Some of us will have a lot more time on our hands at home the next few weeks. There are a ton of productive ways to spend that time, and reading is one of them. I’ve done a TON of reading the last 18ish months since I was on modified bedrest for 4 months, then nursing a baby all hours of the day and night for the next several months. (With my last two nursing babies, I made a rule for myself that I could only read while nursing, not scroll my phone. I could easily “turn the page” on my Kindle while holding the baby in one arm. I can’t say I followed my own rule perfectly, but I did read a LOT of books that way!)
My standard for recommending fiction: no racy scenes or excessive language. If you read one of these and these are present, please let me know. It’s been a while since I read some of them. 😉
How you can get books during the social distancing period– (besides Amazon, ha!)
- Many libraries have apps you can use to borrow e-books- check out Libby or Hoopla and see if your library participates
- Do a one-month free trial of Kindle unlimited if you don’t have it already
- Exchange books with a neighbor
- Check your shelves for books you bought and never read. 😉
- If you have kids, read some of your kids’ books- some of the young adult books are excellent!
Okay- now for my recommendations for fiction. I’ll follow up with non-fiction and kids’ books asap.
almost anything by Kate Morton (The Forgotten Garden is especially good; I also loved The Lake House. The only one I haven’t loved is The Clockmaker’s Daughter.)
Above the Bay of Angels: A Novel; The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen (These two books are available on Kindle Unlimited. Click here for a free one month trial.)
The Ringmaster’s Wife by Kristy Cambron- one of my very favorite fiction books. It’s been a while since I read it- might be time for a re-read!
There are several of Kristin Hannah’s books I’ve loved- of course The Nightingale is super popular and is fantastic. I also loved The Great Alone and Winter Garden.
You Don’t Own Me by Mary Higgins Clark
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosenay
The Whistler by John Grisham
The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers
Poldark by Winston Graham- there are 12 books in the series!)
The Moonlit Garden by Corrina Bowman. I don’t remember a lot about this book, but in another book list I highly praised it haha.
The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona Valpy – available by Kindle Unlimited. Click here for a free one month trial.
About Kelli Hays
