Read in public and you will have engaging conversations with one’s seeking the how and the why.    It’s an open invitation for even the shyest of book worms to ask, “what are you reading?”   I love to witness readers in pursuit of a big reveal.   I can’t help myself. I have to ask, “what are you reading?”   I want to join them in their journey.   Isn’t that why readers read, to get to THE book, or that part of the book that hooks you and reels you in.   I love the moment when, sitting by myself, I burst out in laughter while reading.   My own personal public thank you moment given to the author.   It’s also my invitation to join me in the joy.   Some may think me absurd. No worries.   I read in public because this is when I can {{squeeze}} it into my busy life; hockey & soccer practice, lunch, before games, halftime of games, airports…… It’s a priority now, but wasn’t one most of my life.

What Books are in your Tote Bag?

So recently, via Facebook, I asked, “What are you reading?”  You responded.  I’d say you’re pretty passionate about the books you like.  I know this feeling and it is a feeling I wish to magically transplant into my daughter.  She, as I, at her age, did not take to reading.  I keep telling her to continue the search.  There will be that one book that will hook you and keep you on the pursuit for the rest of your life.  I guess it was really that way for me about 3 years ago.  My life coach said I needed to live a little and ditch the self help books for a while.  Up to that point the books I read were nonfiction “how” books.  As it turned out I needed a good dose of “why” books, which came in the form of fiction.

How or Why Books and Questions?

Recently Don Miller posted this article on his blog, Why the Bible is a Tough Book for Americans.   In the post Don challenges us to examine what types of questions we have of life.   Does our culture shape us to only ask “how” questions.  As Don states, ” Advertising is part of the reason we have become a how culture. Commercials make us think we need things, and then the dominant question (thus the story we end up living) is about how we get what we think we are missing, so we wake up every morning wondering how we are going to get ahead, how we are going to get paid and so forth.”   The small questions are the how questions.  The big questions are the why questions, like why do I exist?   What is my purpose?  And now that I really think about this, as I write, the light bulb goes on for me.  I have often said,  The WHY must be big enough to learn how to move forward with any endeavor.   What  is your why?  If you have the WHY the HOW becomes much easier.

Reading for the Question More than the Answer

This how-why theme must be an important thing for me to  understand as I am presented with it today in the book I am now reading, Speaking of Faith,   Why Religion Matters and How to Talk About it by Krista Tippett.  “Science like religion is about questions more than answers – questions and more questions that meet every new answer as soon as it is hatched.  It’s not so much true that science and religion reach different answers on the same questions of human life, which is how our cultural debate has defined the rift between them.  Far more often, they simply ask different kinds of questions altogether, and the responses they generate together illuminate human life more completely than either do alone.”  As with Don’s insight about the Bible, Krista gives perspective to religion (spirituality) and science (day to day business).

So, I conclude, as does Krista Tippett,  that we need both “how” books and “why” books.  Put footsteps (how) to your prayers (why).  Write your prosperity (why) plan before your business plan (how).  Quality (why) first.  Quantity (how) second.  Why and How compliment each other, so mix it up, which includes your book selections.

Without Further Delay, Your Book Recommendations

Links to all the books are provided at the end of the post in Modern B*a*g Ladies Recommended Books Amazon Store.  Browse the recommendations and other resources provided.  Also share your favorite books in the comments.

My niece Mollie recommends, “The Glass Castle.”  I loved it because it proves that life, after all, is all about perspective.

FaceBook Friend Ruth Ann Hogue, an author herself recommends Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays with Morrie.”  It is still among my favorites although it’s been years since I first read the story of Morrie Schwartz. It’s actually just as a much a story about the author as it is of his subject. I first came across it while doing online market research for a book of my own, a” Goodbye, Walter”. Of course, I had to go buy it immediately. I’m glad I did. You can find Ruth Ann on Twitter at @ruthannhogue.

