Romance covers a wide variety of books and few of the ones listed here follow a formulaic, Hallmark movie vibe. “Clean” is also a subjective word with many definitions and shades of meaning. For our purposes, books without profanity and sex scenes generally fit the definition. In addition, my personal preference is compelling fiction with likable characters. Beautiful, well-written prose is definitely a plus.

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Published in this Century

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The heir of Edenbrooke believes that females are empty headed flirts until he meets Marianne Daventry. 

She intrigues him enough to changes his plans to flee home and his mother’s match making schemes. 

Blackmore by Julianne Donaldson

Blackmore is the name of the estate of Kate Worthington’s neighboring friends. It’s where their grandparents live and where they spend their vacations. She is enamored by the idea of it and her dream is to visit it.

She also wants to visit India and the only way her mother will support her trip is if she receives and rejects three proposals of marriage. She decides Blackmore is the perfect place to achieve that goal. 

The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M Eden

Lord Cavratt impetuously kisses an unknown woman in the garden of a country inn to prove a point. 

He assumes she is a serving woman, but her angry guardian informs him she is a woman of brith whose reputation can only be saved by marriage. 

The marriage of two strangers? What could go wrong? What could go right?

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M Eden

The Duke has a flaw that he believes will keep any woman from marrying him.  

But, with abundant wealth at his disposal, he can surely entice a young woman into marriage by endowing her family with large quantities of money. 

But can two married people get to know each other and find love with scars of the past hanging over them?

Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay

Five stars for Dear Mr. Knightly!  I struggle to find wholesome, well-written fiction.  This one’s a winner.  I’m a huge fan of Webster’s Daddy Long Legs, and this modern re-telling knocked it out of the park. I like it better than the original.  The Austen references were fun, but the story itself was poignant.

Even though it’s technically Inspirational fiction, the Christian message was subtle, not overwhelming.  Kudos to Reay for a wholesome, engaging work. 

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

Savannah Cade needs help with her romance manuscript. Can a mystery editor help her solve more than just manuscript problems? 

Writing to an anonymous friend whose advice and interaction you start to fall in love with has You’ve Got Mail vibes. 

This is a breezy read. Simple, straight forward plot without time jumping or point of view hopping. Just right when life is too stressful for complicated plots with a plethora of characters.

An inside look at the publishing world was fun, too, to someone who has skirted around the fringes for the past decade. 

These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

“A moving, exciting, and heartfelt American saga inspired by the author’s own family memoirs, these words belong to Sarah Prine, a woman of spirit and fire who forges a full and remarkable existence in a harsh, unfamiliar frontier. Scrupulously recording her steps down the path Providence has set her upon–from child to determined young adult to loving mother–she shares the turbulent events, both joyous and tragic, that molded her and recalls the enduring love with cavalry officer Captain Jack Elliot that gave her strength and purpose.

Rich in authentic everyday details and alive with truly unforgettable characters, These Is My Wordsbrilliantly brings a vanished world to breathtaking life again.”–Goodreads

Unpredictable.  Well-written.

The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin

“When a blizzard strands them in Salt Lake City, two strangers agree to charter a plane together, hoping to return home; Ben Payne is a gifted surgeon returning from a conference, and Ashley Knox, a magazine writer, is en route to her wedding. But when unthinkable tragedy strikes, the pair find themselves stranded in Utah’s most remote wilderness in the dead of winter, badly injured and miles from civilization. Without food or shelter, and only Ben’s mountain climbing gear to protect themselves, Ashley and Ben’s chances for survival look bleak, but their reliance on each other sparks an immediate connection, which soon evolves into something more.

Days in the mountains become weeks, as their hope for rescue dwindles. How will they make it out of the wilderness and if they do, how will this experience change them forever? Heart-wrenching and unputdownable, The Mountain Between Us will reaffirm your belief in the power of love to sustain us.” — from GoodReads

Another brilliantly written story with a commitment to traditional values.

The plot differs at critical points from the movie version.  Skip the movie.  Read the book instead.

Timeless Classics

Miss Buncle’s Book by DE Stevenson

When Miss Buncle is in desperate need of income, she decides to take up a pen name and write a novel based on the quirky characters in her own village. When the book is a smashing success and becomes known in the village, people react in surprising ways to seeing their neighbors’ personalities in print. 

A refreshing portrait of life in another era.

This book is a delight to read and proof that offensive content is not necessary to weave a compelling tale. 

Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith

This novel begins with a marriage. It traces the young love of Carl and Annie Brown through the first tumultuous season of their new life together. 

The newlyweds live far from family, he’s trying to get through law school, they’re trying to make a living and pay the bills. A sweet rendition of young love, of following dreams and passions, of trying to make life work while learning to stand on those wobbly adult legs. 

The daily life, told in exquisite detail, paints life in another century with vivid brush strokes. 

Very satisfying. Non-formulaic. From the author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

This book is not your typical romance book, at least not as far as resolution. 

The family has two older daughters, a younger son, a writer father who’s creatively blocked and a nice step mother. The story is narrated by the younger daughter, 17-year-old Cassandra. 

The family has fallen on hard times financially and they live in a crumbling castle in England. An advantageous marriage for one or both daughters would help. 

A neighboring family with means and also two eligible bachelor sons adds some drama to the mix. 

Unpredictable plot, likable characters. 

From the author of The One Hundred and One Dalmations.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

This is not a feel good novel. Let’s get that out of the way right up front. It’s not a typical romance, either. But, if you like intrigue, clever plot twists and a slow moving build, this book is for you. 

It took a full 40 pages before I was drawn into the story. I was curious about all the hype surrounding this book. 

Maxim de Winter’s second wife is the narrator of the story. But the shadow of her husband’s first wife, Rebecca, is threatening her happiness. 

A compelling page turner.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

It’s hard not to like Lizzie Bennet. She speaks her mind, she’s unfazed by social regulations, she’s fiercely loyal. And no one can articulate matters of the heart like Jane Austen. 

Five girls growing up in one household is certainly a recipe for matchmaking dilemmas. 

Certainly other Austen titles have won hearts, but Pride and Prejudice often is recognized as standing above the rest. 

The Virginian by Owen Wister

Owen Wister has been credited with starting the genre of the Western, with his story of the unnamed cowboy, the Virginian. 

Wister explores the justice of the newly settle West, the relationships, the quest for man to build their own kingdoms and fence them. The country was captivated by the tales of the people who lived untamed lives on untamed land. 

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

Best known for writing Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery penned other novels of note, including The Blue Castle. 

Valancy Stirling, age 29,  lives with her mother and aunt. She’s stifled by the expectations of her relatives and her coping method is to build a dream castle in her imagination. 

One day she receives unexpected news that radically changes her outlook. With new freedom, she throws off convention to begin living her own life.

Throughly relatable to anyone who’s ever daydreamed and wished they could walk away from stifling convention.

Christy by Catherine Marshall

Set in the mountains of Kentucky, Christy is the school teacher to children who don’t always wear shoes and don’t always have the means to pack a lunch. 

Confronted with a culture so different from the one she grew up in, Christy is forced to examine her own beliefs about life. She also discovers deciding who to love can be difficult. 

Classic for a reason, Christy will draw you in to the pathos and the drama of the human condition. 

Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

Hannah Coulter takes the panoramic view of a person’s life, the progression of a lifetime. 

Sometimes when we sit down to a novel, we are looking for perspective, to find meaning for the daily grind. We need to see that what we do day after day matters. Hannah Coulter gives us a clue. For many women, all those meals cooked, all the time serving and caring others adds up to a lifetime of meaning. 

Then there’s the small town, rural community. I think our deep longing for community resonates with what happens in small, rural towns where people know each other and care for each other, where lives intertwine in romance, conflict, partnership, friendship and commerce. And no man lives as an island, no matter how solitary they choose to live their lives.

Finally, there’s the strong female protagonist in Hannah Coulter. You might not realize she’s strong. Not at first. She’s the type of woman that is the glue of a community. Keeping her family together. Working the long hours to grow, process and prepare the food that keeps the whole engine running. She tends to the sick, stands by her man and brings up her children. She’s the backbone, the unsung hero. Being unassuming makes it hard to recognize her as strong.

Check out more books like Hannah Coulter.

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A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park is a uniquely compelling story appealing to young and old alike.

Tree-ear is an orphan who lives with Crane-Man under a bridge. He’s fascinated by the work of a  master potter in the village and dreams of the day when he can throw a pot on the wheel. Twelfth century Korea sets the stage for an inside look at the art of pottery, honorable poverty and the cries of an orphan boy’s heart.

There’s so many positive life lessons taught in the story. The value of work, instead of stealing or begging. Take care of each other. Give to those in need. Preserve the dignity and honor of others. Don’t give up on your dreams. Be loyal to friends and family. Don’t take ideas that you learned from stealth or thievery. 

I love this story. I love what it teaches. Highly recommended for all ages, beginning about age 6 or 7 as a read aloud. 

