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Cute little mouse with a glass slipper on a pink background

Halloween, baby! You know what that makes me think of?Pumpkins.Which naturally makes me think of Cinderella! (A little bit because fall and pumpkins, duh. But also… I wanted to dress up as Cinderella every Halloween since I could walk. Still do.)So in honor of the spooky-season-that-is-really-not-spooky-in-Maren’s-house, here are 11 Magical Retellings of Cinderella.<h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Captive-Maiden-Fairy-Tale-Romance-ebook/dp/B00BW3EDWK" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Captive-Maiden-Fairy-Tale-Romance-ebook/dp/B00BW3EDWK">1. The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson</a></h3>I’m a sucker for a clean and classic Cinderella story, but Melanie Dickerson adds her own twist by making it slightly more historically accurate. There may not be any fairy godmother, but there are plenty of bad guys, ruined plans, and a swoon-worthy prince who’s just trying to find his princess. I read this at least once a year.At&nbsp;least.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Have-Courage-Be-Kind-Cinderella/dp/1484723619" href="https://www.amazon.com/Have-Courage-Be-Kind-Cinderella/dp/1484723619" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2. Have Courage, Be Kind: The Tale of Cinderella by Brittany Rubiano</a></h3>I’ve never met someone who hated the live-action version of Disney’s Cinderella. Kit’s eyes, Ella’s dress, the music! It was more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.And now it’s in a beautifully illustrated novel form. It’s marketed as a middle-grade read… but I’ve never let my age stop me from doing anything!<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Cinderellis-Glass-Hill-Princess-Tales/dp/006028336X" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cinderellis-Glass-Hill-Princess-Tales/dp/006028336X" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3. Cinderellis and the Glass Hill by Gail Carson Levine</a> </h3>Cinderella isn’t the only one with a hard life; sometimes men have it hard too!Ellis is an inventor—but his methods are rather unorthodox, so nobody gives him credit for the wacky solutions he comes up with. Well, one day the king announces that whatever knight can reach his daughter at the top of the hill can marry her. The catch? The hill is made of super-smooth glass. You can’t even rest your hand on it! Ellis doesn’t really want to get married, but he’s always wanted to try out his sticky inventions…&nbsp;An entertaining middle-grade read that adults will probably enjoy more than their children.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Iridescent-Night-Cinderella-Retelling-ebook/dp/B097KVHPY5" href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Iridescent-Night-Cinderella-Retelling-ebook/dp/B097KVHPY5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">4. One iridescent Night by Brianne Wik</a> </h3>I haven’t finished this one yet, but an accidental love triangle in a Cinderella story isn’t usually part of the story.Evelyn wants to go to the Prince’s ball—not to meet the Prince, but to see her first love, the Captain of the Guard.But the Prince sees her at the ball and believes he’s in love. But his Captain seems to be resisting that notion.Honestly, I’m not sure which man I should be rooting for more. Guess I’ll have to forgo laundry to finish this book today!<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Callie-Pumpkin-Seed-Cinderella-Retelling-ebook/dp/B0C3G4ZMHX" href="https://www.amazon.com/Callie-Pumpkin-Seed-Cinderella-Retelling-ebook/dp/B0C3G4ZMHX" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5. Callie and the Pumpkin Seed by Sarah Beran</a> </h3>Pumpkin pie. Need I say more?Even better, this Cinderella makes pumpkin pie. (My theory: that’s why the prince fell in love.)Even better: the prince has to find his Cinderella using a glass slipper… and a pumpkin seed?I’m not sure I can read this book without the proper accessories. To the store!<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Midnight-Cinderella-Retelling-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0B76TTY8K/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Oisnh5roZ2RBZeasxXnHkMh3T1ghiFrjp1AuG0jN_yMZbg6EJlz6fUkjx22fFmISK6SkCle-fx23_vpiiryD5XmUrlzoL-GMUB5OcQtBgpYkR9G2IzRPef3DwaVUYwPLBulwzvyiCBkyvIKYzOB_DkJjSI876fAseq7NseL2Meg7el1X9zdfgVhgoEAbLzXZM0om9-NW2ZQ8oWU90eepDuJXwqAbud69RllFJtD9cZs.rHOnJwrH8WL8tBEOwgmPHy5E61tn7P-Y3MRUOe2dWG8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=glass+midnight&amp;qid=1729527257&amp;sr=8-2" href="https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Midnight-Cinderella-Retelling-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0B76TTY8K/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Oisnh5roZ2RBZeasxXnHkMh3T1ghiFrjp1AuG0jN_yMZbg6EJlz6fUkjx22fFmISK6SkCle-fx23_vpiiryD5XmUrlzoL-GMUB5OcQtBgpYkR9G2IzRPef3DwaVUYwPLBulwzvyiCBkyvIKYzOB_DkJjSI876fAseq7NseL2Meg7el1X9zdfgVhgoEAbLzXZM0om9-NW2ZQ8oWU90eepDuJXwqAbud69RllFJtD9cZs.rHOnJwrH8WL8tBEOwgmPHy5E61tn7P-Y3MRUOe2dWG8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=glass+midnight&amp;qid=1729527257&amp;sr=8-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6. Glass Midnight by Kayla Eshbaugh</a></h3>This Cinderella is no peasant; she’s actually the Crown Princess of her kingdom.&nbsp;Prince Charming is still a prince; he’s also not expected to live past his 20th birthday. Apparently, when your kingdom sides with the wrong evil sorcerer, your grandfather’s bloodline will all be born with unique curses. Small details and whatnot.And if Cinderella wasn’t high stakes enough for you, how about adding a little bit of a Romeo and Juliet flavor to it? Because while Cinderella is trespassing on enemy land, her enemy falls in love with her... while his Uncle the king is busy invading Cinderella’s kingdom.But small details, you know?<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Geekerella-Fangirl-Fairy-Tale-Once-ebook/dp/B01HL12LCK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2N8359LJ72Q8&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fjq0GWWYC5NJHs6d5IVokmfPEcTcwyCr2AuqXL1lEy8e1VpnxGoAZ_bukSce8BDgN0B9MRE6B15JENKcBorm4bCYEa_N8gYtlgkofWJFHBGo8APiW_DyqkUEZFHWORS3sthfEfuAaz3Vjxe-F_fgHbpQbhbXtmBEZ7BtiFkcRCG4OhsPXhJlXO10NpGXkbxo.JsF-lb0DXmidkBEEEnloQko9zJrkazacFy2nj_eJSaw&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=geekerella&amp;qid=1729527535&amp;sprefix=geekerella%2Caps%2C283&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Geekerella-Fangirl-Fairy-Tale-Once-ebook/dp/B01HL12LCK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2N8359LJ72Q8&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fjq0GWWYC5NJHs6d5IVokmfPEcTcwyCr2AuqXL1lEy8e1VpnxGoAZ_bukSce8BDgN0B9MRE6B15JENKcBorm4bCYEa_N8gYtlgkofWJFHBGo8APiW_DyqkUEZFHWORS3sthfEfuAaz3Vjxe-F_fgHbpQbhbXtmBEZ7BtiFkcRCG4OhsPXhJlXO10NpGXkbxo.JsF-lb0DXmidkBEEEnloQko9zJrkazacFy2nj_eJSaw&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=geekerella&amp;qid=1729527535&amp;sprefix=geekerella%2Caps%2C283&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7. Geekerella by Ashley Poston</a></h3>I’m not big into cosplay unless you count dressing up in Regency clothes for a retreat—then maybe.Geekerella’s heroine is all about the sci-fi series Starfield, just like her dearly departed dad, and she’s going to use his old Starfield costume to win the reboot’s Federation Prince Carmindor meet-and-greet.But the actor playing the Prince has lost his enthusiasm for cosplay since becoming famous. I mean, how fun is it to be surrounded by awkward fakes when he has to pretend he’s also not an awkward nerd?Good thing fate has a plan.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Before-Midnight-Retelling-Cinderella-Once/dp/1416934715" href="https://www.amazon.com/Before-Midnight-Retelling-Cinderella-Once/dp/1416934715" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8. Before Midnight by Cameron Dokey</a></h3>Sometimes magic is more fun when you can’t quite tell it’s there.&nbsp;Cendrillon was born the night her mother died, and her father has never forgiven her for that. His grief was so great that nothing has grown as it should on their land ever since. He only stayed long enough to see his new daughter and refused to name her. But he left behind something unusual… a newborn boy, Raoul. These two strange children—one unloved and one unclaimed—grew up for 16 years together. And then one day a stepmother and two sisters arrive.If you love the movie Ever After, you’ll most likely love Before Midnight.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Trophy-Newbery-Carson-Levine-ebook/dp/B008XOAJQA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B2VG1IRJ6I8A&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.R3lB4L88WcZ3nMNnS8IxdhaKE27jnm3sFvYu20E5U_iNIsRODYuA0QJegJe9asdJOPdRR1U4FGOxNtcncS943KoMWzTEVdErT2Cq4STTYE9rIKQBWRMInP4huSUOtLfihEwcQLbKiKD1ntFMNuHVe93k8xosyo-zWH5Bkp-XUVyzQaIvDPQE-clVXINHk-QJW6Cr4FY9KXfKKiFLyGhMESw7Aqiha-8jys86Mz-WBkc.nBhH8tyj44PtC2jBgmYbohlaZzIdO4fQnb_hcDF5m0E&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=ella+enchanted&amp;qid=1729529059&amp;sprefix=ella+enchanted%2Caps%2C276&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Trophy-Newbery-Carson-Levine-ebook/dp/B008XOAJQA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B2VG1IRJ6I8A&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.R3lB4L88WcZ3nMNnS8IxdhaKE27jnm3sFvYu20E5U_iNIsRODYuA0QJegJe9asdJOPdRR1U4FGOxNtcncS943KoMWzTEVdErT2Cq4STTYE9rIKQBWRMInP4huSUOtLfihEwcQLbKiKD1ntFMNuHVe93k8xosyo-zWH5Bkp-XUVyzQaIvDPQE-clVXINHk-QJW6Cr4FY9KXfKKiFLyGhMESw7Aqiha-8jys86Mz-WBkc.nBhH8tyj44PtC2jBgmYbohlaZzIdO4fQnb_hcDF5m0E&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=ella+enchanted&amp;qid=1729529059&amp;sprefix=ella+enchanted%2Caps%2C276&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine</a></h3>I’m going to say it once, and only once: Ella Enchanted the movie was good as a standalone, but it was an abysmal showing of the book.So read the book.Ella was given a gift at birth by a very generous but selfish fairy: she will always do what she’s told, even if it’s dangerous or treasonous. Ella and her housekeeper have kept it a secret her whole life, but when Ella’s father remarries, her new family members are a little too observant and malicious.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Cinders-Glass-Bewitching-Fairy-Tales-ebook/dp/B09J2YNDFN" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cinders-Glass-Bewitching-Fairy-Tales-ebook/dp/B09J2YNDFN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10. Cinders of Glass by Celeste Baxendell</a></h3>Yes, this is a Cinderella retelling, but I bet you’ve never read a retelling of The Little Match Girl.Cinders of Glass ends much better, I promise.Liora used to know the royal family-- was close to them even-- but ever since her father died, she’s had to distance herself. Without her father’s income, she and her step-family are struggling to make ends meet. And some of the ways they make the little money they have would not be considered legal under the eyes of the law. So if Prince Cynrik could just stop visiting the market where she sells enchanted matches, life would be just fine.Maybe.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Glass-Twelve-Dancing-Princesses-ebook/dp/B004OR15ZO/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OROZIX0W6XL1&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.teEKtRWYDR39xNDWR7G-GfCOFLO12NN4mw7U32CYv2xDGmlQqhqImzGVd2SIvEnMzN1Um_iRIhT198zeNnoF6ijO5QKvqn_cWCsKC91u0A27wivStnX_E2UT1X969OJTLf-uAMHUVMemB8uXvbZqo8d1mTHf-g-napD2vRt11iJc73T4gx3jJzT1_d97_aYXQP89WhJ3HoO1KSTceO7nT5rZxNHCsA_PoXBnTKXXEFw.y7bGE-FzG5ajIe5dk9HnFW005gzktp9a9CjRpWhLpt8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=princess+of+glass&amp;qid=1729529157&amp;sprefix=princess+o%2Caps%2C823&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Glass-Twelve-Dancing-Princesses-ebook/dp/B004OR15ZO/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OROZIX0W6XL1&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.teEKtRWYDR39xNDWR7G-GfCOFLO12NN4mw7U32CYv2xDGmlQqhqImzGVd2SIvEnMzN1Um_iRIhT198zeNnoF6ijO5QKvqn_cWCsKC91u0A27wivStnX_E2UT1X969OJTLf-uAMHUVMemB8uXvbZqo8d1mTHf-g-napD2vRt11iJc73T4gx3jJzT1_d97_aYXQP89WhJ3HoO1KSTceO7nT5rZxNHCsA_PoXBnTKXXEFw.y7bGE-FzG5ajIe5dk9HnFW005gzktp9a9CjRpWhLpt8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=princess+of+glass&amp;qid=1729529157&amp;sprefix=princess+o%2Caps%2C823&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">11. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George</a></h3>If you enjoyed Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica, you’ll love the second book in the series. Princess Poppy may be free from the endless nights of dancing in a dark otherworldly kingdom, but that doesn’t mean she can escape it entirely. Apparently, dancing is the thing that people do to entertain themselves at kingdom functions.&nbsp;Luckily, she’s made a friend with a neighboring kingdom’s prince, but their relationship is short-lived. A mysterious girl keeps showing up at all the masked balls. Even stranger, her carriage, horses, footman-- even her shoes-- seem to be made of glass. And when she runs away at midnight, all the followers can find are cinders and soot where the carriage was last seen.And the men who cross her path don’t seem quite themselves after she leaves.Poppy hates dancing, but she might have to swallow that fear to follow this glass princess. I hope you have a wonderful Halloween-- scary or otherwise! If you need a <a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/marens-list" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/marens-list">book recommendation</a> for Halloween night, check out <a data-mce-href="https://1drv.ms/x/c/1c8acfddae60bd89/EYm9YK7dz4oggBxwAAAAAAAB5Ue-Vn7aHF-_9efTRVRL2A?e=HVlL4j" href="https://1drv.ms/x/c/1c8acfddae60bd89/EYm9YK7dz4oggBxwAAAAAAAB5Ue-Vn7aHF-_9efTRVRL2A?e=HVlL4j" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Maren's List</a>.Happy Reading! *All links are simply links, I don't get any money if you click them. I just want to make finding great stories as easy as possible for you!* Similar Reads:<a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/entertaining-nonfiction-for-adults" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/entertaining-nonfiction-for-adults">Entertaining Non-fiction for Adults</a><a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/entertaining-nonfiction-for-adults" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/entertaining-nonfiction-for-adults">10 Novels Inspired by the Greats</a><a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/10-historical-fiction-books-that-are-not-set-in-wwii" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/10-historical-fiction-books-that-are-not-set-in-wwii">10 Historical Fiction Books that ARE NOT Set in WWII</a> Want to work with me? Schedule a <a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services">free editing consultation</a> with Maren! You're bound to leave with a novel idea...Like what you're reading? Following me on <a data-mce-href="http://www.goodread.com/marensommer" href="http://www.goodread.com/marensommer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goodreads!</a>

