Bekah's Book Recommendations

Dream Big by Bob Goff

This is such an uplifting book helping us to see the big things and how to pursue them.

1. Here are my top three takeaways:
   Dreams aren’t out of reach — we just need to define them for ourselves.
2. Bob’s stories are what prove it’s possible. He walks you through how he pursued some big dreams, and it helps you navigate how to make it happen in your own life.
3. Dreams don’t have to be about saving the world; they could just be about saving your neighbor.

I love this quote from the book, too: “Don’t think that you need more knowledge. What you need is an opportunity.”

Click here to get Dream Big by Bob Goff, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Oh, this book kept me up late at night. I could NOT put it down. So much history and depth of characters!

My top three takeaways:

1. I learned so much history about the Dust Bowl and how people survived and lived.
2. It made me think about what strife really is — the sheer devastation that the dust caused families and how they journeyed on anyway.
3. Connection with humans, whether neighbor or family, are so important, as well as the boldness it takes to stand up for what is right — even when under extreme pressure.

Click here to buy The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

The Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile

This book helped me understand the Enneagram so much better! It’s my favorite book for learning anything about the Enneagram.

My top three takeaways:

1. There are nine types of personalities, and each one is an image of God.
2. It helped me understand harmful patterns and traits in myself and how to work through them.
3. It helps me show compassion in my relationships when I understand their Enneagram type and how to better relate to them.

I like this quote from the book: “The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image.”

Click here to get The Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

Soundtracks by Jon Acuff

I love all books by Jon Acuff. He is a brilliant writer that uses humor, research and stories to totally engage his audience. I always walk away with things to implement immediately, and for the better!

My top three takeaways:

1. Overthinking has derailed the majority of my decisions — not laziness and not fear.
2. I learned to recognize the messages I was telling myself and how much of a bully I was being to myself!
3. It’s possible to make NEW soundtracks that will aid me and not derail me!

I love this quote from the book: “Sometimes the most powerful words we say are the ones we say to ourselves.”

Click here to get Soundtracks by Jon Acuff, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

The Bible Recap by Tera-Leigh Cobble

This book is what got to me to finally dig deeper into my Bible and understand more of what I was reading.

My top three takeaways:

1. The context matters! If you understand the history, the characters, and the dynamics it is easier to understand the current verses and upcoming chapters!
2. It does not replace the Bible, but it gives direction and context to what you are reading.
3. Isolating the word without knowledge of the author will only confuse and may even contradict what God was saying. Each word matters!

I love pairing this with my Bible each morning and the format of how she sets it up to read. I also enjoy her eight-minute podcast talking about the day’s reading!

Click here to get The Bible Recap, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Oh this book — you will NOT be able to put it down. The two sisters' journey through the French Resistance is so gripping!

My top three takeaways:

1. I love the theme of sisterhood — what it means to have a sister and the bond that never breaks, no matter what hardship, no matter what circumstance, no matter what relationships get in the way.
2. How to fight for what’s right. Even to death.
3. It made me think about the full circle of life, that everything that happens in your life will come back full circle when you reflect and continue to live it.

The ending of this book has got to be my favorite ending of all time. Kristin Hannah could not have done a better job. I could reread it 100 times to keep experiencing this book and the profound tale she tells.

Click here to get The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

Dump Dinners by Cathy Mitchell

I love this cookbook for quick and tasty weeknight meals, and BONUS: they are easy enough for kiddos to learn the recipes.

My top three recipes:

1. Deep Dish Pizza Kids love to pick different toppings each time.
2. Chicken and Dumplings: (The easy way!)
3. Beefy Biscuit Bake: It tastes like biscuits and gravy but for supper!

My top three takeaways:

1. It’s not overly complicated.
2. She provides pre-made mix recipes you can make in bulk, like ranch dressing, taco seasoning and onion soup mix!
3. The kiddos can follow the steps and ingredients VERY easily.

