Here are 100 books that A Well-Trained Wife fans have personally recommended if you like A Well-Trained Wife. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Educated: A Memoir

Babs Walters Author Of Facing the Jaguar

From my list on memorable memoirs of resilient women.

Why am I passionate about this?

Throughout my childhood and young adulthood, I escaped an abusive real life by reading stories that transported me away. They were written by female authors who seemed to speak directly to me. By their example, they told me to be brave and strong. To keep learning. They taught that if I rose to the challenges that presented themselves, I too would end up triumphant like them.

Babs' book list on memorable memoirs of resilient women

Babs Walters Why Babs loves this book

Raised in a survivalist family that rejected formal education and medical care, Westover never entered a classroom until age 17.

Her journey from rural Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge is a remarkable story of transformation through self-education, resilience, and the pursuit of truth, even when it means questioning your origins.

Like Westover’s father, my father held very strong beliefs separating us from others. But we both instinctively know there was more to life.

By Tara Westover ,

Why should I read it?

32 authors picked Educated as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE MULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLER

Selected as a book of the year by AMAZON, THE TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES, GUARDIAN, NEW YORK TIMES, ECONOMIST, NEW STATESMAN, VOGUE, IRISH TIMES, IRISH EXAMINER and RED MAGAZINE

'One of the best books I have ever read . . . unbelievably moving' Elizabeth Day
'An extraordinary story, beautifully told' Louise O'Neill
'A memoir to stand alongside the classics . . . compelling and joyous' Sunday Times

Tara Westover grew up preparing for the end of the world. She was never put in school, never taken to the doctor. She did not even have a birth certificate…


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Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Book cover of Counting the Cost

Christine Faour Author Of Behind the Dress: One woman's life in a religious cult and the healing that came later

From my list on religious cults God, gaslighting, and groupthink.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an adult cult survivor living in Nova Scotia Canada. My book recommendations come from personal experience and knowing of the principles that hold people in cults. My cult was the IBLP, or ATI, run by Bill Gothard, and featured in the docu-series, Shiny Happy People on Amazon Prime. Since I raised my three children in a cult, I am fascinated by other people’s cult experiences. Reading them helped me to realize that I wasn’t alone. Whenever I see a new podcast or a book about someone else’s cult, I have to read it. 

Christine's book list on religious cults God, gaslighting, and groupthink

Christine Faour Why Christine loves this book

The Duggar family was one I looked up to when I was in the same cult as them. They seemed to have it all together as a family and looked very happy. Reading Jill’s book, however, showed me that most of that was on the surface. There were many deep secrets in their family, just as there had been in mine.

I cheered this lady on as I read and saw her overcoming her controlled past to live a life that shows her as being quite human. Her story made me realize that what you see on the surface in a person or a family is really only the tip of the iceberg: the big ugly is all underwater and concealed.

By Jill Duggar , Derick Dillard , Craig Borlase

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Counting the Cost as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

For the first time, discover the unedited truth about the Duggars, the traditional Christian family that captivated the nation on TLC's hit show 19 Kids and Counting. Jill Duggar and her husband Derick are finally ready to share their story, revealing the secrets, manipulation, and intimidation behind the show in this "no-holds barred" (People) instant New York Times bestseller.

Jill and Derick knew a normal life wasn't possible for them. As a star on the popular TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting, Jill grew up in front of viewers who were fascinated by her family's way of life. She…


Book cover of Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage: A Christian Woman's Guide to Hidden Emotional and Spiritual Abuse

Christine Faour Author Of Behind the Dress: One woman's life in a religious cult and the healing that came later

From my list on religious cults God, gaslighting, and groupthink.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an adult cult survivor living in Nova Scotia Canada. My book recommendations come from personal experience and knowing of the principles that hold people in cults. My cult was the IBLP, or ATI, run by Bill Gothard, and featured in the docu-series, Shiny Happy People on Amazon Prime. Since I raised my three children in a cult, I am fascinated by other people’s cult experiences. Reading them helped me to realize that I wasn’t alone. Whenever I see a new podcast or a book about someone else’s cult, I have to read it. 

Christine's book list on religious cults God, gaslighting, and groupthink

Christine Faour Why Christine loves this book

In Christian marriages, women are often the glue that holds the family together, but what do you do when you think you might be being abused? Natalie’s story brought to light a lot of the things that Christian women put up with, all in the name of biblical submission.

