My Favorite Historical Fiction Books I Always Recommend to Friends

I love a good historical fiction book. It seems to be the genre that I keep going back to time and time again. Maybe it's because I didn't pay enough attention in history class so I literally am shocked most of the time at how things play out. Or maybe it's because those books transport me to a time that allows me to step out of my reality for a bit. I'm an avid reader, finishing one book a week, and through the years I've come across some really great historical fiction books that I always recommend to friends. If I hear you've read a book that's historically based, girl, you better believe I'll be recommending one of these to you until I find one that you haven't read! So buckle up and take notes, you aren't going to want to miss this list!

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What To Do If You Hate the Book You Are Reading

We've all been there. You've picked up a book with high hopes--it's the latest bestseller, a beloved classic or a friend's passionate recommendation. Yet, as you flip through the pages, you feel a sinking realization: you hate it. Maybe the characters are shallow, the plot drags, or the writing style doesn't resonate. Instead of powering through in misery, it's time to take a step back and reassess. Here's how to handle this situation and make your reading journey more enjoyable.

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My Favorite Books So Far This Year

I was sitting with a friend I don't see very often, and after dinner she asked me what I was reading. We both launched into a big discussion of our favorite books that we've read so far this year. It got me thinking that people are looking for a good book anytime of the year, and I wanted to take the time to put together a little recap of my favorites just in case you are looking for a little something to get cozy with as the weather starts to turn. Here are the highlights of the best books I've read so far this year.

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Books I'd Recommend to Friends

I'm a voracious reader. Always have been. I love our local public library. And honestly, it doesn't have to be my current local library, I just love all local libraries! I have lived in a handful of different places in my life and I can distinctly remember every single library in every single place I've lived. Being surrounded by books makes me happy. If I hear a conversation about books, I have the hardest time not diving in. I take notes when people tell me what they are reading and I jump in and share my favorites too. This end of the year book recap has become a reader favorite here at RachelTeodoro.com and I look forward to sharing my favorites with you. I'm sharing all the books I read this year, and breaking them down into categories. I even made a running list of books the were recommended to me, but that I just thought were meh, so you can use your own discretion on those! So get out that list and take some notes...you'll find some good ones to read in the coming year. I promise!

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10 MORE Books I Always Recommend to Friends

I feel like maybe I missed my calling as a librarian. One of my favorite questions to ask people is "what are you reading?" I read a lot of books. I always have. But sometimes when I get asked about books I draw a blank. Does that ever happen to you? A few years ago, I created a list of 10+ books I always recommend to friends and that list has exploded! It's been shared and read and pinned hundreds of thousands of times. I thought it was time for an update! Here are 10 more books I always recommend to friends. 

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How to Find What to Read Next

Have you just finished up a series you’ve been reading? Maybe you are looking for a good book and don't have time to waste on something you can't get into. Like Goldilocks, it can be a challenge to find the perfect book. However, there are so many great ways to get some help on where to find your next best read! If you’re looking for inspiration to help you discover what to read next, here are my top picks!

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Top Beach Reads and Tips For Picking a Great Beach Read Book

During the summer months, I spend a lot of time on the beach. Having the perfect book to read while soaking up the sun is a must for me, and having a great beach read is essential in every beach bag I pack. After all, why waste your time in the sun with a boring book? Because people know I'm a reader, I often get asked about my top picks for books. It' beach read season and these are my top beach reads I'd recommend!

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Top Books To Read in the New Year

I have always been a reader. I loved silent reading days in school and as a kid, I remember buying a hammock at a garage sale, hanging it up between trees in our backyard, and curling up for hours with the girls from the Babysitter's Club and Sweet Valley High. If I hear a conversation about books, I generally join in and take notes. I love hearing not only what others are reading, but what others are loving! And since we don't all have a lot of extra time, I want to recommend books that people will love and want to take the time to read. So I put together a list of my top favorite books that I read this year. There is not a single book on this list that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Welcome to the top books to read in the new year, Rachel edition!

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50+ Books I Would Recommend to My Girlfriends

I read a lot of books this year. It was a goal of mine to read more and I think I did a decent job. By the end of the year, I'll be up to 50 books read in 2021! That's about four books a month or one book a week! Do you set reading goals for yourself each year? I feel like as soon as someone finds out that I read a fair amount, we always launch into a discussion about books and I'm happy to oblige! I'm going to break it down into a few different categories to make it easy for you to decide what to tackle next! If you want to scroll to the bottom you can see my top 5 favorite books of 2021! Are you ready to find your next good book?