The audio version read by Graeme Malcolm is excellent. The listening length is 3 hours and 12 minutes. 

Fourth grade is a great age to fall in love with books! It can also be a time of a range of reading levels.

How to use this list: Determine if the fourth grade girl in your life is a confident reader or reluctant reader. 

Reproduce the appropriate list, then go to the library and check out as many as you can. Present the whole stack and let her pick. 

If you’re looking for a gift, pick two or three with themes that you think would be a good match. 

After the title and author, I’ve included the Accelerated Reader Grade Level for each book to help you better gage the reading level of each book. 

Top Picks for Best Chapter Books for Fourth Grade Girls

1. The Penderwicks
2. Esperanza Rising
3. The War that Saved my Life
4. Charlotte’s Web
5. Adventures with Waffles

Best Books for Fourth Graders: Reluctant Readers

If the fourth grade girl in your life is a reluctant reader, there’s a lot you can do to help. 

One option is to look into graphic novels. Zita the Space Girl (AR book level 2.5) and El Deafo (AR book level 2.7) is a good place to start.

Audio books are also a great option for reluctant readers. Let them listen to audio books at night before sleeping. Family read alouds are another great way to have a child engage with a story without the labor of reading it themselves. 

Another option is to suggest that they read picture books to a younger sibling or a pet.

Note: If you click on the pictures of book covers, it will take you to an Amazon affiliate link. Purchasing through that link earns commissions for this site.
 

McBroom’s Wonderful One Acre Farm by Sid Fleischman 3.9

Short and funny, tall tales that are a joy to read out loud. A terrific place to start for a quick win. 

Farmer McBroom and his passel of youngun’s encounter bizarre twists of fate. Their zany antics add to the craziness, and a scheming, snarky neighbor man rounds out the cast.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio 4.8

What a great book!  Highly recommended for all ages.

I love the way it tackles head on mega topics: embarrassment, shame, discouragement, rising above difficult circumstances, the elements of a true friendship.  

August Pullman is a likable fellow.  If he were a jerk, this story wouldn’t have worked.

It strikes at the very heart of what it means to be a person.  Where do you fit into society.  How does society react to you?

It’s not just an overcomer story.  It’s a family systems story.  Our family of origin matters so much when it comes to what we believe about ourselves.

I love the middle school principal in this story.  I love the way he has such a deep understanding of kids.  I love how he can see what is happening beneath the surface.  This is great for teachers, administrators, youth pastors, everyone who deals with kids.  And for kids, themselves.

The War That Saved My Life  by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley 4.1

“Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.

So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?” — from GoodReads

Great story.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 4.8

Roal Dahl’s classics, such as James and the Giant Peach, have pleased children and adults for decades. I have a soft spot for Charlie Bucket up against the spoiled and privileged children who found golden tickets and won a tour of Willie Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory.

Every kid and kid at heart wants to be a winner. Rooting for Charlie is just so satisfying.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White 4.4

I’m fond of E. B. White’s classic, Stuart Little, but Charlotte’s Web comes out on top for me. Maybe it’s that (spoiler) Charlotte’s death made me cry when I first read it as an eight year old. 

It never occurred to me before that this is a redemption story, but so it is. Charolotte the spider’s mission is to save her friend, Wilbur the pig, from the butcher’s block. Warm and wise and full of truth just like all the best children’s literature. One of my favorite scenes is when Fern’s mother seeks out the doctor’s advice because her daughter claims to have conversations with the barnyard animals and the doctor is open to the possibility that maybe she does communicate with animals. 

Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr 4.8

Lena and Trille are next door neighbors and best friends, coconspirators in mishaps. While getting in and out of scrapes, they learn a lot about friendship, family and life. 

Although recently published, this book has the timeless feel of a classic. 

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary 5.1

Beverly Cleary penned many great books for kids. The Ramona series is hilarious. My boys enjoyed the adventures of Ralph S. Mouse when they were little.

My personal feeling is that mice in literature are adorable. Mice in real life is another matter altogether. Regardless, I found the stories of the midget motorcyclist to be compelling and engaging.

Best Books for Fourth Graders: Confident Readers

One problem here is kids reading ahead of their ability to handle themes. Having a lists of morally commendable books becomes more important. Besides the books listed here, I recommend the lists at Read Aloud Revival and Redeemed Reader.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall 5.5

5 Stars!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this whimsical story. (That’s a lotta love.)  I read it to the teens in my carpool, and gave it to my nieces and nephews.

Four motherless girls on vacation with their father.  Their romps with pets, neighbors and each other:  a simple, but satisfying plot.

I loved the uplifting, engaging characters.  Real heroes.  Great values.   Whimsical.

Frindle by Andrew Clements 5.4

I love Frindle for the same reason I love Harold and the Purple Crayon. Because it teaches us to believe in possibility. 

Nicolas Allen was a fifth grader who believe he could make an impact. First on his classroom, then on his school, on his community and beyond. It took an idea, a belief and someone who believed in him. Heart warming story for all the dreamers of the world. 

A tribute to the power of imagination, Frindle asks the question, What if a fifth grade boy can change the dictionary? 

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan 5.3

After Esperanza’s father dies, she and her mother must flee their Mexico home and resettle in California. Survival means embracing a new way of life as well as confronting towering obstacles and prejudice. 

A moving story that’s beautifully told, inspired by the life of the author’s grandmother. Culture painted in vivid color. 

The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale 6.0

What if you lived in a small kingdom where the prince chooses his bride from the graduates of the Princess Academy?

What if you had the chance for an education that would never be possible otherwise?

I loved this middle grade novel for telling a tale of what could be, the power of knowledge, friendships and courage.

One of my favorite parts of Princess Academy was how they snuck in principles of Commerce and Negotiation. It was fun how that played out.

There were a few weird and whimsical twists, but every fairy tale needs a little magic.

The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald 5.2

Hilarious antics and adventures of a clever boy growing up more than a century ago. 

His ability to connive, wheel and deal, get in and out of scrapes and come out on top is impressive and amusing.

Based on the memories of the author and his older brother, Tom’s childhood days growing up in Utah. 

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgeson Burnett 6.0

One of my lifetime favorites, A Little Princess tells the story of Sara Crewe leaving India and her beloved father to go to boarding school in England.

A girl of vivd imagination and story telling gifts, she leans on those gifts to survive heartbreak and tragedy.

Begin reading this book immediately following this link to the complete ebook at Project Gutenberg  A Little Princess by Frances Hodgeson Burnett

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink 6.0

Caddie Woodlawn is perhaps an under appreciated classic.

Caddie is the spunky spirited heroine growing up during the Little House on the Prairie era. 

My husband has fond memories of hearing this read aloud by his teacher in elementary school. He remembered the story, but forgot the title of the book. Stumbling across it decades later felt like reuniting with an old friend. 

Holes by Louis Sachar 4.6

Stanley Yelnats has been unfairly sentenced to juvenile work camp at Green Lake. The boys are required to dig holes in the desert sun. 

But there’s something mysterious going on connected to a decades old events that transpired before the lake dried out. Can Stanley and his friends get to the bottom of it before the perpetrators take revenge? 

Best Books for Fourth Graders: Family Read Alouds

There’s not much in life I enjoy more than clean, damp kids in footie pajamas snuggled up for a story. 

But I certainly understand that Norman Rockwell pictures aren’t reality every night. Some nights you’ve had it up to here, you gave everything at the office and you just need the kids to obey, be quiet and go to bed. 

I’m not saying that doesn’t need to happen some nights. 

Maybe your work schedule or kids’ activities make bedtime reading impossible. Then it’s time to get creative— audiobooks in the car, read aloud time on vacation or road trips, during breakfast or after lunch. 

Parenting is a long series of adjustments and many things work only for a season. 

An important factor is to pick engaging books that have everyone begging for one more chapter. When you’re in the middle of a book like that, it’s easy to find cracks in the schedule to squeeze in a read aloud session.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 7.4

A classic for a reason, generations have grown up with the escapades of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.

Patterned after the author’s own home life, the stories of the four sisters ring true. Each sister is endearing in their own way. 

The book contains not so much a plot as a journey as each one reaches to fulfill their destiny. 

Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey 6.0

What if you grew up in family of twelve children?

The authors of Cheaper by the Dozen draw from the memories of their childhood days in a big family.

Laugh out loud stories and heart warming tales about the love and logistics of a large family.

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt 5.9

” Doug struggles to be more than the “skinny thug” that some people think him to be. He finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer, who gives him the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Schmidt expertly weaves multiple themes of loss and recovery in a story teeming with distinctive, unusual characters and invaluable lessons about love, creativity, and survival.”– from Amazon

Excellent book. LOVED it. 

Deals with so many important themes.

Abusive parent. War veterans. Learning disabilities. Young love. Poverty. Predjudice.

