The kids are heading back to school, the days seem shorter and fall weather is finally in sight. National Read-a-Book Day is coming up on September 6th and it’s no wonder why: it’s the perfect time to curl up with a good story.
Whether you’re reading on the porch with a cup of coffee after carpool drop off, have a long commute on public transportation to turn the pages, you're crawling into bed alone (again) during deployment or anything in between, SpouseBuzz gives you five must-read military spouse books:
1. Sacred Spaces by Corie Weathers
If you are in a relationship, you simply have to read this book. As the 2015 Military Spouse of the Year, Corie traveled overseas alongside the Secretary of Defense to better understand deployment from the service member’s optic. This new, powerful perspective translates into incredible insight for every military couple, and what our own Amy Bushatz deemed “life-changing.” You can read Amy’s full review here. Trust us. You need this book.
2. 15 Years of War: How the Longest War in U.S. History Affected a Military Family in Love, Loss and the Cost of Service by Kristine Schellhaas
When reading this book, you can’t help but find yourself nodding. While Kristine and her husband masterfully tell their story, so much of it could be written by any one of us. Deployment. Frustration. Worry. Heartache. It is so beautifully relatable, vulnerable and real. Read this to know you’re not alone, military life isn’t without its obstacles and above all else, hope remains.
3. Modern Military Spouse: The Ultimate Military Life Guide for New Spouses and Significant Others by J.D. Collins, Lauren Tamm and Jo, My Gosh!
When three powerhouse bloggers team up to write a book, it’s no wonder that the book is a powerhouse. Chock-full of information for the modern military spouse, this guide is equal parts helpful and encouraging. From finances to friendships, kids and careers, this is the ultimate how-to.
4. Army Wife: A Story of Love and Family in the Heart of the Army by Vicki Cody
This moving memoir is a beautiful and poignant story of love, life, loss, and service with the backdrop of the Army. After 33 years as a military spouse, Vicki shares her journey as a woman, an Army wife, and now, with two sons serving in the military, an Army mom. Vicki met her husband when he was just a cadet at West Point and he retired as a four-star general, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. Her powerful perspective is compelling and endearing, whether you are brand-new to military life or on the verge of retirement. Army Wife is a wonderful glimpse into a dynamic military family, from the home front to the battlefield, and everything in between.
5. Be Safe, Love Mom: A Military Mom’s Stories of Courage, Comfort, and Surviving Life on the Home Front by Elaine Brye
In this wonderful memoir, Elaine shares her story of the unwavering resolve, pride and sacrifice that comes with being a military parent. With all four of her children serving as officers in different branches -- Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines -- Elaine shares her heart and great sense of humor to give parents and spouses alike encouragement, solace and strength. Titled after how she signs all of her letters to her kids, “Be Safe, Love Mom,” this book offers a unique perspective on what it’s like for parents of today’s war fighters. A great gift for your in-laws, this book is also a gift to those of us who love a man or woman in uniform.
Whether you binge-read all five of these military spouse books this week or put them on your reading list for fall, our five recommended reads aren’t just pages filled with words. They are labors of love from our fellow spouses. They are opportunities for comfort, courage and camaraderie. Their stories are all of ours. You won’t want to miss them.
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