Tara Westover grew up in a fundamentalist Mormon family in Idaho. She and six her siblings were homeschooled, in the very loosest sense of the word. Her parents operated small businesses and didn’t have much interaction with society, distrustful of the government and doctors. 

In spite of her unconventional upbringing, Tara was able to go to college and went on to earn a doctorate at Cambridge. 

Educated is the riveting account of her unusual upbringing told in a narrative voice devoid of self-pity. 

When I went looking for more books like Educated, I identified the three elements I find most compelling about the book. It’s inspiring. It’s brilliantly written. And it’s full of true adventure and drama. So, this list is broken down into three sections, each highlighting one of those elements. 

Top Picks for Books Like Educated

1. The Glass Castle

2. Hillbilly Elegy

3. Crying in H Mart

4. Unbroken

5. Blue Like Jazz

6. This Beautiful Truth

Note: Clicking on the pictures of book covers in this post will take you to Amazon affiliate links. Purchasing through those links earns commissions for this site.

Inspiring Life Stories

The life stories of others can inspire us.  Reading their story enables us to walk their journey vicariously. We borrow their courage to use in our own lives.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Jeannette Walls’ classic memoir has often been compared to Tara Westover’s Educated with good reason. There are many similarities. 

They are both stories of unorthodox parents, self-directed kids fighting for survival told in a voice absent of pity. It amazes me. 

It is also inspiring. Every person on the planet has something about their childhood that they could complain about. Life isn’t perfect, after all. These kids, with many strikes against them in the conventional sense, still did not indulge in self-pity. 

They were able to tell the stories of their childhoods objectively without placing blame or bemoaning their fate. 

They played the hand that was dealt them. It’s instructive.

Jeannette Walls is the third child of four siblings, with two sisters and a brother. Their family tended towards a nomadic life, often uprooted and replanted, suffering instability of income, instability of emotion and battles with addiction. 

Both books highlight the complexity of human personality and relationships. 

In neither case are the parents painted as villains, but the good, bad and ugly is portrayed in living color. 

Content warning: language and childhood trauma

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was gratuitous language.  Sometimes language in a dialogue can prove a point, but there’s no good reason for it to be in the narrative.

That being said, I love the social analysis wrapped around a boot-strapping overcomer’s story. J.D. Vance emerged from an impoverished childhood to graduate from Harvard and become a successful lawyer.

I love the positive impact and stability the author’s grandparents brought to his life.

My heart breaks for the young people in this country, especially for the homes that so many grow up in–for the poverty–not of money so much as love, stability, education and faith.

Gifted Hands by Ben Carson

Ben Carson and his brother grew up in a single parent home in Detroit.

Ben credits his mother for the impact on his life that resulted in all of them breaking out of the poverty culture.

She valued education, discipline, the importance of reading and making wise decisions in the use of her resources.

In turn, Ben came to see poverty as a temporary state.  He could see the way out.  He developed a vision for his life.  He eventually attained some of life’s greatest successes as a pediatric neurosurgeon.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken tells the story of Louis Zamperini, Olympic runner and World War II soldier.

Louis Zamperini was a fast runner, but running was only the beginning. 

The perseverance and resilience Zamperini displayed in the face the multiple titanic challenges is an inspiration.

Knowing his background and family intensifies the story.

The final resolution is satisfying and heart warming.

Aside from the story, the writing is a work of art.

Find more books like Unbroken here.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

In 2017 I wrote 55 book reviews for my blog. The best book I read that year was Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. I heard him speak at my daughter’s graduation from Biola University in December of 2016. At that time he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer, which took his life in September of 2017. 

If you don’t know much about him, here’s an overview of Nabeel’s life and impact. 

I loved the account of the raw, treacherous journey that Nabeel Qureshi took to find faith in Jesus. The sacrifices he made, the intellectual, emotional and relational barriers that kept him from finding faith in Jesus and the story of overcoming those barriers.

Statistics are one thing. One person’s story is something else altogether. What difference can one person’s story make?