Recommended for older kids, beginning about age 10.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis 5.7

I consider C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia to be the pinnacle of children’s literature. These stories can be appreciated at all ages (beginning around age 5), maturity levels and intellects. They can be classified as fantasy, yet the truths they portray are real. In the midst of stories of talking animals, Lewis manages to paint realistic pictures of human nature and personality. They can be reread multiple times. 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first in the series that Lewis wrote, though some people like to start with The Magician’s Nephew which tells the story of the creation of Narnia. I recommend starting with Wardrobe and view The Magician’s Nephew as a prequel. 

“Fantastic creatures, heroic deeds, epic battles in the war between good and evil, and unforgettable adventures come together in this world where magic meets reality, which has been enchanting readers of all ages for over sixty years. The Chronicles of Narnia has transcended the fantasy genre to become a part of the canon of classic literature.”– from GoodReads

Lewis tells compelling stories with an amazing economy of words.  He weaves timeless truths into  tales that highlight the classic conflict between good and evil.

I can’t recommend them highly enough.

If you’re wondering about Christian themes and symbols in the Narnia books, read my post Are the Chronicles of Narnia Christian?

A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.

–C.S. Lewis

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 7.3

Anne is a herione universally loved by girls and remembered fondly by women. Of course, so much of the charm is Anne herself–spunky, competitive, fiercely loyal, throughly human. 

And who can resist Gilbert Bythe who shows his affection in the manner of red blooded boys everywhere?

But some of the appeal of Anne is the wistfulness of small town community where the gossips whisper and pass judgment and the sons and daughters marry their neighbors and hearts are broken never to see healing through the decades. And underlying it all is the deep longing for home and family.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell 5.4

“The Newberry Medal-winning story of a 12-year old girl who lives alone on a Pacific island after she leaps from a rescue ship. Isolated on the island for eighteen years, Karana forages for food, builds weapons to fight predators, clothes herself in a cormorant feathered skirt, and finds strength and peace in her seclusion. A classic tale of discovery and solitude returns to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for its 50th anniversary, with a new introduction by Lois Lowry.” –from Amazon

Much like Hatchet, Karana faces the challenge of survival alone on an island. Unlike Hatchet, this story is based on the true events of a real person.

Miraculous by Caroline Starr Rose

In the 1800s, doctors and medicine played a different role in people’s lives than they do today. In Miraculous, Dr. Kingsbury, a traveling salesman, and Jack, his thirteen-year-old assistant travel from town to town peddling his tonic. 

When they land in Oakdale, long buried secrets begin coming to light. Past events threaten to impact current realities. Jack and his new friend Cora have to determine what is true and who to trust. 

Life can be messy, overwhelming and unpredictable. 

When we’re thrashing in the waves of chaos and a life ring of helpful principles is tossed our way, you can bet we’re going to grab it. 

I’ve culled this list from my favorites, the ones I’ve found to be the most helpful, the most practical and the most universal. Because if you’re on the prowl for help to manage your life, you need something that WORKS. Am I right? 

What are my top picks for best books on life management? 

1. The Lazy Genius Way
2. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
3. Atomic Habits
4. Essentialism
5. The Purpose Driven Life
6. Effortless

Establishing Priorities

A critical element of life management is the issue of what is most important: a hierarchy of priorities. 

No one wants to get to the top of the ladder and find it is leaning against the wrong wall. 

Establishing priorities, though, is not a one and done process. Like nailing jello to a tree, the process is always elusive, always changing. 

The books in this list help you determine what gets your first and best attention. Once you’ve established priorities, the trick is to live them. 

(Note: All pictures of book covers are Amazon affiliate links. When you click through and purchase a percentage benefits this site.)

The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

The Lazy Genius Way is the best book on life management since The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. 

It’s a different way of looking at life management. 

The principles are universal. 

Front and center is the idea that you need to name what matters. You can’t organize your life until you’ve established your unique priorities.

The Lazy Genius Way is in a class by itself, but there are other books that challenge popular myths and give unusual insight into life management. 

High on practical application and low on guilt, The Lazy Genius Way feels like a giant exhale, because Kendra Adachi gives us all permission to stop doing all the things. We don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. She likes to say, “Just do you”.

I’m a big fan. 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

7 Habits is a classic for a reason.

The seven habits are highly actionable.  They permeate everything you do, giving you a framework for your life.

Covey fully explains the seven habits as well as fleshing out practical implementations with some of the best stories in all of self-help literature.

The seven habits:

• Be Proactive.
• Begin with the End in Mind.
• Put First Things First.
• Think Win/Win.
• Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.
• Synergize.
• Sharpen the Saw.

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Essentialism advocates an uncluttered life.  Instead of weeding out physical clutter, it tackles weeding out the clutter of wasted time, energy and effort.  Eliminating what is unessential gives us the freedom to concentrate on what is essential. Full of profound common sense, which is anything but common.

The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

Now I know what all the rave reviews are about.  This is a GREAT book!

It addresses the problem of distracted focus and the importance of lasering in on your most important work in order to achieve excellence.

A huge light bulb moment for me reading The One Thing was the idea of chaos derailing you and distracting you from your one thing.

Chapter 17, The Four Thieves of Productivity hit me hard.

The Four Thieves are:

1. Inability to Say “No”
2. Fear of Chaos
3. Poor Health Habits
4. Environment Doesn’t Support Your Goals.

Wow. These were so good and right on the money.

“The One Thing explains the success habit to overcome the six lies that block our success, beat the seven thieves that steal time, and leverage the laws of purpose, priority, and productivity.” –from Goodreads

 Margin by Richard Swenson

“Margin is the space that once existed between ourselves and our limits. Today we use margin just to get by. This book is for anyone who yearns for relief from the pressure of overload. Reevaluate your priorities, determine the value of rest and simplicity in your life, and see where your identity really comes from. The benefits can be good health, financial stability, fulfilling relationships, and availability for God’s purpose.”– from Amazon

When we live without margin, we live on the edge. We live on the brink of breakdown because of the overload. 

Swenson argues that we need that cushion of unclaimed resources as a buffer for times of crisis. We need margin in our lives in the areas of emotional energy, physical energy, finances and time. Using the maximum of every resource increases our stress and pain. Leaving some unused margin in our resources reduces our stress and pain and allows us to rest. 

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

Rick Warren addresses the questions of existence, significance and purpose. 

Why am I alive? 

Does my life matter? 

What on earth am I here for?  

In answering these three questions, he outlines the basic tenets of the Christian faith in the context of living a meaningful life with purpose. 

Warren provides a framework for life management built on the foundation of a Christian belief system. He paints a big picture that gives context for the way we live our lives daily. 

Time, Productivity and Habits

Living out our priorities is often a matter of setting up systems, routines and habits that support those priorities. 

Research and experience from the experts helps us set up the life structure that leads to a successful life, however we choose to define success. 

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

Oliver Burkeman challenges us to think differently about our lifespan and our view of time. 

Ponder the brevity of life. If you live to be 80, that’s a little over four thousand weeks.

It’s similar to Laura Vanderkam talking about 168 hours in a week. We are more familiar with 24 hours and 7 days.  We normally measure a lifespan in years rather than weeks. That alone gives us a different viewpoint.  

He challenges status quo thinking in several ways. 

First of all, we don’t own time to spend how we please. It doesn’t actually belong to us, but it is who we are. 

He challenges the philosophy of time management that says make every minute count, hyper schedule your time to achieve your goals and have a successful life. 

He advocates the importance of doing nothing and NOT being productive every minute. 

His discussion about distractions is worth reading. There’s no doubt we are easily distracted. How do we deal with it? 

Embrace the truth that you can’t do it all. If you choose one career you say no to others. If you accept one life partner, you are closing the door to all others. 

The old adage says life is like a coin. You can spend it anyway you want, but you can only spend it once.

Most of the book is philosophical with ten proposed action steps coming at the end.

Effortless by Greg McKeown

Effortless carries the message of Essentialism to it’s next logical step. It’s about making things easier.

Two questions from Effortless keep haunting me. 

What if it could be easy? 

What if it could be fun? 

Sometimes we work too hard. Sometimes we make things too hard on ourselves. 

A lot of this has to do with reframing the task at hand. Could reasonable results be achieved with less effort? What if a simple solution would do? Or, maybe, how could repeatedly doing the hard things result in competency that makes it easier?

Sometimes the way for things to become effortless is to push through the difficulties repeatedly until you get to the point through repetition that you can do excellent work with little effort. Momentum carries you through.  

 Atomic Habits by James Clear

In the avalanche of self-help books, Atomic Habits stands out from the pack. James Clear communicates clearly about habits, routines and systems making profound observations about the science of transformation. 

There’s several reasons why Atomic Habits is such a great book. First of all, is the depth of understanding of how habits work in our lives and how powerful they are for life change. 

Another reason is the power of habits to increase focus and productivity in our lives. 

The third reason is that it’s a ground breaking book from a thought leader that challenges the status quo. 

On his website, James Clear lists his top 100 recommended books, many in the areas of personal development and life change.

