fanatastic Five for Him list, too. Little thing {or things that seem little} do matter so much! I’ve thought that for a long time. The whole proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back idea! Little things can be a deal breaker or maker.
The Antelope in the Living Room is sitting in my Amazon shopping cart waiting to be ordered sometime soon hopefully! I love Melanie’s sense of humor and I loved Sparkly Green Earrings.
I was checking out your Pinterest boards of books this morning. 🙂 I like getting reading ideas from other people around internet land and I often resonate with books on your lists.
Have a great weekend!
Crystal Paine says
I’m so glad you’ve found some of my book ideas helpful! Yay!
marshan says
Uhh… I meant to say, I read your book this month, not this morning. ha!
Crystal Paine says
🙂
Sheri says
Thank you so much for these recommendations. My children are 9, 7 and 5. Do you have book recommendations for them also? I love your blog and your book!
Crystal Paine says
You can check out this post for some ideas (and check the comments on that post, too!):
https://moneysavingmom.com/2012/06/qa-any-tips-for-reading-aloud-to-my-children-or-recommended-chapter-books.html
marshan says
LOVED Antelope in the Living Room. I’m with you. I laughed out loud multiple times. Loved it so much that I had to and read Sparkly Green Earrings too!! Love them both. Also read your book this morning. Great stuff!
Maria says
Crystal,
What did you think of “Balancing It All”?
Crystal Paine says
Hmm, it was a light and quick read. I found the background on Candace and how she manages her busy life to be interesting.
Tracy says
I read your book Say Goodbye to Survival Mode and The Warrior by Joyce Swan. Both are life changing! Yours teaches other how to live out Proverbs 31. The Warrior opens your eyes to allow you to see God working in the background of the people you are praying for. My prayers are more fervent and bold. My Bible study is more enlightening. My health, home, husband, family, finances, and days are all better after reading these books. If you haven’t read them you’re missing out! Thanks Crystal for all you do! It is greatly appreciated.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for sharing — and for your kind encouragement!
Leanne says
I read six books in March but my two favorites were A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner and Quiet by Susan Cain. Now I’m reading Boundaries which I’ve been meaning to get to for a long time.
Crystal Paine says
I’ve been meaning to read Boundaries for a long time, too! Must get to it soon!
Amy says
Boundaries is one of my favorite books!
Ginger says
Those are some fantastic reviews! I’ll definitely be adding them to my GoodReads list. Thank you so much for sharing your recommendations! 🙂
Becki @Running with Team Hogan says
I sadly don’t think I actually finished any non-fiction books in March, but I’m in the middle of The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages, the Love Dare for Children, and David Jeremiah’s “What are you Afraid of?” I’m enjoying all of them, but seem to keep moving between them without finishing. Any progress is progress. I’m hoping to finish 2 of these in April as well as read something else.
Yvonne Reynolds says
Mission Drift by Peter Greer and Chris Horst of HOPE International, very interesting read about organizations that have drifted from their original core purpose and those who have stayed true to their founding. Really, really enjoyed it!
Crystal Paine says
Oh, thanks so much for these recommendations!
Victoria says
I really liked “The Listener” by Terri Blackstock. It is a short read but very impactful. I also loved “More or Less” and “Enough” both had me thinking about how much excess I really have and what to do with it.
Amanda says
Among many other titles, I also read Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages based on your recommendation. I am really glad I got it from the library and didn’t spend cherished budgeted Amazon money on this title. Although it isn’t bad, it’s just a whole lot of “heard that a hundred times already.” I was really disappointed in the fact that I didn’t have a thing to write in my notes notebook after reading the entire thing! There are many other incredible titles I would suggest instead, including Love and Respect, Intimate Issues, Sacred Marriage, Love and War, and Every Woman’s Marriage.
Crystal Paine says
I’m so sorry you were disappointed with it, but glad you got it at the library. Thanks so much for sharing all those other titles — I’ve only read one of them and hope to read the others in the not-too-distant future.
Cheryl says
Hi! I love all to see all your titles and I keep a list of them to read (usually from the library or kindle) I can hardly wait to read the 2 you mentioned. I love to cook and am currently reading, The Mom 100 Cookbook: 100 Recipes Every Mom Needs in Her Back Pocket by Katie Workman, interesting and fun read. I’m also reading For Women Only, Shaunti Feldhan. Thanks again for your wonderful blog, I use your recipes all the time!