Archive for the ‘Reads’ Category

The Best Debut Novels of 2023 to Not Miss

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

Discover the best debut novels of 2023. From coming-of-age to multigenerational stories to a great love story- we have you covered in this book list!

The Best Debuts of 2023 from MomAdvice.com

We are celebrating the best debut novels of 2023 as we celebrate the publishing journey of author Thao Thai, whose multigenerational debut novel, Banyan Moon transports her readers to Vietnam and Florida. 

Thao Thai shares moving details from the family history she wanted to weave into her stunning debut on the Book Gang podcast.

As we explore her favorite memories of her grandparents and the stunning Vietnamese folk tales that peppered her childhood, she shares what elements of her family legacy were most important to capture on a page.

Listen to the full episode (the show notes are located here) below and subscribe to the Book Gang podcast for more episodes like this one.

In honor of today’s discussion, I’m sharing my favorite books from 2023.

While you can find many book lists online, the one thing that makes my list special is that these are tried-and-true book recommendations. I value your reading time! 

Make sure you don’t skip the final part of this list that showcases the best books according to our book club members. I’m really excited to get my hands on those recommendations.

If you love this list, you can support my work through a one-time donation on Buy Me a Coffee or join our Patreon community for book fun all year long. The financial support helps us keep the lights on in our online space. I’m so grateful for you.

A NOTE ON INCLUSION IN TODAY’S LIST:

Many of today’s authors have published in other genres.

A book listed as a debut can mean a debut in a different genre.

For example, if a Young Adult writer writes their first Adult novel, it would qualify as a debut. If a thriller writer writes her first Women’s Fiction, that is a debut. This information is added in their book descriptions.

The Best Debuts of 2023 from MomAdvice.com

The Best Debut Novels of 2023 to Not Miss

Don't miss out on the best debut novels of 2023. From fantasy to historical fiction to coming-of-age stories, these are my top recommendations for your reading life.

Looking for more books from debut novelists? Here is a short list from the MomAdvice Book Club community.

You Should Smile More by Anastasia Ryan

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash

What is your favorite 2023 debut novel? Let us know in the comments below what this list is missing!

love this post? don’t miss our FREE 2023 Summer Reading Guide!

This post contains affiliate links

17 Stunning Friendship Stories to Read Now

Monday, February 5th, 2024
13 Stunning Friendship Stories to Read Now

Celebrate Galentine’s Day with these friendship stories for adults! These books about friendship include fiction and nonfiction- perfect for any book club!

Looking for a friendship story for your next book club selection?

What could be a more perfect excuse than a fictional Galentine’s Day holiday that will give you an excuse to brunch AND discuss a great book about friendship.

Galentine's Day Books to Read

What is Galentine’s Day?

I think of Galentine’s Day as an official holiday, but its origin story might surprise you. This catchy holiday wasn’t created by Hallmark.

Instead, Galentine’s Day was created by the fictional Leslie Knope in an episode of Parks and Recreation.

Aptly titled the same name as the holiday (Season 2, Episode 16), Leslie gathers a group of her closest gal pals for brunch full of waffles and love. 

In this memorable scene, Amy Poehler delivers these lines, “Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast style,” she explains in the episode. “Ladies celebrating ladies.”

When is Galentine’s Day?

On February 13th, the day before Valentine’s Day, you can devote a day to celebrating your friendship with your best gal pals.

We encourage our readers to embrace a book club selection together and have gathered 9 friendship stories you’ll love to celebrate. 

That’s not all though, if you are looking for great movie or tv recommendations, we have you covered with today’s podcast with Mary Carver.

Mary  is a regular contributor on MomAdvice and the host of The Couch With Mary Carver. Her podcast celebrates TV, movies, music, and books all year-long.

Head here to read these show notes and get a list of fun ideas to celebrate this holiday with your favorite gal pals.

Listen to this episode in the embedded player or subscribe to the Book Gang wherever you get your podcasts.

Let’s celebrate this fictional holiday with the best books about friendship in fiction and nonfiction!

17 Stunning Friendship Stories to Read Now

These seventeen books celebrate female friendship stories are PERFECT for your next book club gathering.

HISTORICAL FICTION FRIENDSHIP STORIES

These friendship stories are the perfect book club books for historical fiction readers.

NONFICTION FRIENDSHIP STORIES

These nonfiction books about friendship are wonderful options for readers who want to dive deep into culivating friendships in their life.

