It is no secret that I love to read and I often share a little bit about my what I am reading in my Everyday Adventures posts.
Today I decided to do a totally non food fun post about reading. You see I need help. I need help deciding what to move to the top of my to read pile.
The fact is my current to read pile is huge. Over the last year I have made too many trips to used bookstores and found way to many deals on Amazon. Okay, so maybe you can never find too many books, but my to read pile is getting a bit overwhelming. I am having trouble deciding what I should move to the top of my pile for my summer reading.
So I need your help. Could you help me narrow it down? I know some of you love to read as much as I do and I am hoping you can tell me if you have read any of these books or if you have heard anything about them.
Should I move them to the top of the list, move them to the bottom of the list, or avoid them altogether.
I would love to hear what you think!
And I will admit that this list pretty much proves that I read a wide range of books. I will also admit that this is not my whole to read pile…I choose what was high on my list from the pile and then decided to get your help to narrow it down.
Please tell me I am not the only one with like 50+ books in their to read pile…
- The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
- Happiness by Randy Alcorn
- Frozen In Time by Mitchell Zuckoff
- Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
- Dead Wake by Erik Larson
- Religion In the Oval Office by Gary Scott Smith
- Out of the Depths by Edgar Harrell
- Follow Me by David Platt
- The Pioneer Woman by Ree Drummond
- Running The Race Erice Lidell by John W. Keddie
- Into the Abyss by Carol Shaben
- A Higher Call by Adam Makos
- The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
- Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman
- Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner
- Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford
- A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman
- Hatching Twitter by Nick Bilton
- Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman
- Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
- The Kitchen Counter Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn
- The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie R. King
- Delicious by Ruth Reichl
- Lessons from the Life of Alice Herz-Sommer, the World’s Oldest Living Holocaust Survivor by Caroline Stoessinger
What do you think? Have you read any of these books? What do I need to read next?
I loved The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. It is not the easiest book to read but definitely worth the time. As a bonus, it often is found on many high school summer/required reading lists so if any of your kids end up reading it, you’ll be ready to discuss it with them!
Since your TBR pile looks a lot like mine, I’m sure you’re not looking for new suggestions BUT Kathleen Grissom’s The Kitchen House and its sequel Glory Over Everything are the best books I’ve read in some time. Historical fiction at its best!
My sister in-law and several other people have told me about The Glass Castle. And everyone has pretty much said it is a good, but difficult read. I have had it in my pile for over a year, so I think it needs to be one I read this summer.
And I have read several things about The Kitchen House lately. A lot of people have said that is a good one too. I might have to add it to my to read list. Because really can your to read list ever be too long. 🙂
I enjoyed The Glass Castle as well. I would also recommend Hope Heals by Katherine and Jay Wolf. I know it is not on your list but it was a wonderful book. Jay is my pastors son. Katherine suffered a brain stem stroke at age 26. The book recounts their story. It is simply amazing.
I haven’t read any of those in your list but I want to read “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice”. My to-be-read list is huge. I might never get through it but I love books and reading.
My favorite book of all time is Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. And her newest – The Nightingale – is definitely a must read.
I need to read the Nightingale. I have heard a ton of good stuff about that one.
I agree with Bonnie & Amy; The Glass Castle is an excellent book. You are not alone in having a large TBR pile, mine is huge & now I will be adding some from your pile to mine. 🙂 I have just started The Widow & I also have The Nest to read. Both of the books are supposed to be good.
Thanks Bonnie, for mentioning The Kitchen House, that was a great book & I wasn’t aware there was a follow up book. It seems we all have big TBR piles. 🙂
I am glad to know that I am not alone with a huge to read pile! I keep hearing that The Nest is good. You will have to let me know how you like it.
Move Kitchen Counter Cooking School to the top of the list!
Ok. I will add it to the top of the list! 🙂 I am glad to know that it is good! I should have remembered that you talked about it awhile ago.
When I read dead wake it was so good I found myself rooting for a different ending even though I knew it was impossible.
I remember really liking Delicious.
I though Wright Brothers started a bit slow but that could be how I was feeling with bad colds. Once I got into it I loved it.
Kitchen Counter Cooking School was also surprisingly good.
I have been a little afraid to read Wright Brothers for that reason. I felt like it might be a bit slow. But I am glad to know that you loved it. If it feels slow when I read it I will just keep at it. I have heard really good things about Kitchen Counter Cooking School.
I have heard some good things about Fringe Hours and so I checked it out from the library. Honestly, I didn’t love it. I know there were a few good parts that I wanted to remember but honestly I can’t remember them anymore. Maybe it was because of where I’m at in this time of life… With a kid in college and our youngest two almost 13.
It has been a few months since I read it so I wish I could remember better but I seem to recall it being really driven and I’m kind of in a more slow down and savor the journey kind of place right now.
Hope that helps!
I picked that one up when it was on clearance at the Christian bookstore. I have heard good things about it, but I am wondering if I will think the same things since my kids are older. Which is kind of why I have not read it yet.
I have read The Glass Castle and Call the Midwife and enjoyed them both. I volunteer one day a week at our local library and seldom come home empty handed so I also have a lot waiting for me. One recent read I really enjoyed was The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. Not always a fan of her books, some are too “fluffy” but read this on a recommendation and glad I did.
Another reader mentioned the Nightingale. I might have to add that one to my to read pile. And I am not sure I could work at the library. Not that I would not enjoy it, but my to read pile would be HUGE if I spent that much time there. 🙂
The Nightingale is the best book I read last summer. She also wrote Winter Garden which was amazing!
The Pioneer Woman is a good summer read. I recently finished Simply Tuesday and wished it wasn’t a library book so I could take more time with it.
I have read Pioneer Woman for a long time so I figured I know a lot of what the book covers, but I still thought it would be a fun and easy read. I picked up Simply Tuesday on clearance at the Christian bookstore. I have read good reviews online, but have not known anyone that actually read it. So I am glad to know that it is good! Thanks!
I have too many books now on my “to read” list as well. I think the only one of the books I’ve heard of on your list is “The Glass Castle” and only because my daughter had to read it for her college English class this past semester. She said she liked it; well written, at times it sounded like she was exaggerating but well written overall (my dd’s comments when I just asked her about it). I’m looking forward to a slow summer with lots of time to read.
Thanks. Several people have commented today on The Glass Castle so I am going to move it up to the top of my list. And I am glad to know that I am not the only one that has too many books on their to read list.
Put The Glass Castle at the top!!!
With so many recommendations it is going to the top of my pile. I need to finish a couple of books that I am currently reading and it will be next.
I enjoyed Hands Free Mama–Good reminder to table the distractions and pay attention to the time we have with our kids!
I have heard a lot of good things about it. I think in our current high tech social media world it is something that we probably all need a reminder of. I am glad you enjoyed it.
I know several people have said that The Glass Castle is a difficult read, but I think it is not difficult to read, but you just can’t believe what happens to these kids. Students come in wanting to talk about it every day! At the end , you will realize that your life is amazing and if these kids can make it, we can all do anything!
I love the Kitchen Counter Cooking School! I am a much better cook because of it! And it is a quick and easy read!
With regard to my To Be Read stack of books….my husband has “forbidden” me to buy any more books until I read what I have. Not even sure it is possible to not buy a new book!!! You should read The Secret of Hummingbird Cake.
I am glad to know that The Secret of the Hummingbird Cake is good! I will move it up the list. And I am so glad to know that others have the too many books problem. 🙂