I have lived a similar life as Natalie, and I also belonged to one of her recovery groups, which helped me immensely. As women, we often think we are the problem, but often, we are being criticized, overburdened, and overworked in homeschooling our children and giving ourselves joyfully to our husbands.

Many of Natalie’s questions are ones I’ve asked myself. Her book helped me a lot.

By Natalie Hoffman ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

One out of three married women sitting in an average conservative Christian church is in a confusing and painful marriage relationship. These women believe they are alone. I want them to know they aren't. They believe they can't find peace. I want them to know they can. They believe they don't have choices. I want them to know they do.

If this sounds like you, join me on a journey of discovery that will change your life. We'll look at exactly what is going on in your marriage (no more confusion!) and what a normal marriage looks like. You'll learn…


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Book cover of Trusting Her Duke

Trusting Her Duke by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.

Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…

Book cover of The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom

Christine Faour Author Of Behind the Dress: One woman's life in a religious cult and the healing that came later

From my list on religious cults God, gaslighting, and groupthink.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an adult cult survivor living in Nova Scotia Canada. My book recommendations come from personal experience and knowing of the principles that hold people in cults. My cult was the IBLP, or ATI, run by Bill Gothard, and featured in the docu-series, Shiny Happy People on Amazon Prime. Since I raised my three children in a cult, I am fascinated by other people’s cult experiences. Reading them helped me to realize that I wasn’t alone. Whenever I see a new podcast or a book about someone else’s cult, I have to read it. 

Christine's book list on religious cults God, gaslighting, and groupthink

Christine Faour Why Christine loves this book

A good book tells the truth—and that’s what Shari Franke did here. I often wondered what went on behind the scenes of ‘perfect’ families. I read this book in two sittings; I couldn’t put it down because Shari told everything about the 8 Passengers family.

It was interesting to get inside the head of the oldest daughter of this infamous family and see where she’s at now. I love that Shari is now petitioning the courts to give rights to the children of family vlogs whose lives are exposed for the world to see. 

By Shari Franke ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The House of My Mother as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“Heart-wrenchingly personal...dizzying.” —Rolling Stone

From eldest daughter Shari Franke, the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog—now the subject of a new Hulu docuseries—and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, and how, in the face of unimaginable pain, she found freedom and healing.

Shari Franke's childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a façade of a picture-perfect family for their wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the day-to-day life of raising six children…


Book cover of Teaming: How Organizations Learn, Innovate, and Compete in the Knowledge Economy

Frans Johansson

From my list on diversity creates amazing teams and societies.

Why am I passionate about this?

Frans Johansson is the Co-Founder and CEO at The Medici Group, an enterprise solutions firm that helps organizations build and sustain high-performing teams through our revolutionary team coaching platform: Renaissance. Our firm's ethos--diversity and inclusion drive innovation--is informed by our work with over 4,000 teams in virtually every sector and by his two books The Medici Effect and The Click Moment.

Frans' book list on diversity creates amazing teams and societies

Frans Johansson Why Frans loves this book

Amy coined the term psychological safety, and in this book, she tells you how to create that environment in order to build high-performance teams. This book walks you through every step needed and how to respond to the most common speed bumps when building an inclusive culture. She connects a diversity of every dimension to the process, and her work is a must-read.

By Amy C. Edmondson ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Teaming as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The next level of breakthrough thinking in organizational learning, leadership, and change Harvard professor Amy Edmondson shows how leaders can make organizational learning happen by building teams that learn. Based on years of research and case studies from Verizon, Bank of America, and Children's Hospital, Edmondson outlines the factors that typically prevent groups from learning, such as the fear of failure, groupthink, power structures, and information hording. She shows how leaders can control these factors by encouraging reflection, creating psychological safety, and overcoming defensive routines that inhibit the sharing of ideas, among others. Leaders can use practical management strategies to…


Book cover of Hex

Todd Brown Author Of When Shadows Burn

From my list on books that will fry your brain.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been fascinated by how people behave and how in-group bias can change who they are. That interest led me into computational sociology (I study human behavior for a living), with my work appearing in The New York Times, USA Today, WIRED, and more. But my deepest fascination has always been with people’s propensity for the horrific. I LOVE the liminal space where fear, secrecy, and belonging collide. Being neurodivergent, living in a small Virginia town with my wife and our neurodivergent, queer son, I see how communities can both shelter and suffocate. That tension is why I’m drawn to stories saturated in dread, beauty, and what lives in the shadows.

