The Well-Read Mom: Read More. Read Well.

by Marcie Stokman

About the Book: The Well-Read Mom: Read More. Read Well. Marcie Stokman knows the obstacles and ache of women running on empty, isolated, and longing for a break. More than ever women today yearn for deep connections, true leisure and a sense of meaning and purpose. Discover restoration of your heart when you Read More. Read Well. Together. Be inspired by the story of Marcie’s WRM bookclub, the movement helping women read deeply. Be persuaded by the research that reading transforms our parenting, moral imaginations, friendships and more. Be encouraged that it is possible to create a reading practice in your own life. Let Marcie show you how and even give you the reading lists that have inspired Well-Read Moms over the years. Join the movement and cultural awakening: The Well-Read Mom: Read More. Read Well. About the Author: Marcie Stokman, M.A., is the founder and president of Well-Read Mom, an international movement and book club. As a former clinical nurse practitioner in mental health and longtime homeschooler, she writes and speaks to encourage women and share the power of reading. She and her husband Peter have seven children and eleven grandchildren.

Genres: Nonfiction, Books About Books, Catholic, Parenting

173 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2019

Reviews

[Michelle Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Many points made are similar to her talk I went to earlier this year, but the encouragement and realistic writing is great for those who consider themselves readers already and for those who want to strengthen this muscle. I love how Well Read Mom is working to change our culture for the better by providing a way for women to walk along side eachother as they deep reading discuss good books.

Topics covered include: friendship and reading, reading as self-care, readings benefits to parenting, growing the muscle to deep read, picking good books, the ripple effects of our reading, and tips to grow and continue the skill of deep reading and enjoying reading good literature.

[Jessica Telian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently discovered WellReadMom.com, and became a member shortly thereafter as it was exactly what I had been looking for. As a mama who loves to read, I found this book written by the founder to be so encouraging and validating. Highly recommend both the book and the membership!

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read in 2024: As encouraging as I remembered!

2022: Delightful read. Very in line with all the other books that tell you why reading is important, but, in this case, from the lens of why it's important for moms in particular. Finishing it encouraged and inspired.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend? Yes, I loved it! I believe women who practice the Catholic faith will get the most out of this book. I cannot recommend women participating in a book club or a WRM group enough, and this book encourages that message loud and clear.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Marcie Stokman at a "Well-Read Mom" (WRM) talk at my parish. When I met her, I was struck by her air of simultaneous confidence and humility. Simply put, she is a class act. After listening to her presentation, I was more than intrigued, so I purchased her book and joined the WRM chapter at my parish. Remembering the encouragement I felt about mothering after her presentation, I opened this book hoping for more.

Now after reading it, I can confirm my hypothesis. This book is indeed absolutely all things lovely and beautiful. It not only nourished my soul, but it also gave me the permission (that I desperately was searching for) to rest in my vocation of motherhood. In fact, I can honestly say that I now think differently about my duties as a wife and mother. This book is a win not just for me but my whole family!

The book's format was really easy to read and intentionally put together. The perspective was given by Marcie and you can hear her voice throughout the narration of the book. The chronological topics appropriately built on another, beginning with the birth of how WRM began and ending with how to practically put reading in your day. I really enjoyed reading the thoughtfully inserted quotes of the WRM books at the beginning of each chapter. Marcie additionally quotes literature throughout her book to drive home her point. It also demonstrates that she is well-read and we can be too. Finally, the testimonies and lists of books read by WRM were a fun addition to read.

Marcie is vulnerable sharing her own personal stories of her vocation as wife and mother throughout the book as well. The two points Marcie makes that will stay with me is (and worth sharing if you never get around to reading this book): mothering is an act of taking care of your own heart and knowing when the woman grows in mind and spirit everyone in the family does.

All in all, I now read the classics with hope in my heart as I accompany women who do the same locally and internationally. I am in great debt of gratitude to Marcie and the WRM team for showing us by example on how to live a full life, find joy in ordinary work, and restore oneself with timeless literature. With all the growth and enthusiasm, it is easy to see that WRM is truly God's work.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you’re not interested in being in a Well Read Mom group, this book will motivate you to read more and value literature. This is a quick, motivational read with great insight.

[Kelsey Kersting · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much more than a manifesto on reading and joining Well Read Mom. I joined Well Read Mom a few years ago, and began participating more fully this past year. Marcie's words in this book breathed life into me, affirming my decision to protect my reading time each day. Her words encouraged me as a mother, and simply as a woman seeking to grow close to God.

Well Read Mom is a gift to all who participate, and when I began reading the book and all of the providential ways Well Read Mom has grown, I questioned, "why would God do this?" and the only answer I can find is that God wants to give us (especially mothers) the gift of spending time forming our intellects and our souls with enriching, classic literature. Well Read Mom and all of it's effects are absolute gifts from God and I am a grateful recipient.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouragement, hope, how-to’s, and the why-to reasons for reading as a busy and depleted mother/woman/daughter/friend/human.

Because sitting down with a book is about so much more than the story. I loved her quote that reading classic literature isn’t escapism, it is activism. It is learning from the wisdom and follies of the past to cultivate empathy no self-help book ever could nurture. And to read these books with women who also want deep and meaningful conversations about life—it’s an opportunity too precious to pass by.

Now I know precisely why and how slow and deep reading matters, and it is an investment in me, my family, and my community. This was just the book I needed at this time.

[Becca Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super pumped to start a WRM group this week!

[Carol Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to love about a book that encourages moms to read good books?