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Surprising Library Benefits that Will Save You Money!

I can't think about the library without remembering the song my kids' favorite little aardvark on PBS used to sing. It went something like this "having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card." And boy, ain't that the truth! I am a huge reader, and lately, I've been loving audiobooks {though sometimes I show my age and call them books on tape, who else is with me?} and never once have I strayed from my love of the library. But after talking to some of my local friends, I know they have forgotten to use the library as a resource because when I got on a little tangent about the surprising benefits and the offerings of the library, most people sat mouth agape saying "I didn't know that!".   We are in the thick of a no-spend challenge {click the link to read more}, and I can't think of a better way to help encourage you to save money than at the library! Come check out the surprising library benefits that will save you money! Let me just tell you now, the library is more than just books!

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Harry Potter Chocolate Pretzel Rod Wands

There is nothing I love more than watching my children devour a good book. I love to read and have done my best to foster a love of reading in my children. It helps when there are books like Harry Potter that kids just gravitate towards. There is something magical about those books that have drawn my kids in and created a desire to devour page after page. It's no wonder they have spanned the gap between generations. These chocolate wands are the perfect treat for any Harry Potter fan. They would make a great distraction during a long holiday break, for a book club treat or for an upcoming Harry Potter birthday party snack. They are fun to make and fun to eat and everyone will love them!

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Books to Recommend to Friends

It seems like at least once a month I get asked by friends to recommend a book. I actually love doing it because I am such a fan of a good book and I want to share them with others. Yesterday though, a friend told me she was going on vacation at the end of the week and was looking for a good book and I drew a total blank. It got me thinking that I really should just make a list of my favorite books. You know, the good ones that I like to recommend to friends. Get out a pencil my friends, I'm sure there is something you haven't read yet on the list that you are going to want to add.
Scroll to the end for an updated list of a few more favorites!

Update 2022! I've got 50+ more books I'd recommend to friends broken down into categories like "better on audiobook" or "good beach read" PLUS a great list of books I'd recommend for book club that are sure to have some great discussion! Find that post here!

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Summer Books for Kids Ages 8-14

I'm a HUGE fan of books. I love nothing more than escaping with a good book for a bit. I remember as a kid spending summer days swinging in the hammock that was tied between two trees in our backyard reading every Babysitters Club book in order and then moving on to Sweet Valley High. I love seeing my kids pick up books to read for fun too. When I was substitute teaching, I always loved recommending books for kids and getting them excited to read. It really is the best. Maybe I should have been a librarian...Anyway, as the summer starts and kids begin their chorus of "I'm bored," here is a list of good books that I would recommend for kids from about the age of 8-14. 

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What I Wish I Had Known Before Visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios

It's kind of a running joke that if you live in the Midwest there is a pipeline that you take to get to Florida. When I lived there, we vacationed in Florida. A lot. Since moving to the west coast, 17 years ago, I haven't been back to the sunshine state but when a blog conference landed me in Orlando, I knew I wanted to go to Universal Studios and visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. My kids were beyond jealous that I was going without them, so I tried not to rub it in too much {I only sent minute by minute pics of me in the park throughout the day...I'm sure it could have been worse!}. As an avid reader, Harry Potter holds a special place in  my heart. It's one of the first books I've shared with my kids that didn't have pictures. Knowing that I would like to take them back sometime to experience the books coming to life, I wanted to make a list of the things that I wish I had known before I went. I'm hoping to have the opportunity to go again, but if you only have one shot for a perfect visit, you are going to want to make the most of it. 

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A Complete Collection of Summer Beach Reads

I love to read. I must confess though, with the distraction of my smart phone, I tend to read more articles and less books. Though with the longer summer days and vacations planned, I do like to have a list of books that I know that I will love. You know, sometimes you take a risk on a book and it pans out, other times, not so much. I wanted this complete list to be the kinds of books that you would ask your girlfriends to give you on Facebook and then devour because they were just that good.  Are you ready for it? Get ready to make your own list! I promise you, these are some good ones!