Todd's book list on books that will fry your brain

Todd Brown Why Todd loves this book

I couldn’t stop thinking about this book because it was suffocating.

The idea that "groupthink" could weigh on everyone so much that they learn to live with something terrifying, and still choose cruelty over kindness, unsettled me more than any jump scare. I remember setting it down one night and realizing what I was witnessing: a trainwreck in slow motion.

It reminded me how horror works best when it holds up a mirror, and sometimes what stares back is uglier than a monster, or in this case, a witch.

By Thomas Olde Heuvelt ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hex as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“This is totally, brilliantly original.” ―Stephen King

“HEX is creepy and gripping and original, sure to be one of the top horror novels of 2016.” ―George R.R. Martin

The English language debut of the bestselling Dutch novel, Hex, from Thomas Olde Heuvelt--a Hugo and World Fantasy award nominated talent to watch

Whoever is born here, is doomed to stay 'til death. Whoever settles, never leaves.

Welcome to Black Spring, the seemingly picturesque Hudson Valley town haunted by the Black Rock Witch, a seventeenth century woman whose eyes and mouth are sewn shut. Muzzled, she walks the streets and enters homes…


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Book cover of The Duke's Christmas Redemption

The Duke's Christmas Redemption by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.

Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…

Book cover of Victims of Groupthink: A Psychological Study of Foreign-Policy Decisions and Fiascoes

Robert R. Prechter Jr. Author Of The Socionomic Theory of Finance

From my list on finance that throws cold water on your face.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have produced twenty books/DVDs and three academic papers on finance and social-mood theory. I also write a monthly publication on markets titled The Elliott Wave Theorist. For a bio, visit robertprechter.com. My recommended titles convey financial markets’ nonrational nature in a visceral way. If you understand that feature, if you feel it, you will have a fighting chance to succeed at investing.

Robert's book list on finance that throws cold water on your face

Robert R. Prechter Jr. Why Robert loves this book

When I was at Yale, Professor Irving Janis became aware of my interest in mass psychology and asked if I would be interested in seeing a manuscript he was working on. I jumped at the chance and soon was reading Victims of Groupthink.

The book relates histories of bureaucratic decision-making that went wrong. Janis postulated that in a group setting, people defer the hard work of reasoning to others, whom they assume must be working on the problem. As a result, no one works on the problem, and whatever decision emerges derives from the dynamics of group psychology. This book is out of print and hard to find.

By Irving Lester Janis ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Victims of Groupthink as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

talk harmoniously even when in disagreement


Book cover of Skilled Interpersonal Communication: Research, Theory and Practice

Stuart Hanscomb Author Of Critical Thinking: The Basics

From my list on interpersonal communication and influence.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an academic at the University of Glasgow with a background in philosophy and psychology. My approach to critical thinking is broad and informed by several other teaching and research interests: emotional intelligence, the psychology of influence, interpersonal communication, and virtue ethics. Motivating much of what I do is the question: How are we to live well? With respect to critical thinking I don’t just deal with the nature and structure of arguments, but also with the role they play in constructive dialogues, and how poor reasoning is linked to psychological biases and the absence of certain virtues. The books I have chosen here are representative of these concerns.

Stuart's book list on interpersonal communication and influence

Stuart Hanscomb Why Stuart loves this book

As well as being academically sound this book is accessible and engaging, and it deals with subjects such as explaining, listening, assertiveness, negotiations, and persuasion in a way that is highly applied and always useful. Perhaps most importantly it addresses many of the aspects of interpersonal communication that I have for a long time found fascinating and challenging.

By Owen Hargie ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Skilled Interpersonal Communication as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

-Number one text for depth and comprehensive coverage: detailed analysis of existing knowledge and practice
-Comprehensively updated in 7th edition with latest research findings, theoretical developments and applications to practice.
-Well structured and easily navigable: topic areas clearly defined and packaged to fit course delivery
-Unmatched authority: highly recognized author and five previously successful editions
-Links theory to practice to help students learn and apply key skills
-Offers a strong UK-originated alternative to other US-oriented texts
-Flexible and cross-disciplinary: applies to a broad range of professional roles and contexts


Book cover of Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now

Christopher Dale Author Of Better Halves: Rebuilding a Post-Addiction Marriage

From my list on couples recovering from addiction.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a husband, father, writer, and recovering addict – and not necessarily in that order. Early in my marriage, I became a full-blown, low-bottom cocaine addict. While it wasn’t surprising that active addiction nearly led to divorce, my wife and I were baffled and discouraged when my newfound sobriety brought its own existential marital issues. Frustratingly, there was a dearth of resources for couples in recovery, especially compared to the ample support available to recovering addicts. As an avid freelance writer, I decided to add to this sparse genre by sharing our struggles, setbacks, and successes en route to a happy, secure marriage. 

