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Grace-N-Mercy -> Books that encourage us as Singles (12/1/2007 4:38:22 PM)

Hey, guys. What are your favorite books on singleness? (NOT dating. I think we know and dislike most of those).

Here's what I'm looking for:

Women: What books encourage successful singleness? (i.e. Sassy, Single and Satisfied: Secrets to Loving the Life You're Living, Michelle McKinney Hammond) And what books make it sound like single women are "deficient" in some way? (i.e. Women who don't marry).

Men: Are there any books out there that help you cope with singleness? The only one I can come up with is Adventures in Singlehood: A Road Map for Singles that is written by a man.

I think this should be an encouraging list for all of us. I just ordered "Sassy, Single, and Satisfied". I have one of her books, and really like her as an author.



A-Tech -> RE: Books on Coping with Singleness (12/1/2007 4:42:25 PM)

I've read "Singles At The Crossroads", which was a good read. I've also read "Extreme Singleness", which is kind of a "Singleness For Dummies" type of read, for those that haven't come to the point of becoming content.



Grace-N-Mercy -> RE: Books on Coping with Singleness (12/1/2007 4:52:30 PM)

I wish I had a bookstore nearby to check them out tonight. Singles at the crossroads, is it about contentment?

I just found this title on Barnes & Noble: Better single than sorry: A no-regrets guide to loving yourself and never settling. Anyone heard of it?



wfisaac -> RE: Books on Coping with Singleness (12/1/2007 7:14:35 PM)

I met Lucy Swindoll (Chuck Swindoll's sister) once and she had a book she wrote called "Wide My World, Narrow My Bed". I got several copies of it. I read it and I did like it although her book seemed more geared towards those who pretty much figured they would be single indefinitly. I never thought of myself as being single indefinitely (although the older I get the more I wonder [&:])

But anyway...she really is a neat lady and she's older and never been married and she definitely knows how to get out there and fully enjoy her life as a single woman. I pray that if for some reason it's much longer before I do marry that I can go forward with an attitude like her.



believeinhim2 -> RE: Books on Coping with Singleness (12/1/2007 8:34:55 PM)

I have been reading a book called "You didn't Complete Me" it is actually a book about moving on after a break up but the second half of the book deals with how to be single and be content with it. It talks about being who you are and finding your identity in christ and not in being a part of a couple.



hisprincess59 -> RE: Books on Coping with Singleness (12/1/2007 11:51:14 PM)

Still not fond of the phrase "coping with singleness"...but all of these books sound healthy and helpful...I'll try to check them out. Anyone know if they are carried by the libraries?



mutinywxgirl -> RE: Books on Coping with Singleness (12/2/2007 10:37:48 AM)

I don't read any of that stuff. I read books that will help me in areas that really NEEDS work - improving my relationship with God and allowing what HE needs to do in me that will allow Him to work through me into the lives of those with whom I interact. The scary thing is that I'm potentially being put into a position of influence in the coming year, and I desire to be the most "whole" person that I can be so I can be used of Him for whatever He needs me to do to further the kingdom within my sphere of influence. It doesn't matter that I'm single or not. It's not relevant.



cheshirecat -> RE: Books on Coping with Singleness (12/2/2007 11:23:42 AM)

I'm not into them either. I don't know that I've ever seen a book on how to cope with being married. [&:]
Singleness is not a disease. There are issues that have to be dealt with, yes, just like in any other aspect of your life. There is no self-help book that's going to give you the magic formula for happiness and contentment. Some can be helpful, but I see a danger in investing yourself too much in them and whatever philosophy they promote.



Grace-N-Mercy -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (12/2/2007 12:56:35 PM)

Ok, so I wasn't thinking yesterday. "Coping" isn't the best word. But what encourages you to live your lives, as singles, to the fullest? What keeps you from focusing on what you are lacking and looking forward with anticipation to what you can have?

This paper that I'm working on is about wellness as singles. I'm looking to what is enjoyable about being single and how we can better encourage others. So I just got to looking to what's already out there (books on how we're "broken" and how to "fix" our singleness) and wondered if there are any encouraging books out there. I know there are a few for women, but what about the guys? Are there books that encourage you?



