If you are like me, you love to read, but you don’t spend near enough time doing it! But once you start a great book, look out… it’s hard to put it down! I am headed on a vacation next week, and I can’t wait to pick up a great book! I load all of my books on my Kindle to make traveling a breeze and lighten my load! If you are headed on a trip soon or just need a great recommendation, I am sharing my top picks!

Where the Crawdads Sing is the best book I have ever read! This beautifully written story, that I didn’t want to end, follows the life of a girl who grows up in the swamp. The story follows her from birth until the end of her life. There were so many twists and turns that I could not put this book down. I read it in just a few days!

Before We Were Yours was a book that you guys recommended, and it was so good, that it is definitely making my top picks of books to read! While not a true story, it is based on actual events. This story follows a 12 year old girl and her siblings in 1939 when they were taken from their home and put in a horrible orphanage. Then in another chapter, you follow a woman in present day who comes home to help her ill father. The stories both come together at the end of the book.

I read Redeeming Love when I was in high school, and it still one of my favorite books! The story follows a woman that was sold into prostitution as a child. She then that marries a man who wants to treat her well and love her unconditionally. It is based on the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer.

This memoir, A Glass Castle, is told by a little girl who grew up in a dysfunctional family that moved around. The children learned to do everything on their own and prospered despite of their parents. I could not put this down and could not believe all of the stories that these children lived through.

Another memoir I enjoyed was Same Kind of Different As Me. This story is told by two men. The chapters go back and forth from each man’s perspective. One man is a modern-day slave, the other is a millionaire. The story talks about how they came into each other’s lives and were forever changed. I don’t cry in many books, but I definitely teared up in this one.

This series came highly recommended by my principal! She let me borrow the entire set over spring break one year! When I saw how many pages where in each book, I thought there was no way I would be able to finish the series in one week! And then I couldn’t put them down…… SO good! The books take place during the Coliseum days in Rome. The first book is about a Jewish slave, the second book is about a Roman aristocrat, and the last book is about a German gladiator! All of their stories are intertwined, and I could not put these books down.

You have probably heard me talk about how The Magnolia Story truly did change my life! You can read my story here. Throughout this book, you see how Chip and Jo trusted God, and things worked out exactly how they needed them too! Story after story of God providing. The book is written by both of them, and it is really fun to read because it’s like they are having a conversation with each other!

I read these books several years ago and really loved it! It is a light read and two books in one! Each story are told from the perspective of two best friends – Darcy and Rachel! In the first book, Rachel confesses her love for Darcy’s fiancé, and things get complicated. The second book tells of Darcy moving to London and trying to reinvent herself!

I love a great mystery! I read The Witness several years ago and really enjoyed it! The book is about a young girl who witnesses a murder as a child and is put into witness protection. Twenty years later, while living in the Ozarks, her past comes back to haunt her.

The Nightingale is a beautifully written story about two sisters living in France during World War II. Even though the sisters have very different beliefs, they come together to survive. This story tells of their bravery, passion, and love through very difficult circumstances.

Atonement Child was a book I read in college and really enjoyed. This story is about a college girl who seems to have it all until she is raped and becomes pregnant. The story tells of hard choices she had to make and how her life force both her mother and her grandmother to confront the choices they made.

This book, Night Road, truly changed how I will parent my kids as they are teenagers. This book follows the life of a mom who does everything for her twins, Mia and Zach. One bad decision will change their lives forever.

My MIL recommended this book. This book is based on the true story of Mary Ingles. She is captured by Indians and then later escapes. The book tells of her treacherous journey!

The Obsession is another book I could not put down! When Naomi discovers that her father is a serial killer, her entire life changes. As she grows up, she changes her name and becomes a famous painter. Before long, her past begins to catch up with her!

I just finished reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and really enjoyed it! I love the characters, the quirkiness of Eleanor, and how her life changes throughout the book.

This memoir, Educated, is a beautiful story of how Tara overcame a bizarre childhood to become incredibly educated despite the tribulations she faced daily from her family.

I hope this list gives you a few new book ideas to add to your reading list!

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