BACKLIST FRIENDSHIP BOOKS

If you have been with your gal pals as long as I have, I wanted to offer some great backlist friendship stories that you might want to host a “reunion” book club.

These are four modern-day classics you might have read in your earlier years of friendship that could be revived for your next gathering.

What friendship stories would you add to this list?

Stunning Friendship Stories to Read Now

The Best One Bed Trope Books For Romance Lovers

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Discover romance books where shared sleeping arrangements lead to unexpected twists and heartfelt connections. Let’s celebrate the best one bed trope books!

The Best One Bed Trope Books For Romance Lovers from MomAdvice.com

If you missed the Book Gang podcast with author Sarah Adler, you must join me to discuss her debut romance, Mrs. Nash’s Ashes.  

Sarah Adler shares why writing in a Taco Bell parking lot during the pandemic became the perfect incubator for storytelling. More importantly, Sarah made surprising discoveries about herself in the writing process that I think you’ll find quite beautiful. 

Listen to the full episode below (the show notes are located here) and subscribe to the Book Gang podcast for more episodes like this one.

One Bed Trope Meaning

In today’s show we discuss the popular “one bed trope.”

For beginning romance readers, this trope in romance stories usually means that the characters find themselves in a situation where they have to share a single bed. 

Remember that this can happen for various reasons, like a mix-up in accommodations, limited space, or unexpected circumstances. 

This romance trope often leads to intimacy, tension, or humor as the characters navigate the close quarters and the potential for romantic developments. 

I have read roughly sixty romances over the last three years and can’t wait to dig into a few of my favorites for this podcast assignment!

Only One Bed Books Printable

If you love this book list, you can support my work through a one-time donation on Buy Me a Coffee or join our Patreon community for book fun all year long.

Patrons will receive a free printable copy checklist for today’s romance assignment. The financial support helps us keep the lights on in our online space.

The Best One Bed Trope Books For Romance Lovers from MomAdvice.com

The Best One Bed Trope Books For Romance Lovers

Sarah Adler and I share our favorite “only one bed” dilemmas that we have loved in today's book recommendations. As Sarah and I are new romance readers, these books stood out and are often the most beloved among our seasoned romance readers.

We hope you will check out these and Sarah Adler's novel, Mrs. Nash's Ashes!

SARAH ADLER'S FAVORITE ONE-BED TROPE BOOKS

If you are looking for a fun twist on the one-bed trope, these are Adler's top recommendations.

MY FAVORITE ONE BED TROPE BOOKS

These are the romance books I've loved with forced close proximity and surprising one bed shenanigans.

BOOKTOK ROMANCE BOOKS WITH ONLY ONE BED

Love a Booktok book recommendation? These selections are some of the most popular picks with this romance trope.

What one bed trope books would you recommend? Let us know in the comments below what this list is missing!

The Most Unique Only One Bed Moments in Romance (Podcast)

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Sarah Adler discusses writing her quirky debut novel Mrs. Nash’s Ashes and her favorite memorable “only one bed” moments in romance.

The Most Unique Only One Bed Moments in Romance Podcast

Sarah Adler didn’t know she was writing a romance book when she started her novel. She wasn’t even a romance reader. All of that changed, though, when she wrote Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, her debut romance novel. 

Today, Sarah Adler provides a behind-the-scenes look into her publishing journey, recounting the rollercoaster ride of rejections, what it is like to have a novel go to auction, and what this book taught her about identity that she was surprised to uncover through her characters.

Sarah’s “only one bed” scene I now count among my favorite romance moments, and we discuss her favorite books that uniquely capture this dilemma and why this has become such a beloved romance trope for readers. 

The Best One-Bed Trope Books for Romance Lovers

Don’t miss today’s BONUS BOOK LIST, which include The Best One Bed Trope Books for Romance Lovers.

Patrons of our show will receive a printable version of today’s book list as a thank you for your support!

Sarah Adler Author

Meet Sarah Adler

Sarah Adler writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. She lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter and spends an inordinate amount of her time yelling at her mischievous cat to stop opening the kitchen cabinets.

The Most Unique Only One Bed Moments in Romance (Podcast)

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan

The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler

You by Caroline Kepnes

Caroline Kepnes Interview with Amy

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

One’s Company by Ashley Hutson

Paint by Number Jesus Art

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes Playlist

The WAVES Program in World War II

New Orleans Rush by Kelly Siskind

A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare

Comic Absurdity and Deep Emotion: PW Talks with Tessa Dare

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

Beth O’Leary | ‘I wrote almost all the book on the train…’

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Happy Medium by Sarah Adler

Shop the above (Amazon) links or through my Book Gang Bookshop Page!! They pay a 10% commission on every sale and match 10% to independent bookstores.