11 Magical Cinderella Retellings

Young Woman Browsing Bookshelves in a Well-Lit Bookstore

Sometimes you just need a cool book to read. Fiction is fun, but every few months I need to "cleanse my palate," if you will. Below are five non-fiction books that will entertain you and teach you some randomly-cool history and knowledge at the same time.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Lives-Color-Kassia-Clair-ebook/dp/B01MSCJNN8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VATOZPIZ6WBK&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-H2jpRTO-soOUnnwqDwJbAROuaGVm31dLOQMllfH0pq5QOGP7zm0Jgm2d58cGHeS13mfzfwc5c8aAczLhemQIm6xq4smo-QFHGFmAguQY6mQPQBhTnI7EYd3FrcRHscbGmcXvNpHVVlDbYOQC2GEJeAEdqk7hiUaNpRvHsESDcheIWhg9UA96lvaWoXlxH3BAZmMtZ0dYJfAf1WTQ6pjJyKEw4VpVjeZVmsqPZwK6HA.qT7hKAKjEGA6M6er1RPifsBGjsFklNluwyyUH_T5E6M&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=secret+life+of+colors&amp;qid=1726512006&amp;sprefix=secret+life+of+col%2Caps%2C197&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Lives-Color-Kassia-Clair-ebook/dp/B01MSCJNN8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VATOZPIZ6WBK&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-H2jpRTO-soOUnnwqDwJbAROuaGVm31dLOQMllfH0pq5QOGP7zm0Jgm2d58cGHeS13mfzfwc5c8aAczLhemQIm6xq4smo-QFHGFmAguQY6mQPQBhTnI7EYd3FrcRHscbGmcXvNpHVVlDbYOQC2GEJeAEdqk7hiUaNpRvHsESDcheIWhg9UA96lvaWoXlxH3BAZmMtZ0dYJfAf1WTQ6pjJyKEw4VpVjeZVmsqPZwK6HA.qT7hKAKjEGA6M6er1RPifsBGjsFklNluwyyUH_T5E6M&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=secret+life+of+colors&amp;qid=1726512006&amp;sprefix=secret+life+of+col%2Caps%2C197&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1. Secret Life of Colors by Kassia St. Clair</a></h3><figure id="figure-b9q0irrpcfm15d1by6"><img id="b9q0irrpcfm15d1by6" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2czaz8HlP8ln2b6GPB3r8HbMmXkmXU5fpQJoQFReS4vYCvB2CZnJcNiIsEeCGer1.jpg" alt="Secret lives of color book cover with dots of color." title="Secret lives of color book cover with dots of color." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Photo Credit Amazon.com" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="25%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2czaz8HlP8ln2b6GPB3r8HbMmXkmXU5fpQJoQFReS4vYCvB2CZnJcNiIsEeCGer1.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Photo Credit Amazon.com</figcaption></figure>Haven't you always wondered where our colors came from? Sure you do. But really, it's a little wild.For my fellow painters, you might have heard of the color "mummy brown." And do ya know where it got its name? From how the shade used to be made-- with ground-up mummy.Yep.Secret Life of Colors is arranged in a rainbow, going from the whitest of white to the deepest of blacks, and every shade in between. Each shade has the story of how the pigment was made, why people wanted it, and sometimes even the scandalous fame attached to the color (my favorite story is puce. Trust me.)<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Got-Now-Innovations-ebook/dp/B00INIXU5I/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WKW3SAVH0BS5&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.h73q-yTBCoNOFfCkpjHSUNGYEgmbzPX2hmfy93_vhOpjwWu2VeVZipPGlH3WR01VMr4S98kH7QpNDk9YwJaQ5bMhNv3lpXu2o2I5wn22_wxSGPhTObCvQ-MXlwFK4qKTLOpwZASOcV-f4zok84xOHO7LQb5FizqRxqj5sJrYdqHly9LDjuUFZDMzi8m6JhAFKNkUMgkKWELY36Kbg7Zf9r7Pifenc8eTtjZH1o9kAoc.DZeLGgpYyb-v1cI6SOu6sB1G8daxEaNmWcyccWlf7ck&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=how+we+got+to+now&amp;qid=1726512159&amp;sprefix=secret+life+of+%2Caps%2C3592&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Got-Now-Innovations-ebook/dp/B00INIXU5I/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WKW3SAVH0BS5&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.h73q-yTBCoNOFfCkpjHSUNGYEgmbzPX2hmfy93_vhOpjwWu2VeVZipPGlH3WR01VMr4S98kH7QpNDk9YwJaQ5bMhNv3lpXu2o2I5wn22_wxSGPhTObCvQ-MXlwFK4qKTLOpwZASOcV-f4zok84xOHO7LQb5FizqRxqj5sJrYdqHly9LDjuUFZDMzi8m6JhAFKNkUMgkKWELY36Kbg7Zf9r7Pifenc8eTtjZH1o9kAoc.DZeLGgpYyb-v1cI6SOu6sB1G8daxEaNmWcyccWlf7ck&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=how+we+got+to+now&amp;qid=1726512159&amp;sprefix=secret+life+of+%2Caps%2C3592&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2. How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson</a></h3><figure id="figure-k1xc7n8nz6m15d5a3q"><img id="k1xc7n8nz6m15d5a3q" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1793002245/photo/a-textured-background-of-old-used-wooden-type-setting-letter-blocks-with-various-fonts-upper.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=a_3V8yVe6yNYTlHl14Zcug212TM8BMk9gt4hD2eXJwc=" alt="A textured background of old, used, wooden type-setting letter blocks with various fonts, upper- and lowercase, antique letters, all shapes and sizes." title="A textured background of old, used, wooden type-setting letter blocks with various fonts, upper- and lowercase, antique letters, all shapes and sizes." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1793002245/photo/a-textured-background-of-old-used-wooden-type-setting-letter-blocks-with-various-fonts-upper.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=a_3V8yVe6yNYTlHl14Zcug212TM8BMk9gt4hD2eXJwc=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>Good ole' PBS had the most interesting documentary on a few years ago, and then they followed it up with an even deeper dive with a book. And let me tell you, the whole premise was strange.For example, the reason we have the printing press is because thousands of years ago some people found glass near Egypt. Or the reason the Western United States boomed in population is because someone figured out how to preserve ice.There are six different chapters about the seemingly inconsequential things that triggered all the modern inventions we use every day. It's a fun read, and it's perfect for a high school book report, in my opinion. <h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Open-Air-Life-Discover-Friluftsliv-Embrace-ebook/dp/B09RPBMSXB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JZ7BVNGE1GX4&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5MCtowhpnMOitwSxISZIvHzr43a9_dJ1IeoQXe0g6ODj9C0SkRtocQ_CUu3ipucwmzjo-Y-JN7JfEN6-dABqaLBXKDogk4h5-JW8oB9MBfuP3Q5NcW9OFkahB06d3zxQfGs-aSkp3-2VEo5WUZ4EwqToJj7burOckv_WrIxgWuhEDIdhgNV4Wh7l9KCqkN5E-gGXSenP2A_oZCS2IMGRwQyloa1CyFCGug45x2SJ6-c.pH1u-pKuvnZ9hbjpcvt3cKWr7A31xUjAcUbuYJLyYlk&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+open+air+life&amp;qid=1726512239&amp;sprefix=the+open+air+life%2Caps%2C272&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Open-Air-Life-Discover-Friluftsliv-Embrace-ebook/dp/B09RPBMSXB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JZ7BVNGE1GX4&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5MCtowhpnMOitwSxISZIvHzr43a9_dJ1IeoQXe0g6ODj9C0SkRtocQ_CUu3ipucwmzjo-Y-JN7JfEN6-dABqaLBXKDogk4h5-JW8oB9MBfuP3Q5NcW9OFkahB06d3zxQfGs-aSkp3-2VEo5WUZ4EwqToJj7burOckv_WrIxgWuhEDIdhgNV4Wh7l9KCqkN5E-gGXSenP2A_oZCS2IMGRwQyloa1CyFCGug45x2SJ6-c.pH1u-pKuvnZ9hbjpcvt3cKWr7A31xUjAcUbuYJLyYlk&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+open+air+life&amp;qid=1726512239&amp;sprefix=the+open+air+life%2Caps%2C272&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3. The Open-Air Life by Linda McGurk</a></h3><figure id="figure-338zuo2f3um15d8ie1"><img id="338zuo2f3um15d8ie1" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1856365839/photo/wild-flowers.