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Must read books in 2015

I'm a sucker for a good book.  I have a beach trip coming up, which means ample opportunity to catch up on some good books.  I'm always looking at lists that have people's favorite books on them, and since these lists are helpful to me, I thought I would offer up my favorite reads, in case that was helpful to someone else looking for a good book.

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Books I read this summer

You would think that when it takes 30 hours 

{one way}

to get to your destination that you would have a fair amount of time to read.

I prepared long lists of books to read on my flight to Africa, 

downloaded what I could 

{for free}

on my nook, and got audio books for my iPhone.

I had no idea how enticing the little TV screen on the back of the seat of the airplane could be!

Thankfully, I'm not much of a movie watcher, so there were seemingly limitless titles for me to veg out on.

I even watched some movies based on books that I had read.

The books are always better.

But alas, if you think my brain totally went to mush this summer, you would be wrong.

I did read a few things and while I started several books I didn't finish, 

the list below are the books that I would recommend.

from left to right, top to bottom

The One and Only by Emily Giffin

The Signature of All Things by Emily Gilbert

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Atlas Girl by Emily Wierenga

When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett, John Perkins, Brian Fikkert

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Interrupted by Jen Hattmaker

If you haven't read these books yet, you should.

You will love them.

Anything you don't see on my list that I should add to my reading cue?

I'm always looking for a good book to read!

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10 books you should read this summer

It's no secret that I love to get lost in a good book.

Summer is the perfect time to model how important reading for pleasure is to your children.

I have complied 10 books that I have loved and fully recommend adding to your summer reading list.

1. The Invention of Wings 2. Where'd You Go Bernadette 3. The Fault in Our Stars 4. The Rosie Project 5. Orphan Train 6. The Light Between Oceans 7. Unbroken 8. These is my Words 9. Gone Girl 10. A Long Way Gone These are the books I have on my list that I want to read

1. The Husband's Secret 2. The Star Garden 3. The Kitchen House 4. Sarah's Quilt 5. Perfect Peace 6. Wonder 7. The House Girl Anything I should add? I'm always looking for a good book!

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Share a book with Holy Craft. Things I've been reading and suggestions for books I should add to my list

It's been a few months since I shared with you what I have been reading.

I'm a big reader and with a trip in a few weeks with some girlfriends {to Hawaii!!!} I will need some help from you to add a few titles to my "to read" list.

Because I'm a giver, I thought I would share with you some of my favorites first and then you can comment below and share with me some of your favorites.  'k?

I've compiled a list of 10 books that I have read in the past few months that I think you should read too.

1. Orphan Train This book is my new go to book that I recommend to anyone who asks. I loved it!  It's a good mix of historical fiction with a story of today.  It's a story of an unlikely friendship and second chances.  You won't be disappointed with this book. 2. Living the Gospel in the Grey This book is a fantastic encouragement for how to live evangelism.  This book is written by our former campus pastor and isn't bogged down with theory that can get overwhelming but real life examples of living out the gospel. 3.Astronaut Wives Club An interesting look at the wives behind the spacemen, though not as in depth as I would have liked.  While it says that it's a true story, it doesn't seem like any of the wives were actually interviewed during the writing of this book but rather facts were gathered from research that she did.  Interesting none the less, though don't expect to know any more about the wives than what you would assume a wife of an astronaut would have gone through or been like. 4. Orange is the New Black This is a memoir of a woman you would least expect to find at a woman's prison serving a year.  It was interesting to me to get an inside look at a minimum security facility and the relationships that were formed while serving her time. 5. Loving Frank  Frank Lloyd Wright was an interesting man and while I learned a bit about his personal life, I found that I actually liked him less the more I got to know about him.  While this is fiction, there is fact mixed in to the story line. 6. These is My Words This book is written like a diary over the course of 20 years.  It is another book that I have taken to recommending to anyone who asks.  I loved the story of survival, love and coming of age and got even more excited to find that there are two more books in this series.   7. Luke the gospel of amazement I am reading through this book with a group of friends as a sort of Bible study.  I love the way that Michael Card looks deeply at the context of the gospel of Luke, and uses historical details to interpret and understand the gospel of amazement.  If you can get through the preface {or skip it}, it's an incredible read. 8. One Way Love I have spent the past few months tackling legalism and going back to the heart of Christianity and the radical truth of the gospel.  This book is a wonderful look at grace and why we should be sharing grace with others. 9. Dad is Fat This book is written by a stand up comedian with five small children.  It's a great look at parenthood, and if you are in the thick of raising small children, you will easily relate. 10. Kisses from Katie As a parent, this was an extraordinary look at how we can support our children when they have been called to a different success then we envisioned for them.  It's the story of a young woman who is living a life of obedience for God and at the age of 22 had adopted 14 young girls in Uganda.  It's about breaking out of our comfort zones and looking at life outside of the United States.  It's a challenging and inspiring read. Have you read any of the 10 I mentioned? What did you think? These are a few of the books on my nightstand or in the que at the library: Boys in the Boat Happy Happy Happy Kicking and Dreaming Sarah's Quilt Star Garden Tell the Wolves I'm Home Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Jesus > Religion Now it's your turn. What would you recommend? I would love to add a few titles to my list.

