Dr. Paul T. Jackson asked me to post the following as a discussion starter. What would you add.
Here’s a focused starter list of practical, everyday-life books that many church libraries find helpful for patrons—resources that support people facing real-world challenges (aging, dementia, grief, caregiving, finances, relationships, illness, mental health, addiction, etc.).
All are widely recommended in congregational library circles and usable by readers of any denomination.
Practical, Everyday-Life Titles for a Church Library
AGING, DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMER’S
- The 36-Hour Day (Mace & Rabins)
The classic, most-used guide for families caring for someone with dementia. - Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s (Joanne Koenig Coste)
Practical communication strategies for caregivers. - Alzheimer’s Through the Stages (Mary Moller)
Clear, compassionate guidance organized by stage.
CARE–GIVING & FAMILY SUPPORT
- AARP Meditations for Caregivers (Barry & Joyce Eisenberg)
Short, comforting reflections for people under long-term care stress. - The Caregiver’s Companion (Debra Kost)
A church-library favorite—very practical, low on clinical jargon. - Boundaries for Caregivers (Robert & Henry Cloud — general boundaries series also widely used)
How to help without burning out.
GRIEF, LOSS, & TRAUMA
- A Grace Disguised (Jerry Sittser)
True account of navigating catastrophic loss—gentle, readable, not doctrinally heavy. - Healing After Loss (Martha Whitmore Hickman)
Daily meditations for anyone grieving. - The Widower’s Notebook (Jonathan Santlofer)
A powerful memoir for men in grief—rare and needed in church settings.
MENTAL HEALTH & EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
- Feeling Good (David Burns)
Evidence-based cognitive-behavioral tools; extremely helpful for anxiety and depression. - The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (Edmund Bourne)
Church libraries often keep this in their “life skills” section. - Running on Empty (Jonice Webb)
On childhood emotional neglect—but written for everyday readers, not clinicians.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, RELATIONSHIPS
- The Five Love Languages (Gary Chapman)
Non-denominational, practical communication framework. - Hold Me Tight (Dr. Sue Johnson)
Evidence-based relationship strengthening, suitable for any couple. - Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (Lindsay Gibson)
Useful for adult family issues many churches encounter.
FINANCES, WORK, & LIFE MANAGEMENT
- The Total Money Makeover (Dave Ramsey)
Extremely common in church libraries; plainspoken guidance on debt and budgeting. - Atomic Habits (James Clear)
Practical, very readable—helps people with change management and motivation. - The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (John Mark Comer)
Fits everyday life stress; Christian author but practical rather than theological.
ILLNESS, CARE DURING CRISIS, & RESILIENCE
- When Breath Becomes Air (Paul Kalanithi)
A moving memoir by a neurosurgeon facing terminal illness; universal in appeal. - Option B (Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant)
Building resilience after loss, illness, or major life disruptions.
PARENTING
- How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (Faber & Mazlish)
Still one of the best evidence-based parenting guides. - The Whole-Brain Child (Siegel & Bryson)
Practical neuroscience for parents—heavily checked out in many community and church libraries.
OPTIONAL: A FEW CHRISTIAN-AUTHORED BUT PRACTICAL (NOT THEOLOGICAL) TITLES
These are Christian authors, but the content remains everyday guidance, not doctrinal teaching:
- Finding Sanctuary in the Midst of Alzheimer’s (P. Lynn Jackson)
- Caregiving: The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal (Gray, Nolan)
- Anxious for Nothing (Max Lucado)
(Emotional resilience, not theology-focused.)--
Paul T. Jackson - Trescott Research
Tacoma, Washington
What would you add?
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