Why do we need to know Nabeel’s story? There are millions of devout Muslims on the planet. If we understand Nabeel’s story, we come closer to understanding the Muslim mindset.

Understanding opens the door to greater compassion. We share the same humanity. Our desires and dreams are common to the human experience.

If you’re interested in more compelling biographies or Christian apologetics, read my post Books Like Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus.

Brilliantly Written Memoirs

Some memoirs stand out because they are beautifully written. . 

This Beautiful Truth Sarah Clarkson

I was first drawn to This Beautiful Truth by curiosity to read an insider’s look at OCD. I knew Sarah would write beautifully and articulately and she did. Not only with beauty, but with transparency and insight. 

I did come to a better understanding of OCD. I’m still curious about root causes. Maybe that’s a mystery we’ll never solve.  

The most poignant reflection was her thoughts that she was too broken to ever be a wife and mother. I think everyone can relate to that. 

We understand ourselves better by getting to know people who know themselves well. Sarah opens the door. 

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Michelle grew up with a Korean mother and American father. 

Every other summer, she and her mom visited her mom’s family in Korea. 

Every relationship with a parent is complicated, but growing up biculturally adds another layer of complexity. 

Her mother’s battle with cancer adds another layer.  Combine it with a sprinkle of adolescent identity issues and you have the recipe for a great story. 

There’s a lot of Korean food in this book: what it is, what it means and how to make it. It highlighted for me the relationship food plays in culture and family. 

Content warning: some language

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott has a gift with words and a wry, self-deprecating humor. 

This memoir was written specifically for writers, but there’s takeaways for everyone.

Even though I don’t agree with her theology or her politics, I certainly appreciate her gifted writing. 

Content: some language and crass descriptions

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

Blue Like Jazz is reminiscent of an Anne Lamott memoir.  They’re both off the charts in honesty, transparency and authenticity.  We identify with those inner insecurities that we can’t even admit to ourselves, much less to others, committing them to black and white and hurling them to the world.

I’ve read Donald Miller’s memoir several times. I have also read Scary Close, which is somewhat of a sequel, but it doesn’t have the same punch as Blue Like Jazz.  Growing up fatherless is an underlying theme of Blue Like Jazz.  By the time Scary Close was written, Miller has resolved many of his emotional issues and experienced a lot of healing.  So, it’s not driven by the same pain.

I believe writing in itself is therapeutic.  As is sharing your story.  I heard Miller recently talk about the desire people have to be heard and seen and known.  He’s been there, done that and now has no more need to be seen and heard and known.  He’s heading a successful company now called StoryBrand that helps businesses tell their story.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

If you’ve ever wondered what the life of a shrink looks like, here’s your chance for a behind the scenes deep dive.

Lori pulls back the curtain on the intersection of personal life and professional life.  Real human drama.  How to become a therapist, how to survive as a therapist, how to see a therapist.

One of our deepest human needs is connection with other humans.  And, yet, sometimes we shoot ourself in the foot.  The reality is, though, that you really don’t have to have it all together in your life before you can help someone else.

Lori shares the stories of her patients as well as the stories of being on the couch herself.  For sure, no man is an island. Intriguing.  Compelling.

Heads up for language.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

This memior was written by a man diagnosed with cancer.  That’s the kind of news that changes your perspective in life.

Kalanith writes in a clear, concise style.  What makes the book extraordinary is the author wrestles with the meaning of life even before he’s diagnosed with cancer.  It gives the reader pause in the very best ways.

Here’s my takeaway:  we make plans for our lives based on how long we think we have left to live.  We make different decisions when we think we’re going to live 40 years more or 10 or 1.

Also:  at the end of life, our close relationships are what matter most.  But, running a close second is a life dedicated to meaningful work and making an impact on our world in some way.  I’ve believed for a long time that having meaningful work was a critical element for the human psyche, but I’ve never seen it so clearly before, especially in light of the importance of close relationships at the end of life.

I also enjoyed Kalanitrh’s stories of his experiences in medical school.  Interesting to see the behind the scenes snapshots of a surgeon in training.

