30. The Survivor's Club: The Secrets And Science That Could Save Your Life by Ben Sherwood

This is not a book I would have picked up on my own, but a lady in my book club chose it for the month of May. Even though I was a little reluctant to read it, once I got started I couldn't stop. I found the book absolutely fascinating. The author, Ben Sherwood, had gone around and interviewed all these people who had survived crazy things. Then he tried to figure out why they survived or what factors contributed to their success. The book is organized into different things that affect your survival and different kinds of situations. For example, there is a whole chapter on surviving plane crashes, and one on how much God and your faith affect your chances. Just the true stories of the people who survived are worth reading. The people survived everything from jumping off the Golden Gate bridge to being attacked by a mountain lion to a horrendous knitting needle accident (seriously, knitting needles can be very dangerous--who knew?) My favorite part is obviously the stories, but the tips on surviving difficult situations were almost as interesting. And I think the overall tone of the book is very positive and uplifting: not "look at all the horrible stuff that can happen to you" but "here's what survivors do and you can do it too." I really liked it and would recommend it to anyone.

78. A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Future: Twists and Turns and Lessons Learned by Michael J. Fox

I picked up this book because it looked interesting. Turns out it is written as a gift book for graduates. I liked it ok. Fox tells about how he dropped out of high school and never went to college, but felt that a lot of his experiences taught him what he would have learned in these more conventional ways. Fox tells a little about his struggle as a young actor, his battle with alcoholism, and his more public battle with Parkinson's Disease. He really has a remarkably positive outlook on life. The only thing I don't like is the occasional bad language. It's a short little book that is fun to read. I wouldn't buy it but it might be worth checking out from the library.

67. If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard: And Other Reassuring Truths by Sheri Dew

I listened to this book on CD. I vaguely remember reading it a while back. I really like it. Sheri Dew is honest and to the point, and she doesn't try to sugarcoat things. She also has great stories. I just like her way of discussing the gospel. This book definitely made me want to be a better person and rely on the Lord more. I would recommend it to anyone. I even thought of having Kate listen to it as a good example of a righteous woman.

27. Whom the Lord loveth: The Journey of Discipleship by Neal A. Maxwell

This is a collection of short essays by Elder Maxwell on how we can become better disciples of Christ. When I say short, I mean really short, as in 4 pages or less. I liked this format because it was almost like reading a thought of the day and using the essays as a jumping off point for my own thinking on whatever the subject might be. It also makes it easy to pick up the book any time you have a spare minute. Elder Maxwell was a masterful writer and had a talent for using large words in complex sentences without being wordy, or sounding showy. The way he combines words really makes your mind twist and bend to understand all his subtle meanings. He discusses everything from "Intellectual Humility" to "God's Character and Purposes." There is just so much good, interesting stuff that I would highly recommend picking it up.

18. Just Hold Me: Embraced by the Savior's Love by Don H. Staheli

This is a short little book on the power of the Savior's love and atonement. It is very uplifting and heartfelt. He talks a lot about ways to embrace the Savior in your own life, and overcome the hardships of life. I liked it but felt it was a little wordy at times. Overall, I thought it was worth the read. I like to pick up these little books with hopeful messages. I can always use more hope in my life.

11. One Bright Shining Hope: Messages for Women from Gordon B. Hinckley

This a great hopeful book. The pictures are beautiful and the quotes are inspiring. This is the second time I've read it and I've loved it both times. Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"We honor best those who have gone before when we serve well in the cause of truth."

"To you women of today, who are old or young, may I suggest that you write, that you keep journals, that you express your thoughts on paper. Writing is a great discipline. It is a tremendous education effort. It will assist you in various ways, and you will bless the lives of many--now and in the years to come, as you put on paper some of your experiences and some of your musings."

"Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine."

"Some years ago I clipped an article on Commander William Robert Anderson, the man who first took a submarine under the North Pole from the waters of the Pacific to the waters of the Atlantic. It was an untried and dangerous mission. In his wallet he carried a tattered card with these words. "I believe I am always divinely guided. I believe I will always take the right road. I believe God will always make a way where there is no way."

"Be not afraid, only believe." (Mark 5:36)

"You did not come into the world to fail. You came into the world to succeed. You have accomplished much so far. It is only the beginning. As you move forward on the trail of life, keep the banner of faith in self ever before you. You may not be a genius. You may not be exceptionally smart. But you can be good, and you can try. And you will be amazed at what might happen when in faith you take a step forward."

