The loss of a child is the worst pain a woman can ever experience. Most folks recognize the gravity of a live child’s death, but some don’t realize how debilitating the loss of an unborn child can be. Whether from abortion, tubal pregnancy/miscarriage, stillbirth, or SIDS, moving on can be a huge challenge. (Including abortion in that list may be controversial, but I feel so strongly that their loss should also be acknowledged. Millions of women are suffering from post-abortion trauma, often in total silence and isolation. Hopefully we can agree that regardless of circumstance, every woman has the right to grieve.)

Author Kathe Wunneberg knows this level of unbearable anguish too well: She has dealt with 3 miscarriages and the death of an infant son. Inspired to help other women in similar situations, she wrote Grieving the Child I Never Knew. Filled with relevant Scriptures, encouragement, and journaling space, this book offers hope and healing.

I really liked how Kathe shared her own journey and things that helped/hurt her recovery. A lot guilt/fear/anger and shame is connected to pregnancy loss, making the mother wonder if she did something wrong or in some way “deserved to be punished.” Kathe assures us that the answer is always “NO!” and that blame shouldn’t be part of the equation. (Best advice in the book: Having to hear one more well-intentioned person ask “Are you over it yet?” will make the mother cringe and cry!)

Because it’s written from a religious perspective, some may find its tone a bit preachy. Believers will enjoy the Biblical references and find them comforting. I think this would make an excellent gift for any woman because the unfortunately high statistic is that 1 in 5 will experience it personally.

When I was growing up in the ’80’s, an older cousin came to live with us. She loved to listen to The Bangles, drink Tab soda, and only used Vidal Sassoon shampoo—all of which seemed very glamourous to me back then. Sadly, Tab and The Bangles are no more, but Vidal Sassoon hair products—and his lasting influence on the beauty industry—remain.

Internationally recognized as the first celebrity hairstylist, Vidal became famous for creating Mia Farrow’s distinctive pixie in Rosemary’s Baby and for the short, angular, precise cuts he designed for clients. Based first in London, and then in NYC and Los Angeles, his signature style was popular (and often copied) all around the world.

In 1976—forty years ago!—he and second wife, Beverly, co-wrote a fantastic book called A Year of Beauty & Health. Divided by season with a chapter for each individual month, it’s filled with interesting tips and techniques, diet and exercise plans, and tons of sound advice that was truly ahead of its time. (Yes, there are some hilarious, out of date lines like “Taking Vitamins – You Need Not be a Crank,” but the majority of what they claimed is now accepted as fact.)

Interwoven with the advice, Vidal shares his personal story of growing up in an orphanage, why he entered hairdressing school at 14, his stint with the Israeli army, the failure of his first marriage, his plastic surgery, and how anti-Semitism affected his life and mindset. Beverly, who is equally forthcoming, admits that becoming the wife of a celebrity wasn’t easy and how her own acting career and identity were forever changed. (What Mrs. can’t understand that…)

Sadly, their marriage later ended in divorce and their daughter died from an accidental drug overdose. (Evidently, she didn’t listen to their advice, but self-described “health nut” Vidal lived to age 84.) Far from perfect, but always striving for better, they are not only entertaining, but also admirable.

A Year of Beauty & Health is one out-of-print book that deserves to be back on the shelf.

Is it possible to earn a full-time income from home while raising kids? According to the new book Money-Making Mom, the answer is “yes.” Author Crystal Paine knows quite a bit about the subject: she started working online in 2005, eventually developing the popular finance blog, MoneySavingMom.com.

That blog was a springboard for multiple streams of income (affiliate sales, ad revenue, speaking engagements, and a book deal). None of those things came easily. While she has always worked hard, many things held her back, especially fear, insecurity, and other people’s opinions.

She recounts the many ups and downs she’s gone through professionally, offering advice to other women, encouraging them to think outside the box, and define their unique skill set. Rather than a how-to guide, the book has a self-help tone, which can be very helpful for those who feel stuck and/or talentless.

I have followed her blog since way back in 2008. While I’m still more interested in the saving money part, it’s been interesting to watch her journey from saver to money-maker and her success has really been remarkable. (I can remember her blogging about scraping together a $35.00/weekly grocery budget, and now she and her family travel around the world.)

Money-Making Mom is a quick, easy read that can help to inspire the dreamer inside.

I received a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

“Not without my daughter.” That was the promise Betty Mahmoody made 20 years ago when she smuggled herself and her child out of Iranian captivity. Her astonishing story was detailed in an excellent book and movie that fascinated millions.

I, too, was swept up, and over the years I have wondered what happened to them. Betty’s daughter, now a grown woman in her 30’s, has finally broken her silence in a new memoir, My Name is Mahtob.

Mahtob Mahmoody’s life story is truly one of a kind. From experiencing terrible abuse at the hands of her Iranian father and his family, to being part of a daring escape, to becoming an international celebrity at age 6—it seems more like a novel’s plot than a real person.

But this brave lady is real and she has overcome terrible hardships: constant panic attacks, Lupus, an insatiable public’s curiosity, and a pervasive fear that her estranged father would return to America and kidnap her.

While dealing with all of these challenges, Mahtob wanted nothing more than to have a normal life. She writes a great deal about settling in Michigan, her loving relationships with her grandparents and extended family, and wanting to excel in school.

Because Mahtob and I are close in age, I could easily identify with many of her childhood loves (Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Brite, Care Bears, etc). Like any other America girl, she wanted to be free and have fun—something that’s impossible in the Persian dictatorship.

Away from Iran, she was technically free, but fear of her father kept her looking over her shoulder. She and Betty had to move often and during their frequent travels to promote the book/movie, they were threatened. (My heart really went out to them. Nobody should have to live like that!)

No matter how much time passed, a terrible shadow remained. Periodically, Mahtob’s father would attempt to make contact with her through relatives and a film crew. His intentions were always selfish and he never once took responsibility for what he did to her. Because of that, she refused to even consider a reconciliation. When he died in 2009, some of the fear vanished but the pain remains the same.

While fans of the Mahmoody saga will undoubtedly enjoy this book, anyone who is struggling with child abuse and/or dysfunctional families would benefit from reading it, too. My Name is Mahtob provides the hope and inspiration we all need to move forward.