Beautiful words to express the human experience

Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

One of my all-time favorites that I re-visit periodically.  Written sixty years ago, this book is truly timeless.

Listen: “What a circus act we women perform everyday of our lives.” Really?  1955?

“how to remain whole in the midst of the distractions of life, how to remain balanced, no matter what centrifugal forces tend to pull one off center: how to remain strong, no matter what shocks come in at the periphery and tend to crack the hub of the wheel”

I love her reflections.

In a class by itself

True Life Adventure and Drama

From the comfort of our living room or bedroom, we can experience true life adventure and drama through the eyes of survivors. The dangers were real. Reading their accounts enlarges our world

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Note: Heads up for language.

I didn’t really understand apartheid until I read this book.

Seeing how it played out in people’s lives is sobering.

Trevor Noah has a white father and a black mother.  In South Africa, it was illegal for his father and mother to procreate.  His very existance was against the law, hence the title, Born a Crime.

It’s mind-blowing to think about the world and the life that Trevor Noah was born into. It’s a cautionary tale, especially for those who have a vote in their government’s laws and leaders.

I liked Noah Trevor’s personal and relatable writing style as well as the occasional political commentary.

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton

What would it be like to be convicted of a murder you didn’t commit and then spend 30 years on death row?

Amazingly, Anthony Ray Hinton is not an angry, bitter man even though it would be the logical reaction for an extreme injustice.

What’s it like for the men sitting on death row?  How would you feel?  What would you think?  How do you make it every day?

This is an inside look and, incredibly, a hopeful look.

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

The story of Ernest Shackleton’s leadership to bring his whole crew out alive after their vessel is lost in the South Pole Seas is inspiring.

It’s a good study in leadership and teamwork. It’s an amazing triumph over the elements, even though the primary mission wasn’t accomplished. The feat was bringing back everyone home alive.

The difficult decisions faced, the feats of survival, the human interaction: these are the elements of the story that draw you in and keep you turning pages.

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

The ten Boom family takes their Christian faith seriously.  They believe the Jews are God’s Chosen People and risk their lives to protect them.

Holland hides Jews from the Germans during World War II.  Corrie ten Boom’s incredible true story of espionage, imprisonment and forgiveness.

They continue to trust God in spite of horrific circumstances and they see His hand at work.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

In 1996, eight mountain climbers lost their lives while attempting to summit Everest.  Jon Krakauer is a journalist and climber who survived and wrote about it.

There’s a lot of competing forces at play:  people who spent a lot of money to summit, the commercialization of summiting, magazines that would pay a lot for the story, advertisers looking for heroes.

No one seemed to know that there was a storm blowing in.

One of the critical factors in the deaths was the enforcement of the turn around time. Hall, the team leader, had been so strict about that for other teams, but with this one, he wasn’t.  He didn’t communicate clearly whether the turn around time was one o clock or  two clock.  On the actual summit day, people were summiting at 4 and 5 o clock.

Should a leader be making decisions that are unquestioned?  Does that actually put his team at greater risk because they don’t follow their own wisdom?  Actually, the genius of Hall’s leadership was to make the decisions ahead of time, not in the heat of the moment.  And the actual breakdown came in not following through with those wise decisions.

The safety net wasn’t there when it needed to be.

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

“Inspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II, determined to survive—and to reunite—We Were the Lucky Ones is a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds.” —Amazon

The Kurcs were from Radom, Poland, but in the course of the war, three generations are spread throughout Europe and beyond, fleeing the German regime.

I am in awe of this story. It is a light in a dark time and highlights the triumph of love, family and the will to survive.

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

Educated is a stand out memoir, but it features qualities that are present in other books as well.  Build your book stack with the books that have the elements you enjoy most. 

It’s hard to pick books like Project Hail Mary, because it really lives in a class by itself. The books most like it are the other books by Andy Weir, The Martian and Artemis. 

But what about books from other authors? 

This list is broken into three sections: Survival Stories, Space Travel/Futuristic Fiction and Adventure/Suspense. 

