6 Of The Best Books I’ve Read Lately

Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, a homebody or an outdoorsy type, there’s one thing I’m sure we can all agree on—staying home all the time is no walk in the park! At first, the novelty of staying home made time go by fairly quickly, but now, nearly a month after the U.S. outbreak began, time passes so slowly that it often feels like it’s standing still.

However, spending time on hobbies and favorite pastimes provides a nice break from the monotony of being home all the time. And personally, I’ve been spending a considerable amount of time lately doing one of my favorite things: reading!

And since I’m sure I’m not the only bookworm out there, I thought it would be fun if we all shared some recommendations with each other. So today I’ll be sharing a list of some of the best books I’ve read recently, and I invite you to share yours in the comments at the end of this post! :-)

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6 Of The Best Books I’ve Read Lately

1. The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

I am having a hard time coming up with the words to describe the beauty and the heartbreak of this story, which is told through both past and present. In the past, the reader is taken back to WWII and what the grandmother and her fellow countrymen endured during the Nazi occupation of Poland.

In the present, the granddaughter helps her grandmother find the answers she seeks to reconcile with the events of that horrific time in history. This is a remarkable and unforgettable read.

2. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

When I started reading this book about a man who is imprisoned in a hotel in Moscow, I was skeptical about how interesting the plot could possibly be. And as it turns out, I had nothing to fear!

Rostok, the titular gentleman imprisoned during the Russian Revolution, is an intriguing and charming character! The story offers a fascinating look into the historical events taking place in Russia while Rostok lives his extraordinary life at the Metropolitan Hotel.

I really enjoyed this book and am definitely going to miss the hotel, the characters, the dry humor, and the gentleman himself. :-)

3. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

This was another book that I was skeptical about at first, but the story of a reclusive young girl who has been abandoned by her parents, siblings, school system, and the entire town surrounding her, is riveting and inspiring!

I love the story’s ode to wilderness and Mother Earth too, and how it captures both the harshness of surviving, and the immense wonder and beauty of being alive.

4. The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand

I am a big fan of Erin Hildebrand’s novels. She has an amazing way of making you feel like you’re right there with her characters. In The Identicals, identical twin sisters Harper and Tabitha are asked at a young age by their divorcing parents to choose a parent to live with. The story picks up as they are thrown back together when their father dies.

After his death, much is revealed about the division and animosity that has kept the twins apart over the last 20 years. Her descriptions of the atmosphere, the food, and the scenery made me want to hop on a plane and fly to the East Coast immediately!

5. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

This was one of the loveliest books I have ever read. I have read MANY books about World War II, but this one provides such a unique and intriguing perspective.

After reading this book, Shaffer’s characters felt so real that I wanted to run over to Guernsey to meet them in person! The stories about their experiences were so touching, and not just because they were hard, but because the people were so brave. I was uplifted by their endurance, hope, and love for each other.

6. Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan

It took me longer than usual to read this book because I kept stopping to Google places and events from this true WWII story! The story is about Pino Lella, a young boy living in the Italian Alps who helped many Jews escape over into Switzerland.

After an injury, Pino is recruited as the personal driver for one of the Third Reich’s most powerful commanders. Beneath a Scarlet Sky is an absolutely beautiful and heart-wrenching story that’s well worth a read!

Bonus! If you’re into historical fiction, I’ve written a post with a bunch of my favorite historical fiction books!

Want More? Check Out My Books!

One Good Life: My Tips, My Wisdom, My Story
“One Good Life is filled to the brim with the useful and unique tips, recipes, and advice that Jill’s faithful readers have come to love and adore. But it’s her hard-fought journey to sobriety that will capture readers’ hearts. It will be impossible for this beautiful—and very moving—book not to inspire everyone who reads it.”
—Ree Drummond, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Pioneer Woman Cooks
Jillee Bean and the One Good Thing
Beautifully illustrated and written by Samantha Hollister, the story in this children’s picture book was inspired by my own childhood! In Jillee Bean, a father teaches his daughter about the importance of serving others by doing one “good thing” at a time. This heartfelt and meaningful story belongs in every family’s book collection!