Last October I was sent the above pictured 5 books with the request that I read and evaluate all of them within 2. 5 months as a judge for the Books for a Better Life Awards. You can imagine that my holidays weren’t spent going to many holiday parties, but curled up on the couch, reading. I can’t complain. The books I had to judge were damn good.  The Books for a Better Life Awards recognize self-improvement authors whose messages are aligned with the Southern New York Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s mission of inspiring people to live their best lives.

The list of 50 finalists has become my Book List for the next year….or two. Out of the 10 categories, including childcare/parenting, (my category),  first book, green, inspirational memoir, motivational, psychology, relationships, spiritual, wellness and, personal finance, I circled more than 35 books that I HAD to read. I think you might find some will make your Reading List too.

Last night was the the actual awards ceremony, hosted by Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC News’ “Good Morning America”. I was dying to find out who won in the Childcare/Parenting category since I had spent a better part of my fall consuming and examining these books.

These were the finalists in the Childcare/Parenting Category:

• The Curse of the Good Girl is an insightful book that observes how girls feel pressure to be a “good girl”. As a result, girls are less likely to know how to negotiate, express their true opinions and contribute fully. The author provides ideas, games and thoughts about how to teach girls to break the “curse of the good girl.”

• The Lost Child is a heart-breaking book about the convergence of two major events in a British novelist’s life: the discovery of her son’s drug addiction and her research of a child artist for her next book. She takes us through the intimate journey of her decision to practice tough-love in response to her son’s addiction.

• NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children won the award (see below). The authors look at scientific studies in child development that have been overlooked. Their observations and conclusions are insightful and fascinating.

• Saving Sammy: Curing the Boy Who Caught OCD is a courageous work by a mother of her son’s sudden illness from a regular tween to a child with severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Tourette’s and a number of other ailments.

• Stepmonster: A New Look at Why Real Stepmothers Think, Feel, and Act the Way We Do is a book I ended up giving to a parenting coach and recommending to two of my friends.  It is a helpful guide to all stepmothers out there to understanding the complicated union of women and their stepchildren.

Without further ado, here are the winners for the Books for a Better Life Awards: (which I recommend for your Book List)

Childcare/Parenting
NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, Twelve Books/Hachette Book Group

First Book
Josie’s Story: A Mother’s Inspiring Crusade to Make Medical Care Safe by Sorrel King, Grove/ Atlantic, Inc.

Green
Just Food: Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly by James E. McWilliams, Little, Brown and Company

Inspirational Memoir
Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder, Random House

Motivational
Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life by Gail Blanke, Grand Central Publishing

Personal Finance
The Difference by Jean Chatzky, The Crown Publishing Group

Psychology
Connected by Nicholas A. Christakis M.D., Ph.D. and James H. Fowler, Ph.D., Little, Brown and Company

Relationships
You Were Always Mom’s Favorite!: Sisters in Conversation Throughout Their Lives by Deborah Tannen, Random House

Spiritual
Writing in the Sand: Jesus and the Soul of the Gospels by Thomas Moore, Hay House

Wellness
The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite by David A. Kessler, M.D., Rodale Publishing

To see the full list of nominees, and make your entire Book List for the New Year- check it out here.

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