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

Hal Elrod tells his incredible story about fighting back from the brink, not once, but twice. The first time physically, recovering after a near fatal accident. The second time was financially, after being on the verge of financial collapse.

He also studied the morning habits and systems of successful people and identified the common factors. He distilled them into 7 principles and invented an acronym to aid in memorizing each one.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

“In The Power of Habit, award-winning business reporterCharles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. Distilling vast amounts of information into engrossing narratives that take us from the boardrooms of Procter & Gamble to the sidelines of the NFL to the front lines of the civil rights movement, Duhigg presents a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential. At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. As Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.”– from Amazon

Not many books fit in the category of life-changing.

This one does.

The Power of Habit changed my life.

Deep Work by Cal Newport

Newport first builds the case for the importance of deep work, then he expounds on practical steps to accomplish it.  Simply put, what is needed is focus and discipline.

I agree with Newport’s main premise:  we are doing worse work because we’re distracted.  I see it all the time in the low quality of books that are published and the huge vacuums that exist in many genres for high quality work.

Newport is a college professor.  Publishing in scholarly journals is the deep work he needs to accomplish.  I think the principles apply to all writers, and probably all knowledge workers in general.

I think the most profound books are ones that are simple common sense:  ones that people agree with and see the wisdom of, but didn’t take the time to articulate themselves.  It seems so simple.  So obvious.  And, yet, it wasn’t done before.

It is the path of least resistance to fritter away our time.  When we are careful about every working minute and rest well away from work, we accomplish so much more.

I was intrigued by the end of the day ritual.  For sure, it is the lingering worries of work that sap your peace and relaxation when you’re away from work.  Learning to wrap things up at the end of the day and be at peace with where you’re leaving them is critical for resting well.

His chapter, “Quit Social Media” is a little misleading, because he doesn’t really advocate that you quit social media.  Some would argue that if you want to write, you have to leverage social media.  But, the irony is that social media is keeping you from doing your best work, because you become a consumer instead of a producer.

The instant gratification is a problem, as well.  The instant distraction, the problem of never being bored.  If you’re never bored, then you never think.  You don’t create to fill the hole of that boredom.  You don’t wonder, daydream, imagine.  That vacuum is filled.

Eat that Frog! by Brian Tracy

Eat That Frog! is a quick read.  It is a compilation of wisdom from many gurus of time management, self-management and motivation.  The subtitle is “21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time.”

If I have one beef with the book, it’s that he doesn’t attribute his ideas to the original authors.  But, the content is gold.

Simple and profound.  So why isn’t everyone doing it?  Because it’s hard.  At least, it’s hard to start.He does tackle the psychological side of motivating yourself to do difficult things.

It is a book full of action points, laced with a few stories to illustrate the effectiveness of the principles he advocates.

The whole “eat the frog” analogy comes from Mark Twain who said that “if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long.”

Talking ourselves into doing difficult things instead of avoiding them gets us ahead.

Money, Possessions and Relationships 

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Money, possessions and relationships are areas of life that easily get out of control. 

If we can win in these arenas we can win in life. Learning how to manage these areas is key to being at peace with ourselves.  

Out of all the financial gurus out there, why listen to Dave Ramsey?  What sets Dave apart is his understanding of human nature and the emotional roadblocks that keep people from make good financial decisions.

Part of his signature advice is the “debt snowball”.  Arranging your debts from smallest to largest doesn’t necessarily make sense, except, you need the encouragement of seeing progress, of seeing a debt paid off . . . “sometimes motivation is more important than math”. This encouragement keeps you on track to meet your financial goals.

Another thing that sabotages a good plan is an emergency expense.  Planning for emergencies is a bedrock principle for success financially, according to Dave.

He suggests two ways to do this.  First is a small emergency fund.  Later, a larger fund is created in preparation for a financial tidal wave.

It takes an intensity and focus to succeed financially. Dave calls it “gazelle intensity”.

The book oozes with stories of people who have overcome significant obstacles to achieve financial freedom. These serve as an inspiration and encouragement to those in the trenches.

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Kondo’s little book is getting a lot of buzz, for good reason.

She attacks the problem of decluttering with her signature question when faced with whether to keep or not. “Does it spark joy?”

Kondo attacks common myths, such as do a little every day. Simple, profound principles to help you get your living space in order.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Classic for a reason, Dale Carnegie’s advice is needed today more than ever. People build relationships virtually with less relating going on face to face.

Covering basic profound truths about interacting with people, resolving conflict and leading without offending, it has become the go to handbook for human interaction. Since human nature hasn’t changed since the book was first published in 1936, the principles that worked then work today.

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggeriches

Emerson Eggerichs articulates how couples can get out of the crazy cycle that puts their marriage in a tailspin.

He outlines a foundational mindset for building a strong marriage.

Drawing from biblical teaching, he zeroes in on the essential need women have to be loved and the need men have to be respected.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

This book has remained a perennial best seller as more people discover better ways to express love to the people that they love.

Gary Chapman explains the five main ways people express love and how to understand which way communicates best to individuals.

The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron

What’s all the buzz about the enneagram?  Why is there such a following for an ancient system of personality typing that seems to have no research behind it?

I put it in the same category as The 5 Love Languages.  It gains a following because it rings true.

Of course.  I should have seen it all along.  But, of course, we didn’t.  It seems so obvious when it’s all laid out. Yes. That is what I’m like. That’s how my friends and family tick.  It all makes sense now.  I get it.  Because it rings true, it gains a following.

Do you Have a Love/Hate Relationship with Your Kitchen?

If you feel frustrated or overwhelmed by the responsibility of feeding hungry people, The Lazy Genius Kitchen is for you. 

Two of the biggest stress points in the kitchen are coming up with a main meal day after day and serving food to visitors in your home.

What’s for Dinner?

I think we underestimate the gargantuan task of feeding a family. There’s a lot of moving parts, there’s a lot of ways to fail. Plus we live with the internet where we can access pictures of other people’s food and homes. There’s no way we can live up to that kind of comparison. 

Company’s Coming

There’s not much that can make you feel inadequate like having people in your home for a meal. The good news is, you don’t have to live up to other people’s expectations. With Kendra’s help, you can pinpoint what matters to you, focus on those priorities and let everything else go. 

If there’s a kitchen book that can help you with those two things—company and supper— it’s worth it’s weight in gold. This one is. 

Kendra Adachi works her magic again building on the principles laid out in The Lazy Genius Way. 

Who’s this Book for?

This book is for you if:

You ever feel frustrated by the mammoth task of feeding your people 20 times a week. 

You wish you could hire a cook and/or maid so you won’t be overwhelmed by your responsibilities.

Hospitality makes you anxious. 

You’ve fallen into a food rut and don’t know how to get out. 

You feel guilty about how you manage your time or energy.

You have trouble articulating your highest priorities and living by them. 

Your performance in the kitchen doesn’t live up to your expectations.

Who’s this Book not for? 

This book is not for you if:

You only have a kitchen for the resale value of your house.  

You have no kitchen privileges. 

You’re looking for a cookbook or a kitchen design book. 

You’re completely happy with your meal planning, food prep and kitchen organization. 

You’re not interested in learning new and helpful ways to serve your people better. 

What I Love

27 Ingredient Combinations that Will Never Let You Down

It’s on page 154 and it’s my favorite page in the whole book. 

I already knew that tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese was a winning combo. 

But peas, bacon and cream? Who knew? And shrimp, garlic and lime just makes me hungry. 

Plus 24 more combos to put to the test. Let’s go grocery shopping, mama!

The Liquid Index

The Liquid Index is fascinating and also confusing. I heard it on the podcast first, where she re-named it The Recipe Decoder, which explains it a little better. 

It refers to a basic breakdown of many recipes that helps you build your own favorite meals easier.  

I remember when I discovered that salt, pepper and garlic improved the taste of almost any meat and parsley and paprika are both good on chicken. 

This is way beyond that. 

I dare you not to learn something new. 

Five Action Steps

The Lazy Genius Kitchen introduces a five step process—prioritize, essentialize, organize, personalize and systemize— to create your own systems for your unique situation. These apply in the kitchen but also in other areas of life. 

That’s in Part 1. Part 2 is Have What You Need and Part 3 is Use What You Have. 

Change Your Life Chicken

This is one of only two recipes in the book and can also be found on the web by a simply searching the name. 

Note: this is a sheet pan recipe—one that I love—but best used during seasons of the year with cooler temps. 

Practical Lists and Charts

The last third of the book is encyclopedic, reference pages on kitchen tools, how to cook chicken, blending flavors and how to pages. 

Applies Lazy Genius Principles

Let’s be clear: Using the LG principles is life changing. I wrote about it in Why The Lazy Genius Way Feels Like a Giant Exhale. 

Name What Matters

The strength of all the Lazy Genius principles is taking time first to identify the top priorities. 

This helps you to focus your efforts on what matters most, and release expectations about what matters less. 