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=_4NZ4LOEYWx9DNjjtMQ_ZF0fZ7JAFQQcXhzQbMfxq9M=" alt="Wild Flowers" title="Wild Flowers" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1856365839/photo/wild-flowers.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=_4NZ4LOEYWx9DNjjtMQ_ZF0fZ7JAFQQcXhzQbMfxq9M=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>I am an avid indoorsman. I've recently found out that it's negatively impacting my vitamin D production and circadian rhythm, so I was hoping this book would help me embrace the outside.I lay on the lawn every day now. I'm taking baby steps, don't judge. But in all seriousness, McGurk wrote a strong case on the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors. But she went a step further and listed out multiple simple ways to get outdoors, depending on your comfort level.Maybe I'll learn how to build a fire next. Who knows.&nbsp;<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/George-Washingtons-Secret-Six-Revolution-ebook/dp/B00C5R7FP4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AW8F22F3M4X&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ugIa-wIUomzUQm8sdRoMauOy898zImZ5g85ZNsa5lBh4BU_t_zFvEGPYMXXfCZrL_apd2jH76UJpNVNlz-SntLCO0M5R75cAIV25xghxSuFpJP-szn5ScJh2S9n8tZNH0ao-_WzBlV9cqMzNY82MFThwVbxOmF9lS0ynh5CUzDiey4rjXgYhyWPjEngbvru_hEBNLofP0CkaEsUO8Xe1roO4fq1yk2tL7_SerVlHlIM.5vsHUEKq-0cPdNZXPQP6qKstZxGXBPkw4wHdWLegK-g&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=george+washington%27s+secret+six&amp;qid=1726512323&amp;sprefix=george+washington%27s+secret+si%2Caps%2C710&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/George-Washingtons-Secret-Six-Revolution-ebook/dp/B00C5R7FP4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AW8F22F3M4X&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ugIa-wIUomzUQm8sdRoMauOy898zImZ5g85ZNsa5lBh4BU_t_zFvEGPYMXXfCZrL_apd2jH76UJpNVNlz-SntLCO0M5R75cAIV25xghxSuFpJP-szn5ScJh2S9n8tZNH0ao-_WzBlV9cqMzNY82MFThwVbxOmF9lS0ynh5CUzDiey4rjXgYhyWPjEngbvru_hEBNLofP0CkaEsUO8Xe1roO4fq1yk2tL7_SerVlHlIM.5vsHUEKq-0cPdNZXPQP6qKstZxGXBPkw4wHdWLegK-g&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=george+washington%27s+secret+six&amp;qid=1726512323&amp;sprefix=george+washington%27s+secret+si%2Caps%2C710&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">4. George Washington's Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger</a></h3><figure id="figure-sry8vyfatm15d9lai"><img id="sry8vyfatm15d9lai" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/501157565/photo/george-washington-statue-boston-ma.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=gDHztbep_b5KNxbBdFY1iexvJwfR4JLTSJetrMqJJRY=" alt="George Washington Statue Boston MA." title="George Washington Statue Boston MA." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/501157565/photo/george-washington-statue-boston-ma.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=gDHztbep_b5KNxbBdFY1iexvJwfR4JLTSJetrMqJJRY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>I got sucked into the TV series White Collar. If it's free on Prime TV, I'm going to watch it.&nbsp;Any way.The best episode was about the secret spy ring that George Washington used during the American Revolution. Some of the characters were descendants of the original six, and they had continued to keep the secrets of the government.&nbsp;Turns out, it wasn't just a plot, George Washington really did have a ring of spies, and one of their identities was never uncovered. Some of the stories can be backed up by documents, but some of them naturally have to be best guesses and speculation. And reading about how these spies turned the tide of the war is eye-opening.If you're a fan of National Treasures or White Collar, this is the book for you.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Potential-Science-Achieving-Greater-ebook/dp/B0C5LN1BCM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MLJYCTR177J5&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oVSkrKuqPafiUEf8aXoVWFk49OOij9etrnbCCo8YgQYPN5FzMjSHcfGXnZv542jx0CPWtpehkgROIGaFZyOHyTGDy15cj2Dlr3-SouVPAJgTk0fCxFBGzMu-NIYjgDbD_SH_of4gwodUgBwmqn9qRm7NGRG4eeWHhIQlDp9xKZuSqMZVAX8WdYUNturAMc3yUE3hTtW3pkbdRYrDdQKbgVQYc0_wOVNIGL8zQBo7smA.7lcsroMiNxvOF7XT92ovOncYeGIjzVqC618Kt-K8T54&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=hidden+potential&amp;qid=1726512435&amp;sprefix=hid%2Caps%2C2079&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Potential-Science-Achieving-Greater-ebook/dp/B0C5LN1BCM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MLJYCTR177J5&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oVSkrKuqPafiUEf8aXoVWFk49OOij9etrnbCCo8YgQYPN5FzMjSHcfGXnZv542jx0CPWtpehkgROIGaFZyOHyTGDy15cj2Dlr3-SouVPAJgTk0fCxFBGzMu-NIYjgDbD_SH_of4gwodUgBwmqn9qRm7NGRG4eeWHhIQlDp9xKZuSqMZVAX8WdYUNturAMc3yUE3hTtW3pkbdRYrDdQKbgVQYc0_wOVNIGL8zQBo7smA.7lcsroMiNxvOF7XT92ovOncYeGIjzVqC618Kt-K8T54&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=hidden+potential&amp;qid=1726512435&amp;sprefix=hid%2Caps%2C2079&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5. Hidden Potential by Adam Grant</a></h3><figure id="figure-5dg4vcck5im15das5e"><img id="5dg4vcck5im15das5e" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1603675900/photo/diamond-in-kimberlite-gravel.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=N6omVCGHdKQteu2eewo2ODrZLpn0091HBjBlALtEdJc=" alt="diamond in kimberlite gravel" title="diamond in kimberlite gravel" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1603675900/photo/diamond-in-kimberlite-gravel.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=N6omVCGHdKQteu2eewo2ODrZLpn0091HBjBlALtEdJc=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>I love anything Adam Grant writes; easy to read but the research he puts into all his books is unmatched.&nbsp;Hidden Potential is all about how we have way more potential than we give ourselves credit for. This book led me to another amazing book, The Golden Thirteen, about the first 13 Black men who made rank in the U.S. Navy. Nearly every White man tried to ruin their chance, but these 13 showed what adversity uncovers.Uncontainable potential. Happy Reading! *All links are simply links, I don't get any money if you click them. I just want to make finding great stories as easy as possible for you!* Similar Reads:<a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/5-books-to-honor-and-remember-9-11" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/5-books-to-honor-and-remember-9-11">5 Books to Honor and Remember 9/11</a><a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/book-to-celebrate-back-to-school" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/book-to-celebrate-back-to-school">6 Books for Adults to Celebrate Back to School</a><a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/10-historical-fiction-books-that-are-not-set-in-wwii" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/10-historical-fiction-books-that-are-not-set-in-wwii">10 Historical Fiction Books that ARE NOT Set in WWII</a> Want to work with me? Schedule a <a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services">free editing consultation</a> with Maren! You're bound to leave with a novel idea...Like what you're reading? Following me on <a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/marensommer" href="http://www.goodreads.com/marensommer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goodreads!</a>

Entertaining Nonfiction for Adults

New York skyline silhouette with Twin Towers and USA flag at sunset. 09.11.2001 American Patriot Day banner.