There is a mix of fiction, non-fiction, fictionalized history and middle grade fiction. What they have in common is similar themes. 

What is it about Project Hail Mary that we’re drawn to? Curiosity about space travel and the possibility of life on other planets? What would it feel to be the one in the space suit? How would we react if we were fighting nature for survival? 

Besides outer space, there are other frontiers that set the stage for survival against the odds. One of those is sea voyages. The classic struggle of man against nature occurs there. The same thing applies to deserted islands and the great white north. 

The elements of adventure and suspense and imagining the future are themes that make a good story. I chose books that fell into those categories. 

(Note: Pictures of book covers are Amazon affiliate links. Clicking on the pictures and following the link to make a purchase will earn commissions for this site.)

My top picks for books like Project Hail Mary

Dead Wake

Unbroken

Endurance

The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet

In the Heart of the Sea

Hatchet

Survivor Stories

If you enjoy adventure stories that defy death by overcoming the odds this is your place. Some are true, some invented, all contain the epic battle of man and survival, battling the elements, fighting nature and winning. Modern life doesn’t often pit us against the elements any more since we tend to live a more temperature controlled life. But there is something compelling about survivor stories. 

To Build a Fire by Jack London

A novella with the classic story of man against the elements. No one can paint the great white north like Jack London. This story intrigued me as kid and I never forgot the impact a simple story can make. Even though it’s short it packs a punch. 

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand tells the fascinating, incredible life story of Louis Zamperini. Starting with his early years striving for Olympic fame as a runner, then all the twists and turns of his military career in the South Pacific and finally his return to civilian life and redemption. 

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

The story of Ernest Shackleton’s leadership to bring his whole crew out alive after their vessel is lost in the South Pole Seas is inspiring. 

It’s a good study in leadership and teamwork. It’s an amazing triumph over the elements, even though the primary mission wasn’t accomplished. The feat was bringing back everyone alive.

The difficult decisions faced, the feats of survival, the human interaction: these are the elements of the story that draw you in and keep you turning pages.

In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

Tracing the journey of the the captain and crew of the the whaling ship, Essex, the author employs extensive research of the mostly Quaker community on Nantucket, to whaling in the 1700s and background on the 20 men aboard the Essex. 

Interesting from a leadership and psychological standpoint, it chronicles the different choices man makes in his most desperate hours. 

The journey was supposed to take 2 to 3 years, so the community wasn’t alarmed but they didn’t know the turn of events that faced the captain during his first command and a partially green crew. 

The writing style moved the story along even while providing informative comparisons to others in similar situations. Another interesting tie in was the influence this journey had on Herman Melville as an inspiration to write Moby Dick. 

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

In 1996, eight mountain climbers lost their lives while attempting to summit Everest.  Jon Krakauer is a journalist and climber who survived and wrote about it.

There’s a lot of competing forces at play:  people who spent a lot of money to summit, the commercialization of summiting, magazines that would pay a lot for the story, advertisers looking for heroes.

No one seemed to know that there was a storm blowing in.

One of the critical factors in the deaths was the enforcement of the turn around time. Hall, the team leader, had been so strict about that for other teams, but with this one, he wasn’t.  He didn’t communicate clearly whether the turn around time was one o clock or  two clock.  On the actual summit day, people were summiting at 4 and 5 o clock.

Should a leader be making decisions that are unquestioned?  Does that actually put his team at greater risk because they don’t follow their own wisdom?  Actually, the genius of Hall’s leadership was to make the decisions ahead of time, not in the heat of the moment.  And the actual breakdown came in not following through with those wise decisions.

The safety net wasn’t there when it needed to be.

Touching the Void by Joe Simpson

“The true story of one man’s miraculous survival after a mountaineering mishap high in the Andes of South America.” (from Amazon)

I’ve been on the prowl for another great family read aloud, along the lines of Endurance and Unbroken. 