Marcie Stokman's book club inspiration was to provide a hospitable space for moms to engage with the classics and talk about life issues. Marcie is a devout Catholic; her book choices reflect that context. And, as my friend Hope says, Catholic novels are generally better than Protestant ones. However, the books chosen are not exclusively Catholic. Each year focuses reading about a theme:

Year of the Daughter
Year of the Mother
Year of the Spouse
Year of the Worker
Year of the Friend
Year of the Pilgrim
Year of the Contemplative
Year of the Artist
Year of the Father
Year of the Seeker
Year of the Giver
Year of the Sister
Year of the Family

Within those categories there are shorter selections, normal size books and BIG MONGO books. It appears that they meet once-a-month seven or eight times a year.

Devoted readers tend to be devoted quote-collectors. Marcie has quotes lovingly strewn throughout the book.

[Nancy Jurss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcie Stokman's book is the story of the founding of her book club movement. She talks about book clubs as a way for women (and moms in particular) to be able to discuss the deeper meanings of life through classic literature. She provides these book clubs with a reading list and discussion questions as well as background information including an audio piece to be used to start each group. She talks about the power of deep reading and offers practical ideas to make that time. As someone who has always been a reader but feels guilty when taking the time to read when "there are things that need to be done", it was a good inspiration to find the ways to make that time.

[Jacqueline Mathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

“By accompanying one another to read more and read well, we are harnessing the energy of a group of dedicated women and witnessing our own personal growth and formation…”

“My desire to read literature would only be met when my need was linked with the accountability of friendship.”

A book that goes over the psychological, emotional, cognitive, and at times spiritual benefits that committing to reading at least 20 minutes a day from a book picked by a group of women/friends seeking to expand their minds and their friendships through reading intentional pieces of literature.

I will share this information with one of my book clubs!

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been a member of this book club for about 5 years so I decided to give the author's personal book a try. It what you would expect, the importance of reading, the importance of connection. the importance of self-care, the importance of 'quality' literature (the books in Well-Read mom are more like English class than Oprha best sellers.)

The book in and of itself was fine and easy enough to read with short reflections. But nothing that wowed or amazed me or kept me riveted. Worth a read, but not a reread.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love my local book club but for several years I’ve longed to read the classics. I’ve found a book club that not only reads classics but also spiritual books with a Catholic bent. I found this book club on-line but it has local in person chapters. I’m so excited! The founder of this club wrote this book describing the origins of the club, the benefits of reading and the necessity to find time to read … not just any book but the classics and spiritual books. I can’t wait!

[Arden Leiker]

Marcie makes excellent points on the importance of reading with friends and the importance of reading the classics. There are quite a few classics that I haven’t read since high school that now I want to pick back up and read again and also some new ones Marcie listed that will be added to my want to read.

[Maurisa Mayerle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, encouraging book for women who want to be well read. A few minor typos but overall a well written, easy read. I’d definitely recommend it to any woman thinking she would love to read more good books but just can’t find the motivation or the time.

[Katie Barnhill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore the whole point of this book, but I found it pretty repetitive and largely preach-to-the-choir-ish for those who are already committed to the concept of good literature being vital and worth prioritizing. Still, I enjoyed the back story of how Well-Read Mom came to be!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the motivation I needed to get back into good, intentional reading. Looking forward to joining a WRM group near me soon!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the mission of WRM, so I thoroughly enjoyed learning its origin story and reading the “Whys” of reading from Marcie.

[Nicole Szpila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoke right to my book club/community-loving heart! Can't wait to start a chapter of WRM here 🥰

[Sarah Winslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely read! Encouraging with some practical tips to build the habit. I'm inspired to try again at some other good habits, too!

[Inspiration Station · Rating 4 out of 5]

quotes:
p.49 "Do you think that being a mom is all about running to everything your kids are in? Take care of your heart! That's how you mother!

p.53 "Thee it behooves you to take another road." Taking another road in the area of self-care may not be popular, and we may resist at first. On this new road the giving comes from a place of receiving. There is an awareness of our need to receive: in prayer, in listening, in reading, in a quietness of heart. These are the things that reorient us home.

p. 120 ...as the kids come home from college, I notice that they see home as a place of restoration. They understand that picking a good book off our shelves is an enjoyable part of that replenishing process. They associate reading with pleasure and being home. This lays a foundation for young adults to become lifetime readers, not just school-time readers.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-Read Mom: Read More. Read Well Together by Marcie Stokman, is a chronicle of the Well-Read Mom book club, a book discussion group that was fashioned with mothers of young children in mind. The journey of the Well-Read Mom book club started with the simple yet profound desire of Stokman to meet with other mothers for friendship and meaningful dialogue around books — particularly the classics of the Western tradition. As Stokman envisioned it, books would be chosen ahead of time and would center on a theme chosen for the year. The yearly theme would feature one of the many roles that women take on in their lifetime: mother, worker, sister, daughter, etc. Stokman decided to act on her idea and with great trepidation mailed out twenty-two invitations to her friends and neighbors one fateful day in 2012.

From the time of that first book club meeting -- when twenty-two women met in Stokman’s living room -- to today, Well-Read Mom has grown to almost two thousand members with clubs in nearly every state in the union. How? By word of mouth. There has been no advertising campaign or social media push for the book club. Stokman found that women with children had a particular desire to get together, as Stokman says, “in order to nurture our hearts and moral imaginations.” The purpose of the book club is explained by Stokman at Well-Read Mom’s website: “Our passion is to help women make space in their daily lives for reading and reflection and so we aim to create a place where they can come together to share what they are learning through their reading.”

Stokman continues, “The friendship factor is a major component in Well-Read Moms groups…For many moms, surrounded by small children 24/7, the idea of going to someone’s house, … sipping hot tea and … and engaging in meaningful conversations sounds pretty fun. Especially when those conversations are sparked by wonderful stories [from the same] great book.

A satisfying and rewarding book, Well-Read Mom by Marcie Stokman encourages readers to grow in their personal reading life and to make meaningful connections with other moms at the same time.