I was barely three years old when 9/11 happened. I don't remember anything, and I know people in my generation have struggled in remembering an anniversary that can't be comprehended unless you lived through it.My parents were great walking me through the most important part of it. Instead of focusing on the tragedy, they always talked about how the days after 9/11 were the most unified they'd ever seen society.I'm pretty sure it's a national day of service, but here in Davis County, Utah we remember 9/11 by participating in a community day of service. We do everything from food drives to trail clean ups, to making thousands of kits for all sorts of humanitarian groups. I've gotta say, it's hard not to cry when I get to see a little part of what my parents witnessed all those years ago. And rubbing shoulders all day with people you'd normally never see? Priceless.So, in remembrance of all those who lost and gave their lives on 9/11, here are 5 books about people who loved each other through world-changing tragedies.&nbsp;<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Day-World-Came-Town-Newfoundland-ebook/dp/B004T4UNU0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12OBV9TOM06YU&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fDBM5ilk19dC8NoJcjlDLJyl6n5JQg_PQSpvKKp-oHfVL_Zi6WaHXI51BnQ4RsBmKKBdwx7K8HYfCtkdCTnDXzCNTfX_Iz2NwpK3kAGWpgOAk8GftQmphZHyJPsbri9R8CjF1MXICL8IhVTV9sLD8d9bDdY9oEFUlWQzq9D2LOaCcqmvjmh6XE9VDVC0XQyBhKTc3aCPf41NzElbBMoS3-TkUiafgp9fmp7GvZ2knmc.u-ZpnSZEyAo2ePrH74iczePOvT3FJNg5qGcP6AI4m-Q&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+day+the+world+came+to+town&amp;qid=1725900230&amp;sprefix=the+day+the+world+came+to+tow%2Caps%2C500&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Day-World-Came-Town-Newfoundland-ebook/dp/B004T4UNU0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12OBV9TOM06YU&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fDBM5ilk19dC8NoJcjlDLJyl6n5JQg_PQSpvKKp-oHfVL_Zi6WaHXI51BnQ4RsBmKKBdwx7K8HYfCtkdCTnDXzCNTfX_Iz2NwpK3kAGWpgOAk8GftQmphZHyJPsbri9R8CjF1MXICL8IhVTV9sLD8d9bDdY9oEFUlWQzq9D2LOaCcqmvjmh6XE9VDVC0XQyBhKTc3aCPf41NzElbBMoS3-TkUiafgp9fmp7GvZ2knmc.u-ZpnSZEyAo2ePrH74iczePOvT3FJNg5qGcP6AI4m-Q&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+day+the+world+came+to+town&amp;qid=1725900230&amp;sprefix=the+day+the+world+came+to+tow%2Caps%2C500&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1. The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede</a></h3><figure id="figure-djchveunhm0v8oi53"><img id="djchveunhm0v8oi53" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1668139226008-d4beceea8a57?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxnYW5kZXIlMkMlMjBuZXdmb3VuZGxhbmR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI1OTAxNjA1fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a body of water with boats and buildings along it" title="a body of water with boats and buildings along it" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1668139226008-d4beceea8a57?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxnYW5kZXIlMkMlMjBuZXdmb3VuZGxhbmR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI1OTAxNjA1fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>I've written about this book in a <a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/maren-s-favorite-biographies--1" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/maren-s-favorite-biographies--1">previous blog post</a>, but it is so incredible that it's worth repeating a few more times. The Day the World Came to Town is actually all about the day the planes were all rerouted to Gander, Newfoundland when the Twin Towers were hit.You can read the post <a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/maren-s-favorite-biographies--1" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/maren-s-favorite-biographies--1">here</a>, along with a few other incredible biographies.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/29-Gifts-Month-Giving-Change-ebook/dp/B002QX44ME/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OOTVKVAV1IJD&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.o79sgZbEo9Dy0WpYTc2wY7EkNlAu-LEtQjtXk55yPKtt85W_wyfGw1jDlxdT_r6M6AKrmId67o5_B9ZBWTzb7V6kEYcpMiGxXVrtoKfBklpPY0crl5RNTRQrqQchb5hjekZmBgqcK3LwSjIDWVYviGIvsl2d1dTGaVjcx4_1-YmGjcr7uLn8c1CQs7GgSoa-EAISmbhynQNFL8kfil1QDGuiw4Kw3dFpk8oxGvjPNdM.M0ue99oVi3KSVkikgg8yJqnAbC34uEy6a4uI2l7epZc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=29+days+of+giving&amp;qid=1725899750&amp;sprefix=29+days+of+givi%2Caps%2C326&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/29-Gifts-Month-Giving-Change-ebook/dp/B002QX44ME/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OOTVKVAV1IJD&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.o79sgZbEo9Dy0WpYTc2wY7EkNlAu-LEtQjtXk55yPKtt85W_wyfGw1jDlxdT_r6M6AKrmId67o5_B9ZBWTzb7V6kEYcpMiGxXVrtoKfBklpPY0crl5RNTRQrqQchb5hjekZmBgqcK3LwSjIDWVYviGIvsl2d1dTGaVjcx4_1-YmGjcr7uLn8c1CQs7GgSoa-EAISmbhynQNFL8kfil1QDGuiw4Kw3dFpk8oxGvjPNdM.M0ue99oVi3KSVkikgg8yJqnAbC34uEy6a4uI2l7epZc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=29+days+of+giving&amp;qid=1725899750&amp;sprefix=29+days+of+givi%2Caps%2C326&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2. 29 Days of Giving by Cami Walker</a></h3><figure id="figure-g8ne1dyzffm0v9551x"><img id="g8ne1dyzffm0v9551x" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1599059813005-11265ba4b4ce?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxnaXZpbmd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI1OTAxNTA0fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="Men and Women giving bananas and canned soup to others." title="Men and Women giving bananas and canned soup to others." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1599059813005-11265ba4b4ce?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxnaXZpbmd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI1OTAxNTA0fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>I’ve just completed my third year while knowing I’m living with an autoimmune disease that will never go away. Funnily enough, I found 29 Days of Giving the year before I was diagnosed.&nbsp;Cami Walker was in her early 30s when her unexplained symptoms were given a label: multiple sclerosis. She already felt like she was losing her mind, but now she knew that her mind really was being lost, one little piece at a time. She was newly married, but she couldn’t even enjoy it, and she was constantly losing control of her own body.In the middle of a deep depression, her across-the-hall neighbor offered her services as a South African healer. But… it was a little unorthodox. No pills. No treatments. No doctors.Cami was tasked with giving something every day for 29 days.And it only counted if she thought about doing it before it happened.&nbsp;Try it for 29 days as you read. Your life is going to change.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Together-Connection-Performance-Greater-Happiness-ebook/dp/B07LFDNM9K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=16VTC4FYUVUMR&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._ebsUNmSYR1HsOGhInTe7IrERuJfwLqbO72H4JsF0POX2UfSILuT0jgpt9x4Ulw9fvaSVenbpYuwCbX0RZEFQg.VFMEHR5eip-hw_Eszftf2mLJS_U8vG3KCrqLvWJ5ygo&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=together+by+vivek+h+murthy&amp;qid=1725899813&amp;sprefix=together+by+vivek+h+murth%2Caps%2C845&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Together-Connection-Performance-Greater-Happiness-ebook/dp/B07LFDNM9K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=16VTC4FYUVUMR&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._ebsUNmSYR1HsOGhInTe7IrERuJfwLqbO72H4JsF0POX2UfSILuT0jgpt9x4Ulw9fvaSVenbpYuwCbX0RZEFQg.VFMEHR5eip-hw_Eszftf2mLJS_U8vG3KCrqLvWJ5ygo&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=together+by+vivek+h+murthy&amp;qid=1725899813&amp;sprefix=together+by+vivek+h+murth%2Caps%2C845&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3. Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection by Vivek H. Murthy</a></h3><figure id="figure-i4fs0w6x7wm0v99ny8"><img id="i4fs0w6x7wm0v99ny8" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1529156069898-49953e39b3ac?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHx0b2dldGhlcnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MjU5MDE2NDB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="people holding shoulders sitting on wall" title="people holding shoulders sitting on wall" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1529156069898-49953e39b3ac?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHx0b2dldGhlcnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MjU5MDE2NDB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Our world was already polarized, but after COVID it’s only gotten worse. The epidemic of loneliness and its destructive consequences are mentioned in every podcast, church sermon, and college class I’ve listened to lately. And yet, it’s kind of hard to believe, right? I mean, aren’t we more connected than ever with our technology and social media?&nbsp;Vivek Murthy makes a compelling argument that these forms of contact are like the pornography of connection. Our brains react like we’re connecting, but we aren’t getting any of the benefits of true connection.&nbsp;In between heartwarming stories from around the world about how people have reached out and pushed back against loneliness, Murthy offers simple solutions to begin breaking through the fortress we’ve unwittingly built around ourselves.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Big-Miracle-Family/dp/1589974433/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UTAT73R9UGYW&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4E6msrNS-DpHUebp07ks8xP73Qehxh6eSaJQZpwtQADQA0CTrLhPAUlKd6GP1w6qOMvXmNnaYSXgI3q4U4e5H2I6NgkHvE-uZ4c0JvFYlbV518O9WcCO4ZWCdzFeBWbUfXZikHmbsZEoHYMWBHLzTGnw6MXby0Sy_wbihfhq1ioBVmSfJ7Iuw7Ukotwu4cgUR1H9fWuhX64MNPXrpbx_LKpVgVV1ED6AbCbzjkQ117Q.Z09SrhTiHx63wxfRmHRPvShWwSRUGtY1bhA9tQ4M08s&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=small+town%2C+big+miracle&amp;qid=1725899893&amp;sprefix=small+town%2C+big+miracl%2Caps%2C462&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Big-Miracle-Family/dp/1589974433/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UTAT73R9UGYW&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4E6msrNS-DpHUebp07ks8xP73Qehxh6eSaJQZpwtQADQA0CTrLhPAUlKd6GP1w6qOMvXmNnaYSXgI3q4U4e5H2I6NgkHvE-uZ4c0JvFYlbV518O9WcCO4ZWCdzFeBWbUfXZikHmbsZEoHYMWBHLzTGnw6MXby0Sy_wbihfhq1ioBVmSfJ7Iuw7Ukotwu4cgUR1H9fWuhX64MNPXrpbx_LKpVgVV1ED6AbCbzjkQ117Q.Z09SrhTiHx63wxfRmHRPvShWwSRUGtY1bhA9tQ4M08s&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=small+town%2C+big+miracle&amp;qid=1725899893&amp;sprefix=small+town%2C+big+miracl%2Caps%2C462&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">4. Small Town, Big Miracle by W. C. Martin</a></h3><figure id="figure-tv0ouloanm0v9ajkw"><img id="tv0ouloanm0v9ajkw" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1486567375/photo/grandmother-reading-bible-to-her-granddaughter.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=wAE17WG1EHWpmy6IaNYJWE8WlkwFViCjFWZGpn1iw-s=" alt="Grandmother reading Bible to her granddaughter" title="Grandmother reading Bible to her granddaughter" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1486567375/photo/grandmother-reading-bible-to-her-granddaughter.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=wAE17WG1EHWpmy6IaNYJWE8WlkwFViCjFWZGpn1iw-s=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Life is never going to be convenient. I know. Disappointing.But Reverand Martin found out it doesn’t have to be.He and his wife had already filled their lives to the brim. He worked full time and was the town's pastor full time, and he and his wife were the parents of two children. Their son had special needs— brain damage since birth— and that took up more time than parents normally had.But then his wife’s mother died, and as she worked through her grief, she heard God whisper to be like her mother and foster and adopt. The pastor thought it was crazy, but he supported his wife. But pretty soon, he was all in.And so was the rest of their town, Possum Trot.Life is never convenient. But convenience isn’t beautiful—love is.Read the book, and when you're done see the movie based on these children's stories in Angel Studios' new movie, <a data-mce-href="https://www.angel.com/movies/sound-of-hope-the-story-of-possum-trot" href="https://www.angel.com/movies/sound-of-hope-the-story-of-possum-trot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sound of Hope</a>.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Unthinkable-Survives-When-Disaster-Strikes-ebook/dp/B001AL664C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3P97ICJSBCFPF&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mN-uJN-MaCZ7I0UGWs4NSQ.wSNxqhRfCCqwvpfmVYExw-4yP4PkWJyTqfSvQy8-voc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=The+Unthinkable+%28Revised+and+Updated%29%3A+Who+Survives+When+Disaster+Strikes--and+Why&amp;qid=1725899983&amp;sprefix=the+unthinkable+revised+and+updated+who+survives+when+disaster+strikes--and+why%2Caps%2C949&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Unthinkable-Survives-When-Disaster-Strikes-ebook/dp/B001AL664C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3P97ICJSBCFPF&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mN-uJN-MaCZ7I0UGWs4NSQ.wSNxqhRfCCqwvpfmVYExw-4yP4PkWJyTqfSvQy8-voc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=The+Unthinkable+%28Revised+and+Updated%29%3A+Who+Survives+When+Disaster+Strikes--and+Why&amp;qid=1725899983&amp;sprefix=the+unthinkable+revised+and+updated+who+survives+when+disaster+strikes--and+why%2Caps%2C949&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5. The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes--and Why by Amanda Ripley</a></h3><figure id="figure-0nfeutwcym0v9ehzd"><img id="0nfeutwcym0v9ehzd" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1662373227904-8c7c7c1057f0?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyNHx8aGVscHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MjU5MDE4OTR8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="Red Cross food orders and free seed for quarter acre garden plots are given white and colored farmers by the Red Cross chapter at Cleveland, Mississippi. " title="Red Cross food orders and free seed for quarter acre garden plots are given white and colored farmers by the Red Cross chapter at Cleveland, Mississippi. " class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1662373227904-8c7c7c1057f0?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyNHx8aGVscHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MjU5MDE4OTR8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>I’m not really sure where I picked this book up. I was probably shelving something else and got sucked in by the title. Where I live in Bountiful, Utah, I live in the middle of a million fault lines. I still remember the terror that shot through my little seventh-grade body when they told us that our junior high sat right on the biggest fault line in the state. So imagine my relief when I found this book.I thought I was going to learn about best practices, neurological research, or cool gadgets and gear that I could pick up to increase my survival chances. What I found instead was story after story about how a couple of people or a group of people stepped in during disaster— and that’s why people survive.I guarantee you’ve never heard most of these stories, but you’ll be glad you did after reading this. Let's love each other a little more this 9/11 anniversary. Happy reading. *All links are simply links, I don't get any money if you click them. I just want to make finding great stories as easy as possible for you!* Similar Reads: <a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/maren-s-favorite-biographies--1" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/maren-s-favorite-biographies--1">Maren's Favorite Biographies #1</a><a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/practice-what-you-preach--6-books-to-help-you-live-the-gospel" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/practice-what-you-preach--6-books-to-help-you-live-the-gospel">Practice What You Preach: 6 Books to Help You Live the Gospel</a><a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/different-and-deeper--5-books-for-when-you-can-t-feel-god" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/different-and-deeper--5-books-for-when-you-can-t-feel-god">Different and Deeper: 5 Books for When You Can't Feel God</a> Want to work with me? Schedule a <a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services">free editing consultation </a>with Maren! You're bound to leave with a novel idea...Like what you're reading? Following me on <a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/marensommer" href="http://www.goodreads.com/marensommer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goodreads</a>!