Michelle Larson Stimpton also recommends “Tuesdays with Morrie.”  It is  my all-time fave. Why? Because it’s the ultimate story of life and love. You can find Michelle on Twitter at @LifeShineCoach.   I met Michelle on twitter, which allowed me to meet her in person at one of her Coffe with the Coach Sessions.

Another Facebook Friend Dannyn. I have 2 books that have really touched me in the past few years. The first, which blew me away, is “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Translated from the original Spanish, and set in Barcelona, it is a Gothic style tale of a young boy, Daniel, who finds a book and becomes fascinated with finding it’s author. He finds out that all other copies of this book have been destroyed, and there are forces around him who are willing to go to great lengths to obtain his copy. The Shadow of the Wind is a mystery, a love story, a thriller, and ultimately a love letter to literature.

The second book is called “The Book Thief,” by Marcus Zuzak. Ostensibly a Young Adult book, it has some rather heavy thematic elements to it. It is set in Germany during WWII, and the protagonist is a young girl named Leisel who is left at a foster home in a small town. She doesn’t speak or react, having just lost her brother on the way there on the train.  Dannyn can be be found on Twitter at @Edalji

Another niece, Tashina recommends, the following.  “Broken for you”,  A group of very different people who find healing through destroying symbols and repurposing them into beautiful art.   Ooooh. “Daughter of Fortune”, Isabel Allende! Tashina must really like that one.

I met Selma in NYC this January at an event with Martha Stewart Omni Media.  She has a fabulous business Wooly Boo.  Woolly Boo® is a mother/daughter team that makes all natural crib bedding, crib sets and sleep sacks or wearable blankets for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.  Selma recommends, “My Life in France” by Julia Child and  “Possession” by A.S. Byatt

Christina says, “Oh, Kim, I have so many favorite books. I loved “Water for Elephants”, “Little Bee”, “When Things Fall Apart”, “Eat, Pray, Love”, oh, and so many more. I can’t wait to see what other’s put, need to get more books added to my “need to read” list.”  Christina is an contributing author to the online resource The Survivor Manual.  Read her articles here.

Christa of GiggleOn shares a funny book, “Are You There Vodka?  It’s Me Chelsea.”  “Made me laugh out loud and you know me, I am laughter addict! giggle on – LOL”  I’ve read this one myself.  I often imagine what it would be like to live in the imaginary world of Chelsea Handler.  Christa is @GiggleOn on Twitter.

My  health food store, gal pals of Hopes Harvest shared some favorites as well.  I eat lunch there at least 3 times a week.  I love the atmosphere as much as the food.  Susan owns the store and recommends, “You Are What You Eat” along with anything by Eckhart Tolle, such as, “A New Earth”.  Linda knows so much about healthy foods.  She recommends, “Genotype Diets” by Pete J.D Adamo.  This book helps you categorize your genotype and what types of foods are best for your type.  Maureen recommends an author, Elizabeth Berg.   Robin recommends, “East of Eden”, as it relates to the the human condition of good and bad.

All My Favorites….

I have my favorites of course.  Water for Elephants was my baptism to fiction.  I lucked out on this one because it is SO good.  Christina agrees apparently.  The day after my life coach said I needed to read fiction I went to the book section at Target.  Two other gals were browsing and could tell I was in a fix.  Both pointed to “Water for Elephants.”   In this book I found many surprises along the way and it made me think about what I would do if I really had to.  The book is set during the depression. A few more favorites include,  “The Help” and “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.”  I have added all of my book recommendations, AND yours,  in the Modern B*a*g Ladies Amazon store below.

Click on the image below to browse all book recommendations.

A Few More Notable Book Resources

Owning Pink is a community for women who gather to get there  MOJO (more joy) back.   They have gathering a great list of book recommendations and have a link to their Amazon store.

Here’s a great blog for Kindle owners, The Kindle Reader.

Business book recommendations from the Conversation Agent – Three Inspirational Business Books

Lynn Tolson, author of Beyond the Tears, A True Survivors Story, has some great recommendations and book reviews.

Share your book recommendations with your friends on Good Reads.  Find me on there along with your other friends.