Mum In The Madhouse - Parenting without stabilisers

I love books, we have them everywhere all round the house.  But often my most thumbed books end up beside my bed.  The ones that I dip in and out of for inspiration, enlightenment and sometimes my general well being.  These are the books that make me happy each and every day and night.

So it got me wondering if this was the same for the rest of you and decided being the nosy person I am , I would love to know what books you keep by your bedside

So what do I have?

Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much – Revised Edition - Anne Wilson Schaef

I first became aware of meditations and positive affirmations before I went for my double mastectomy.  This is the last thing I read on a night and helps me focus.  It is uplifting, insiring and thought provoking and not at all new agey!

My Kindle 

I never thought I would like a kindle, but I love it.  I have just finished reading The hunger Games Trilogy as recommended by Northern Mum.  It has been a long time, since I devoured fiction lack I have this last weekend, I have carried my Kindle with me everywhere I have been and from room to room!

Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy  Sarah Ban Breathnach

Sometimes today’s life can be filled with so many things going on.  This book helps me put things in to perspective and learn to love the simple things in life.

The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder Through the Seasons - Amanda Blake Soule

I aspire to be Amanda.  I want to live her life!  I want to be able to listen to the rytham of my family and the world around us and be more intune with it.  I like this book as it sparks ideas and makes me want to switch off for the very busy day to day life and take time out with my family.

The Write Start: A Guide to Nurturing Writing at Every Stage, from Scribbling to Forming Letters and Writing Stories - Jennifer Hallissy

For me reading and writing go hand in hand and I I want to be able to inspire and encourage my boys to do both to the best of my ability.  This book is great as it gives practical and simple exercises that we can all do.  This book gives me the tools to nurture my boys writing and mine too.

Rip the Page!: Adventures in Creative Writing - Karen Benke

Another inspirational book about creative writing filled with ideas, experiments and encouragement to get mine and the boys writing to flow.

Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy and Wonder - Mariah Bruehl

I am a great believer in learning though play and this book explore this and gives suggestions of ways to do this for children ages 4 to 8.  I use it as a resource for expanding on what the boys are engaged in at a particular time. Learning isn’t a spectator sport and I love getting involved in my children journey and learning with them and love that I can do this by playing.

Festivals, Family and Food and All Year Round: A Calendar of Celebrations (Lifeways)

I want to create traditions and make memories with my family and these books are a great way to kick start ideas.  These books encourage me to follow the seasons and the natural world and stop and look, listen and taste.  They are linked to the Christian calender, but that is not an issue to me. This books are all about getting together and celebrating the natural world and it’s changing seasons.

The Gentle Art of Domesticity: Stitching, Baking, Nature, Art & the Comforts of Home - Jane Brocket

This book is a feast for the eyes.  if you are looking for ways to be domestic then this book isn’t for you, but if you love the  fact that being domestic isn’t a dirty word and delight in doing things well and the small things then you will love this book.

The Books by My Bedside Meme.

I would love some inspiration and am hoping to come out of this with a load of book recommendations.  So here are the rules (do not worry there are not many).  I am going to tag 8 people to do this meme and hope that they in turn will tag people.  If you are tagged, I would love for you to come back and leave me a note in the comments with your post link, so I can come  and have a read.

• Cathy from Nurturestore
• Chris from Thinly Spread, Fab Food and Climbing Rainbows
• Emily from Mummy Limited
• Victoria from Words and Pictures and its a small world after all
• Heather from Young and Younger  and Growing Spaces 
• Kelly from A Place of My own
• Becky from Baby Budgeting and Family Budgeting
• Cass from a Frugal Family and my partner in crime at Frugaliscious Food