Miss Jaime Recommends…

Welcome to the MJOT Book Club!

Now that I’m going through cancer treatment, I find I have a lot more time to read these days. The titles listed here are books that I have read, and more importantly—books that have had an impact on my personal and/or professional life.

I have also taken the liberty of making comments about some titles to tell you why I thought a particular title was so darn good. I linked them below for you! Although I may get a modest fee if you purchase using my link, it will NOT cost you one cent extra.

xo~

Jaime ♥

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Do you wish you had more time to read? Or wish you enjoyed reading, but you just don’t? Do you have a child that you wish would read more? I highly recommend Audible to solve all of these problems. Listening to books is a great way to strengthen auditory processing skills and comprehension. If you can’t get your child to pick up a book, try using Audible in the car and on your Alexa or Echo. This is a great way to help your child develop a love of reading. For adults, listening to a book is a great way to pass the time while sitting on the beach (no worry about the sand in your pages or the glare on your screen). I personally use Audible every day as I drive to work. I would much rather lose myself in a good story than listen to the radio. If you have PRIME, you get a free book every month.

If you like e-books, this is another great option for you! Experience the joy of reading like never before with the Kindle Paperwhite. Get lost in captivating stories, explore new worlds, and expand your knowledge with this sleek e-reader. Take your entire library with you wherever you go. With its lightweight design and ample storage capacity, you can carry thousands of books in the palm of your hand. Let the Kindle Paperwhite be your gateway to endless reading adventures.

Book Recommendations for Grown-Ups

Books for Those Who Want to Start Reading

The Letter by Kathryn Hughes. If you haven’t read in a long time, or need a GOOD book to enjoy this summer, I highly recommend this one. It bounces back and forth from the past to the present, and it keeps you hooked! So. Darn. Good. The Secret—another Kathryn Hughes book—and it was really good!

The Secret by Kathryn Hughes

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware. A really good mystery — I highly recommend it!

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. Another excellent mystery — I didn’t even come close to guessing the end!

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. This author always makes me laugh out loud, and this book was so funny I was giggling in public. Yes, I am that girl. If you need a light beach read, this is it!

Books that Inspire and Teach How to Advocate for Yourself and Others

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. If you have a goal in mind – no matter what it is, this book will inspire you to accomplish no matter what the barriers.

Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones. Luvvie Jones is an inspiring advocate for women, minorities, and basically the “good guys”. She tells it like it is and fills you with pride and sass when it comes to doing the right thing. Definitely check out her TEDx Talk, too.

Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis. I listened to this book as I painted my daughter’s nursery – and she made me laugh out loud. Rachel Hollis is a no-nonsense businesswoman, but she is so relatable as a girl next door and mom of little ones. If you aren’t that “soccer mom” who lives for bake sales and PTA meetings, Rachel Hollis makes you feel a lot less guilty about it.

Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power by Brooke Baldwin

Advocacy: Championing Ideas and Influencing Others by John A. Daly. It took me a long time to listen to the whole book, but I learned ALOT. Daly tells some remarkable stories about how important people got things accomplished in the past, and it really makes you think about the importance of “who you know”.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. This is a good beach read—the main character is quirky, brilliant, and beautiful. She has gumption and is determined to raise her daughter to be independent and strong. I’ve heard mixed reviews on this one, but I liked it!

Historical Fiction Books that Inspires Advocacy

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. This is a GREAT story, but the underlying themes really resonated with me – it’s about a woman who wants to go against her “high society” upbringing to fight for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery. It’s based on a true story, and it’s soooo good.

The Nightingale: A Novel by Kristin Hannah. I love Kristen Hannah’s books, and this one is a stand-out. It follows the story of one incredibly strong woman who is determined to make a difference during the war. The strength and bravery “the nightingale” exudes is inspirational and empowering.

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare. The story of a young Nigerian woman who is sold into slavery. Throughout her powerful story, she remains determined to educate herself. The heroine is feisty, determined, and clever—my favorite kind of gal.

