I’m so excited about my new Cosy Corner I could burst!
Isn’t it beautiful? Inspired by all the images I have been saving on my Pinterest board, I finally got my very own corner of hand-craft shelves painted in Fired Earth’s muted Gin and Tonic. I couldn’t think of a better home for my books.
I’m a little a crazy about books.
OK – a lot crazy.
My name is Lisa and I’m a Bookworm. Ever since I can remember I would devour books in one sitting. Growing up they were my saving grace, my teachers, my friends and my safe space. If life got tough I’d dive into a book. Mostly Enid Blyton. I loved The Enchanted Wood and The Magical Faraway Tree.
I would read the same ones over and over and over again. I would draw the tree and picture it in my head.
What about you? What did you love to read? How does that influence your life now?
Kindle or Real Book?
What do you prefer? I bought a Kindle but I couldn’t get on with it. I wanted to hold a book in my hand. I get comfort from them and sitting around them I feel very safe and secure. I didn’t have a transitional object like a teddy or a blankie and this is why. I feel happy in libraries where the books smell divine and call to you as you scan each shelf. ‘Pick Me! Pick Me!’ It also has to be said that no screens in the bedroom means that when it’s time to go to sleepy nun nights, only a real book will do.
As a life long learner, I have quite a few books on the go. A bit of light reading on my night stand – Cecelia Ahern, Catherine Alliot and Marian Keyes and on the coffee table more worky stuff: Psychologies Magazine, How to be Happy by Anna Barnes, The Artist’s Way and a box of my Smiley Thought Cards of course.
Summer is definitely the time to learn
You can learn something new or catch up with all the things that fall to the bottom of your list. Currently, on my to do list it says ‘finish vision board, promote book and write blog for the Huffington Post!’ Believe it or not, it’s a great time for coaching and lots of people don’t get it – read my latest blog post which asks: Are You Breaking Up with Me this Summer?
hen I’m coaching, I have an amazing collection of books that I use to help my clients find their way. I know what they did for my life and I so want to share my favs with you because I think they will come in really handy over the Summer.
Check out my free Reading + Resources Library!
Oh before I do, if you want to buy one of these books, you can do so through my Amazon Affiliate link which means I will be rewarded for being super helpful and pointing you in their direction, you can check out my Reading + Resources Library to find out what other books I use in my work. Here they are in no particular order:
1) The 5 Love Languages of Children by Ross Campbell + Gary Chapman
If you haven’t worked out your child’s love language, you are missing a trick. If all children want is your love and approval, you have to make sure you are loving them in the right way.
2) My Magical Garden By Terri Allen + Jacqui Gray
This is one of the newest additions to my book collection. I met the lady who wrote it at a Spiritual Fair whilst getting my aura photographed and buying more crystals (I have one for every occasion). It helps children create a safe space – their magical garden where they get to choose what they put in there. Each element of their garden – the lights, the water feature, the animals, the flowers has a meaning which is all decoded for parents at the back.
3) 10 Mindful Minutes By Goldie Hawn
A really well put together and easy to read book on how you can bring mindfulness into everyday life. It isn’t just closing your eyes and chanting OM. It’s the way you wash up, the way you eat and walk. Mindfulness is an essential part of emotional mastery so when Summer meltdowns begin, you’ll know what to do.
4) The Invisible String
I talked about this in my latest episode of Dear Smiley which was all about separation anxiety. This is a great way to explain to your child how you have a unique and beautiful heart-to-heart connection which doesn’t change if you are with each other or not. If you are going away without your child or they are off to Summer camp and are getting wobbly, this book was written for you.
5) Have you Filled A Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
If your kids are asking you for stuff or making demands on you, this is a great way to focus positive behaviour and appreciate life – you might like to listen to this episode of the podcast too. Bucket filling and dipping are effective metaphors for understanding the effects of our actions and words on the well being of others and ourselves. Are you a bucket dipper or a bucket filler?
6) What to Do When You Worry Too Much by
If you’ve read my blog post What are the top 3 worries I see in my coaching room every week? you will know that this is a hot topic in Smiley’s coaching room. If you have a worry wart in your house (or maybe you are one), this is a must-read. It will help you and them.
7) Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber +
What is it they say? You don’t have to attend every argument you are invited to! Ain’t that the truth? This one is going to come in handy with all those Summer squabbles that you might find yourself refereeing. Conflict is part of healthy relationship. You just have to learn about compromise and how to fight fair. Most families and children argue about the same things. Listen to me talk about that, and what is really going on beneath the conflict in this episode of Truly Madly Smiley.
8) Smiley Thought Cards
Ok this is not a book but it’s on my book shelf and some of my clients use the brilliantly versatile Smiley Thought Cards for reading practice at bedtime. How cool is that for internalising all those happy thoughts and improving your vocabulary. There are Lots of Ways to Instantly Create a Happy Vibe in Your Home using this little box of magic and you can pick up your own box from my online shop. You might also want to whizz over to You Tube Channel and watch me using the cards to help children find their confidence and develop a growth mindset.
9) Rediscover the Magic of Parenting in a Busy World
‘Rediscover the Magic of Parenting in a Busy World’ would be perfect to carve out a new routine during the summer break. This is a practical step-by-step guide which will get your family back on track.
It gives you ONE – just one (!) new thing to try each day to bring more peace and harmony to your family. 37 pages of Smiley’s best kept secrets broken down into bite-sized chunks so you don’t get overwhelmed. I want you to make positive lasting changes. It also comes with a progress tracker and 2 bonus coaching videos that deep dive into love languages (see book 1).
10) Stuck Between Two Worlds – a heart-warming story about dealing with anger and anxiety for kids
Oh my – here it is! You didn’t think I was going to leave this one out did you?! My first kid’s novel. I’m so excited to share this with you. This is for all the Wildhearts who feel misunderstood, angry and like they don’t fit. You can follow one girl’s magical journey from feeling angry and lost to feeling confident and happy.
Get my free guide today!
