Young woman sitting on the roof of a house in the woods reading a book

Bookshelf What We’re Reading at House of Thrive

Child

Book cover for Wilma Jean the Worry Machine

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook

Recommended for: Child

Why we recommend it

We love how this book addresses the physical feelings of worry. Worry does not only affect a child’s thoughts; worry, anxiety, and apprehension create physical symptoms as well. Many kids will relate to all the things Wilma Jean worries about. Through humor and hilarity, Wilma Jean the Worry Machine shows children how to take control over their fear and anxiety. Great for Wilmas of all ages!

Available on Amazon
Book cover for What Do You Do With a Problem?

What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada

Recommended for: Child

Why we recommend it

What Do You Do With a Problem? does a great job of letting the reader know problems are not necessarily bad; sometimes, a problem can teach you something about yourself or can help you find a different path to a solution–problems actually hold many possibilities. What Do You Do With a Problem? is a fantastic book about how to be resilient and how to persevere in the face of obstacles. Ultimately, this story helps children learn what to do when they think they can’t do anything and how to build their self-esteem.

Available on Amazon

Tween and Teen

Book cover for The Clique

The Clique by Lisi Harrison

Recommended for: Tween and Teen

Why we recommend it

Mean Girls meets Middle School in The Clique… Reluctant readers love this series because it’s fun, funny, and relatable. Are the characters always nice? Do they always do the right thing? No and no. But they learn, grow, and improve the way we all do. One misstep at a time. This 23 book series is a great mother-daughter bookclub selection as it’s loaded with teachable moments and discussion topics.

Book cover for girl stuff.

girl stuff. by Lisi Harrison

Recommended for: Tween and Teen

Why we recommend it

There’s nothing like seventh grade to test the bonds of friendship. Fonda, Drew, and Ruthie are about to find out how much it stinks to be lied to, to be left out, and to feel like you’re the only one who cares. But they’ll also find out how meaningful female friendships are, and how great it feels to be yourself.

Available on Amazon
Book cover for Nat Enough

Nat Enough by Maria Scrivan

Recommended for: Tween and Teen

Why we recommend it

This graphic novel deals with hard friendship issues, like making friends and losing them. Your tween will enjoy the graphics and learn how to love and appreciate themselves for who they are. We love the themes of self-acceptance and empowerment.

Available on Amazon
Book cover for The Pack

The Pack by Lisi Harrison

Recommended for: Tween and Teen

Why we recommend it

A pack of best friends navigate first crushes, new friendships and more at their school for girls with animal powers! Along the way they learn the importance of owning their personal powers and celebrating their individuality. A perfect series for young readers who struggle with identity and finding their place in the world.

Book cover for Stuff That Sucks: A Teen's Guide to Accepting What You Can't Change and Committing to What You Can

Stuff That Sucks: A Teen's Guide to Accepting What You Can't Change and Committing to What You Can by Ben Sedley, PhD

Recommended for: Tween and Teen

Why we recommend it

If your teen is suffering from self doubt, depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem get them this book. We really like how it talks to the teen in a way that they can relate to. It speaks to them as capable people.

Available on Amazon

Young Adult

Book cover for The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay, PhD

Recommended for: Young Adult

Why we recommend it

The twenties can be difficult as you are just starting off in “the real world”. Work, relationships, personality, identity and even the brain can change more during this decade than at any other time in adulthood. This book gives you tools to help with the big changes that may arise when starting out in the world.

Available on Amazon
Book cover for Adulthood for Beginners: All the Life Secrets Nobody Bothered to Tell You

Adulthood for Beginners: All the Life Secrets Nobody Bothered to Tell You by Andy Boyle

Recommended for: Young Adult

Why we recommend it

This book gives funny and useful advice for young adults who are stressed because they think they are supposed to have it all figured out in their twenties. It offers real life solutions to situations and helpful advice on how to manage this new adult world. Our favorite thing about this book is the author’s witty sense of humor.

Available on Amazon

Adult

Book cover for The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time

The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time by Alex Korb PhD.

Recommended for: Adult

Why we recommend it

For those that deal with depression this book offers effective ways to get better. The author empathetically expresses how just one little step at a time can make all the difference. He offers many small, practical things you can do to alleviate symptoms of depression. This book explains how and why depression can take a hold of someone. We love how the author makes you feel like everything will be okay, that you, depressed and all, are okay.

Available on Amazon
Book cover for Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith

Recommended for: Adult

Why we recommend it

Reading this book covers it all! It teaches you how to manage your anxiety, deal with criticism, cope with depression, build self-confidence, find motivation and learn self forgiveness. We like that the solutions she offers are in bite size nuggets that are easy to digest.

Available on Amazon

Parents

Book cover for Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous and Independent Children

Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous and Independent Children by Reid Wilson, PhD, and Lynn Lyons, LICSW

Recommended for: Parents

Why we recommend it

This one is a must read for parents with anxious children. It takes you through a series of steps for things you can do to increase independence and lower anxiety. It also sheds light on some of the things parents do that increase anxiety in their children and helps you understand why doing such behaviors create or perpetuate the anxiety.

Available on Amazon
Book cover for This Is How It Always Is

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

Recommended for: Parents

Why we recommend it

We love the realistic portrayal of how this family copes with loss of a dream. Parenting can be challenging, especially when you have a child that society may not accept. Five-year-old Claude, the youngest of five brothers, knows who he really is–a girl. The desire to pretend that your family is just like everyone else’s is real, yet Claude’s parents struggle with protecting their children and modeling how to be true to themselves. This is a compelling story about self-expression and how parents support each other through challenging times.

Available on Amazon