Craft Give Away Closed: Inspiring Read Picks

Alhamdulillah, there have been some great suggestions for books to read and inspire in response to the craft give-away.  Crafts pack are on their way to the following sisters for their suggestions:

Umm Z from the Maldives:
One of my all time favourite books is Little Women and the sequels Good Wives, Little Men and Jo's Boys. I read them while in school and the way the young girls dealt with so many things and yet found the faith and love of family withstands all hurts. The books were also insightful into the different types of people we see around us. I could still read every one of those books from cover to cover, over and over again. They could still move me.

Aziza from Denmark:
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende is the book for me. It's a magical journey about the power of a young boy's imagination to save a dying fantasy land. I read it for the 1st time when I was about 15 years old and I fell in love with the magical world Ende creates! It's really an amazing, timeless story and reading it now as an adult, makes my fantasy and creativity come back to life!

It reminds me of all the possibilities in the world and how there's always more to this world than what we see with our eyes, masha'Allah.

Transient Muslimah from the USA:
Daughters of Another Path by Carol Anway. - a book that I am currently reading and is motivating to me.  Written by a non Muslim mom, whose daughter converted into Islam. She interviewed many other convert (revert) from all different backgrounds. And SUBHANNALLAH! it is a tear jerker, let me tell you.

H from Scotland:
The Difficult Journey by Ahmad Thomson. (This book journeys a relatively new Muslim's experiences as he travels for the special hajj journey, with only a few pounds and plentiful of tawakul (trust) for the great journey).  The book inspires me to always look for good in people, but most importantly to always hope in good from Allah - for after all, he is the giver of good. Without this sounding like an essay - Thomson manages to do this through narrating tales of wonderful people he meets, who welcome him with the warmest of hospitality, at times when he least expects it! Similarly, when reading through the book, one can't help but feel that when you have trust in Allah and console yourself with the knowledge that he will deliver to you - only that which is best for you, then even difficult situations suddenly become easier. And if they don't appear to become easier, then He will provide you with a way out. As happens with Thomson so many times throughout his book!Although this book seems like something more suited to those going for hajj, it is a book that can be read by anyone, in particular to those who are distressed by the ever common ""me, myself and I" culture, and want to be inspired by people who have a willingness and eagerness to serve others. I wish I could quote some stuff, it's a truly beautiful book, and the second part - the way back is just as good as the first! Would really recommend it

Chica Loca from the UK:
"My Story" by Dave Pelzer. It is a true story written by the man himself about the abuse he went through as a child by his mother. It left me in tears just reading about how hard his life was and still is, and I can relate to it on many levels.Ii just look at my son now and it makes me determined to be the best mum that I can be insyAllah!

H from Ireland:
A book which I would recommend to everyone is Anne of Green Gables, written by Lucy Mound Montgomerry. In Poland it is suggested reading in secondary school. I loved it then and afterwards I read all the books from the series, about 8.  I loved the atmosphere of that book , so warm and peaceful as Anne gets married, has children and raises a lovely family.Even now I feel good about it, and I think I will introduce this book to my daughter when she is older.

Thanks you to all of the sisters who took the time to e-mail me.  I know I said there were four craft packs, but I loved all of the above entries and so will make a fifth and sixth pack insh'Allah.