5 Books to Honor and Remember 9/11

Black woman, breath and hand on chest, for meditation and wellness being peaceful to relax. Bokeh, African American female and lady outdoor, in nature and being calm for breathing exercise and health

Rites. Ceremonies. Traditions. Rituals. Meditation. Prayers.&nbsp; Honestly, the more I learn, the more I realize that these words all mean the same thing. We're all trying to do everything we can to feel connected to ourselves, others, and a higher power. Sometimes that takes objects, sometimes that takes, repetition, and sometimes that takes conversation. Whatever method of connection you hoping to practice, here are 5 Books on Prayer or Meditation that I would give to anybody.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Circle-Maker-Praying-Circles-Greatest-ebook/dp/B01CXDN6C0/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=" href="https://www.amazon.com/Circle-Maker-Praying-Circles-Greatest-ebook/dp/B01CXDN6C0/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1. The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson</a></h3><figure id="figure-enstju6hpllzstxtao"><img id="enstju6hpllzstxtao" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/11F8dNQlpTJIyljSP74hGGj31LQYIK4bIfHdZKn1IYICNM9eaUi7MSKbmlBHcFlj.jpg" alt="Red cover with the title ringed by chalk circles." title="Red cover with the title ringed by chalk circles." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="The Circle Maker Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="25%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/11F8dNQlpTJIyljSP74hGGj31LQYIK4bIfHdZKn1IYICNM9eaUi7MSKbmlBHcFlj.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">The Circle Maker Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>How do you feel about prayer? I’ve done it my whole life, but it’s always felt hippie-dippie to my practical side. Most of the time it feels like I’m praying to the wall. But I want to believe that there is a God who hears and cares, so I’m seeking out people who feel energized by prayer.The Circle Maker is all about how to pray circles around the problems in your life. Batterson shares stories about how two parents prayed for their unborn child, but they kept thinking of two names, so they prayed for both; how his congregation prayed for nearly a decade for a place they could meet on Sundays and the wacky miracles that paved the way; and the legend of Honi the Circle Maker who prayed in his circle until God answered his petition.I might not totally believe in prayer yet, but Circle Maker makes me want to keep trying.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Power-Eight-Harnessing-Miraculous-Energies-ebook/dp/B01M9I7GZA/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.q9W_BOPthxXnJL2XCZRq1OIOcZ8m5kP4zW2OT6Dy-7EKXhLEOgoMtM5R-Ld9bESfurru_cucwAxsk6bTjPPcSVIFcTrDu4qjbaF-GVSLTJUf4GuOibIrIrKPDdVBkBsMgzqU8C1tMsSsxbzbTgbm94604NzyyVhzETpO7fIr1CUkn3z56ttXyIbryEKTC0cbmFppPT20yiqeSu4FxDGrLB7vIuT0D9KsjKlrdy5yqOs.-8fX5HOrhiKmFPVfbgl46VEPOmmFBmZnLZGYn4ysA_c&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+8&amp;qid=1723578274&amp;s=digital-text&amp;sr=1-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Power-Eight-Harnessing-Miraculous-Energies-ebook/dp/B01M9I7GZA/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.q9W_BOPthxXnJL2XCZRq1OIOcZ8m5kP4zW2OT6Dy-7EKXhLEOgoMtM5R-Ld9bESfurru_cucwAxsk6bTjPPcSVIFcTrDu4qjbaF-GVSLTJUf4GuOibIrIrKPDdVBkBsMgzqU8C1tMsSsxbzbTgbm94604NzyyVhzETpO7fIr1CUkn3z56ttXyIbryEKTC0cbmFppPT20yiqeSu4FxDGrLB7vIuT0D9KsjKlrdy5yqOs.-8fX5HOrhiKmFPVfbgl46VEPOmmFBmZnLZGYn4ysA_c&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+8&amp;qid=1723578274&amp;s=digital-text&amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2. The Power of Eight by Lynne McTaggart</a></h3><figure id="figure-60zhfip8gilzsu1wba"><img id="60zhfip8gilzsu1wba" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/dcG69h6tQZQ6CP6iZV7alFfhguDku6UAPFopVqGVrgnJMAs1KtqG44pk6R1KkVCh.jpg" alt="8 made out of a connection of atoms with the title overlayed." title="8 made out of a connection of atoms with the title overlayed." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 35%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="The Power of 8 Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="35%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/dcG69h6tQZQ6CP6iZV7alFfhguDku6UAPFopVqGVrgnJMAs1KtqG44pk6R1KkVCh.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 35%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">The Power of 8 Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>Let’s ride on the coattails of The Circle Maker a little longer. Sometimes I get stuck in the connotation a title carries, so I decided to study prayer from the direction of “intentions”. The Power of Eight is all about McTaggart’s research on the power of thought. Originally, she was curious whether or not a group of people could think healing thoughts and influence a plant to grow. But soon her experiments had grown bigger, until one day she found that groups of people sending healing thoughts toward someone in the group were having measurable results.The Power of Eight is an intriguing look throughout history of the many prayer rituals around the world and how anyone can harness the power of positive thoughts to change the world.&nbsp;Can my thoughts really heal people? I don’t know, but it certainly can’t hurt to try it out.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Power-Stillness-Mindful-Living-Latter-day-ebook/dp/B083LFZBD7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QABS9CDICBCL&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BcWygzQPGzyaXsar3h96dGVHYtYRJuIEgRpdScut2l3hA5rL_o9JZdUJiHdT-4w1A6KjlRQ2zBHvBAkwKD9tZ2hnG_FudnKcmmRSUipowBnd8gmJ4pldM3xn-D8Ip9uj59vV0Y8edb_p5FRmb433KB6m0WQgXD5c6Q0TL3HSU4wLUchaB5ZUDna6YymwqeXLuzcNpIGJNOqfb45GVpMYll0zNexD_t_kCBR2_yzQVuE.i9TfApIewYRKdqXNQhH-qZQS6hc049qNlAGyf6fX7A8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+stillness&amp;qid=1723578506&amp;s=digital-text&amp;sprefix=the+power+of+stillnes%2Cdigital-text%2C604&amp;sr=1-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Power-Stillness-Mindful-Living-Latter-day-ebook/dp/B083LFZBD7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QABS9CDICBCL&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BcWygzQPGzyaXsar3h96dGVHYtYRJuIEgRpdScut2l3hA5rL_o9JZdUJiHdT-4w1A6KjlRQ2zBHvBAkwKD9tZ2hnG_FudnKcmmRSUipowBnd8gmJ4pldM3xn-D8Ip9uj59vV0Y8edb_p5FRmb433KB6m0WQgXD5c6Q0TL3HSU4wLUchaB5ZUDna6YymwqeXLuzcNpIGJNOqfb45GVpMYll0zNexD_t_kCBR2_yzQVuE.i9TfApIewYRKdqXNQhH-qZQS6hc049qNlAGyf6fX7A8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+power+of+stillness&amp;qid=1723578506&amp;s=digital-text&amp;sprefix=the+power+of+stillnes%2Cdigital-text%2C604&amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3. The Power of Stillness by Jacob Hess, Carrie Skarda, Kyle Anderson, and Ty Mansfield</a> </h3><figure id="figure-4fu9qnfbtklzsu614g" class=""><img id="4fu9qnfbtklzsu614g" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/23qoWHU6mjf7jKpkou1adlKouLvkQMyUCQCq7nj9NiKyI0g1feGhwfslYEKe4VvP.jpg" alt="misty blue water background with title." title="misty blue water background with title." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 45%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Power of Stillness Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="45%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/23qoWHU6mjf7jKpkou1adlKouLvkQMyUCQCq7nj9NiKyI0g1feGhwfslYEKe4VvP.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 45%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Power of Stillness Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com) </figcaption>When things aren’t going well, I naturally default to ramping up my efforts to get ahead of the crap. But current research has been finding that maybe “less is more” has been the answer all along.</figure>Co-written by four therapists of different focuses, this book is full of numerous ways to slow down enough to hear ourselves think and feel what we feel. It's also written specifically for an LDS or religious audience, to be used in conjunction with religious practices already in place.&nbsp; Some chapters are more helpful for parents of young children and some for anyone under the sun, but this book is a simple way to start your journey of meditation.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585" href="https://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585" target="_blank" rel="noopener">4. Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday</a></h3><figure id="figure-pxz42nkmlqlzsuf13n"><img id="pxz42nkmlqlzsuf13n" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1fkU06gjuHUFo0yY0UJsPn1hv19Vuoh5k8Sg4DT8ztcxKoKahsoaPPl5UQ1d05Vn.jpg" alt="Black background with a sun in the middle of the cover." title="Black background with a sun in the middle of the cover." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 20%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="Stillness is the Key Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="20%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1fkU06gjuHUFo0yY0UJsPn1hv19Vuoh5k8Sg4DT8ztcxKoKahsoaPPl5UQ1d05Vn.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 20%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Stillness is the Key Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>Meditation seems to be the answer to everything these days. You can’t fall asleep? Meditate. You aren’t doing well at work? Meditate. You’re constipated? Meditate.But if your temper seems to be getting the better of you lately, I would recommend meditation, at least how Ryan Holiday describes it.&nbsp;Holiday collected the stories and routines of some of the greatest movers and shakers in history, from sports stars to Holocaust hiders. All of these people existed day-to-day in hectic environments, but all of them used stillness to overcome them.If you find that traditional meditation isn’t jiving with you, I’d highly consider reading Stillness is the Key.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Even-Darkest-Hour-Michael-Huston/dp/1639932402/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ANA6GFGIJBAB&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Le8yg9J5y06OXRtPJip7z7jsVQV7yvaa00v90UefWCD6Q0v4JDfZmP8fCtP-VCJWg-7fqkiyt8ivMGvI97LgA5XEHUqU2nFaN072tosyq4236nt5yBnkXR8jxd2c2WA-4WHOezULtPGyaZENWI1jKK0vpQi_Kjq29m3GWkY8p2YN2Z7BpLsKArf4JMur5elE_vyAhm0oaT0O6RrbXuzsXOK7rybJKISZYANObVxtFogbp26efxl7ggyJcV5AemyxsIHbHkalg6-Pqeswmv1WXdkEBm9BjlEwSw_e8DkKH3w.Us0z3U89Sv-GI7TxgALe3wzsTa_u8PsEENMY3EJo9qY&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=even+in+the+darkest+hours&amp;qid=1723579058&amp;sprefix=even+in+the+darkest+hour%2Caps%2C167&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Even-Darkest-Hour-Michael-Huston/dp/1639932402/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ANA6GFGIJBAB&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Le8yg9J5y06OXRtPJip7z7jsVQV7yvaa00v90UefWCD6Q0v4JDfZmP8fCtP-VCJWg-7fqkiyt8ivMGvI97LgA5XEHUqU2nFaN072tosyq4236nt5yBnkXR8jxd2c2WA-4WHOezULtPGyaZENWI1jKK0vpQi_Kjq29m3GWkY8p2YN2Z7BpLsKArf4JMur5elE_vyAhm0oaT0O6RrbXuzsXOK7rybJKISZYANObVxtFogbp26efxl7ggyJcV5AemyxsIHbHkalg6-Pqeswmv1WXdkEBm9BjlEwSw_e8DkKH3w.Us0z3U89Sv-GI7TxgALe3wzsTa_u8PsEENMY3EJo9qY&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=even+in+the+darkest+hours&amp;qid=1723579058&amp;sprefix=even+in+the+darkest+hour%2Caps%2C167&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5. Even in the Darkest Hour by Michael Huston</a></h3><figure id="figure-suoy7j1hqflzsuhlal"><img id="suoy7j1hqflzsuhlal" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/186KmltXinfU4QyiPYTaaoM79ghWQPuymVMacqSzHLwcjwJLZGMH06jBxC4DTKmA.jpg" alt="Dark and rolling storm clouds." title="Dark and rolling storm clouds." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 25%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="Even In the Darkest Hour Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="25%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/186KmltXinfU4QyiPYTaaoM79ghWQPuymVMacqSzHLwcjwJLZGMH06jBxC4DTKmA.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 25%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Even In the Darkest Hour Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>"It's always better to be grateful." Well... after four years of hell, I'm realizing being grateful all the time can actually hold me back from God. Let me explain. Even in the Darkest Hour took me through the Bible and Book of Mormon (if you are LDS) into how God's covenant relationship with us works. Yes, we should be grateful, but when things are going really bad, we should also give God our lament. "Lament" is a little-used word in our society, and we often get it mixed up with "complaint". As a professional complainer myself, I can attest that complaining is rather passive-aggressive. I usually tell all my woes to everyone but the person I'm having the issues with, or I'm telling everyone so that that person feels bad. Lament, on the other hand, is when I take my grievances to the person in the middle of the problem with me to find deliverance. Or, as the author explains it, "How can we have faith enough to be delivered if we do not even have faith enough to be honest about how we feel?"&nbsp; I feel like my trust in God has increased since I read this book. And since I started praying more honestly. Add some lament, you'll feel... something pretty special. Happy Reading.If you need more book recommendations, check out <a data-mce-href="https://1drv.ms/x/c/1c8acfddae60bd89/EYm9YK7dz4oggBxwAAAAAAABcTN6e8V9kFbmvI7Fk6zbpw?e=YezjcR" href="https://1drv.ms/x/c/1c8acfddae60bd89/EYm9YK7dz4oggBxwAAAAAAABcTN6e8V9kFbmvI7Fk6zbpw?e=YezjcR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maren's List</a>! *All links are simply links, I don't get any money if you click them. I just want to make finding great stories as easy as possible for you!*Similar Reads:<a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/not-just-your-bible--5-books-about-jesus" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/not-just-your-bible--5-books-about-jesus">Not Just Your Bible: 5 Books About Jesus</a><a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/different-and-deeper--5-books-for-when-you-can-t-feel-god" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/different-and-deeper--5-books-for-when-you-can-t-feel-god">Different and Deeper: 5 Books for When You Can't Feel God</a><a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/maren-s-favorite--religious--biographies--2" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/maren-s-favorite--religious--biographies--2">Maren's Favorite (Religious) Biographies #2</a> Want to work with me? Schedule a <a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services">free editing consultation</a> with Maren! You're bound to leave with a novel idea...Like what you're reading? Following me on <a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/marensommer" href="http://www.goodreads.com/marensommer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goodreads</a>!