It’s paradigm shifting because stress and overwhelm come from having too many priorities and trying to excel in all of them. 

Why? Because we’re overwhelmed with too many choices, too many responsibilities and too many expectations to do it all well. 

Without the foundational principle of Name What Matters, we continue to be overwhelmed. 

When you have clarity on what matters most, you can make the other decisions quickly and confidently. 

How to Name What Matters

Kendra even teaches how to find what matters. First, list what could matter. Then, decide what does matter. And, finally, choose what matters most to you. 

The only way to be content is to release unrealistic expectations. We’re not living someone else’s life. 

Once you’ve identified and articulated your highest priorities, you can let go of what’s less important and develop strategies in line with what matters most. 

Or, as she says it, be a genius about what matters and lazy about what doesn’t. 

Making a list of clean fiction books for adults is tricky business. 

To begin with, everyone has a different definition of clean. 

Some readers don’t want profanity or sex scenes, others don’t want violence or triggers of abuse. The line is fuzzy and varies for each person. 

On the other hand, there are scads of books with no offensive content that aren’t well-written. 

My goal here was to highlight books that fit a general definition of clean but also stood out as high quality. 

Top 5 Exceptional Clean Fiction Books for Adults

1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Hannah Coulter
3. Peace Like a River
4. The Widows of Malabar Hill
5. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 

(Note: pictures of book covers are Amazon affiliate links. Clicking through to purchase will earn commissions for this site.)

Clean Romance Books for Adults

A few books in this section do not have romance as the main component but weaves it in as an intregal part of the whole story.

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The heir of Edenbrooke believes that females are empty headed flirts until he meets Marianne Daventry. 

She intrigues him enough to changes his plans to flee home and his mother’s match making schemes. 

Blackmore by Julianne Donaldson

Blackmore is the name of the estate of Kate Worthington’s neighboring friends. It’s where their grandparents live and where they spend their vacations. She is enamored by the idea of it and her dream is to visit it.

She also wants to visit India and the only way her mother will support her trip is if she receives and rejects three proposals of marriage. She decides Blackmore is the perfect place to achieve that goal. 

The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M Eden

Lord Cavratt impetuously kisses an unknown woman in the garden of a country inn to prove a point. 

He assumes she is a serving woman, but her angry guardian informs him she is a woman of brith whose reputation can only be saved by marriage. 

The marriage of two strangers? What could go wrong? What could go right?

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M Eden

The Duke has a flaw that he believes will keep any woman from marrying him.  

But, with abundant wealth at his disposal, he can surely entice a young woman into marriage by endowing her family with large quantities of money. 

But can two married people get to know each other and find love with scars of the past hanging over them?

Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay

Five stars for Dear Mr. Knightly!  I struggle to find wholesome, well-written fiction.  This one’s a winner.  I’m a huge fan of Webster’s Daddy Long Legs, and this modern re-telling knocked it out of the park. I like it better than the original.  The Austen references were fun, but the story itself was poignant.

Even though it’s technically Inspirational fiction, the Christian message was subtle, not overwhelming.  Kudos to Reay for a wholesome, engaging work. 

These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

“A moving, exciting, and heartfelt American saga inspired by the author’s own family memoirs, these words belong to Sarah Prine, a woman of spirit and fire who forges a full and remarkable existence in a harsh, unfamiliar frontier. Scrupulously recording her steps down the path Providence has set her upon–from child to determined young adult to loving mother–she shares the turbulent events, both joyous and tragic, that molded her and recalls the enduring love with cavalry officer Captain Jack Elliot that gave her strength and purpose.

Rich in authentic everyday details and alive with truly unforgettable characters, These Is My Words brilliantly brings a vanished world to breathtaking life again.”–Goodreads

Unpredictable.  Well-written.

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

Savannah Cade needs help with her romance manuscript. Can a mystery editor help her solve more than just manuscript problems? 

Writing to an anonymous friend whose advice and interaction you start to fall in love with has You’ve Got Mail vibes. 

This is a breezy read. Simple, straight forward plot without time jumping or point of view hopping. Just right when life is too stressful for complicated plots with a plethora of characters.

An inside look at the publishing world was fun, too, to someone who has skirted around the fringes for the past decade. 

The Selection by Keira Cass

If the Bachelor and Bachelorette TV shows are any indication, we love the idea of a competition for love. Add to that echoes of Queen Esther’s story, and a competition for the royal crown is compelling. 

In the future kingdom of Illea, the prince must choose his bride from a group of 35 eligible commoners. America Singer is a contestant dealing with her own inner turmoil, not sure she wants to win. The stage is set for a great story. 

In spite of having to suspend belief at times, I found this story engaging. It’s fun to entertain a princess fantasy every once in awhile. 

The Selection is the first in a five book series.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

It’s hard not to like Lizzie Bennet. She speaks her mind, she’s unfazed by social regulations, she’s fiercely loyal. And no one can articulate matters of the heart like Jane Austen. 

Five girls growing up in one household is certainly a recipe for matchmaking dilemmas. 

Certainly other Austen titles have won hearts, but Pride and Prejudice often is recognized as standing above the rest. 

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Austen fans often agree that Pride and Prejudice tops the list as the author’s greatest work. What comes in the number two slot can be debated. Some prefer Emma, others Persuasion. 

I vote for Sense and Sensibility. 

After the death of their father, the three Dashwood sisters, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret and their widowed mother must leave the family estate and dwell in a humble cottage. 

Of course, the suitors come to call. Finding income to sustain the family is a constant challenge. Each of the sisters navigates their way in the midst of the challenge. 

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

Best known for writing Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery penned other novels of note, including The Blue Castle.

Valancy Stirling, age 29,  lives with her mother and aunt. She’s stifled by the expectations of her relatives and her coping method is to build a dream castle in her imagination. 

One day she receives unexpected news that radically changes her outlook. With new freedom, she throws off convention to begin living her own life.

Throughly relatable to anyone who’s ever daydreamed and wished they could walk away from stifling convention. 

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin

Reese first meets little Annie Stephens at her lemonade stand. It doesn’t take long to see that she’s fighting serious health issues while fiercely holding to a dream of a long and healthy life. She’s lost her parents and lives with her aunt. 

Reese is hiding from his past life in the medical profession. 

The plot could be considered predictable, but the journey to get there is so enjoyable. Charles Martin has the magic touch to draw you in and practically force you to fall in love with his characters. 

Christy by Catherine Marshall

Set in the mountains of Kentucky, Christy is the school teacher to children who don’t always wear shoes and don’t always have the means to pack a lunch. 

Confronted with a culture so different from the one she grew up in, Christy is forced to examine her own beliefs about life. She also discovers deciding who to love can be difficult. 

Classic for a reason, Christy will draw you in to the pathos and the drama of the human condition. 

Clean Literary Fiction Books for Adults

The definition of literary fiction can be debated but for my purposes I generally refer to character driven works of art rather than plot driven novels.

Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

Hannah Coulter takes the panoramic view of a person’s life, the progression of a lifetime. 

Sometimes when we sit down to a novel, we are looking for perspective, to find meaning for the daily grind. We need to see that what we do day after day matters. Hannah Coulter gives us a clue. For many women, all those meals cooked, all the time serving and caring others adds up to a lifetime of meaning. 

Then there’s the small town, rural community. I think our deep longing for community resonates with what happens in small, rural towns where people know each other and care for each other, where lives intertwine in romance, conflict, partnership, friendship and commerce. And no man lives as an island, no matter how solitary they choose to live their lives.

Finally, there’s the strong female protagonist in Hannah Coulter. You might not realize she’s strong. Not at first. She’s the type of woman that is the glue of a community. Keeping her family together. Working the long hours to grow, process and prepare the food that keeps the whole engine running. She tends to the sick, stands by her man and brings up her children. She’s the backbone, the unsung hero. Being unassuming makes it hard to recognize her as strong.

Check out more books like Hannah Coulter.

Gilead by Marilyn Robinson

Gilead is the story of a pastor who married late in life and has a seven year old that he won’t see grow up. The novel is a series of letters to his son. 

He tells of his life, his friends and neighbors, meeting and marrying his mother.

The action is slow moving, and, yet, it’s not necessarily character driven, either. Just a reflective account of life and faith in small town Iowa.

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

“The unforgettable story of four orphans who travel the Mississippi River on a life-changing odyssey during the Great Depression.”—from Amazon

The story is told through Odie O’Banion’s adolescent eyes. 

It’s his quest for home, family and the meaning of life. Along for the ride are his brother Albert and his friends Mose and Emmy. 

The human experience is more complicated than most novelists are able to express. There’s the complexity of human nature and relationships, the complexity of our belief system and how our experience influences our beliefs. I feel like This Tender Land wrestled with that complexity and won. 

It doesn’t downplay the true depravity of man. It has lots of plot twists.

The novelist deals with the most delicate of subjects in an inoffensive way. 

There was one element of the book I didn’t care for, but it wasn’t enough to ruin it for me. 

