Five Must Reads for Moms

It's getting close to that time of year ladies...summer beach read season. And I am happy to report, I've got some great page turners that you'll want to pick up at your nearest bookstore, buy on Amazon or download on your Kindle or iPad (if you're an iPad owner, just know I'm officially jealous). Luckily, since I've been doing a lot of traveling the last two months, I've managed to devour everything from novels to memoirs to a motivational bestseller from Suzy Welch.  So where should you start first?  Well let's dive in, shall we?

1. "The Help" - If you haven't yet read this book by Kathryn Stockett, then what the heck are you waiting for? My girlfriends first told me about this book on our 8:48 commuter train and I actually purchased it in the airport in Los Angeles but didn't get a chance to read it cover to cover until I hopped aboard four flights (yes, four flights) from New York, to Dallas to Puerta Vallarta and back. "The Help" will have you hooked the moment you dive into the lives of Abileen, Minny and Skeeter. The novel is set in the early 1960's and takes an incredibly revealing look at the relationship between African American maids and their female bosses. Some are treated poorly, others like family, but no matter the situation, what is so intriguing is that so many parts of it still ring true today. I did find it tough to get into the book at first since it starts with the voice of one of the maids, but by chapter three, I could not put it down.

2. " If You Knew Suzy" - I read this book by Wall Street Journal reporter Katie Rosman in two days. While it will be officially released at the end of this month, "If You Knew Suzy" is one of those great reads like "Eat, Pray, Love" that will have you hooked the moment you start reading. "If You Knew Suzy" is a memoir about the life of Katie's mom, who ironically, embraced a healthy lifestyle through pilates and yoga, but sadly lost a brave battle to lung cancer. While Katie and her sister believe they know everything about their mom, Katie discovers another side of Suzy when she spends an entire year interviewing all the people who had touched her life - from Michigan to Arizona and everywhere in between. This book will make you laugh and cry and is destined for bestseller status. Best of all, I know Katie and trust me if you knew her, you'd love her too!

3.  "The Opposite of Me" - Pack this book by Sarah Pekkanen in your carry on bag and make sure you have it handy for any beach vacation! The novel centers on Lindsey and Alex, twin sisters who are completely different - or so they think. Alex is drop dead gorgeous while Lindsey is brilliant but self conscious about her looks. When Lindsey makes a major blunder on the job and is fired on the spot, she's forced to return home to Maryland and find a new job before her family finds out she was canned. Along the way, she manages to open her eyes to a new life and career while discovering something about her sister that ultimately brings them both closer together.  My partner in fun, Lindsay Maines actually got the chance to interview Sarah Pekkanen for Lifetime Moms when this book was first released. We recently caught up with her in a NYC hotel lobby and found out that Sarah just finished her manuscript for her second book and has a third on the way!  Trust me when I tell you - "The Opposite of Me" is the perfect beach read and Sarah Pekkanen is a name you'll be hearing about for years to come!

4. "Falling Apart in One Piece: One Optimist's Journey Through the Hell of Divorce" - This memoir by former Redbook editor-in-chief Stacy Morrison is one of those books that makes all of us think about how a demanding career can put a major strain on a relationship - especially when your partner is not necessarily achieving his goals at the same rate you're reaching your own.  Morrison honestly and openly shares the painful story of how her marriage unraveled soon after she moved into a new home with her husband and infant son.  Be warned - this is a heavy read because the story is so raw, but it's also one of those books you can't put down because you can't believe that all these things happened to Stacy over the course of one year!   

5. "10-10-10: A Fast and Powerful Way to Get Unstuck in Love, at Work, and with Your Family" - This motivational NY Times bestseller by Suzy Welch is an incredible read for anyone who is contemplating saying yes to something they really don't want to do.  As a fellow "Yes" person, this book made me stop and think about the decisions I now make on a daily basis.  If I say "Yes," how will this affect me 10 minutes from now, 10 months from now or 10 years from now.  Suddenly, once you start putting your life and your goals in perspective, you'll stop and think the next time you make an important decision in your life.  This book helps you navigate the decision making process for your career, your parenting skills, your friendships and your relationship with your spouse or loved one.  I read this one in a day and a half and have to say, I've been saying "yes" a whole lot less!!!!

Check back soon when we offer must-reads for mothers and daughters and if you have a great book to recommend, then we want to hear from you!