5 Books About Prayer and Meditation

Black Christian Gospel Singers in Church Clapping and Stomping, Praising Lord Jesus Christ. Song Spreads Harmony Joy and Faith. Energetic Choir Sharing the Message of Christianity with Uplifting Music

Let me set the stage.I'm at church. One of my favorite people gets up to speak-- a spiritual powerhouse she is-- and her whole talk about how Christ will always save and God gives liberally sends lightning through my veins!&nbsp;But then I get home... and I'm not quite sure how living like I believe those things actually work. Some of the commandments seem a little contradictory; I'm not supposed to judge another, but I'm also supposed to hold the line on when a commandment is considered broken?So, if you are just as confused as I am, here are six books that I found clarified the words of God and made me excited to put them into practice! <h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Glory-Lili-Anderson-ebook/dp/B00ED1GRCM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=" href="https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Glory-Lili-Anderson-ebook/dp/B00ED1GRCM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1. Choosing Glory by Lili De Hoyos Anderson</a></h3><figure id="figure-8j2tc72ehrlzj2ji4b"><img id="8j2tc72ehrlzj2ji4b" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/7Ps7KPKmvXdejaro6sSCY4aIwhuM3BquMC1VqUoTbrS4CHgZ005WxXFo4qC0eROX.jpg" alt="Royal blue background with title in gold." title="Royal blue background with title in gold." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Choosing Glory Book Cover (Amazon.com)" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/7Ps7KPKmvXdejaro6sSCY4aIwhuM3BquMC1VqUoTbrS4CHgZ005WxXFo4qC0eROX.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Choosing Glory Book Cover (Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>One time, in a customer service job, I was dealing with a particularly nasty woman. She was verbally abusive, but one night she escalated to taking a swing at some of us. When I told my boss I’d be calling the police the next time, she told me I couldn’t do that because it “wasn’t Christlike”.&nbsp;Boy, did that mess me up.Choosing Glory is many things, but one of the greatest things it teaches is how God sets healthy boundaries. Love and forgiveness can only be given when you are safe, and staying in an unsafe situation once you know it is bad only creates a victim.&nbsp;Lili Anderson is an amazing licensed therapist who advocates for us to all become non-victim Christians by what the Gospel teaches us. It has helped me make and keep boundaries, love more authentically, and feel more empowered in difficult situations. And if you like audiobooks, Lili is a great narrator. Go you!<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Law-Love-Steve-Young/dp/1639930310" href="https://www.amazon.com/Law-Love-Steve-Young/dp/1639930310" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2. The Law of Love by Steve Young</a></h3><figure id="figure-mx2rj77fjnlzj2n34l"><img id="mx2rj77fjnlzj2n34l" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1dWuH9Nox5QcByXK416lCvvHFW7wvX5Xzt3dOw7Mhin9bfLln7a2COeWfHCLdEEB.jpg" alt="Title on a maroon backdrop." title="Title on a maroon backdrop." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 35%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="The Law of Love Book Cover (Amazon.com)" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="35%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1dWuH9Nox5QcByXK416lCvvHFW7wvX5Xzt3dOw7Mhin9bfLln7a2COeWfHCLdEEB.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 35%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">The Law of Love Book Cover (Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>Speaking of loving people better, let’s talk about The Law of Love.&nbsp;You might know Steve Young as the famous quarterback for the San Fransico 49ers, but I know him better as an author. His words felt like a loving punch to the gut, but they were needed after certain events had made me more than a little bitter. You know the saying, “In love, you give 90% and expect 10% back”? Well, Young argues that we should always give 100% and expect nothing; not that we should let ourselves be treated wrongly, but that we should love how God does—because we want to.It's a little hard to explain, so you really just have to read it. But can you go wrong with this book? What does the world need if not a little more love from each of us?<h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Christ-Centered-Home-Teachings-Strengthen/dp/1629725986" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Christ-Centered-Home-Teachings-Strengthen/dp/1629725986">3. Creating a Christ-Centered Home by Emily Belle Freeman</a> &nbsp;</h3><figure id="figure-qn8k00wxcylzj2pxts"><img id="qn8k00wxcylzj2pxts" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/343Zyk4HaPcrz8skz0YhAqGbLz6f2ZhHGfhsvGJQRyqxaKNVVol8KgfMgLyZeX8l.jpg" alt="bible and pink-vased flower in a white windowsill." title="bible and pink-vased flower in a white windowsill." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="Creating a Christ-Centered Home Book Cover (Amazon.com)" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/343Zyk4HaPcrz8skz0YhAqGbLz6f2ZhHGfhsvGJQRyqxaKNVVol8KgfMgLyZeX8l.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Creating a Christ-Centered Home Book Cover (Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>I just got a letter from my cousin (yes, a letter. I had to relearn how to address one). She’s a young mom with twinies and a toddler, just moved from Utah to Georgia, and while she loves her life, it's been a lot of change. Besides feeling a little lonely without her family and friends around her, she’s also frustrated that she hasn’t been able to study her scriptures as much as she used to. Where do you find the time when potty-training and baby-proofing the world?Emily Belle Freeman (she also wrote Even This!) takes us back to the basics of the Gospel to exactly what Jesus taught us about staying focused on Him. Creating a Christ-Centered Home has 12 easy traditions or routines that can help you look to Christ, whether in the busy or the slow seasons of life. Freeman loves the scriptures, and the way she talks about Jesus makes Him come alive, but she has always been able to make Him very reachable, no matter the level of understanding. You don’t have to do all of them, but find the ones that resonate with you and give them a try. Each tradition also comes with a sweet recipe...<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Altar-World-Geography-Faith/dp/0061370479" href="https://www.amazon.com/Altar-World-Geography-Faith/dp/0061370479" target="_blank" rel="noopener">4. An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor</a> </h3><figure id="figure-iqi8bkvp3plzj2ush3"><img id="iqi8bkvp3plzj2ush3" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/dn5gJg2FAEH0QnnJcCHXWN2GANZcFkGvMiyYOTM2YiZ5Sho75pb45ZuS02HvwxB7.jpg" alt="Cream background with blue-green bird under the title." title="Cream background with blue-green bird under the title." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="An Altar in the World Book Cover (Amazon.com)" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/dn5gJg2FAEH0QnnJcCHXWN2GANZcFkGvMiyYOTM2YiZ5Sho75pb45ZuS02HvwxB7.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">An Altar in the World Book Cover (Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>Remember Holy Envy? Here’s another good one by Taylor.Sometimes we get stuck in a box when we think about religion—mainly, we go to worship on Sunday at church and we read our Bible at home. But when those things stop being enough, where do we go?An Altar in the World is all about learning to live the Gospel with purpose. Are we busy because we have important things to do, or because we think doing “nothing” is morally wrong? Can the sabbath day really help with that? Can I really find God in the wilderness like Jacob?&nbsp;Read to find out!<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Let-God-Love-You-Dont/dp/1629722006" href="https://www.amazon.com/Let-God-Love-You-Dont/dp/1629722006" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5. Let God Love You by Wendy Ulrich</a></h3><figure id="figure-c7go9xuy1lzj32le9"><img id="c7go9xuy1lzj32le9" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1fhYSLupHs3YqvHxAV9eTzUvcrNCcISauHAJuhugBNrG0SfLlbf1OAzro2Xwc4BK.jpg" alt="White woman dressed in white cupping her hands in front of you." title="White woman dressed in white cupping her hands in front of you." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="Let God Love You Book Cover (Amazon.com)" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Let God Love You Book Cover (Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>Remember my epiphany that I was like God, not God like me?Get ready for a personal attack.But really, the pain will all be worth it. Ulrich writes about how, after all the things that can happen in a life happen, we can easily start to see God like we do our earthly relationships. Your parents don’t understand you? Your friends ignore your distress? Your boss says you’re overreacting? Somewhere along the line, you might start assuming that God thinks the same. But He doesn’t!If you are struggling to see God as loving, this book might be able to reach your heart.Keep holding on, and Happy Reading!Similar Reads:<a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/different-and-deeper--5-books-for-when-you-can-t-feel-god" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/different-and-deeper--5-books-for-when-you-can-t-feel-god">Different and Deeper: 5 Books for When You Can't Feel God</a>Want to work with me? Schedule a <a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services">free editing consultation </a>with Maren! You're bound to leave with a novel idea...Like what you're reading? Follow me on <a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/marensommer" href="http://www.goodreads.com/marensommer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goodreads!</a>