It reminded me of Peace Like a River. I’ll want to read it again and again. 

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

I can’t remember the last time a novel made me cry.  This one did.

Ove is near the end of his life, but this novel takes us back to his family, his first love and his losses. It is a bittersweet exploration of what really matters in relationships and what gets in the way.

Love, friendship, community and social awkwardness.  It’s the recipe for a great novel.

It demonstrates in brilliant colors that no man is an island.

Peace Like a River by Lief Enger

Told through the eyes of an eleven year old boy, the novel is not about a span of time, it mostly just covers one year.

Rueben is the eleven year old, Swede, his younger sister, and Davy their older brother. They live with their father out west, growing up in a modest life. 

Circumstances dictate a search for answers to a reality that doesn’t add up. 

 Jewel by Bret Lott

“It is 1943 in the backwoods of Mississippi. In the land of honeysuckle and wild grapevine, Jewel Hilburn and her husband Leston – whose love for his wife is the surest comfort she’s ever known – are truly blessed. They have five fine children who embrace the world as though it were a sumptuous table set for a feast; and when Brenda Kay is born, Jewel gives thanks for yet another healthy baby, last-born and most welcome.

JEWEL is the story of how quickly a life can change; how, like lightning, an unforseen event can illuminate our lives and set us on a course without reason or compass.”– Goodreads

Jewel fights the odds of prejudice and ignorance with a mother’s fierce love.

“Bret Lott has created one of the finest and most indomitable heroines of contemporary American fiction.”

Beautifully crafted. A pleasure to read.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

“The story of young, sensitive, and idealistic Francie Nolan and her bittersweet formative years in the slums of Williamsburg has enchanted and inspired millions of readers for more than sixty years. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the daily experiences of the unforgettable Nolans are raw with honesty and tenderly threaded with family connectedness — in a work of literary art that brilliantly captures a unique time and place as well as incredibly rich moments of universal experience. “–Goodreads

Rightly labeled a literary work of art.  Francie Nolan develops the grit and humanity she needs to survive her tumultuous life.

Clean Historical Fiction Books for Adults

This section includes some books written for young adults that are compelling enough to be enjoyed by a broader audience. 

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin

Grace Bennett moves to London in 1939. The war is ramping up. Air raids and the fragility of life are daily uncertainty.  But a job at a bookstore teaches Grace the power of the written word and friendships forged during trying times endure.  

The Downstairs Girl by Stacy Lee

Jo Kuan works as a ladies’ maid in Atlanta in the 1890’s, but she also moonlights as the popular advice columnist, Miss Sweetie. Anonymously answering questions in the newspaper gives her the chance to address some social issues. 

I enjoyed this wholesome story and recommend it for all ages. 

Lovely War by Julie Berry

Another YA book that adults will enjoy, especially helpful during stressful seasons when a complex plot is hard to follow. 

It’s set in World War I and II and follows two couples— Hazel and James and Aubrey and Collette as they navigate, war, prejudice and their relationships. 

The Tehran Initiative by Joel C. Rosenberg

This isn’t technically historical fiction because it’s set in the future, or at least an alternate reality present.

I had never read a Rosenberg book before and this one surprised me by drawing me in. 

I don’t read very many people who know that much about what’s going on in the Middle East. I found it fascinating. I felt like he did a good job of keeping the plot unpredictable. 

I liked the characters, too and found myself rooting for them. And, always, the critical element of every page turner, what’s going to happen next? 

It’s the first in a three book series. 

The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

 Based of the life of the first female lawyer in Bombay.

Not only does this fictional account weave a riveting tale, it highlights the culture and customs of 1920’s India.

The obstacles of limited educational opportunities for women, arranged marriages, gender segregation and inequalities were ingrained in the culture.

Navigating that world and winning is a real feat.

Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan

The fame of the Titanic is wide spread.

A lesser known naval disaster occurred off the US coast in the 1838. The short voyage on the steamship Pulaski was used by the upper classes to escape the heat of Savannah in the summer. But the boiler exploded and the ship sank. 

This book fictionalizes several real passengers and the drama that surrounded them before, during and after the accident.  

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

The narrative moves back and forth between present day South Carolina and the 30’s and 40’s Tennessee. 

The setting is an orphan asylum where children are cared for until families are found for them. Unfortunately, the people in charge are not as altruistic as they appear. 

Inspired by true facts, this book tackles difficult themes with a surprising amount of optimism and hope. Trigger warnings.

 Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

Once Upon a Wardrobe does a deep dive into the question of why C.S. Lewis wrote the Chronicles of Narnia. History is woven into the fictional scenario of Megs Devonshire trying to get answers for her chronically ill brother who has fallen in love with the recently published The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Megs is a student at Oxford in 1950, so she is able to gain access to the literary legend. But, of course, her straight forward questions don’t get straight forward answers. Instead, we learn the background, history and influences on the man behind the fantasies. 

The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner

The Last Year of the War traces an unlikely friendship between a German teenage girl and a Japanese teenage girl who become friends in an internment camp in Texas during World War II. 

Certainly the themes of racial prejudice are explored, but, even more, friendship, family expectations and traditions. Maybe an even deeper underlying theme is coming of age when the forces of your life throw you into situations beyond your control. 

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Windspear

Maise Dobbs is a detective in Vitorian London. Coming from modest means, she is indebted to her benefactors for her education and mentoring. 

The work of a sleuth is different in the days before cell phones and fingerprints. An ability to understand human nature and get to the truth are the skills that are needed. 

Independent and likable, Maise Dobbs is a heroine to cheer for and skillful plotting of the story keeps you turning pages. 

***************

Need more book recommendations?

Try Near Miss Clean Books: 7 PG Fiction for Adults.

Or Best Clean Romance Novels to Love.

I agree with Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs Darcy that any book you take to the beach is a Beach Read. It really doesn’t matter which genre it is as long as you like it. 

Some books, though, fit the category better than others. Easy, breezy books that you can finish in a sitting or a romance that is escape fiction or a page turner that keeps you up in the wee hours when there’s no danger of the alarm going off in the morning. 

For me, personally, my top picks are well-crafted, morally commendable novels with compelling characters. Bonus points if they stick with me and help me contemplate the meaning of life. Occasionally I’m willing to suspend belief if I relate to a character that draws me in emotionally. 

I surprised myself in doing the research for this post by falling in love with some Regency Romances. Think Jane Austen for modern readers. 

Even though vacation is a great time to learn new things or soak up a good memoir, I’ve limited this list to fiction, mostly feel good fiction without complicated plots, an overwhelming number of characters or lots of back and forth scene changes. 

Breezy Escape Fiction

Nothing says Beach Read like breezy escape fiction. 

Four regency era novels qualify with straight forward, uncomplicated plots featuring heroes committed to the code of gentlemen. Just the ticket for a breezy read. 

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Regency Romance

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The heir of Edenbrooke believes that females are empty headed flirts until he meets Marianne Daventry.

She intrigues him enough to changes his plans to flee home and his mother’s match making schemes. 

Blackmore by Julianne Donaldson

Blackmore is the name of the estate of Kate Worthington’s neighboring friends. It’s where their grandparents live and where they spend their vacations. She is enamored by the idea of it and her dream is to visit it.

She also wants to visit India and the only way her mother will support her trip is if she receives and rejects three proposals of marriage. She decides Blackmore is the perfect place to achieve that goal. 

The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M Eden

Lord Cavratt impetuously kisses an unknown woman in the garden of a country inn to prove a point.

He assumes she is a serving woman, but her angry guardian informs him she is a woman of brith whose reputation can only be saved by marriage.

The marriage of two strangers? What could go wrong? What could go right?

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M Eden

The Duke has a flaw that he believes will keep any woman from marrying him. 

But, with abundant wealth at his disposal, he can surely entice a young woman into marriage by endowing her family with large quantities of money.

But can two married people get to know each other and find love with scars of the past hanging over them?

For the Young at Heart

Sometimes well written middle grade or young adult novels fit the bill of breezy escape fiction. Reading aloud on vacation or turning on audiobooks during road trips can be family bonding times. With or without kids, these picks appeal to the young and the young at heart. 

Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr

Lena and Trille are next door neighbors and best friends, coconspirators in mishaps. While getting in and out of scrapes, they learn a lot about friendship, family and life.

 I enjoyed it even without kids in my life right now to read it to. 

Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

What if you grew up in family of twelve children? 

The authors of Cheaper by the Dozen draw from the memories of their childhood days in a big family. 

Laugh out loud funny, winsome characters, appealing for all ages beginning around age 8. 

The War That Saved My Life  by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

“Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.

So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?” — from GoodReads

Great story.

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt

“In this companion novel to The Wednesday Wars, Doug struggles to be more than the “skinny thug” that some people think him to be. He finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer, who gives him the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Schmidt expertly weaves multiple themes of loss and recovery in a story teeming with distinctive, unusual characters and invaluable lessons about love, creativity, and survival.”– from Amazon

Excellent book. LOVED it. 

