Picture this:
You're in your favorite slippers, cuddled in your favorite corner of the couch, blanket on your lap, hot chocolate in one hand, and a candle filling the air with the smell of pine and cinnamon. The only thing that could make this scene better? A great book!
I love books, and I want to give you some great recommendations, but please note that my tastes may be different than yours - if you end up hating something on this list, I'm not offended! Go find something that does interest you, something you will enjoy reading. Don't feel obligated to push through just because I said it was a great read - that might not be true for everyone!
On a similar note, I've tried to indicate which books I view as appropriate for readers of all ages (they're marked with a *), but the others have a wide range of themes, content, and material that may or may not be acceptable to you. If I couldn't remember well enough to be sure, I didn't put an asterisk, so there may be some that aren't marked that you still might consider acceptable for anyone to read. Use your best judgement, look up more info on goodreads or parent guides for books you can sometimes find online, and always put a book aside if you feel like it is not aligned with your standards or has too much tempting or contrary content.
Lastly, please note that this post contains affiliate links, and I may receive monetary compensation through their use (at no additional cost to you).
Happy reading!
The Trumpet of the Swan*
by E.B. White
by E.B. White
Category: Novel
Type: Charming and Cute
Type: Charming and Cute
When a swan can't make a beautiful trumpeting noise like he's supposed to, he turns to some alternatives. With the help of a young boy, the swan learns new things and becomes more than he ever thought he would.
Fire
by Kristen Cashore
Category: Novel
Type: Fantastical and Enthralling
In this world, there are monsters - colorful, beautiful, dangerous versions of animals with the power to influence the minds of others. Fire, the only living human monster, is constantly faced with those who either fall in love at the sight of her or else want her dead, and those who knew her father despise her for his terrible influence on the former king. In a country on the brink of war, Fire finds that she just might have a purpose beyond being a beautiful beast.
Hatchet*
by Gary Paulsen
Category: Novel
Type: Adventurous and Exciting
A young boy ends up stranded in the Canadian wilderness with little more than a hatchet.
His task? Survive.
The List
by Melanie Jacobson
Category: Novel
Type: Breezy Romantic Beach Read
Ashley is spending her summer in California, and she is determined to have adventures. One place she turns to? Her list - a collection of bucket-list items she is determined to complete before even considering marriage. In a religion (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) that heavily emphasizes marriage, this can be hard, but Ashley will not budge. Not even when she meets a certain boy...
Fun fact: this book, in a round-about way, ended up contributing to Kyle and I getting engaged. Maybe someday I'll explain a bit more, but you can see some of our story here and maybe make the connection yourself ;)
Make Lemonade
by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Category: Novel in Verse
Type: Deep and Gritty
LaVaughn takes a job babysitting to raise money for college. The family consists of a single mom, not much older than LaVaughn herself, and two young children, one of whom is just a baby. As LaVaughn sees more and more of this family's life and how they got to be in the circumstances they are in, she begins to question and ponder fairness, poverty, getting what you work for, and getting what you deserve.
Tuck Everlasting*
by Natalie Babbitt
Category: Novel
Type: Whimsical Classic
A young girl discovers a family with a secret: they can live forever.
Educating Esmé: Diary of a Teacher's First Year
by Esmé Raji Codell
Category: Memoir/Diary
Type: Exuberant and Real
Fire
by Kristen Cashore
Category: Novel
Type: Fantastical and Enthralling
In this world, there are monsters - colorful, beautiful, dangerous versions of animals with the power to influence the minds of others. Fire, the only living human monster, is constantly faced with those who either fall in love at the sight of her or else want her dead, and those who knew her father despise her for his terrible influence on the former king. In a country on the brink of war, Fire finds that she just might have a purpose beyond being a beautiful beast.
Hatchet*
by Gary Paulsen
Category: Novel
Type: Adventurous and Exciting
A young boy ends up stranded in the Canadian wilderness with little more than a hatchet.
His task? Survive.
The List
by Melanie Jacobson
Category: Novel
Type: Breezy Romantic Beach Read
Ashley is spending her summer in California, and she is determined to have adventures. One place she turns to? Her list - a collection of bucket-list items she is determined to complete before even considering marriage. In a religion (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) that heavily emphasizes marriage, this can be hard, but Ashley will not budge. Not even when she meets a certain boy...
Fun fact: this book, in a round-about way, ended up contributing to Kyle and I getting engaged. Maybe someday I'll explain a bit more, but you can see some of our story here and maybe make the connection yourself ;)
Make Lemonade
by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Category: Novel in Verse
Type: Deep and Gritty
LaVaughn takes a job babysitting to raise money for college. The family consists of a single mom, not much older than LaVaughn herself, and two young children, one of whom is just a baby. As LaVaughn sees more and more of this family's life and how they got to be in the circumstances they are in, she begins to question and ponder fairness, poverty, getting what you work for, and getting what you deserve.
Tuck Everlasting*
by Natalie Babbitt
Category: Novel
Type: Whimsical Classic
A young girl discovers a family with a secret: they can live forever.
Educating Esmé: Diary of a Teacher's First Year
by Esmé Raji Codell
Category: Memoir/Diary
Type: Exuberant and Real
This book holds nothing back as Esmé tells her story of teaching in a Chicago public school. With a personality and approach to learning that makes her and Ms. Frizzle kindred spirits, you will certainly grin and even laugh out loud as you read, but there are realities that are revealed that shine a sobering light into the dark corners of the lives of kids affected by the harsh neighborhood in which they live.
Night
by Elie Wiesel
by Elie Wiesel
Category: Memoir
Type: Harrowing and Somber
This true story of a young boy's experience in Auschwitz will cut you to your core. Definitely read it with tissues and a loved one to hug nearby.
Where the Wild Things Are*
by Maurice Sendak
by Maurice Sendak
Category: Picture Book
Type: Classic and Charming
You're never too old to enjoy this classic. Curl up with your kids, nieces and nephews, cousins, grandkids, or even roommates and enjoy a wild rumpus or two!
Happy Reading!
Stay Beautiful,
xoxo Madi
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Happy Reading!
Stay Beautiful,
xoxo Madi
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