Great Books for the New Year {On Social Media}

This week I'm sharing recommended reading to kick start your New Year. Each day will have a theme, and cover two excellent titles on the topic. Nothing like the turning of the calendar to motivate lifestyle changes, and nothing like a great book to inform and sustain changes. Happy reading!

It seems like if there is one thing today's moms really struggle with, it would be the internet. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest can all be enticing distractions from the monotony of everyday life. Also, when you are tired {and let's face it- aren't most moms tired?!?}, picking up your smart phone and browsing the internet is so much easier than getting off the couch and tackling that laundry mountain. Or the dishes mountain. Or wrangling a pack of toddlers. 

If you struggle with unplugging and engaging in real life, Sarah Mae's ebook The UnWired Mom-Choosing to Live Free in an Internet Addicted World might be very helpful. I found it to be encouraging and practical, with lots of great ideas that I would never have thought of on my own. Let's face it- the days may be long, but the years are very short. We will only have small children for a little while longer, and the time to build and pour into them is now. 

On the other hand, the internet is still such a good tool and resource. I've found so much encouragement from connecting with other women in similar life circumstances. Sometimes when I need an energy boost, reading a gospel-centric post from GraceLaced, or a motivational decluttering post from Money Saving Mom, can provide just the push I need to get up and back into the game, with a renewed mind and a refreshed spirit. It is worth learning how to steward our internet time well! Sarah Mae's book just might help you find your balance.

Once you've established boundaries for how long and when you should be online, you really ought to think about what you are posting there. What is your purpose in sharing and posting comments and links? Are you seeking to glorify God even in the realm of social media?

My dear friend Mandy's new ebook, Reforming Social Media has been a big game changer for me. So often I think of what I do online as neutral- as long as it isn't sinful or harmful, anything goes, right? Wrong! Every area of our life is an opportunity to glorify God. Mandy gracefully exposes what is wrong with a lot of social media's goings on, and poses poignant questions that are still challenging me. 

She has worked on getting this ebook out for ages, but due to tumultuous life circumstances, it was only just recently released. I know Mandy personally, and can vouch that the content shares matches her beautiful heart and life. Please buy this book! I know you will be blessed!

Want to know how I fund my book habit? One word for you: Swagbucks! Swagbucks is a rewards program that gives you points for searching the internet, watching videos, and shopping {among many other things!}. I like to cash my  Swagbucks in for Amazon gift cards, and then use them to buy books on my wish list. Right now Swagbucks is offering 70 bonus bucks to Purposeful Wife readers who sign up for the first time. The code is Purposeful1, and is good through January 16th. You can sign up by clicking here.                                                                                               

The links in this post are affiliate links. This means that when you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products that I have personally approved. Thanks for your support!