There’s a lot of climbing terms and concepts that I didn’t understand and it took a while before the story became compelling.  If I hadn’t known what was coming, I’m not sure I would have stuck with it.  The account is a testimony to the human will to survive.  Although it was only given a passing reference, it’s also a testimony to the prayers of Joe’s mother.

It’s fascinating to me to analyze the decisions you make in the face of death.  What motivates you to keep going when it’s hopeless and what motivates you to give up?

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Thirteen year old Brian Robeson is the only survivor of a small plane crash in the Canadian wilderness. Figuring out how to stay alive becomes his journey of self-discovery. I read this as adult and loved it. 

Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

What if you were marooned on an island with your wife and family of four boys? How would you survive? What would you do for food and shelter? Maybe stories of survival intrigue us because we’re all ultimately on a survival track. 

Space Travel and Futuristic Fiction

Great writers can create worlds with words that we want to visit. Whether they are imagined or just brought to life on page, stories of possibility draw us in. 

The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet by Eleanor Cameron

I loved this story as a kid. Yes, you have to suspend belief. Two boys are flying into space in a homemade rocket. But, if you can get past that and accept a little bit of magic and mystery, it’s a sweet story about bridging the gap to other planets and the life forms there. Very satisfying. 

Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis wrote a space trilogy that is not as well known as many of his other works. Interplanetary travel and civilizations on other planets set the scene for other classic Lewis themes of the intricacies of human and divine nature. 

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

This book is based on actual events that took place during the global race to the moon. It covers many aspects including racial prejudice, science and mathematics, teamwork and the human elements needed to accomplish the goal of putting a man on the moon. 

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Not all dystopian novel are equal. In Station Eleven, civilization has disintegrated and the luxuries we know today are not available. Travel is limited, material goods are not easily accessible. Alliances must be made to survive and it’s time for new leaders to emerge. 

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

What if you could buy an Artificial Friend your child? What would it be like to have life like robots available for purchase? What implications would that have on your life? And what if they had a life of their own where they had awareness and could communicate with other robots? Interesting speculations. A well-woven tale. 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ernest Cline tells a great story.  Part dystopian, part gamer geek, part Charlie Bucket looking for the golden ticket, part coming of age, part 80s trivia.  Cline has a lot to offer.

The book is set in 2044.  It’s always interesting to see how people envision the future. Cline has a great imagination.  Pair that with engaging characters and some unpredictable plot twists, and you have a winner.

Although there were a couple elements that I wasn’t happy with, over all this was a great read.

Adventure and Suspense

Whether true or imagined, there’s nothing like adventure and suspense to help us temporarily forget our current reality and live another one. 

Dead Wake by Erik Larsen

A fictionalized account of the sinking of the Luitsania. Larsen follows the stories of different passengers, what they brought with them and what sank to the bottom of the ocean. A detailed, in depth story. 

The Water Keeper by Charles Martin

Murphy Shepherd is a man of secrets. He’s a tortured soul with a strong sense of justice and the needed skills to find criminals, rescue and protect girls in danger. 

The Tehran Initiative by Joel C. Rosenberg

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. 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Time travel with a twist. The rules are restrictive. Regret drives this story—when you wish you could go back and make things right. I liked the basic message of this story. It reminded me of It’s a Wonderful Life in the aspect that sometimes you need perspective on your relationships and the choices you made. Sometimes you need to realize that you didn’t screw things up as badly as you thought. 

I analyzed why Peace Like a River tops my list of all time favorites and scoured other favorites for similar qualities. 

This list is divided up into three categories: young protagonists, everyman heroes and justice and honor themes. 

Books like Peace Like a River — My Top Picks

1. This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
2. The Virginian by Owen Wister
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4. Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
5. Freckles by Gene Stratton Porter
6. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

This list is full of titles of beautiful literary fiction because that characterizes Peace Like a River.

I didn’t include Enger’s other novels in this list because, in my humble opinion, they don’t hold a candle to Peace Like a River. Like many things in life, there’s a mystical element in all masterpieces that happen when all the pieces of the puzzle are present. It’s elusive and can’t be easily replicated, no matter how the master novelists try to teach it.  

