Disclosure: I received these books to review. The post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine .

Mind candy fiction is good, but sometimes I just want to read a book that lets me leave with something more than a sigh. This week, several books gave me food for thought. If you need a feel good moment, check out one of these titles!

There have been many dogs in my life, all of them special and dear. Maybe that’s why Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace made such an impact on my heart. Many of us can learn something from a sweet dog. Whether it’s a lesson of loyalty, happiness, or simple joy, dogs have much to teach. STAY is more of a devotional book with Hannah as the inspiration, rather than a straight-up biography of a dog’s life. Author Dave Burchett uses his experience as a lab’s companion to relate his connections with God. The result is self-reflection that can benefit even the most hardened of hearts. The most meaningful message for me was found on page 189, when Burchett went on a walk with his dog Maggie. Seeing a potentially harmful obstacle in her path, he pulled her away. Maggie interpreted his actions as though she had made an unintentional wrong. Burchett reassured her that she was okay, and they went on their merry way. How often do I become confused when God pulls me back, seeing something in my path that might cause pain or heartbreak for me? Do I trust that He has my best in mind, or do I doubt and resist? STAY made an impression on my heart, and made my hug my own dog just a little closer.

Life lessons from successful people seem like they could provide good tips for success, right? In It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who You Are, we get to read about author Pat Williams’s experiences as he gleans advice from the influential and famous. I’ve met a few famous people in my life, but have nothing noteworthy to share about the experiences. I act like a total fangirl in those situations. Now that I’ve read It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who You Are, I have a better plan for the next time I encounter a celebrity! The book is a true study of lifeskills and character; an educator could easily incorporate this book into a one-a-day lesson on success. The book is heavy on the sports references, so a person who isn’t into the NBA probably won’t recognize most of the names mentioned in the book. There is still plenty to take away from the book, though. Recognizing opportunities and planning for success require an extra gear that certain people have. Williams has a gift for identifying that which makes these successful people tick, and he shares the tidbits with us. Personally, I’m not all that interested in celebrities or fame, so name-dropping didn’t impress me. What did make an impact on me was the consistent theme of goal setting and gratitude that many of these successful people shared. The stories are very short, often less than a page, so they’d be great for sharing as a sermon vignette or devotional message.

Finally, the book How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You? puts a mother’s words into God’s perspective. You’ll likely recognize many of the statements in this book, either as something you’ve heard from a maternal figure or maybe a phrase you use with your own children. Author Rachel Carman seems like she truly values motherhood, using it as a background for her relationship with God. She seems like the queen of Love and Logic parenting, dodging the discipline when a word of reason will do instead. Each short chapter offers a moment of introspection, with several questions that encourage self-reflection. Carman’s thoughts are supported by scripture, taking Biblical application seriously and appropriately. As the title might suggest, this book is targeted to parents, although some of the messages could also be applied to non-parental figures. It’s helpful, though, to realize that God’s message is for EVERYONE, parent or not! So even if you don’t have children, you can still have a meaningful experience with the book How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You?