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My picks for the 12 best books for boys

I'm a big reader.

In fact, I've shared with you a ton of my book recommendations over the past few years, but I don't think I have ever shared with you my recommendations for books for kids.

We do a lot of reading in our house

and it's translated into kids who love to read.

My youngest son {8} has been on a huge reading kick, so I thought I would share with you a few of the books that we have read together and some that he has read on his own.

All kid tested!

All would make perfect gifts this holiday season.

So pin this, and get your list started!

1. Treasure Hunters by James Patterson was a page turner.  My son would ask multiple times a day to sit down and snuggle just so we could read a few chapters.  Treasure Hunters is a story of four siblings raised on a boat whose parents are under sea treasure hunters.  The Kidd kids work together to solve the mystery that their father left them before being swept off of the boat in a storm.

2. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is probably one of my all time favorites!  I read it out loud with my son, we passed it on to my husband and then to my daughter.  Ivan is a story that has been inspired from a true local story of a silverback gorilla that was locked in captivity for 27 years.  It's told from Ivan's perspective and it's an interesting look at the relationship of humans and animals.

3. Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems is a story about a monster who isn't so good at being scary.  It's a picture book, but one we don't get tired of!

4. The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke is a story of two orphaned brothers who run away to Venice and find a friend in the leader of the lost children that calls himself the Thief Lord.  The boys enter into a life of petty crime and end up with a detective hot on their trail.  But not for what you would think!

5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney is a series that all three of my kids have devoured more than once!  It's a hard book to read out loud but it's a great book for the kids to get their feet wet with chapter books.

6. Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins...yes, the Suzanne Collins of The Hunger Games fame.  Gregor is a young boy in New York on a mission to find his father.  He falls into a grate in the laundry room of his apartment and falls into an underworld full of large bats, cockroaches and evil rats.  Through the series Gregor grows and matures as he faces new challenges and becomes a warrior in this Underland.

7. The Notebook of Doom by Troy Cummings is a new book series that we picked up last week at the Scholastic book fair.  Owen just ate the book up in one sitting, got the next book in the series from the library and finished that in record time too!  I just love a series that engages kids and gets them reading.  
8. The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon is a series that my husband and son keep coming back to.  My husband grew up on this series and my son is loving the many adventures that these brothers go on together.
9. Double Fudge by Judy Blume is one of my favorite books to read out loud to the kids.  In fact, I love the whole series!  Fudge is the hilarious kid brother of Peter Hatcher and the real life drama is something that all kids can relate to.
10. Holes by Louis Sachar follows a boy named Stanley who has unjustly been sent to a youth detention center where the boys have to dig holes all day in the hot sun as punishment.  It doesn't take long to figure out that there is more that is being looked for in digging these holes than just character improvement.  It's a great story with a fun twist on the curse that Stanley has been given by his Great Great Grandfather.
11.  Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park is hands down my favorite book series of all time!  The writing and improper use of grammar takes a bit to get used to as a reader, but once you can figure out how to read the books, Junie B. Jones is hilarious!  We can all relate to this outrageously sassy 7 year old.
12. The Dangerous Book for Boys by Hal Iggulden is the complete book of skills every boy should know.  From building a tree fort, to tying knots and learning to fish, this book has anything and everything your little man needs to know or might be interested in knowing about!
Those are my recommendations. Hopefully I found a book or two you can add to your gift list for that favorite little guy in your life. Do you have any you would add?

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