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Young Protagonists

The narrator of Peace Like a River is 11 year old Rueben Land. We see the world through his eyes. His older brother, Davy, and younger sister, Swede, and his father have their parts to play, but the story revolves around what he experiences first hand. 

There’s certainly is a lack of control and power experienced by 11 year olds. But, they can also impact the course of history in their own ways. 

The first section explores the power of young protagonists.

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 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.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne is a heroine 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. 

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. 

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.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

  Buy now from Amazon

“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.

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus (Amazon affiliate link)

William, Edmund and Anna are siblings who are evacuated from London to the country during World War II. Their deep desire for home and family drive the story, even while they aim to be family to each other. 

A love of literature is integral to the story and revisiting my childhood favorites was fun. There’s echoes of Narnia throughout as well as nods to other classic children’s lit.  

I wish I hadn’t read the story synopsis before reading this sweet, heart-warming story.

Don’t read the reviews. Just dive in. 

It’s a quick easy read. Perfect for stressful times when a straight forward, uncomplicated plot meets the need. 

Everyman Hero Themes

Reuben Land is an everyman hero. He’s not nobility, not from a rich or powerful or influential family. Not a war hero. Not from New York or LA. Small town mid western problems and values are part of his DNA. The choices to stand up for principles and beliefs are the family’s strength. Small choices count as well as larger ones.

The Hobbit by J.R.R.Tolkien

One of literature’s ultimate hero’s journeys, the story of Bilbo Baggins resonates deeply, even if you’re not a homebody. Bilbo certainly wasn’t out looking for adventure, because hobbits are fond of regular meals and the comforts of home. 

But, if there’s a wizard and a dragon, a quest, danger, travel companions to help and hinder, a magic ring and some treasure, it all adds up to a satisfying tale with uncanny parallels to life as we know it. 

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.

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.

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.

 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.

Justice and Honor Themes

Most humans believe in right and wrong and our sense of justice is offended when wrong goes unpunished. Some cultures and eras have been more protective of the honor of girls and women. Men defend and protect women and children against those who have baser designs. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes when our innate sense of justice is realized. 

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.

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. 

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. 

Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter

Another of my top picks 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. 

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton

What would it be like to be convicted of a murder you didn’t commit and then spend 30 years on death row?

Amazingly, Anthony Ray Hinton is not an angry, bitter man even though it would be the logical reaction for an extreme injustice.

What’s it like for the men sitting on death row?  How would you feel?  What would you think?  How do you make it every day?

This is an inside look and, incredibly, a hopeful look.

The only book on this list that isn’t fiction The Sun Does Shine helps us ponder the true nature of justice.

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If you’re interested in more read alike book lists, see Books Like Hannah Coulter and More Books like Anne of Green Gables.

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Looking for more books like Forgiving What You Can’t Forget?

Here’s a short list of my top picks:

• One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
• The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
• The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
• Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
• Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
• Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa Terkuerst impressed me in unexpected ways.

As I’ve considered what made the biggest impact, I reached back and pulled out books from my experience that had those same qualities.

Lysa Terkuerst does a deep dive into the components of Christian forgiveness. This is a universal message. Every human over the age of five has someone to forgive. (And, to be frank, the need starts even earlier in life.) It is universally hard to forgive, which is why we need supernatural help.

The section on Practical Christian Living includes more books with universal principles to help anyone seeking to live the Christian life.

There’s also a section of books about improving relationships. Forgiveness is foundational for good relationships, but there’s other helpful principles from other sources.

Finally, since Lysa shares a lot of her life story I included a section of Inspiring True Stories.

Note: The pictures of book covers in this list are Amazon affiliate links, so if you click through and purchase a percentage will go to support this site.

Books Like Forgiving What You Can’t Forget: Practical Christian Living

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Every person in the world knows pain and heartache.  And every person can number their blessings.

Ann Voskamp challenges us to be intentional about looking for and expressing gratitude.  It colors my thinking to this day.

I understand that her poetic prose doesn’t appeal to everyone.  Grammar Geeks beware.  But the message is universal and important.

