Jackie Kurtz's favorite books for when you need hope, healing, and a reminder of goodness

This book is built on such a simple concept, yet it’s incredibly powerful.

What I love most is how Mel Robbins uses relatable, real-life examples to show how this mindset can actually be practiced. At first, I fought the idea of “let them,” but reading all the examples helped me step back, release control (or at least try to), and realize how much peace can come from letting people be who they are while focusing on what I can change, which is my own responses.

This book is a gentle reminder that we don’t have to carry everything, fix everything, or manage everyone. Sometimes, the most freeing thing we can do is simply let them, then take a deep breath and focus on ourselves.

This is a beautifully written, uplifting story about a gentle soul whose quiet kindness feels especially needed right now.

Allen Levi has created a character who feels real, thoughtful, and deeply impactful—I couldn’t help but fall in love with Theo. 

When Theo arrives in Golden, Georgia, returning pencil portraits to their subjects, each interaction sparks meaningful conversations and subtle but powerful change. His motivation is simple: kindness. As he says, “At first, I did it, hoping to make someone else happy… now I do it because it brings such happiness to me.”

Levi brings each character to life with warmth and humanity, especially Ellen, whose struggles are portrayed with tenderness and care. By the end, I found myself wanting to be more like Theo—more present, compassionate, and open-hearted.

When I started Untamed, I thought all women should read it. Then I thought all parents should read it. By the end, I believed everyone should.

I found myself laughing, reflecting, and thinking, I wish I had read this sooner. I had so many moments of “I never thought of it that way” and “that’s exactly what happened to me.” Doyle shares honest insights on everything from parenting and relationships to identity and breaking free from expectations.

I especially appreciated her perspective on raising kids, acknowledging emotions, and living authentically. I walked away feeling more aware, more open, and more willing to question the life I’m creating.

This is a book I’ll revisit—and recommend often.

This is a short, simple read, but it delivers a surprising amount of wisdom.

I loved how it takes small, everyday habits, like starting your day by making your bed, and shows how those little actions can build discipline, confidence, and momentum over time.

Each chapter shares a story from Admiral McRaven’s Navy SEAL experience and connects it to something practical you can actually use in your own life. The lessons are straightforward, relatable, and make you stop and reflect on how you handle challenges, treat others, and pursue your goals.

It’s the kind of book you can read in one sitting, but its message of resilience, hope, and small victories stays with you long after. It reminds you that real change can start with the smallest routines.

This book completely reshaped how I think about courage, connection, and what it really means to live a meaningful life.

She challenges the idea that vulnerability is weakness and instead shows it as one of the truest forms of strength. The concepts are easy to understand but not always easy to practice. It gently pushes you to look at how you show up in your relationships, how you handle shame, and how often we protect ourselves by blaming, judging, or staying silent.

What I love most is how she blends deep research with so much humanity. She writes with scientific credibility but also with warmth, humility, and a feeling that she’s speaking directly to you.

Even though this book has been around for a while, its message still feels incredibly relevant. It’s the kind of read that stays with you and quietly changes the way you think, act, and connect.