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Reading is my passion and my comfort. Especially in these times of anxiety and uncertainty, I love to escape with a good book. If you, like me, are always looking for the next great read, check out my list of favorite books. I hope you find one or two gems here!
Boy Meets Girl
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. This is probably my favorite book of all time. I read it whenever I’m in the throes of first trimester pregnancy malaise. The vivid description of the Muskoka landscape, not to mention the unlikely romance, soothe my nausea and my soul.
Kilmeny of the Orchard by L.M. Montgomery. An implausible love story but still oh so sweet.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. A deliciously dark and juicy storyline, as only a British author can conjure up. Jane Eyre is a seemingly simple young woman who possesses a backbone of steel. For more details, check out my favorite British novels.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Another British favorite of mine, this classic never gets old. Whenever I read a Jane Austen novel, I can just imagine her at one of the many social gatherings she describes, quietly laughing at every character present. She’s one lady I would love to have dinner with.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Modern novels hardly ever capture my heart, but this one definitely does. Witty, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting, this gem of a story is an ode to the human spirit in the darkest of times.
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. A love story set at the height of labor unrest in Industrial Revolution-era England. Ms. Gaskell was a champion of the downtrodden and abused, and writes with much courage and compassion.
Unputdowneable
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. A book series that both my husband and I both enjoyed (this doesn’t happen very often). Granted, the last book was a bit too violent for my taste. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the social commentary on the ridiculous shenanigans of our first world society.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Set during Second World War, this novel follows the lives of two young people, a German soldier and a blind French girl. Masterfully written, it’s a modern novel worth adding to your home library.
The Martian by Andy Weir. Talk about true social isolation. This novel is a vivid imagining of what it would be like to be accidentally abandoned in Mars. A true page turner, this novel is a love letter to STEM. A caution that the book contains a lot of bad language. But hey, if I was stuck in Mars, I’d probably be just as creative with my vocabulary.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I love to read stories about resilience, friendship, and the unbreakable human spirit. The Help is a captivating tale about the social injustice prevalent in 1960’s Mississippi. I enjoyed the movie and I loved the book even more.
Still Alice by Lisa Genova. Alice is a woman in her early 50s who has it all: a loving husband, great children, and a fulfilling career. When she is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, her life is slowly taken away from her. The novel is narrated by Alice herself as she progresses through the stages of this disease, which makes the storytelling even more impactful.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. This is one of the most heartbreaking novels that I have read, but one that I’m grateful for. Set in the early years of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, it tells the stories of innocent people caught in this horrific era.
My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud’homme. For a lighter, delightful read, check out Julia Child’s foodie autobiography of, well, her life in France. French landscapes and French food – how could life get any better than that?
Weighs more than a Baby but Totally Worth it
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset. A sweeping drama about the eventful life of a 14th century Norwegian maiden. Ms. Undset, a Nobel laureate, deftly immerses the reader into Kristin’s world and culture. If you enjoy history, economics, politics, religion and family sagas, then this novel is for you.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I fell in love with this classic when my grade 7 class went to see the play at the local theater. I had an amazing French teacher who spent the entire year bringing the story and characters to life. While I know the musical lyrics by heart, I have never read the original novel. Well, I’m finally getting to it – all 1300 pages of it. Victor Hugo had such a keen understanding of the human condition, from the very best (the Bishop of Digne), to the very worst (the Thenardiers). And of course, Jean Valjean’s journey from hellish depair to heavenly redemption makes the story unbelievably compelling – and relevant.
Non-fiction to inspire – and get your life in shape
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. This life-changing book describes how people speak different “love languages” – how they express and expect to receive love. I wrote more about it here. Now that we’re all uber close to our family members, this book comes in really, really handy.
The Temperament God Gave You by Art and Laraine Bennett. This is another book that is a must-read when you’re at home stuck bonding with your immediate family. Trust me, you need it. Check out my review of the book here.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. This short book is excellent for anyone who is struggling with a creative block, or trying to find their passion in life. The author’s description of resistance as the main roadblock to pursuing your dreams is so relatable to me.
Grit by Angela Duckworth. Grit, described as the power of passion and perseverance, is something that I would love to develop further in myself, and instill in my children. This book does a great job of explaining why grit is even more important than smarts or ability, and how to develop it.
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. A fascinating book which flips the conventional understanding of success on its head. Even if you don’t agree with everything, it’s nevertheless a thought-provoking, entertaining read.
The Possibility Mom by Lisa Canning. Lisa is a friend of mine, and she’s dynamite. A mother of 8 young children and a successful entrepreneur, Lisa generously shares her secrets to success in her first book.
Good for your Soul
With God in Russia and He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek. Fr. Walter Ciszek, an American priest working in Poland during WWII, was captured by the Russians and spend 23 years in the Russion prisons and Siberian labor camps. The first book describes those agonizing years in details, whereas the second book focuses more on Fr. Ciszek’s spiritual journey. His story is an incredible testament of resilience, faith and hope.
Franz Jagerstatter: Letters and Writings from Prison, edited by Erma Putz. Franz Jagerstatter was a humble farmer with a young family living in the Austrian countryside. When Nazi Germany annexed Austria, Franz was conscripted as a Nazi soldier. Eventually he realized that he could not swear an oath to Hitler while remaining true to his Catholic faith. He was imprisoned and ultimately executed in 1943. In 2007, the Catholic Church beatified him as a martyr. This gem of a book is a collection of the letters between Franz, his devoted wife, and other key people in his life. The reader witnesses Franz’ progression from a simple farmer to a courageous martyr. What a beautiful example for us all.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Viktor Frankl was a neurologist and a psychiatrist who spent time in a Nazi concentration camp (his first wife, parents and brother perished in the Holocaust). During his imprisonment, Dr. Frankl realized that having purpose and meaning are key to overcoming life’s obstacles and difficulties. Life-affirming, this is a timely read in these uncertain times.
Ok my friends, now it’s your turn. I’m constantly on the search for good (and captivating) books to read, so please share your favorites in the comments!