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkins tackles the challenges of Bible study head on. She admits that the work of Bible study can be difficult. She admits that there are seasons in a woman’s life when serious Bible study isn’t possible. Giant exhale.

She addresses the problem of Bible literacy and the obstacles to Bible Study. She discusses how to use tools to study the Bible and some strategies and approaches to take. She takes readers step by step through an example using the book of James.

Beginners and seasoned Bible studiers alike can learn a lot. She articulates so many important things, down to the difficulty and challenge of studying the Bible, as well as the importance of understanding the context, culture and original audience. She also gently points out the fallacy of making the Bible all about us instead of all about God. 

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?  

If not, get yours hand on a copy of The Power of a Praying Woman. It includes practical helps to know what to pray and how to pray. Believing in something isn’t the same as knowing how and why to do it. 

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. 

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

Richard Foster’s classic on the spiritual disciplines of the Christian life should not be missed. 

He explains and explores 12 inward, outward and corporate spiritual disciplines. 

There’s so much insight and wisdom here whether you’re new to the Christian life or a mature believer. 

Prayer by O. Hallesby

Prayer was written in 1931. Timeless and short, it packs a punch.

In the first chapter Hallesby says, “To pray is to let Jesus come into our hearts.” He takes the initiative to communicate with us. 

Prayer is such a vital spiritual discipline, often misunderstood as well as impossible to fully understand. 

Anything that helps unravel the mystery of it is worth studying.  

Anyone determined to live the Christian life well can learn immeasurably from this book.

The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie OMartian

Stormie OMartian has written a series of popular books on prayer.

All of them are helpful, and, if you’re married, The Power of a Praying Wife is a good place to start.

She focuses on the practical, including specific prayers for different areas of your husband’s life, including his emotions, his work life and his role as a leader.

If you’re not married, look for The Power of a Praying Woman and other titles in this series.

Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer was imprisoned by the Gestapo and executed in 1945 for his part in an assassination plot against Hitler.

But his work as a theologian endures as his legacy is captured in various works, including this classic about Christian community.

One of the most challenging aspects of the Christian life is living in community. Bonhoeffer tackles it head on, just as relevant today as when he wrote about it decades ago.

The benefits of reading spiritual classics are worth the investment of wading through an older style of writing. 

Books Like Forgiving What You Can’t Forget: Insight for Better Relationships

The 5 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. 

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

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

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

He includes lots of stories and practical examples to turn these principles into reality.

Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend

It’s impossible to talk about life management without talking about relationships.

Sometimes trying to live the Christian life makes it even harder. How can we say “no” to people who need us? How can we take time off to rest and refresh when people need us? 

In the quest for healthy relationships it’s important to understand and set good boundaries. 

Cloud and Townsend explain what boundaries are and how to set healthy ones in your life. 

The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile

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.

Books Like Forgiving What You Can’t Forget: Inspiring True Stories 

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

Blue Like Jazz is reminiscent of an Anne Lamott memoir.  They’re both off the charts in honesty, transparency and authenticity.  We identify with those inner insecurities that we can’t even admit to ourselves, much less to others, committing them to black and white and hurling them to the world.

I’ve read Donald Miller’s memoir several times. I have also read Scary Close, which is somewhat of a sequel, but it doesn’t have the same punch as Blue Like Jazz.  Growing up fatherless is an underlying theme of Blue Like Jazz.  By the time Scary Close was written, Miller has resolved many of his emotional issues and experienced a lot of healing.  So, it’s not driven by the same pain.

I believe writing in itself is therapeutic.  As is sharing your story.  I heard Miller recently talk about the desire people have to be heard and seen and known.  He’s been there, done that and now has no more need to be seen and heard and known.  He’s heading a successful company now called StoryBrand that helps businesses tell their story.

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

The ten Boom family takes their Christian faith seriously.  They believe the Jews are God’s Chosen People and risk their lives to protect them.

Holland hides Jews from the Germans during World War II.  Corrie ten Boom’s incredible true story of espionage, imprisonment and forgiveness.

