The other day a friend asked me what I’ve been reading, and I was somewhat surprised to realize they’re all by bloggers.

Here are my top picks. Check them out and then let us know what you are reading!

Bringing Order (and Joy) to “Mommy Days”

The book: Steady Days: A journey toward intentional, professional motherhood by Jamie C. Martin of Steady Mom 

In a nutshell: “If we don’t love what we do as mothers, our children notice quickly. Our attitudes, positive or negative, influence them in a matter of minutes. How can we convey our love for them? By choosing to enjoy the daily tasks we perform, embracing the moments that will never be back again.”

This book is full of concepts and strategies to loving the work we do as mothers so we can embrace more moments.

Favorite tip: The idea of life seasons. As in, there are a million things I want to do but cannot—right now—because this is the season of me as a mother to very young children. Thinking about the difficulties I am facing as a season helps tremendously, and also helps refocus and “ground” me.

There are also tons of helpful resources like daily routines for moms with children of different ages, and completely do-able tips like “Ask yourself, ‘What one area would improve my life and my children’s lives if it had more order?’ Start there.”

As I look back through my long list of Kindle highlights, I realize I need to re-read this, and often.

Getting it together (all of it)

The book: One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler by Tsh Oxenreider of Simple Mom

In a nutshell: As the woman behind Simple Living Media admits, trying to live a simple life can be pretty complicated. Here, she draws from almost 900 blog posts to present bite-sized tips on how to get everything in your life in order, from your finances to your digital photo library. Beautifully designed with tons of suggested resources for digging deeper, this is an ebook I’ve actually printed out and put in a 3-ring-binder so I can reference it often.

Favorite tips: How to make your own composting bin for $15 or less (stay tuned for a look at mine!). A series of questions to help you articulate your annual goals. And how to organize your photo collection.

On Blogging

The book: Simple Blogging: Less Computer Time, Better Blogging by Rachel Meeks from Small Notebook

In a nutshell: Learn how to blog better, faster, without taking time away from your two biggest priorities: your kids and your sleep.

Favorite tip: Don’t try to come up with blog ideas during your (teeny tiny window of) writing time. Instead, come up with ideas when you are washing dishes, driving, etc. Make quick lists about what you want to cover in your next post. That way, when you finally get the time to sit down at the computer, you are ready to write. (And no checking Pinterest until your post is published!)

On Stepping it Up

The book: 30 Days of Twist and Pin Hairstyles by Christina Butcher of Hair Romance

In a nutshell: For the first time in years, I can feel my hair on my shoulders. This is also where I always whack it off. So to help me get from here to there, I’d love to start doing fun things with it. And thanks to this lovely Australian blogger and her step-by-step instructions, I just might have long hair again one day.

Favorite tip: Your hair is your best accessory. You should have fun with it.

How about you?

What books by bloggers (or otherwise) are you reading? Post a comment!

The little patter of footsteps racing toward your bedside the second they wake up.

When their grandpa asks, “What things do you really like to do?” they answer, “Play with my mommy and my daddy.”

They love work. They absolutely love it.

Their time-standing-still magic of showing them something new, like roasting marshmallows, or the stomp rocket.

Picking out their food, clothes and friends.

Their idea of a great time is when you chase them around the park in front of other kids.

Effectively shielding them from people, places, and things you don’t care for.

It’s a given that they’ll take your side, like when that “bad man” yelled at me in the parking garage. My 3-year-old  still talks about how that bad man is in jail.

When they proclaim, “This is so much fun, mommy!” after you present them with two bowls, some beans, and a pair of tongs.

That they play with their pink dollhouse with no sarcasm or irony.

The absolute absence of sarcasm and irony.

If given a choice of apples or candy, most of the time they’ll choose apples.

How they want to go everywhere and anywhere with you, whether it’s hunting for autumn leaves or taking out the trash at the office.

The softness of their skin, the sweetness of their smell, and their little slobbery kisses. (Totally sentimental but I couldn’t resist.)