I’m grateful to be able to read. And to read a favorite book, again and again, is a wonderful gift.
I have many favorite books – both fiction and non-fiction.
What about you?
What are some of your favorite books?
Which books do you read and re-read? Are there any favorite stories from when you were a child that you’re now introducing to the next generation?
I’m sharing the Narnia books with our grandboy…
What about non-fiction books?
Do you read mostly fiction – or non-fiction? Or are you like me, you read everything, even cereal boxes! (If it’s in print, I must read it!) I’m grateful to read a favorite book – even if it’s over and over and over.
Here are three of my favorites book about being thankful:
Choosing Gratitude
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss — description from Amazon:
“By intentionally thanking God and others, bitterness and entitlement are replaced with joy and the humble realization of just how undeserving we really are.
To not choose gratitude is more costly than we usually realize. When we do choose a lifestyle of heartfelt, humble gratitude, we are mindful of the benefits received from our gracious Savior and those He has placed around us, and our joy becomes full.”
Includes a bonus 30-day plan of journaling, prayer, and activities to help the reader on her or his path to joy.”
This is a book I re-read every few years (this year I will again). One year we did a study of this book with a few from my little church congregation. Obviously, as the description notes, this book is from a deeply Christian outlook. You can read more by clicking here.
The Little Book of Gratitude
by Dr. Robert A. Emmons PhD – description from Amazon
“Gratitude is the simple, scientifically proven way to increase happiness and encourage greater joy, love, peace, and optimism into our lives.
Through easy practices such as keeping a daily gratitude journal, writing letters of thanks, and meditating on the good we have received, we can improve our health and wellbeing, enhance our relationships, encourage healthy sleep, and heighten feelings of connectedness.
Easily accessible and available to everyone, the practice of gratitude will benefit every area of your life and generate a positive ripple effect.
This beautiful book discusses the benefits of gratitude and teaches easy techniques to foster gratitude every day. It also includes an 8-week gratitude plan.”
This truly is a “little” book – but easy to read and filled with activities. It’s steeped in positive psychology and he feels the process of being thankful is a human experience – Robert Emmons seems to be a leader in this field. I appreciate the ideas, but don’t necessarily agree with all his thoughts. Click here to read on Amazon.
The Gratitude Diaries
by Janice Kaplan – description from Amazon
“On New Year’s Eve, journalist and former Parade Editor-in-Chief Janice Kaplan makes a promise to be grateful and look on the bright side of whatever happens. She realizes that how she feels over the next months will have less to do with the events that occur than her own attitude and perspective. Getting advice at every turn from psychologists, academics, doctors, and philosophers, she brings readers on a smart and witty journey to discover the value of appreciating what you have.”
This book made me laugh and ponder. It’s written as a year-long diary of the writer’s experiences focusing on different aspects of her life. She talks about her life as a wife and a mom, and her interactions as she researches the concept of thankfulness. I was entertained and informed. It’s a fun book that makes you think. Click HERE to read more on Amazon.
Have you ever read a book about gratitude?
What are some of your favorite books?
This is part of the series of posts about being thankful for 30 days in October 2020 – you can read the original post here. At the end of October you’ll be able to download the entire document (8000 words, along with digital journal tags.) Have you subscribed to PositiveThanksLiving?
Check out the video I made about using my mom’s buttons, having the courage to actually cut up some music paper… *gasp! and more… Click HERE
I generally don’t read novels twice. Oh, sure I have read some of the greats twice- because I read them the first time 60 years ago- and needed to refresh my memory. Non-fiction books are read once- but since I highlight/mar the tome, it’s easy to find information that needs refreshing without devouring the same book twice. OR thrice.
I think you would like a book called The Thank You Project by Nancy Davis Kho. I wrote about it on my mother’s nostalgia blog. https://findingmymom.wordpress.com/2020/07/07/the-thank-you-project/
Your topic is timely, as I’m finding it hard to feel grateful during this pandemic.
Thank you for the suggestion, Virginia – I’ll check it out! And yes, being thankful is like a gift for ourselves also… and the people around us.
The books I tend to read again and again are books about hygge, decorating, style and color analysis. I will re-read parts of books about faith, but not whole ones. Starting at about junior high, though, I did have a novel I read once a year until college. I still remember what it was about, though I couldn’t recount the entire story.
I don’t read as much as I use to. I really need to get back at it. I loved you videos! I love turned old things into something new.