Practice What You Preach: 6 Books to Help You Live the Gospel

It’s back to school!For my youth group, not me, praise the Lord!And all those teachers. Bless their souls.But to show my support and fully embrace the season, here are 6 of my favorite books whose main characters are teachers, for all us adults our there. (And teens. There's quite a few young adult books listed here, but I read them all well after high school and still loved them!)<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Southern-Charmed-Melanie-Jacobson/dp/1524401013/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XH9PPR746G8L&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dFBNXNYgSEgTBn7jht2aNebh4Vh5GbmuBJhGD5gFra8diW4FkJzOIW0ZM2TYIqPsjVR9Wsv0Nx2nVNU9I18zJ0GLWPkmZIjerXw0WEsUCMk.3whAUQB4QYAAJPIM0ilLVhf6Ao0eT_D1MT1ST-kV2X0&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=southern+charmed+melanie+jacobson&amp;qid=1724075471&amp;sprefix=southern+charmed%2Caps%2C251&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Southern-Charmed-Melanie-Jacobson/dp/1524401013/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XH9PPR746G8L&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dFBNXNYgSEgTBn7jht2aNebh4Vh5GbmuBJhGD5gFra8diW4FkJzOIW0ZM2TYIqPsjVR9Wsv0Nx2nVNU9I18zJ0GLWPkmZIjerXw0WEsUCMk.3whAUQB4QYAAJPIM0ilLVhf6Ao0eT_D1MT1ST-kV2X0&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=southern+charmed+melanie+jacobson&amp;qid=1724075471&amp;sprefix=southern+charmed%2Caps%2C251&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1. Southern Charmed by Melanie Jacobson</a></h3><figure id="figure-2uv7thp8om012chaq"><img id="2uv7thp8om012chaq" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/23mljK6RnYMahVpRooIP3rzdhpz11UqCf8OaguaHIKddPdNdxQpk9Hxtc7qCDNrq.jpg" alt="White woman in red sweater and yellow-floral dress, carrying a wicker basket." title="White woman in red sweater and yellow-floral dress, carrying a wicker basket." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 75% 50%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="Southern Charmed Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="75%" data-positiony="50%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/23mljK6RnYMahVpRooIP3rzdhpz11UqCf8OaguaHIKddPdNdxQpk9Hxtc7qCDNrq.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 75% 50%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Southern Charmed Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>Travel down south to Baton Rouge, where Lila Mae Guidry starts her next year teaching high school. But Max Archer has made a surprise appearance. The most surprising thing? That he came back to the South when all he did was mock it the three years he lived there.Lila Mae is already chest-deep in helping one of her favorite students win a prestigious scholarship, one that would give her a chance to break out of the cycle of poverty. She doesn’t need an old nemesis distracting her at the same time. And she won’t even consider leaving Baton Rouge, so really, why start up with Max at all?Southern Charmed brings all the Southern hospitality, the fire of an enemies-to-lovers trope, and incredibly moving relationships between the characters, especially a teacher and her students.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/There-Youll-Find-Jenny-Jones-ebook/dp/B005JT8Q7Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=96QFK6BUDG11&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KjvtYID8G74XDnblZJEn81mVmWsS6-1BlP7uBNKrO_JTRVPJOrJCUbFqWgJh4aEm3Z_NMyuBhY3RZPwahVxi9kKrqi6tJzwtz__BuHuRib6sJ7CFG_u6GzvLE-l8_QpdJ0J4rCBGNCs5FgzdzCp_B6JLKhSyb7_qxIzKiVfzSp1xQJ3MmQ7BZrHVAahp60MpC77sum7LUuSrqeQliVW6xIInbOa2uqN4Z8qW4rWC1VA.ltqQLRaWdQm0-aLsGVC2LUrRPqdLBvzvbV4lctSN_KY&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=there+you%27ll+find+me&amp;qid=1724075583&amp;sprefix=subson%2Caps%2C3564&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/There-Youll-Find-Jenny-Jones-ebook/dp/B005JT8Q7Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=96QFK6BUDG11&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KjvtYID8G74XDnblZJEn81mVmWsS6-1BlP7uBNKrO_JTRVPJOrJCUbFqWgJh4aEm3Z_NMyuBhY3RZPwahVxi9kKrqi6tJzwtz__BuHuRib6sJ7CFG_u6GzvLE-l8_QpdJ0J4rCBGNCs5FgzdzCp_B6JLKhSyb7_qxIzKiVfzSp1xQJ3MmQ7BZrHVAahp60MpC77sum7LUuSrqeQliVW6xIInbOa2uqN4Z8qW4rWC1VA.ltqQLRaWdQm0-aLsGVC2LUrRPqdLBvzvbV4lctSN_KY&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=there+you%27ll+find+me&amp;qid=1724075583&amp;sprefix=subson%2Caps%2C3564&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2. There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones</a></h3><figure id="figure-296ate16a08m012ec82"><img id="296ate16a08m012ec82" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/10CcOyUsVAKxPH0sPkvLqHks6JWCjGgLXhHytBDXdPzV8Be2vZrwUaKOIhMfvAtS.jpg" alt="White woman and man, both blonde, laughing." title="White woman and man, both blonde, laughing." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="There You'll Find Me Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/10CcOyUsVAKxPH0sPkvLqHks6JWCjGgLXhHytBDXdPzV8Be2vZrwUaKOIhMfvAtS.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">There You'll Find Me Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>School doesn’t have to stay in one brick-and-mortar building, let’s go on a study abroad to Ireland!Die-hard fans might recognize this plot as the Amazon Prime movie Finding You. It’s similar (and in some cases better– there, I said it), but like most movies, it had to leave out some crucial elements.&nbsp;Finley is drowning in grief over her brother, so much so that she can’t pass her music conservatory interview. It’s like she’s got no life left in her. She feels like she’s lost any connection she had with her brother, and right along with that, her connection with God. Her brother always talked about how close God felt when he was doing a study abroad program in Ireland, so Finley decides to retrace his steps with his journal, his teachers, and his host family.And if Ireland couldn’t be dreamy enough, here enters a Hollywood heartthrob.Oh! All the butterflies and sighs a girl could want with this one! Don't be late for class.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/P-S-Like-You-Kasie-West-ebook/dp/B01AMFFS0E/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24RYIHG6MYMVE&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jcccTJWy_bpW0Ek1bbH0yRLTFQG9p0sVtQo-8OVMB611yQ0-2tuDDBCou9GBrVlpaQBhUocUVNHV9s32bFtLvUbPQkdnNRQoCFqDvhmmGn2m1ai2ux7iGc74sd9dyYNxxfIaBv9QsT89SPbg5vhgATvLPUNBOuAl2zjnKDsjC4gO2cgd1CXPq9HpFgme0xggqRsBsYtt_NtpS8o9CIoPhLVoYW0h85OZkfUZ8KROTqA.Vrl9MBt9HkbwxSxB5l0muDVu_JLzZCiLzTFZC6eYxz8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=ps+i+like+you+kasie+west&amp;qid=1724075637&amp;sprefix=ps+i+like+you%2Caps%2C493&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/P-S-Like-You-Kasie-West-ebook/dp/B01AMFFS0E/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24RYIHG6MYMVE&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jcccTJWy_bpW0Ek1bbH0yRLTFQG9p0sVtQo-8OVMB611yQ0-2tuDDBCou9GBrVlpaQBhUocUVNHV9s32bFtLvUbPQkdnNRQoCFqDvhmmGn2m1ai2ux7iGc74sd9dyYNxxfIaBv9QsT89SPbg5vhgATvLPUNBOuAl2zjnKDsjC4gO2cgd1CXPq9HpFgme0xggqRsBsYtt_NtpS8o9CIoPhLVoYW0h85OZkfUZ8KROTqA.Vrl9MBt9HkbwxSxB5l0muDVu_JLzZCiLzTFZC6eYxz8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=ps+i+like+you+kasie+west&amp;qid=1724075637&amp;sprefix=ps+i+like+you%2Caps%2C493&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West</a></h3><figure id="figure-if0gomql3rm012ghec"><img id="if0gomql3rm012ghec" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/30LqpQA4Bp3Ga0skHUVv20QRUvUZPdiGqHD5hyIUYpj6l9Xjkfq51WTTgAFZBT4P.jpg" alt="White teen girl and boy, sitting on a bench, holding up pictures of a black mustache and pink lips." title="White teen girl and boy, sitting on a bench, holding up pictures of a black mustache and pink lips." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="P.S. I Like You Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/30LqpQA4Bp3Ga0skHUVv20QRUvUZPdiGqHD5hyIUYpj6l9Xjkfq51WTTgAFZBT4P.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">P.S. I Like You Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>Any teen (and adult!) will love Kasie West’s books, and P.S. I Like You is my second favorite of this author. Real close to the first, but not quite.Maybe I love it because main character Lily keeps finding mysterious notes written on her desk in Chemistry class.&nbsp;I hated my chemistry class, desk notes would have been much more entertaining.But the other writer is none other than annoying Cade Jennings. He’s petty, he’s rich, he’s… you know. Probably cute.The romantic tension in this YA novel is better than 90% of the adult novels I’ve read. Mostly realistic, no annoyingly angsty teenagers, just normal people. My youth group girls love it!&nbsp;They’re also... probably secretly hoping something like it will happen to them.&nbsp;Shoot. Gotta get ready to play defense.