Deals with so many important themes.

Abusive parent. War veterans. Learning disabilities. Young love. Poverty. Predjudice.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

5 Stars!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this whimsical story. (That’s a lotta love.)  I’m thinking about reading it to the teens in my carpool, since I don’t have any little kids to read it too.  I’ll be giving it to my nieces and nephews, too, when I get the chance.

Four motherless girls on vacation with their father.  Their romps with pets, neighbors and each other:  a simple, but satisfying plot.

I loved the uplifting, engaging characters.  Real heroes.  Great values.   Whimsical.

The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

What if you lived in a small kingdom where the prince chooses his bride from the graduates of the Princess Academy?

What if you had the chance for an education that would never be possible otherwise?

I loved this middle grade novel for telling a tale of what could be, the power of knowledge, friendships and courage.

One of my favorite parts of Princess Academy was how they snuck in principles of Commerce and Negotiation. It was fun how that played out.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

“Fantastic creatures, heroic deeds, epic battles in the war between good and evil, and unforgettable adventures come together in this world where magic meets reality, which has been enchanting readers of all ages for over sixty years. The Chronicles of Narnia has transcended the fantasy genre to become a part of the canon of classic literature.”– from GoodReads

In my opinion, it doesn’t get any better than Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia for middle grade.

But, not only middle grade. Narnia appeals to every age.

Lewis tells compelling stories with an amazing economy of words.  He weaves timeless truths into  tales that highlight the classic conflict between good and evil.

I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

Caddie Woodlawn is perhaps an under appreciated classic. My husband has fond memories of hearing this read aloud by his teacher in elementary school. He remembered the story, but forgot the title of the book. Stumbling across it decades later like reuniting with an old friend. 

Caddie is the spunky spirited heroine growing up during the Little House on the Prairie era. 

The Boys in the Boat, Young Readers edition, by Daniel James Brown

The background story of the Olympic rowing team of 1936. 

A huge takeaway for me from this book was the critical element of trust in teamwork.

In addition to the practical principles of building a winning team, the pathos of a couple of the boys on the team pulled the heart strings. 

I originally checked out the print version of Boys in the Boat from the library to read to my 16-year-old. When that had to go back, I checked out the e-version.  When that was returned, there were no more available copies of the book.  So, I checked out the young readers edition.  I liked it even better than the original.

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

My mother read to us scads of books while I was growing up, but my favorite memory of reading James Herriot was when my Dad read this to me and my brother on a trip. We would have been about 7th and 9th grades and we laughed so hard we could hardly breathe. 

The tales of a country vet working in the English countryside set the scene for some fascinating and humorous stories. 

For more book recommendations for reading with (or without) kids read Best Family Read Alouds and Where to Start

Rereadable Classics

What benefits do Classics have? 

Some books speak to us in different ways during different seasons. Depending on current life stage and circumstances, a classic can meet us in a different way. These books are generally not breezy reads. 

I find when I’m stressed it’s harder to focus on what I’m reading, but these classics are usually compelling enough to stick with regardless of my mental state. 

Since they’re not the hot books just off the press, there’s no waiting list at the library. Since they’ve stood the test of time, they have the credibility that brand new books don’t. They also carry with them the benefit of not bending to the winds of trendiness. 

It doesn’t matter if it’s first read or a favorite reread. They are just as good the second or tenth time. 

Pride and Predjudice by Jane Austen

It’s hard not to like Lizzie Bennet. She speaks her mind, she’s unfazed by social regulations, she’s fiercely loyal. And no one can articulate matters of the heart like Jane Austen. 

Five girls growing up in one household is certainly a recipe for matchmaking dilemmas.

Certainly other Austen titles have won hearts, but Pride and Prejudice often is recognized as standing above the rest. 

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne is a herione universally loved by girls and remembered fondly by women. Of course, so much of the charm is Anne herself, spunky, competitive, fiercely loyal, throughly human. 

But some of it is the wistfulness of small town community where the gossips whisper and pass judgment and the sons and daughters marry their neighbors and hearts are broken never to see healing through the decades. 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

A classic for a reason, generations have grown up with the escapades of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. Patterned after the author’s own home life, the stories of the four sisters ring true. Each sister is endearing in their own way. 

The book contains not so much a plot as a journey as each one reaches to fulfill their destiny. 

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I made it 49 years without reading To Kill a Mockingbird. I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer.

Scout and her brother have a front row seat to watch their attorney father stand for his principles against prejudice in the South. 

So glad I finally made time for this classic. 

I’m not sure if I’ll tackle the sequel or not, since reviews were mixed and many negative.

Christy by Catherine Marshall

The setting is rural, but can hardly be called small town. Set in the mountains of Kentucky, Christy is the school teacher to children who don’t always wear shoes, who don’t always have the means to pack a lunch. 

Confronted with a culture so different from the one she grew up in, Christy is forced to examine her own beliefs about life. She also discovers deciding who to love can be difficult. 

Classic for a reason, Christy will draw you in to the pathos and the drama of the human condition. 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

“The story of young, sensitive, and idealistic Francie Nolan and her bittersweet formative years in the slums of Williamsburg has enchanted and inspired millions of readers for more than sixty years. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the daily experiences of the unforgettable Nolans are raw with honesty and tenderly threaded with family connectedness — in a work of literary art that brilliantly captures a unique time and place as well as incredibly rich moments of universal experience. “–Goodreads

Rightly labeled a literary work of art.  Francie Nolan develops the grit and humanity she needs to survive her tumultuous life.

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

Valancy Stirling, age 29,  lives with her mother and aunt. She’s stifled by the expectations of her relatives and her coping method is to build a dream castle in her imagination. 

One day she receives unexpected news that radically changes her outlook. With new freedom, she throws off convention to begin living her own life.

Throughly relatable to anyone who’s ever daydreamed and wished they could walk away from stifling convention. 

Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter

Another of my top picks from Gene Straton Porter is the story of Freckles, a handicapped boy who found his purpose and meaning living close to the earth.

Butterflies, birds, trees and plants. These are all Gene Straton Porter’s domain and she is a master at making them as much a part of the story as the humans and animals themselves. Clearly a student of human nature as well as a naturalist, she is able to capture the emotions and relationships in clear detail that is a joy to read.

Read the free ebook version at Project Gutenberg,  Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter

The Virginian by Owen Wister

Owen Wister has been credited with starting the genre of the Western, with his story of the unnamed cowboy, the Virginian. 

Wister explores the justice of the newly settle West, the relationships, the quest for man to build their own kingdoms and fence them. The country was captivated by the tales of the people who lived untamed lives on untamed land. 

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

Chaim Potok brilliantly captures the internal struggles of two boys growing up in Jewish homes in New York City beginning in the 40s. 

There’s clashes with their fathers, wrestling with what they believe about faith, community, family and their own future. Potak so vividly paints the world he grew up in, it feels like you were dropped onto the sizzling New York City asphalt yourself.

It contains less a plot and more a journey. 

Modern Literary Fiction

There may be some debate as to what qualifies as literary fiction. For me, a book that excels in character with slow moving or virtually non-existent plot fits the bill. Beautiful writing is a bonus. 

These books will become classics, but until then, we occupy the same planet with the authors. 

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

What if you were nobility in Russia in the twenties who is under house arrest at a posh hotel stripped of titles and wealth? Could you still build a life for yourself? Make the human connections and community that everyone needs to survive? 

Be prepared for a slow moving plot and brief scenes that aren’t morally commendable. 

Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

Hannah Coulter takes the panoramic view of a person’s life, the progression of a lifetime. 

Sometimes when we sit down to a novel, we are looking for perspective, to find meaning for the daily grind. We need to see that what we do day after day matters. Hannah Coulter gives us a clue. For many women, all those meals cooked, all the time serving and caring others adds up to a lifetime of meaning. 

Then there’s the small town, rural community. I think our deep longing for community resonates with what happens in small, rural towns where people know each other and care for each other, where lives intertwine in romance, conflict, partnership, friendship and commerce. And no man lives as an island, no matter how solitary they choose to live their lives.

Finally, there’s the strong female protagonist in Hannah Coulter. You might not realize she’s strong. Not at first. She’s the type of woman that is the glue of a community. Keeping her family together. Working the long hours to grow, process and prepare the food that keeps the whole engine running. She tends to the sick, stands by her man and brings up her children. She’s the backbone, the unsung hero. Being unassuming makes it hard to recognize her as strong.

Check out more books like Hannah Coulter.

Peace Like a River by Lief Enger

Told through the eyes of an eleven year old boy, the novel is not about a span of time, it mostly just covers one year.

Rueben is the eleven year old, Swede, his younger sister, and Davy their older brother. They live with their father out west, growing up in a modest life. 

Circumstances dictate a search for answers to a reality that doesn’t add up. 

