I love reading. So much so that even if I fall into bed at 1 am with a baby I’ll still read. Even if it’s only two sentences before I can no longer keep my eyes open. I love reading many things. Mysteries, self-help, parenting (can I get an Amen?), biographies, teen fiction, picture books, magazines, cereal boxes…you name it.

However, I don’t always have time to read books as soon as they arrive in the mail. I often have a stack sitting beside my bed for months and then I power through ten the next month. Life happens, you know.

Here’s what I’ve been reading lately…

1. Just Tell Me What to Say by Betsy Braun Brown

Every parent needs this book! I’m not all the way through yet, but am close. It’s a collection of situations most of us will encounter at one time or another with scripts of what to say to kids. By way of a preview, here’s a list of the chapters copied from Amazon.com because I was too lazy to type them myself and thought you’d like to see them:

1. SMALL TALK IS BIG TALK. Communicating with your children
2. “TOMMY JUST DOESN’T LISTEN.” Discipline do’s and don’ts
3. “IT’S ALL MOLLY’S FAULT.” Sibling issues
4. “HOW MANY BITES `TIL I CAN GET DESSERT?” Children’s eating habits and behaviors
5. “GET YOUR FINGER OUT OF YOUR NOSE!” Manners and social graces
6. “IT’S NOT FAIR!” Day-to-day parenting dilemmas
7. “HOW DID THE BABY GET IN YOUR TUMMY?” Learning about the Birds and the Bees
8. “WHY DID MOMMY’S HAIR FALL OUT?” Talking about serious illness
9. “WHY IS MY GOLDFISH FLOATING IN THE TOILET?” Learning about death
10. “MOMMY AND DADDY HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU.” Talking with your children about divorce
11. “IS THE FIRE GOING TO COME TO OUR HOUSE?” Answering questions about natural disasters, terrorism and war.

Seriously? Buy it.

2. The Ultimate Tea Diet by Mark Ukra and Sharyn Kolberg.

Not quite done, but loving it! An easy read and very interesting. I am tempted to put my espresso machine away. Not going to happen, but it’s tempting! I am not going to go on the tea “diet” but I am going to make an effort to drink a little more tea though. Whether I lose weight or not, it will help me stay hydrated. The book also includes some recipes that I’d like to try when I have time to cook again. Apparently there are craving teas that will keep me away from those blasted chocolate chips in my freezer. I’ll let you know how that goes.

3. How to Eat Like a Hot Chick by Jodi Lipper & Cerina Vincent

Not really my kind of book. It was a fast read, though, so I did finish it. It seems to be geared toward a 18-23 year old bar hopping self-absorbed young woman who works at the mall, has no education and doesn’t mind being called a chick. You know the type. And I don’t mean that as an insult to anyone who does any of those things individually. It’s the three together plus the bar hopping that might make you an ideal candidate for this book. I know a lot of young girls who would love this book, and I’ve given my copy to one of them. Also, they’re all pursuing an education so maybe I’m wrong about the whole audience thing. There are some great tips in the book, but the brownies before bed and a pound of spinach for breakfast thing? Not so much.

4. Release Your Brilliance by Simon T. Bailey

Again, I’m not quite finished this one, but am enjoying it. Simon uses the analogy of a diamond to show you how to recognize your calling in life and how to move toward it. He teaches how to conquer your fears while being the best you that you can possibly be. Each chapter contains exercises to help you apply the principles taught and challenges to keep your mind on track. I am reading it mindlessly but would love to read it again when my career is more of a focus in my life again.

Edited to add:

5. The Ultimate pH Solution Just started this one last night and am LOVING it! Apparently the reason I feel like crap is my pH and there are a lot of things I can do about it. By cutting out refined sugar, drinking hot lemon (which I love and have been doing since my mom read this one before me over Christmas while here waiting for Bella to be born) and more I can reduce my risk of cancer, osteoporosis and all sorts of other nasties. I can’t wait to finish this book tonight!

And the reason I’m about not quite finished any of those? (Aside from the toddler and the newborn, of course…)

His Dark Materials.

We saw The Golden Compass on the big screen and I was inspired to read the box set. Well, that and the fact that there are churches up in arms about it. That always makes me want to buy something. I hate closed-mindedness. These books are fantastic! Even better than the movie.

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What have you been reading? Anything you’d recommend? Not recommend?