9. Daughters of God by M. Russell Ballard

This is a collection of 3 talks by Elder Ballard about women. Two focus on motherhood and one on women in general. They are very uplifting and inspiring to read, especially all together. I also liked the photography in the book that goes along with the talks. It is a nice little gift book from Deseret Book.

89. Esther's Gift: A Mitford Christmas Story by Jan Karon

This is the second Christmas short story based on Jan Karon's Mitford series. This time, one of the residents of Mitford, Esther Bolick is contemplating her annual baking of several orange marmalade cakes as presents for her neighbors. However, she makes the mistake of asking her husband to figure out exactly how much each cake is costing to make. It turns out to be a staggering amount and she must decide which is more important: the money or the joy the cakes bring her neighbors. It is really a fun book and made me think about the intangibles at Christmastime.

84. I Hate It When Exercise is the Answer: A Fitness Program for the Soul by Emily Watts

This is a really cute little book. It is organized into 31 chapters of spiritual insight and goals. Each chapter tells some personal stories of how the author came to each insight and then at the end of the chapter there is challenge or goal for the reader to try to improve in that area. It was funny and made you think. I didn't actually try many of the goals but I wouldn't mind going back and rereading and rethinking the book. I liked it.

81. Redefining Joy in the Last Days by Chris Stewart

This was another book in Deseret Book's Time Out Classics series. And, just like all the others I've read, I really liked it. (One of the reasons I picked it out at the library was because it was in this series.) The author explores what it means to be happy, and how we can be happy when everything isn't necessarily going the way we think it should. He had some interesting points and I found the book hopeful and would recommend it. I like these little books because they make me think more positively about life in general.

80. When You Can't Do It Alone: Take the Savior's Hand by Brent L. Top

I really, really liked this book. It wasn't what I was expecting but I really liked it. Basically, the author tells about how he had a nervous breakdown when he was serving as a mission president, and how he made it through. I think I could relate because I feel like I'm always on the verge of a breakdown with my kids, so it was interesting and informative to read his story. He had some great insights on mental illness, depression, etc. Anyway, the book really made me think and I would recommend it to anyone.

76. Change It Up! (Looking Differently at the Change You Want--and the Change You Don't by Amanda Dickson

This book explores the whole idea of change. I really liked it. It made me think about change in my life and how it affects me. It made me realize how refreshing a little change can be, even if I don't initiate it myself (which I hardly ever do). I also liked the little quotes that were inset on the sides of the pages. They really made me think. It was a good little book and I would recommend it.

75. Keeping It Together in a Pull-Apart World by Mary Ellen Edmunds

This is another little book in the Time Out Classics series from Deseret Book. It's a good, inspiring book about dealing with stress in your every day life. The author gives some really practical ideas about coping and getting yourself under control when you feel out of control. These books are really good for a little lift when you are having a hard time.

73. Contentment: Inspiring Insights for LDS Mothers by Maria Covey Cole

I had to walk by this book a couple of times at the library before I decided to pick it up and try it. The cheesy picture on the front kind of turned me off (I know, I'm silly). But finally I talked myself into it because I can always use some good insight on mothering. And after having read it, I can say that I really love this book. It has a lot of good takes on things that I haven't really thought of in the same way before. The book explores how we can be happy as mothers and find that calling as fulfilling as anything else in our life. One of the things I like best about this book is that she has collected a lot of really great quotes on motherhood from other sources. I also like that she provides a lot of real stories from mothers to explore her points. I would highly recommend this book to any mothers, but especially stay-at-home moms. It was good enough that I wouldn't mind buying it and keeping it around to read every once in a while for a pick-me-up.

72. Missionary Miracles by Chris Stewart

I really liked this book. It is one of the better LDS books I've read lately and maybe the best missionary book I've ever read. It is a collection of letters from actual missionaries. The letters are grouped together by various topics like "The Effects of the Gospel" and "Far from Home." I just felt like it painted a fairly accurate view of what a mission is like, both the good and the bad and the letters were very inspiring. I would highly recommend it, especially for someone thinking about going on a mission. It is short and quick to read, definitely worth anyone's time.

71. Saying It Like It Is by Sheri Dew

This is another one of those little picture books with inspiring quotes (this time by Sheri Dew). It has some of her own pictures of her family and stuff in it. I love Sheri Dew because she is direct and powerful. It would be a good book to pick up and read a couple of quotes out of when you needed a little motivation. She really is good and inspiring.