Love is in the air!
Overbooked: February Book Recommendations
FOR MOM:
The Five Love Languages
Written by Gary Chapman
Do you know your love language? What better way to discover how to love the people in your life than to explore the different ways we all give and receive love? This books explores the five different ways people experience love (tokens, tasks, touch, time, & talk), and guides the reader to develop ways to intentionally love on family and friends. The book’s primary focus is love between romantic partners, but the concepts are easily translated to intentionally loving parents, siblings, children, and friends.
I first read this book nearly twenty years ago, and it truly stands the test of time. Being aware of your own primary love language as well as that of those close to you, is a true asset in forging relationships with perspective and balance.
For example: I had just gotten out of a long term relationship when I picked this up for the first time. One of the ongoing arguments he and I would frequent revolved around me asking him to take the dog on a walk before I got off work, and every night him waiting until I was done working to walk the dog together. Upon reading this book, I learned that my main love language is tasks (or acts of service), but my ex-boyfriend’s love language was time. AHA! I wanted him to show me love by taking the dog out (i.e. checking that off the to-do list for me), but he wanted to show me love by spending time with me (i.e. walking the dog together).
Acknowledging the love languages outside romantic relationships has also been wildly beneficial in my personal experience. As I mentioned before, my primary love language is tasks, but the one I score the absolute lowest on is talk (or words of affirmation). Unfortunately for me, this is the primary love language for our youngest. She is always giving compliments and genuinely craves positive feedback. Knowing this, I have had to work on accepting that she isn’t going to experience my love through all the things I do for her, instead she needs to hear me give her verbal praise (oftentimes in excessive amounts IMO). Because this doesn’t come as naturally to me, I aim to be overly intentional with my words for her – it does get easier with practice, but truth be told it still requires some extra effort on my part.
FOR THE KIDS: Chapter Book
This is How I Roll
Written by Debbi Michiko Florence
For the love of sushi! This coming of age story centers around Susannah (aka Sana), whose love of food and family encourages her to strive towards a career as a world famous sushi chef like her father. When she meets a boy who wants to help her show her sushi skills to the world, she has some tough decisions to make. This one is recommended for 8-12 year old readers since there are some concepts (i.e. lying to parents) that come up. Described as a “middle school rom-com” by Kirkus Reviews, the incredibly tame love story also lends itself to upper elementary and middle school readers.
FOR THE FAMILY:
Love You Hoo
Written by Rachel Bright
Without a doubt, this is my favorite book to pull out! My Words of Affirmation girl has been obsessed with this one from the very first time we read it! The upside is, even though it looks very lovey-dovey, it isn’t specific to Valentine’s Day and can be read all year round. Hooray!
Perfect for a bedtime snuggle, this sweet rhyming story reminds the Little Owls in our lives that they will always be loved by their Big Owl throughout all of life’s ups and downs.
Let us know in the comments what your love language is AND which one you need to work on the most!
Let’s Get Reading This February
We hope you find at least one good book from the above list to enjoy this December. If you have a great book recommendation for December, let us know in the comments. Happy Reading!