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

“The unforgettable story of four orphans who travel the Mississippi River on a life-changing odyssey during the Great Depression.”—from Amazon

The story is told through Odie O’Banion’s adolescent eyes. 

It’s his quest for home, family and the meaning of life. Along for the ride are his brother Albert and his friends Mose and Emmy. 

The human experience is more complicated than most novelists are able to express. There’s the complexity of human nature and relationships, the complexity of our belief system and how our experience influences our beliefs. I feel like This Tender Land wrestled with that complexity and won. 

It doesn’t downplay the true depravity of man. It has lots of plot twists.

The novelist deals with the most delicate of subjects in an inoffensive way. 

There was one element of the book I didn’t care for, but it wasn’t enough to ruin it for me. 

It reminded me of Peace Like a River. I’ll want to read it again and again. 

Gilead by Marilyn Robinson

Gilead is the story of a pastor who married late in life and has a seven year old that he won’t see grow up. The novel is a series of letters to his son. 

He tells of his life, his friends and neighbors, meeting and marrying his mother.

The action is slow moving, and, yet, it’s not necessarily character driven, either. Just a reflective account of life and faith in small town Iowa.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

I can’t remember the last time a novel made me cry.  This one did.

Ove is near the end of his life, but this novel takes us back to his family, his first love and his losses. It is a bittersweet exploration of what really matters in relationships and what gets in the way.

Love, friendship, community and social awkwardness.  It’s the recipe for a great novel.

It demonstrates in brilliant colors that no man is an island.

 Jewel by Bret Lott

“It is 1943 in the backwoods of Mississippi. In the land of honeysuckle and wild grapevine, Jewel Hilburn and her husband Leston – whose love for his wife is the surest comfort she’s ever known – are truly blessed. They have five fine children who embrace the world as though it were a sumptuous table set for a feast; and when Brenda Kay is born, Jewel gives thanks for yet another healthy baby, last-born and most welcome.

JEWEL is the story of how quickly a life can change; how, like lightning, an unforseen event can illuminate our lives and set us on a course without reason or compass.”– Goodreads

Jewel fights the odds of prejudice and ignorance with a mother’s fierce love.

“Bret Lott has created one of the finest and most indomitable heroines of contemporary American fiction.”

Beautifully crafted. A pleasure to read.

Recently Published Fiction

Published within the last twenty years, these some of my top picks for compelling stories.

These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

“A moving, exciting, and heartfelt American saga inspired by the author’s own family memoirs, these words belong to Sarah Prine, a woman of spirit and fire who forges a full and remarkable existence in a harsh, unfamiliar frontier. Scrupulously recording her steps down the path Providence has set her upon–from child to determined young adult to loving mother–she shares the turbulent events, both joyous and tragic, that molded her and recalls the enduring love with cavalry officer Captain Jack Elliot that gave her strength and purpose.

Rich in authentic everyday details and alive with truly unforgettable characters, These Is My Words brilliantly brings a vanished world to breathtaking life again.”–Goodreads

Unpredictable.  Well-written.

The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

 Based of the life of the first female lawyer in Bombay.

Not only does this fictional account weave a riveting tale, it highlights the culture and customs of 1920’s India.

Limited educational opportunities, arranged marriages, gender segregation and inequalities.  These were real obstacles.

Navigating that world and winning is a real feat.

The Tehran Initiative by Joel Rosenberg 

I had never read a Rosenberg book before and it surprised me by drawing me in. 

I don’t read very many people who know that much about what’s going on in the middle east. I found it fascinating. I felt like he did a good job of keeping the plot unpredictable. 

I liked the characters, too and found myself rooting for them. And, always, the critical element of every page turner, what’s going to happen next? 

It’s part of 3 book series. 

Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay

Five stars for Dear Mr. Knightly!  I struggle to find wholesome, well-written fiction.  This one’s a winner.  I’m a huge fan of Webster’s Daddy Long Legs, and this modern re-telling knocked it out of the park. I like it better than the original.  The Austen references were fun, but the story itself was poignant.

Even though it’s technically Inspirational fiction, the Christian message was subtle, not overwhelming.  Kudos to Reay for a wholesome, engaging work. 

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin

Reese first meets little Annie Stephens at her lemonade stand. It doesn’t take long to see that she’s fighting serious health issues while fiercely holding to a dream of a long and healthy life. She’s lost her parents and lives with her aunt. 

Reese is hiding from his past life in the medical profession. 

The plot could be considered predictable, but the journey to get there is so enjoyable. Charles Martin has the magic touch to draw you in and practically force you to fall in love with his characters. 

The work of a sleuth is different in the days before cell phones and fingerprints. An ability to understand human nature and get to the truth are the skills that are needed. 

Independent and likable, Maise Dobbs is a heroine to cheer for and skillful plotting of the story keeps you turning pages. 

CS Lewis drew inspiration for The Chronicles of Narnia from influences in his life: an image he had in his head since age 16, an imaginary land he created with his brother, the name of an Italian town, the children sent to his house during the war and maybe even the longings of his motherless heart.

1. A mental image Lewis had at age 16 of a faun carrying packages in the snow.  The Narnia books were written decades later, but this seed of an image finally germinated to become foundational in the first book of the Chronicles, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.   

2. The Imaginary land of Boxen created with his brother. There’s also the seed planted in childhood of a imaginary land named Boxen that he and his brother, Warner,  imagined when they were growing up. In this country, animals could talk and fantastical and mythical creatures lived. 

3. The Italian city of Narni.  As a child, Lewis was looking at a map of Italy and saw a small town named Narni. The name fascinated him and he tucked it away to use for later. 

4. His conversion to Christianity.

Lewis’ well-publicized turn from atheism was influenced by his friends and the authors he most respected. That, in turn, influenced his own writing, both non-fiction and fiction.

Are the Chronicles of Narnia Christian? Lewis denied that they were a Christian allegory, though the series is certainly steeped with Christian symbols.

Aslan the lion serves as the Christ figure throughout the books.

5. His desire to smuggle truth behind enemy lines.

When Lewis was asked if he would write for the then new magazine, Christianity Today, he replied that he felt his time was better served smuggling truth behind enemy lines. 

Lewis’ intent to smuggle theology manifests itself in a conversation Aslan has with Lucy in Narnia about returning to England.

“It isn’t Narnia, you know,” sobbed Lucy. “It’s you. We shan’t meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?”

“But you shall meet me, dear one,” said Aslan.

“Are -are you there too, Sir?” said Edmund.

“I am,” said Aslan. “But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.”

Who is Aslan in the real world? Read my article that answers that question.

6. His fascination with Norse mythology. 

Lewis developed a fascination with fantasy, myth and legends, but, especially with Norse mythology.

An interesting aspect of Lewis’ education was the one on one time spent with a tutor before entering the university reading books that opened up new worlds for him.

7. Echoes of his life. 

When he was a professor at Oxford, he hosted three girls from London in his home in the country during the air raids. Surely that was foundational for the set up of the first book when the Pensevie children are sent to live with Professor Digory Kirk. 

He also served in the British military during the first world war, giving him and insider’s look at battles and war. 

8. He dedicated the first book to his god daughter, Lucy. 

Other dedications followed, including to his step sons, Douglas and David Gresham.  

9. Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan does a deep dive into this question.

The story revolves around Megs Devonshire, a student at Oxford in 1950, who approaches professor Lewis with questions about the origin of Narnia.

10. It’s still a mystery.

Everything goes into an author’s head and what comes out is greater than the sum of it’s parts. 

11. Narnia was born out of the longings of Lewis’ heart. 

This is pure personal speculation. But he did lose his mother to cancer as a boy of 9.

Maybe it was the longing for his mother that helped him tap into that longing that we have for another world, the desire to escape this one and go to one where we have a little more control and power and we can communicate with animals. 

Maybe that is why he didn’t feel the need to perfect his world, correct the inconsistencies and fill in all the backstory. The mishmash of legend, fantasy and myth seemed not to bother him the way it did his friend and literary compatriot, J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Somehow, Lewis was able to tap into the deep longings of the soul.

He communicated those longings and people resonated with that. 

The leaps of logic didn’t matter. They were forgiven. 

He articulates the longing for perfection, for justice and the desire we have to rule our own kingdom.  Also, the desire to be known and loved unconditionally. 

The simplest plot points communicate those longings, like when Edmund left his flashlight in Narnia or the desire to not wake up from a delicious dream. 

He was also able to tap into the rebellion of the human heart, the jealousies of sibling rivalry, and the classic contest of good versus evil, with the satisfaction of knowing that good will prevail. 

I think some of those longings came from his motherless heart. Others are common to everyone, regardless of circumstance. 

I think we have within us a longing for a God who sees and cares and is ultimately arranging the pieces of history. To be loved and pursued by an all powerful God touches us at our deepest level.

The sacrifice of a God who would willingly lay down his life to redeem us also touches a deep human need— the need to be rescued when we can’t rescue ourselves. 

The fact that Lewis could do it in so few words is a genius of literature.