Christopher's book list on couples recovering from addiction

Christopher Dale Why Christopher loves this book

More and more of our interactions occur via social media. This does more than poison our minds; it poisons our relationships, including our most intimate one: life partner. 

There are established downsides to social media, including its addictive nature and oxymoronic means of fomenting alienation. It promotes comparison-driven inferiority complexes, and allows racists and bigots to hide behind pseudonyms. 

But for marriages, social media’s most worrisome issue is its promotion of phoniness. Cyber platforms prompt people to portray themselves in a faux-optimized light – happier, wealthier, and more moral than they really are. They also promote groupthink and reticence driven by fear of backlash. 

A marriage in recovery requires two honest, unabashed partners. Two people trying to heal must minimize the festering wounds inherent in social media.

By Jaron Lanier ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'A blisteringly good, urgent, essential read' ZADIE SMITH

Jaron Lanier, the world-famous Silicon Valley scientist-pioneer and 'high-tech genius' (Sunday Times) who first alerted us to the dangers of social media, explains why its toxic effects are at the heart of its design, and explains in ten simple arguments why liberating yourself from its hold will transform your life and the world for the better.

Social media is making us sadder, angrier, less empathetic, more fearful, more isolated and more tribal. In recent months it has become horribly clear that social media is not bringing us together - it is tearing…


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Book cover of Old Man Country

Old Man Country by Thomas R. Cole,

This book follows the journey of a writer in search of wisdom as he narrates encounters with 12 distinguished American men over 80, including Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve, and Denton Cooley, the world’s most famous heart surgeon.

In these and other intimate conversations, the book…

Book cover of Mentalligence

Sandy Graham Author Of You Speak For Me Now

From my list on to influence human society.

Why am I passionate about this?

Over the past decade, I’ve become very concerned with the direction authoritarianism is taking human society. It’s a global problem that now infects America, leaving us with a partisan divide we may not be able to bridge. My recommended books helped me understand the situation and how one might speak out against this negative force effectively. Convinced that bombarding readers with facts alone is useless, I chose to provide a novel that is interesting and captivates readers. My goal is to entice readers to press on to the end regardless of their political persuasion, in hopes that along the way some thought will be devoted to the issues raised.

Sandy's book list on to influence human society

Sandy Graham Why Sandy loves this book

Mentaligence takes conscious mind development one step further. It suggests that we are burdened with an indoctrination dictating how to behave and meet preordained goals pressed upon us by parents, teachers, religious leaders, and society in general. Its premise is that we must recognize these factors and any negative effect on our well-being; learn how to throw off their shackles; and develop a new attitude of thinking. In short, acquire what Dr. Lee calls mental agility.

Indoctrination, group-think, and social brain-washing are related terms for the negative force. While some indoctrination may be considered beneficial, few would disagree with the negative effect of Nazi group-think or that leading to mass suicides in Jamestown. They illustrate the need for objective thinking to all manifestations of indoctrination.

By Dr. Kristen Lee PhD ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Mentalligence as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

One of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves is rethinking what we've been taught, because thoughts become behaviors. The same mind that gets us stuck is the same one that can set us free. It's time to rip up the script society hands us, breathe deep, and reclaim a healthy definition of success that doesn't compartmentalize your mind, body and soul. We need a new organizing framework that allows more flexibility and moral grounding one that lets science, emotion and spirit to fuse. Too often, life's disorienting moments can leave us tumbling into messy, downward spirals. We lose…


Book cover of Educated: A Memoir
Book cover of Counting the Cost
Book cover of Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage: A Christian Woman's Guide to Hidden Emotional and Spiritual Abuse

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5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in groupthink, the patriarchy, and presidential biography?

Groupthink 13 books
The Patriarchy 96 books