Booklists & Reviews

What I’ve been reading lately and the bookish stuff I love

Booklists

57 Comfy Books to Snuggle Up With This Autumn: Fall’s Finest for Moms

Aug 26, 2023 | Book List

Autumn is the perfect time to cozy up with a book. Here are my favorite fall books for moms who are looking for a seasonal read to recharge their batteries.

25 Encouraging Books for Christian Homeschool Moms

Aug 4, 2023 | Book List

The ultimate booklist to bounce back from mommy burnout. Whether you need a pep talk or some strategies to try, these 25 encouraging books for Christian homeschool moms have your back.

18 Sunny Summer Reading Book Lists for High School (No Depressing Stories)

Jun 11, 2023 | Book List, Summer Reading

Need a book to hand your teen this summer? These summer reading book lists for high schoolers are loaded with great books that won’t leave them feeling depressed or stressed. Here comes the sun!

Escape into a World of Words: 19 Summer Reading Book Lists for Middle Schoolers and Tweens

Jun 2, 2023 | Book List, Summer Reading

These 19 summer reading book lists for middle school will have your 7th and 8th graders escaping into a world of words that will capture their imagination and (just maybe) turn them into lifelong bookworms!

Adventure Awaits: 23 Summer Reading Book Lists for Upper Elementary Students (Ages 9-12)

May 26, 2023 | Book List, Summer Reading

These 23 summer reading book lists for upper elementary kids will keep your 9- to 12-year-olds stocked with awesome literary adventures that’ll last all summer long. Perfect for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders.

Dive into Imagination! 21 Summer Reading Book Lists for Early Elementary Kids (Ages 6-9)

May 21, 2023 | Book List, Summer Reading

Dive into these 21 summer reading book lists for early elementary kids that will help your emerging reader fall in love with books over summer break!

22 Superb Summer Reading Book Lists for Mom

May 15, 2023 | Book List, Summer Reading

This collection of summer reading book lists for mom will explode your TBR with beach reads. Here’s to easy, entertaining summer reading!

Best Page-Turner Books, According to 12 Devoted Readers and Authors

Feb 20, 2023 | Book List, Book Recommendations

Say goodbye to that reading slump! Here are the best page turner books that’ll have you reading past your bedtime, according to 12 readers and authors.

Looking for authors similar to Jane Austen? Here are 8 to get you started

Jun 23, 2022 | Book List

Jane Austen is in a class by herself. But, if you’ve devoured all her novels and want more, here are seven authors similar to Jane Austen that die-hard fans will love.

28 best mystery audiobooks that’ll keep you guessing (and gasping)

Jun 10, 2022 | Audiobooks, Book List

Huzzah for mysteries! They’re even better in the hands of a talented narrator. This list of best mystery audiobooks has a bit of everything, from classics to cozy plots to gritty thrills.

Best books for the nursery that baby AND mom will love

Jun 2, 2022 | Book List

What are the best books for the nursery? I’ve got you covered with my family’s most loved, most requested picture books that will stand the test of time (and a thousand rereads).

20 Best books to read in springtime

Apr 12, 2022 | Book List

Here’s my go-to list of books to read in spring, when you’re craving something bright, warm and active.

Best books to get lost in (the immersive and unputdownable)

Feb 24, 2022 | Book List

When life gets crazy, there’s nothing like a book to sweep you away. Here are the best books to get lost in.

Best books to get back into reading after a major slump

Jan 15, 2022 | Book List, Get Back into Reading

Been a while since your last page-turner? Here are the best books to get back into reading after a long literary lull.

Book Reviews

Book reviews for September 2023

Sep 27, 2023 | Book Reviews

My book reviews for September 2023 include a super-short planning how-to for busy moms, plus some good fiction and children’s books.

Book reviews for August 2023

Sep 6, 2023 | Book Reviews

Check out my book reviews for August 2023. This month was dominated by stellar middle-grade books and disappointing adult novels.

Book Reviews for July 2023

Jul 31, 2023 | Book Reviews

My book reviews for July 2023 include a gracelaced devotional, a stellar new middle-grade, a true crime story, and one of the oldest stories known to man.

Book Reviews for June 2023

Jun 27, 2023 | Book Reviews

My book reviews for June 2023 include two brand-new romances, a book on the parables of Jesus, and my first WW2 historical fiction in a LONG time.

Book Reviews for May 2023

May 24, 2023 | Book Reviews

My book reviews for May 2023 include a backlist title by an author I love, a DNF of a mega-popular novel, and some great kids books (as always).

How to use ChatGPT for book recommendations, custom booklists, and more

Apr 25, 2023 | Artificial Intelligence, Book Recommendations, Freebie

Can you use ChatGPT for book recommendations? Yes—if you know how to ask the right way. I’ll show you how to prompt ChatGPT to find awesome bookish goodness.

Book Reviews for April 2023

Apr 14, 2023 | Book Reviews

Here are my book reviews for April 2023. My reading revolved around Shakespeare’s birthday and Middle Grade March. Come see what’s new!

Michelle’s Master List of Book Reviews

Mar 16, 2023 | Book Reviews

Here’s my master list of book reviews. Yep, every book I’ve reviewed on the site so that you can find what you’re looking for in a flash.

Book Reviews for March 2023

Mar 14, 2023 | Book Reviews

My book reviews for March 2023 include a few ADORABLE romcoms, an emotional novel that brought me to tears, and lots of fun middle-grade series.

Best Page-Turner Books, According to 12 Devoted Readers and Authors

Feb 20, 2023 | Book List, Book Recommendations

Say goodbye to that reading slump! Here are the best page turner books that’ll have you reading past your bedtime, according to 12 readers and authors.

Book Reviews for February 2023

Feb 12, 2023 | Book Reviews

Here are my book reviews for February 2023. I’m in the middle of a doorstopper classic. I read YA fantasy, a modern romance, and a bunch of kids books.

Book Reviews for January 2023

Jan 15, 2023 | Book Reviews

Here’s what I read in January 2023. One stellar memoir. A nostalgic new middle-grade novel. Loads of children’s books.

Your Year in Books 2022

Dec 13, 2022 | Book Reviews

Here’s how to take a snapshot of your Year in Books. I’ll show you mine for 2022, and you can use it as a template to map your best-loved reads of the year.

Book Reviews for Winter 2022

Dec 8, 2022 | Book Reviews

Here are my book reviews for winter 2022. Lots of five-star books this month, including two atmospheric literary novels and (probably) the best motherhood book I’ve ever read.

Book Reviews for September 2022

Oct 14, 2022 | Book Reviews

Here are my book reviews for September 2022. This month, I’m sharing a celeb book club pick that I actually enjoyed, plus the audiobook to rule them all.