Below are my favorites - I’ll try to update it as I discover more!

how to not hate your husband after kids
- i almost didn’t read this just because of the title (“um, I would never hate brett!”) but MAN ALIVE I’m so glad I read it. it has to be one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read, filled with research and studies on marriages, relationships, routines, split responsibilities, arguments, happiness, etc. I don’t even think it’s necessary to have a baby (or a kid, for that matter) to read this book - anyone could benefit. I learned so much.

chasing slow
- erin is forever one of my favorite writers - her words are so calming and soothing. her memoir for stepping out of a fast, frenzied life and downsizing to a slower, more intentional one is always a balm for my soul.
dinner: a love story and how to celebrate everything
- while technically cookbooks, these are two of my favorite, most inspirational reads, all about family togetherness and creating rituals and traditions together. the stories, the tips, the recommendations - i loved them all. plus, jenny has a way with words that will forever be my favorite.
the secret of happy families
- again, full of fascinating research, interviews, and applicable strategies. LOVED this book and the consistent theme that taking the time and effort to create a great family culture is so worth it. so many takeaways here that i absolutely loved. like the family dinner section and how it doesn’t have to be a 6 o’clock meal every night for the rest of your life? and how creating traditions are important and here’s why? LOVE LOVE LOVE.
4000 questions to getting to know anyone and everyone (there’s a newer version you’ll see - but I just linked the one we have)
- I bought this when we were babies and dating (our copy still has the note in it that Baby Haley wrote to Baby Brett) and it has served us so well over the years. Some of the questions are odd, yes. But 90% of them are so good. We’ve used this book to pass the time on many roadtrips, we’ve sent a copy to our best friends that moved out of state for our Facetime double dates, and we brought the book back out recently when we were at home with a newborn during a pandemic and wanted our monotonous at-home dinners to feel a little more date-ish. see this post here!
the lazy genius way
- probably my favorite read of 2020…and maybe of all time. (which is a ballsy statement to make, given that between a pandemic and having a baby, I ‘m reading more than ever it seems.) if you’ve ever been like, “I love how Haley does XYZ, but I don’t know where to start OR I don’t know how to make it my own?” read this book. Kendra and I have similar - if not the exact same - mindsets on routines and habits and priorities and boundaries and making things easier on our future selves and deciding once and and and. it’s all so, so good. i think i nodded through her whole book.
be fruitful: the essential guide to maximizing fertility and giving birth to a healthy child.
- the top thing I did before getting pregnant, as mentioned in my pregnancy + baby prep post, was read this book. I also reread it as part of my things I did to get ready for baby #2. this book influenced a lot of my habits, like taking walks, choosing a prenatal, switching to full fat dairy. i recommend it to everyone.
bringing up bébé + the montessori toddler
- probably the two books that inspired my parenting choices and home environment the most. I love to reread them.
- similarly, I also loved french kids eat everything
how to be well
- I don’t say this lightly: this book changed my life. I was in a really low place making the big change from teaching to my own business (read more about that here), and this book taught me the power of small, consistent habits.
- is it the best book on habits and wellness? no. but I love that this book is like, “Here’s a whole list of ideas to improve your wellness and happiness. Pick and choose what works for you. Try them one at a time, or try a few. Leave whatever doesn’t work for you.” I love that flexibility (and I loved learning that was an option!), as some things in the book I was like, “Whoa. Skip. Not for me.” And even the parts that “weren’t for me” inspired ideas that I wanted to try. Like, it started the ball rolling for me to think of habits I wanted to implement. Life changing.
fair play
- loved this book on why the best, most efficient thing to do is distinctly split responsibilities between you and your partner. lots of interesting research and interviews here about how women tend to carry the load of everything, regardless if they work or not, too. we didnt do the card activity, but this book definitely reinforced and validated the way we split household duties. loved this book.
the millionaire next door.
- my parents often quoted this book growing up. i try to skim it yearly, especially when I feel some social media comparison sneaking in - basically to remind myself living below our means is worth it. the data in this book is absolutely fascinating.
total money makeover
- my top money book recommendation. I love the foundations of this book- we follow, like, 80-90% of what he teaches and I will forever be grateful for his Baby Steps being the guiding light i needed a few years back. if you’re looking for a place to start to feel better about money, this book is it, i also try to reread it whenever i feel social media comparison sneaking in and when I need a true kick in the pants, I listen to his podcast.
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