A Book for Every Season of Life
Whether you're a middle-aged momma navigating the tug between aging parents and growing kids, a retiree reflecting on legacy and purpose, or simply someone craving deeper connection in your relationships—this book list was curated with you in mind.
Each title offers a unique lens on love, loss, growth, and the quiet power of everyday moments. From Josie Balka’s tender reflections in I Hope You Remember to Atul Gawande’s compassionate exploration of aging in Being Mortal, these stories will stir your heart and spark meaningful conversations. You’ll find comfort in Katrina Kenison’s The Gift of an Ordinary Day, empowerment in Mel Robbins’ Let Them, and a touch of magic in Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Before the Coffee Gets Cold series.
There’s something here for every generation and every kind of reader:
1. The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison
A poetic reflection on motherhood, growing families, and the fleeting nature of everyday moments. “The relationships, hopes and dreams that Kenison illuminates will touch women’s everywhere as they try to make peace with the inevitable changes ahead.”
➡️ Perfect for parents (mostly moms) who want to slow down and capture life as it happens.
2. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
A compassionate exploration of aging, memory, and how families can preserve dignity and meaning through life’s later chapters. “Shows how the ultimate goal is not a good death…but a good life – all the way to the very end.”
➡️ Ideal for retirees and adult children navigating aging parents and legacy conversations.
3. I Hope You Remember: Poems on Loving, Longing and Living by Josie Balka
This book of poetry is a reminder of what’ s important in our lives; love, family and hope. Her words are so carefully and thoughtfully chosen. Her voice is so mesmerizing, I encourage you to follow her on Instagram. Once you start listening to her, you won’t want her to stop!
➡️ Ideal for anyone believing in the power or family and themselves. Or those that need a little reinforcement.
If you haven’t heard of this book or listened to the Mel Robbins podcast yet, you may be living under a rock. I consider myself a BIG cynic to life coaches and self-help books. But, admittedly, I am one of the ‘millions that can’t stop talking about this book.’ It’s been a game changer in many of my relationships, including one with myself. It’s an eye-opener and a “oh, I get it now” books.
➡️ Ideal for anyone feeling frustrated with or want to improve any relationship in their life. It has a positive impact on both people – the one reading the book and the one being thought of during the reading!
5. Before the Coffee Gets Cold, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
This is a book series about a time-travel café. Visitors can go back in time, but there are strict rules – you must return to the present ‘before the coffee gets cold’. Each series features beloved customers that want to go back in time for various reasons – so they can take back a comment or action, say goodbye, or ask something before the memory fades. It’s translated from Japanese, it’s a little quirky, but a great read and makes you think – what would you do if you could go back in time?