BugLady -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (12/2/2007 3:41:48 PM)

The book of Job. [;)]

Man, anytime I start to feel like I've got it bad I think of Job. I've suffered some big losses, but I've still got my family and friends. That's encouraging.



shemaromans -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (12/3/2007 8:53:59 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: BugLady

The book of Job. [;)]

Man, anytime I start to feel like I've got it bad I think of Job. I've suffered some big losses, but I've still got my family and friends. That's encouraging.

Good thinking, BL. He and Joseph top the list, second only to the suffering of Jesus. Unless you also count Ezekiel who had to lie on his left side for 390 days. When he completed that task, he had to roll over onto his right side and wait another 40 days. Our lives don't seem too bad, right? [:)]



A-Tech -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (5/31/2008 9:38:06 AM)

I'm currently reading "Singled Out: How Singles are Stereotyped, Stigmatized, and Ignored, and Still Live Happily Ever After" by Bella DePaulo. She takes the most common myths about singleness and debunks them one chapter at a time. The only thing is that she's pretty much just reaffirming what we already know about singleness. I think married people should actually read this so they can open their eyes to the way that they mistreat singles, sometimes unknowingly.



devinevessel -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (5/31/2008 10:17:53 AM)

"They Were Single Too: 8 Biblical Role Models" by David Hoffeditz. I really enjoyed the book because it looks at people such as Paul and Jeremiah who were used by God in a mighty way. The book really encouraged me.



WaitingforBoaz -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (5/31/2008 12:36:02 PM)

We are starting a book club in my PFY on the book;

When Women Walk Alone


I have never been single and I have no clue how to do this. I was married for almost twenty years and I have three children. I need all the help I can get, especially practical advise. Does this take the place of my reading books on becoming all I can be in Christ, no way, I can read both and apply both at the same time.

Someone mentioned not needing books on how to be married. Well, they are out there, dozens and dozens of books on how to improve your marriage. I have at least a half dozen myself and I had a good marriage.

Does seeking help in an area of our lives mean that we are helpless and incapable? I don't think so. I think is shows that we are wise in realizing that we can always learn something or maybe learn to think about something in a new and refreshing way. JMHO.



Prairiehiker -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (5/31/2008 2:13:41 PM)

There are singles that have no issues about being single and there are who really feel a strong need to be with someone. I bounce back between the two...being content at times, and being needy and lonely at times. I appreciate the times when I'm content and happy being alone, but when the lonely times come, I usually need some "coping" mechanism. Being single and not having a really intimate relationship, or even friendship is difficult. We can say that God is there all we want, but we have to recognize that God created us with a desire for relationships (not necessary husband/wife type), and when those desires are not met, we feel something that's not normal. It's like something is missing in our lives. I know, for me, I do believe that It's normal to feel that kind of longing; even healthy.

I have only read one singles book and It's called "Knight in Shining Armor". Very easy reading. It's about allowing God to do some renovations in your life so you can be ready for a real healthy relationship. Some ideas are great, like making sure you know where Jesus places in your life, while other ideas I don't care for.

I listen to a lot of podcasts and more often that not, they help me in my singleness even though the podcasts I listen to are not primarily geared towards dealing with any specific singles issue. They're more about journeying with God in whatever stage of life I'm in.



okrox -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (5/31/2008 11:33:59 PM)

I don't know that I've read any single-specific books other than "How to Find a Date Worth Keeping." (WHICH CHANGED MY LIFE BY THE WAY!!!WOOO-HOOO! Dating is fun again!)

But.

One of the best books I have ever read, ever, "God Will Make A Way" has a chapter in it about singleness and dating that really encouraged me.



ebony101 -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (6/1/2008 6:09:40 AM)

The best book that I've ever read on the topic of singleness is
"God's Call to the Single Adult" by Michael Cavanaugh. This book gives good information on how we are each complete in Christ; we are not half a cookie; and if you marry for someone to complete you (the two halves make a whole syndrome) then you're marrying for the wrong reason.

It's a good first book to read - a sort of introduction to singleness, while simultaneously pointing out how to use your singleness for God's ultimate will.



mpowerkm -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (6/26/2008 4:33:53 PM)

One great book on singleness I would recommend is Songs of Singleness. It can be found on www.sowjourn.com.

It is a collection of essays that looks at singleness from a spiritual perspective. The author is a male, but he writes from the perspective of a single person, not as male or female



Grace-N-Mercy -> RE: Books that encourage us as Singles (6/26/2008 4:44:45 PM)

Wow!! This is turning into a great list. I had no idea this many books existed on the subject!! [:D]



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