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Love-Then-Gallagher-Girls-ebook/dp/B000S1LF5K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BRBE6QSUW4EV&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fJr59F11zjnaWbgDskO8UCMEc1Mn8yIOrckiGCfq4tLX3U_TCuAU0TZiI1xZfnNh1qp81ycdNRaTG6h4NtfXtK9s9kr34r7Ustricma7TkATLVPHrMT-IMhznUXSQUOjWib4iGU1IXL6hRVY6adCAhLC0Hz-FA8zUGGYi1rriCBZ5djdacNxcyNQ7tEEJGyQ.qx7NFxYD-hlOmoi0mXhBpNmt6Vhs_1P-g_bMQcicEzw&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=i%27d+tell+you+i+love+you%2C+but+then+i%27d+have+to+kill+you&amp;qid=1724075706&amp;sprefix=i%27d+tell+you+i+lov%2Caps%2C466&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Love-Then-Gallagher-Girls-ebook/dp/B000S1LF5K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BRBE6QSUW4EV&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fJr59F11zjnaWbgDskO8UCMEc1Mn8yIOrckiGCfq4tLX3U_TCuAU0TZiI1xZfnNh1qp81ycdNRaTG6h4NtfXtK9s9kr34r7Ustricma7TkATLVPHrMT-IMhznUXSQUOjWib4iGU1IXL6hRVY6adCAhLC0Hz-FA8zUGGYi1rriCBZ5djdacNxcyNQ7tEEJGyQ.qx7NFxYD-hlOmoi0mXhBpNmt6Vhs_1P-g_bMQcicEzw&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=i%27d+tell+you+i+love+you%2C+but+then+i%27d+have+to+kill+you&amp;qid=1724075706&amp;sprefix=i%27d+tell+you+i+lov%2Caps%2C466&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">4. I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter</a></h3><figure id="figure-7q0es53zxjm012ivgz"><img id="7q0es53zxjm012ivgz" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1eSId3uQNyOnomkm5ZdE7U1OTbmkSLJBjMMYOsx0zYMkrhGUwQkj785tnYoyXDrm.jpg" alt="Teen girl with a finger to her lips on a red background." title="Teen girl with a finger to her lips on a red background." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="I'd Tell You I Love You Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1eSId3uQNyOnomkm5ZdE7U1OTbmkSLJBjMMYOsx0zYMkrhGUwQkj785tnYoyXDrm.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">I'd Tell You I Love You Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>What does one actually learn in a private, all-girls academy? How to use five forks at each meal? How to balance a book on your head while walking? French?Cammie Morgan can answer yes to all those questions– and so much more.Yes, she learned all about place settings, because you never know when you’ll need to infiltrate a state dinner. And she does have impeccable posture so she can blend in with all those dignitaries. And she knows French. And German. And 14 other languages.Gallagher Academy looks like a prep academy to everyone in town, but all the professors know they are actually training their girls to be elite spies. Cammie thought that made her pretty tough… but then she met a really cute boy in town.And to her horror, she realized no one ever taught her how to flirt.If you want to relive your school-crush days, and the very awkward teenage-dating era (you might still be in it, no judgment here) you’ll give this series an A+.Seriously. Make sure you have a couple weeks handy, you'll want to finish the series.&nbsp;<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Back-Class-Teacher-Romance-Thornback-ebook/dp/B0BMKP7WZB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35GD9KEMM8ZBG&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LtGC0nTtXH6ECikUZWvVHTvsvNA3sPIGc2uI0OYF65lwx5pE_YcQYIaeUP6gO3FE.U8uRujC_KEXF7qdzOG7MaEUkThgtijdzN2eIlys7RgQ&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=back+to+class+by+aspen+hadley&amp;qid=1724075785&amp;sprefix=back+to+class+by+%2Caps%2C308&amp;sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Back-Class-Teacher-Romance-Thornback-ebook/dp/B0BMKP7WZB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35GD9KEMM8ZBG&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LtGC0nTtXH6ECikUZWvVHTvsvNA3sPIGc2uI0OYF65lwx5pE_YcQYIaeUP6gO3FE.U8uRujC_KEXF7qdzOG7MaEUkThgtijdzN2eIlys7RgQ&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=back+to+class+by+aspen+hadley&amp;qid=1724075785&amp;sprefix=back+to+class+by+%2Caps%2C308&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5. Back to Class by Aspen Hadley</a></h3><figure id="figure-ejmreat84hm012khlg"><img id="ejmreat84hm012khlg" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/352aEr7lCSGrojuzFVc3kvuLRj7nCWaGOxPUjeCQeirHnUZzLoShZlrRsmYxTs2q.jpg" alt="white girl with red hair sitting on a gray couch with a white man with blonde hair on his laptop" title="white girl with red hair sitting on a gray couch with a white man with blonde hair on his laptop" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="Back to Class Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/352aEr7lCSGrojuzFVc3kvuLRj7nCWaGOxPUjeCQeirHnUZzLoShZlrRsmYxTs2q.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Back to Class Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure> Ahhh, workplace romances. They never get old and they never really end well.Especially when it’s between two teachers.Aryn Murphy is a wonderful teacher. Her technology doesn’t agree, and that’s the only reason the tech teacher, Wesley, is always in her classroom. You can’t teach when your projector is smoking, ya know? And could the rest of the world get a life? She doesn’t need more rumors flying around about who she’s possibly dating, and she definitely doesn’t need more creepy, macho men making passes at her!You know… maybe Wesley could be useful. They were pretty good friends in high school, maybe he’d be her fake boyfriend in public to fend off all the unwanteds?Back to Class is painfully realistic, especially in how we women can sometimes be so kindly cutting to the nice guy. You’ll wince at how Aryn and Wesley treat each other in the beginning, but when they get together?The projector won’t be the only thing smoking.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Front-Class-Tourette-Syndrome-Teacher/dp/0312571399/ref=sr_1_2?crid=CRUXSGJXNTAX&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.W2e4HbLOFD9uhF1Oa3DsNryzQGQ4lvB1sSAQMSYHM_A3ojxXkHKmXRfFApgV7-1H4i6mPnXSD1uyBKKbAGp-u2KIkZcKQp9kc6gFaQRM8RRusT18ageDXTi0XrUV9AR4bKm8wfhqhtAQqK-5pjc9BtD4jaOPwS0fZbdjXiJS7jvdHrxooRStJLsmhYq_BViutVFc7lD7q8GShHLHPTdwhqIPhm5p8ufD3yYrqpz0WqA.ZzkqXOvNIJTRjClFpn68P-SnHTYZsKlBHKSAFeTy2cQ&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=front+of+the+class&amp;qid=1724075840&amp;sprefix=front+of+the+clas%2Caps%2C792&amp;sr=8-2" href="https://www.amazon.com/Front-Class-Tourette-Syndrome-Teacher/dp/0312571399/ref=sr_1_2?crid=CRUXSGJXNTAX&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.W2e4HbLOFD9uhF1Oa3DsNryzQGQ4lvB1sSAQMSYHM_A3ojxXkHKmXRfFApgV7-1H4i6mPnXSD1uyBKKbAGp-u2KIkZcKQp9kc6gFaQRM8RRusT18ageDXTi0XrUV9AR4bKm8wfhqhtAQqK-5pjc9BtD4jaOPwS0fZbdjXiJS7jvdHrxooRStJLsmhYq_BViutVFc7lD7q8GShHLHPTdwhqIPhm5p8ufD3yYrqpz0WqA.ZzkqXOvNIJTRjClFpn68P-SnHTYZsKlBHKSAFeTy2cQ&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=front+of+the+class&amp;qid=1724075840&amp;sprefix=front+of+the+clas%2Caps%2C792&amp;sr=8-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6. Front of the Class by Brad Cohen</a></h3><figure id="figure-9u724norqm012mz25"><img id="9u724norqm012mz25" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29VubaXp9IJN8bhKJYXs7LYT0zxiENHC6e24hi990ehitb9650XVLak0kG5wtFun.jpg" alt="Chalk Board with the book title on written on it." title="Chalk Board with the book title on written on it." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="Front of the Class Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29VubaXp9IJN8bhKJYXs7LYT0zxiENHC6e24hi990ehitb9650XVLak0kG5wtFun.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Front of the Class Book Cover (Photo: Amazon.com)</figcaption></figure>Years before I realized Hallmark made movies based on real stories, I watched Front of the Class at my grandma’s house. Sitting on her quilt-layered bed, watching the Hallmark channel on her super-ritzy cable subscription, I learned about a man who, despite being unable to control some sounds and movements, wanted to be a teacher.Most educators told him his Tourette’s syndrome would be too distracting for the kids or even doubted he was competent enough to teach. And sometimes he believed that. But he kept going, strong like a teacher.Whether you read the book or only watch the movie, prepare to have your heart break and then be reassembled in Brad Cohen’s story. Class is starting, looks like it's time to send your kidos to school so you can have a few hours of library time. Happy Reading (and good luck with this years book reports!)Need more book recommendations? Check out <a data-mce-href="https://1drv.ms/x/c/1c8acfddae60bd89/EYm9YK7dz4oggBxwAAAAAAABcTN6e8V9kFbmvI7Fk6zbpw?e=YezjcR" href="https://1drv.ms/x/c/1c8acfddae60bd89/EYm9YK7dz4oggBxwAAAAAAABcTN6e8V9kFbmvI7Fk6zbpw?e=YezjcR" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Maren's List</a>!*All links are simply links, I don't get any money if you click them. I just want to make finding great stories as easy as possible for you!* Similar Reads:<a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/10-historical-fiction-books-that-are-not-set-in-wwii" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/10-historical-fiction-books-that-are-not-set-in-wwii">10 Historical Fiction Books that ARE NOT Set in WWII</a><a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/6-middle-grade-books-about-the-olympics" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/6-middle-grade-books-about-the-olympics">6 Middle-Grade Books About the Olympics</a><a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/10-novels-inspired-by-the-greats" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/blog/10-novels-inspired-by-the-greats">10 Novels Inspired By the Greats</a> Want to work with me? Schedule a <a data-mce-href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services" href="https://madeitbymaren.com/book-editing-and-proofreading-services">free editing consultation</a> with Maren! You're bound to leave with a novel idea...Like what you're reading? Follow me on <a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/marensommer" href="http://www.goodreads.com/marensommer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goodreads</a>!

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