9 Great Books for Your Reading List

If you’re looking for some good reads to add to your list, you’ve come to the right place! The bad news is that I’ve been down with a very sad foot injury. The good news is that this means extra reading time. It seems as though I read a lot of duds, but I’m only sharing the jewels. Without further ado, here are 9 Great Books for your reading list.

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Biography

The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King

As someone who has spent the majority of my life working with children, I’ve always admired Mr. Rogers. This biography is respectful, insightful, honest, and sometimes funny. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Full of encouragement, kindness, and profound wisdom.

Fiction

Chocolate Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke

New Joanne Fluke book alert! This book serves up everything I look for in a Hannah Swensen book. Fun, fast-paced, light-hearted, and full of delicious-sounding recipes.

Christian Fiction

When We Were Young by Karen Kingsbury

Karen Kingsbury is not always my cup of tea (shocking, I know!). However, I enjoyed this very much. If you like the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, I think you will like this love story.

How the Light Gets In by Jolina Persheim

I hardly know what to say about this book without giving spoilers. It’s complex, multi-layered, unexpected, and kept me thinking long after I turned the last page. I’ll be looking for more books by this author.

Non-Fiction

Outer Order Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin is one of my favorite writers of non-fiction. She’s the rare person who can thoroughly research and analyze data and then share it in relatable, easily understandable writing. In this work she shows how to “declutter and organize in order to make more room for happiness”. Her suggestions are simple and clear, and I love how she recognizes that no everyone achieves order in the same manner.

I also recommend other works by Gretchen Rubin.

The Happiness Project

Happier at Home

Better Than Before

The Four Tendencies

American Cozy by Stephanie Pedersen

Oh, I love this book! Subtitled “Hygge Inspired Ways to Create Comfort and Happiness”, this book translates Danish hygge principles into American lifestyles. It’s chock-full of darling illustrations, recipes, and sidebars full of fun facts. If you’re fascinated by the “cozy” culture, you’ll love this book. Add a candle and some chocolate, and you have the perfect gift for anyone who is unwell or overwhelmed.

Lagom (Not too little, not too much): The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life

And moving on from Danish culture over to Swedish culture! For those of us in search of a calmer, gentler life: here’s another lovely book. The photos and illustrations here are beautiful. Author Niki Brantmark manages to be practical and also take us on a mini vacation in her book. I can’t wait to get my hands on her book The Scandinavian Home.

Christian Non-Fiction

The Road Back to You by Cron and Stabile

This one is for my Enneagram friends. It is a decidedly Christian approach to the Enneagram. I love the practical tips for spiritual growth for each Enneagram type. If I help you to locate a meaningful book, then I’m satisfied. (If you know the Enneagram, then you realize I’ve just outed myself as a Type 2.)

Dance, Stand, Run by Jess Connolly

This book encourages Christians to dance in grace, stand firm in holiness, and run on mission. I especially loved the chapter on choosing to speak words of blessing and encouragement to others. The author is a co-founder of SheReadsTruth.com