Historical Fiction Book to Read during Summer

The Pillars of The Earth by Ken Follett. I read this book years ago, but it was SO GOOD that I’m going to reread it this summer. I remember a friend of mine telling me about it, and when she described it, it didn’t sound very interesting. But it was so good that I literally canceled a dinner date to stay home and finish it! Then I watched the miniseries on TV. So good. It’s a long one, so summer is a great time to get into it. If you’ve never tried historical fiction – go for it! I never liked history or social studies until I started reading historical fiction. There is a sequel to this book, too. Also amazing.

Book that I Love to Read on the Beach

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. This book kept me guessing. It wasn’t hard to follow and it kept me interested. I recommend!

Romantic Book that I Love to Read

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. This is actually a sequel to The Notebook, but you don’t need to read The Notebook. I thought The Notebook was good, but I LOVED The Wedding. If you like romance novels, I highly recommend this one. I cried my eyes out! (in a good way). I also recommend not reading the back—I just picked it up and started reading with no idea what it was about—that made it so much better.

Books that have Interesting Topics for OTs

House Rules by Jodi Picoult. “From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things and the modern classics My Sister’s Keeper, The Storyteller, and more, comes a “complex, compassionate, and smart” (The Washington Post) novel about a family torn apart by a murder accusation.” A riveting story about a boy named, Jacob, and his family’s struggle to defend him when he’s accused of murder.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. This book is considered a Young Adult book, but it is a good read for anyone working with children. It highlights the impact that a single, seemingly typical incident can have on a fragile teen. Our kids are facing a mental health crisis nowadays, and this book provides real insight into what preteens and teens are dealing with.

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman. This book really explains why people act the way they do in relationships. Some people give gifts, other shower their loved one with compliments. Reading this book will really open your eyes to how you show love, as well as how you prefer to receive love. It can put an end to a lot of fights, too!

The Out-of-Sync Child, Third Edition: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Differences by Carol Stock Kranowitz. “The groundbreaking book that explains Sensory Processing Differences (SPD)–and presents a drug-free approach that offers hope for parents–now in a newly updated third edition (2022).“

Handle with Care: A Novel by Jodi Picoult. Jodi Picoult writes about a mom struggling to raise her daughter with significant health issues, specifically “osteogenesis imperfecta”. True to her usual writing style, it’s a page-turner!

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively by Gary Chapman. I recommended the adult version of this book above. This is written with a similar theme, but is geared toward helping parents understand their children’s behavior and needs. One child needs lots of words and compliments to feel loved, while another needs quality time. It’s insightful and

Books that I Love for Business Advice and Information

E-Myth Mastery: The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World-Class Company by Michael E. Gerber. My #1 recommendation for anyone looking to start a business. I wish I had read it earlier – it’s a must read for anyone who’s interested in being a business owner.

She Means Business: Turn Your Ideas into Reality and Become a Wildly Successful Entrepreneur by Carrie Green. This author is a super cool British chick who started her own female business owner coalition. This book offers a lot of actionable advice for goal-oriented women.

The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau. Starting a business is not for the faint of heart, but it can be for those without startup capital. This book provides stories of MANY successful companies that skyrocketed to success without a ton of money.

Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger. This book was very interesting- there were some definite “aha” moments. I finished this book with a renewed understanding of advertising, marketing, and the customer experience.

Smart Women Finish Rich, Expanded and Updated by David Bach. I try to read this book every few years, and every time I read it, I make new changes in regard to my finances, spending, and planning for the future. David Bach makes learning about money ALOT easier. This is a book to own – so you can highlight, bookmark, and make notes in the margins.

The Automatic Millionaire, Expanded and Updated: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich by David Bach. Very similar to “Smart Women Finish Rich”, but not geared towards women. This book helped me to buy a condo, save for retirement, and travel the world. Most recently, I credit this book with advising me to be “insurance” heavy. The AFLAC cancer insurance that I have is a big help right now.

Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free by Terri Cole MSW, LCSW. “The most successful and satisfied people on the planet have one thing in common: the ability to create and communicate clear, healthy boundaries. This ability is, hands down, the biggest game changer when it comes to creating a healthy, happy, self-determined life.“

The Unspoken Truths for Career Success: Navigating Pay, Promotions, and Power at Work by Tessa White.