Danielle Bean's new Manual for Women (TAN Books) is not what you might expect, given the title. It doesn't teach you how to cook, clean, earn a salary, or balance the checkbook: all things you might find in a handbook. Instead, this is a spiritual handbook, packed with prayers, saintly wisdom, and encouraging Scripture verses arranged according to category. The first quarter of the book is an extended essay by Danielle Bean titled "Being the Woman God Made You to Be." This inspiring essay touches on topics such as life-giving love, trust, and the feminine gifts of receptivity, sensitivity, generosity, and more.

It's as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. Manual for Women is not just for moms. It's for women of any age, regardless of their vocation or state in life. I thought about keeping this book in the tote bag I bring to my weekly holy hour, because it's a wonderful resource for prayer and spiritual journaling (you'll even find Rosary meditations in here!) but I didn't want to relegate it to once-a-week use.

I'll admit it: I judge books by their covers. The cover of Manual for Women is simple and elegant, made of imitation leather in a gorgeous shade of turquoise, and the book feels very nice in your hands. The book's small format makes it the perfect prayer book to tuck into your handbag, backpack, diaper bag, or tote. The pages are edged in silver, and a matching ribbon bookmark completes this book's pretty design. Enjoy a video preview of this book: https://youtu.be/YqmxwDi0ZAQ

Copyright 2019 Barb Szyszkiewicz, OFS This article contains Amazon affiliate links; your purchases through these links benefit the author.

About the Author

Barb Szyszkiewicz

Barb Szyszkiewicz

Barb Szyszkiewicz, senior editor at CatholicMom.com, is a wife, mom of 3 young adults, and a Secular Franciscan. Barb enjoys writing, cooking, and reading, and is a music minister at her parish. Find her blog at FranciscanMom and her family’s favorite recipes with nutrition information at Cook and Count. Barb is the author of The Handy Little Guide to Prayer and The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours, available from Our Sunday Visitor.