Click here to get Dump Dinners by Cathy Mitchell.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn

This cookbook is my go-to for birthdays or just a sweet treat for family on weekdays.

My top three recipes I use again and again:

Orange Creamsicle (the title alone!)

Lemon Buttermilk Cake:

Kathy’s Cinnamon Breakfast Cake (for Sundays with company we love this!)

My top three takeaways:

1. You probably have the ingredients — nothing fancy.
2. It makes cake a notch above a box cake, but not so time consuming you give up.
3. Food really does unite loved ones, and a cake on Tuesday after school can cheer a kiddo up after a bad day. :)

Click here to get The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook by Phyllis Good

I LOVE this cookbook because I love crockpot recipes and because it was a gift my cousin got me as a wedding gift.

My top three recipes:

1. Absent Cook Beef Stew: My family LOVES this on cold nights.
2. Hungarian Goulash: This one’s great for something a little different than my traditional goulash.
3. Ann’s Rice Pudding:This is so yummy as a dessert with little effort but big taste!

My top three takeaways:

1. I like that there aren’t pictures — more room for recipes, and there are more ______ recipes in there!
2. The crockpot is my best friend for busy weeks.
3. There are recipes for breakfast, lunch, supper and dessert!

Click here to get the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook by Phyllis Good.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

Love Ledger by Rebekah Scott

I loved creating this journal for busy moms still desiring somehow to journal to their kiddos during these busy years and capture those fleeting moments.

My top three takeaways:

1. You can be intentional about journaling in the most simple way — just a paragraph daily, weekly or monthly — whatever fits your desire to write.
2. There is no guessing on what to write; there are prompts to help guide you.
3. It helps connect you to the child during those years because you capture changes, no matter how tiny or big. It allows you to take the time to reflect on the kiddo.

Click here to get The Mothers Love Ledger by Rebekah Scott.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni

We use this book in our family life each week. We try to run our family with more structure so we can enjoy one another with purpose and less in survival mode, just hanging on.

The Three Big Questions:

1. What makes my family unique?
2. What is my family’s rallying cry right now?
3. How can my family use the answers to these questions today, next week and next year?

My top three takeaways:

1. If we treat our families like a business with goals, objections and reviews, we are able to enjoy one another better and aim at similar results to benefit all family members.
2. Intentionality is key while raising a family. We wouldn’t spend a day in the office not knowing what we needed to do to achieve success. When we decide what success looks like for our families, we can be intentional about achieving it.
3. Narrowing down to one or two things (max) that we can work on with each kiddo is SO much more approachable than trying to work on seven or eight things. It allows for more progress and life lessons to really sink in rather than trying to hit ALL the things we want them to learn. It removes the pressure and allows us to focus on just one or two things.

Click here to get The Three Big Questions by Pat Linchineo, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

The Gist by Michael Anderson and Timothy Johanson

This is one of my favorite parenting books of all time!
Here are my top three takeaways:

1. When talking with your kids, you get three sentences before it turns into a lecture.
2. You don't want a “gamer” in your basement at the age of 26, so how do you parent now and direct life circumstances while they are under your roof?
3. We can help them navigate difficult situations without doing it for them. We can use phrasing like, “If this was me, I would _____.” It offers guidance while instilling essential life skills such as problem solving, adaptability and empathy.

Click here to get The Gist by Michael Anderson and Timothy Johanson, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube. 

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

This book has changed the way I organized my brands and the cash flow. I think of it like Dave Ramsey, but for businesses. It provided me with so much more clarity about money and how to make it, use it and implement it within my brands. A MUST read for business owners.

My three takeaways:

1. Profit shouldn’t be the end result but the first priority.
2. You must know your numbers, and he will teach you not only what they are but HOW they work.
3. You cannot grow what you don’t understand.

I use this book’s concepts every single week without fail. I grew my brands significantly once I understood the concepts and could grow the brands by his principles.

I like this quote from Profit First: “Putting your nose to the grindstone is a really easy way to cover up an unhealthy business.”