They continue to trust God in spite of horrific circumstances and they see His hand at work.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

In 2017 I wrote 55 book reviews for my blog. The best book I read that year was Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. I heard him speak at my daughter’s graduation from Biola University in December of 2016. At that time he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer, which took his life in September of 2017. 

If you don’t know much about him, here’s an overview of Nabeel’s life and impact. 

I loved the account of the raw, treacherous journey that Nabeel Qureshi took to find faith in Jesus. The sacrifices he made, the intellectual, emotional and relational barriers that kept him from finding faith in Jesus and the story of overcoming those barriers.

Statistics are one thing. One person’s story is something else altogether. What difference can one person’s story make?

Why do we need to know Nabeel’s story? There are millions of devout Muslims on the planet. If we understand Nabeel’s story, we come closer to understanding the Muslim mindset.

Understanding opens the door to greater compassion. We share the same humanity. Our desires and dreams are common to the human experience.

If you’re interested in more compelling biographies or Christian apologetics, read my post Books Like Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus.

Love Does by Bob Goff

Bob Goff included his personal phone number in his book against his publisher’s advice and personally fields calls day and night from those in need. 

In Love Does he tells stories from his own life about reaching out and showing God’s love to friends and strangers along the way. 

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. 

If you loved this book, too, you might wonder what else is out there that’s similar. 

My top picks.

1. The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People
2. Deep Work
3. Atomic Habits
4. The One Thing
5. The Purpose Driven Life
6. Forgiving What You Can’t Forget

Note: The pictures of the book covers are Amazon affiliate links. Clicking and purchasing through them will help support this site.

Books Like The Lazy Genius Way: Life Management Myth Busters

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

The 7 Habits is a classic for a reason.

The seven habits are highly actionable and give a framework for 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.

 2. 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. 

3. 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.

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

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.

4. 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam

A myth Laura Vanderkam challenges is that we don’t have enough time. Good health, good relationships and meaningful work are all important and we can prioritize them in our weekly routines.

She’s studied time logs of real people living their lives and she’s noted what successful people do. 

The mindset shift here is to start thinking of your life in terms of weeks instead of days, specifically how many hours you have each week to work with. 

An example Laura Vanderkam uses is if you exercise three days a week, then four days you feel like a failure because you didn’t exercise and a success three days a week. But, if you think of your life in terms of a week, three times a week is a win.

Books Like The Lazy Genius Way: Practical Life Management

 1. 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. 

If you’re looking for more Books Like Atomic Habits, check out my list.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Books Like The Lazy Genius Way: Christian Life Management

1. 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. 

2. Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa Terkuerst

This title might feel like an odd pick for Christian Life Management, but there’s only a short list of themes that are appliciable to every human on the planet.

Forgiveness is one.

If you’ve lived longer than 5 years, surely there’s someone you need to forgive. 

Constructing a theology of personal forgiveness ranks as a top critical life skill. 

Lysa Terkuerst has a black belt in it. 

She’s been through the deep waters. She’s lived it. She’s also studied the subject incessantly in the Bible and lived to tell about it. 

3. Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

Women of the Word tackles the challenges of Bible study head on.

She admits that the work of Bible study can be difficult and there are seasons in a woman’s life when serious Bible study isn’t possible. Another giant exhale.

She addresses the problem of Bible literacy and the obstacles to Bible Study.

She discusses how to use tools to study the Bible and some strategies and approaches to take. She takes readers step by step through an example using the book of James.

Beginners and seasoned Bible studiers alike can learn. 

She articulates the importance of understanding the context, culture and original audience.

She also gently points out the fallacy of making the Bible about us instead of about God. 

4. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Every person in the world knows pain and heartache.  And every person can number their blessings.

Ann Voskamp challenges us to be intentional about looking for and expressing gratitude.

Even though I read it years ago, it colors my thinking to this day.

I understand that her poetic prose doesn’t appeal to everyone.  Grammar Geeks beware.  But the message is universal and important.

5. 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.