Click here to buy Profit First by Mike Mikalowitz, and here for the audio version.

 Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

Equipped to Execute by Rebekah Scott

I wrote this book to better explain my systems and how to use them to help your family feel more joy, peace and simplicity in managing our roles.

My top three takeaways:

1. It simplifies life to have systems well-run together with intentionality so we don’t feel overwhelmed by all the things.
2. It will encourage you to know you are fit to do ALL the roles you were given. God knows you can do this, and He has provided all the time, space and intention to see you do it with joy!
3. The book is a gateway to understand the five systems we have developed. It serves as a taste of what you can do once you understand the systems. The systems are tailored to what works for your unique family — a framework to work off of and adjust to your own family.

Click here to get Equipped to Execute by Rebekah Scott.

Click here to take the Encourager Academy: a digital course to deep-dive into the five systems that will drastically change how your family operates so you can have more joy, time and simplicity. 

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

The Secret Society of Success by Tim Schurrer

This book was so good for me at a time when I was really questioning how to move forward with my version of success and not have so much hustle. It allowed me to relax and feel validated that my version of success is OK and that getting to “the top” won’t necessarily satisfy me.

My top three takeaways:

1. The top shouldn’t be the goal, but rather “who are you serving, and how well?”
2. The key to success is serving. How well can you do that?
3. When we truly serve our customers and teams we will feel real satisfaction.

I love this quote from the book: “Chasing success or recognition for notoriety is a recipe for a meaningless life.”

Click here to get The Secret Society of Success by Tim Schurrer, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

The More of Less by Joshua Becker

This is the second book I have read by Joshua Becker, and I again was shocked at how I was viewing “things!” He reminded me that things don’t truly matter, but rather who we are with and who we are serving. Relationships and serving others will satisfy us, but things never will.

My top three takeaways:

1. Life is about more of what matters and less about what doesn’t. We are free to really deep dive into what truly matters (it’s most likely not a “thing”).
2. Is saving money what we really should do? Will saving for our someday negate how we can help someone now? (This one is VERY challenging!)
3. I gleaned how to be intentional about relationships and less intentional about things — that serving one another, understanding one another, and caring for another will multiply our joy like things never can.

The beauty of minimalism isn’t in what it takes away. It’s in what it gives.

Click here to buy The More of Less by Joshua Becker, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

Trust by Henry Cloud

This book helped me understand my own trust issues and allowed me to enter into relationships, whether new or old, with more knowledge of who they are and how to operate within those relationships. It showed me what grace looks like within relationships and how to be wiser when seeking to understand.

My top three takeaways:

1. Henry Cloud is one of my favorite authors because he not only backs everything with LOADS of research, but he tells a story so you can follow it easier.

2. Trust is five things:

• Trust is built through understanding.
• Trust is built through knowing intent.
• Trust is built through ability.
• Trust is built through character.
• Trust is built through a track record.

3. It helps me be wiser with decisions for both home and work life. I am less quick to decide and longer to discern.

Click here to get Trust by Henry Cloud, and here for the audio version.

Click here for a playlist view of the books I reviewed on YouTube.

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World.

Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy.

Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul In These Turbulent Times.

Talking with God: What to Say When You Don't Know How to Pray.

2 Chairs: The Secret That Changes Everything

The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)

Taste of Home Everyday Sheet Pan: 100 Recipes for Weeknight Ease

Sheet Pan Suppers: 120 Recipes for Simple, Surprising, Hands-Off Meals Straight from the Oven

The Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cookbook: 100 Delicious No-Fuss Meals for Busy People

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts

A Woman After God's Own Heart Growth and Study Guide

What Am I Feeling?

Bringing Up Boys

Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Women

Don't Make Me Count to Three

Little Pilgrim's Big Journey: John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress Fully Illustrated & Adapted for Kids

The Compound Effect (10th Anniversary Edition): Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth

Building a Story Brand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most