Connect With Us:

Connect with Sarah on Instagram, on Substack, or on Her Website

Subscribe to my FREE Happy List Newsletter 

Connect with Amy on Instagram, on TikTok, or MomAdvice

Buy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

Let’s Head to Art School With These Amazing Books

Thursday, January 18th, 2024
Let's Head to Art School With These Amazing Books

Head to art school with debut novelist Antonia Angress today. We discuss the inspiration for her debut novel, Sirens & Muses, which was a best debut of 2023.

If you have ever dreamed of attending art school, you will want to tune in to today’s discussion and fictional art book stack.

Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress

Today, we are joined by debut novelist Antonia Angress as she shares her inspiration for Sirens & Muses and how pursuing an MFA program allowed her the time and resources to finally pivot from a career in teaching to her dream of writing.

Angress shares the surprising discovery that her novel, set during the financial crisis of the 2010s, has been deeply meaningful for Gen Z readers as they also face their own uncertainty and disillusionment.

We also discuss how success in the art world is often influenced by class, making it inaccessible to marginalized groups, and what we can learn from adding characters from different wealth spectrums to her dialogue to showcase the scarcity of artistic resources for many students.

The Best Books About Art and Artists to Read Now

Check out this BONUS LIST of 27 book titles that include the best books about art and artists for your month.

Patrons receive a printable version of today’s checklist as a thank you!

Antonia Angress

Meet Antonia Angress

Antonia Angress is the author of the novel Sirens & Muses, which was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award and was named a Best Book of 2022 by Glamour, PopSugar, and Debutiful. She is a graduate of Brown University and received her MFA from the University of Minnesota, where she was a Winifred Fiction Fellow and a College of Liberal Arts Fellow.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Costa Rica, she currently lives in Minneapolis with her family.

Let’s Head to Art School With These Amazing Books

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including our monthly FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Bluff by Michael Kardos

The Best Fiction Books of 2023

The Best Debut Novels of 2023 to Not Miss

Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress

Sirens & Muses Book Club Guide & Cocktail Recipe

Life Drawing by Robin Black

Self-Portrait with Boy by Rachel Lyon

Zoe Kravitz & Thomas McKenzie to Lead Mona Fastvold’s Psychological Horror “Self-Portrait”

The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

“The Masterpiece:” NYC’s Grand Central as One of the Stars

The Fiona Davis Interview You Need to Hear

My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

Fake Like Me by Barbara Bourland

Shop the above (Amazon) links or through my Book Gang Bookshop Page!! They pay a 10% commission on every sale and match 10% to independent bookstores.

Connect With Us:

Connect With Antonia Angress on Instagram or Website

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Buy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

The Best Books About Art and Artists to Read Now

Thursday, January 18th, 2024
The Best Books About Art and Artists to Read Now

Discover the new best books about art and artists in this book list. This stack includes romance books, thrillers, historical fiction, and captivating memoirs.

If you missed the Book Gang podcast, Antonia Angress  joined me to discuss her riveting literary fiction debut novel, Sirens & Muses.  

This character-driven novel is set on a fine arts campus where each student explores their own works of art, while offering readers a moving viewpoint through their professor’s more traditional years of art that, at times, pushed the boundaries. 

Listen to the full episode (the show notes are located here) below and subscribe to the Book Gang podcast for more episodes like this one.

Antonia and I share our favorite fictional books on art in today’s show, but this list also expands into nonfiction and memoirs. It’s been a pleasure to screen these books for you today and I hope you will discover a new viewpoint on these celebrated artists or what it takes to be part of the art world!

Remember, you can find our book club member recommendations at the end of our book lists!

The Best Books About Art and Artists to Read Now PRINTABLE LIST

If you love this list, you can support my work through a one-time donation on Buy Me a Coffee or join our Patreon community for book fun all year long.

Patrons will receive a free printable copy checklist for today’s assignment. The financial support helps us keep the lights on in our online space.

The Best Books About Art and Artists to Read Now

The Best Books About Art and Artists to Read Now

These 27 books on art and artists offer immersive reading experiences for every reader. You will find your new favorite book today- I know it!

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

NEW BOOKS ABOUT ART AND ARTISTS

These new and upcoming releases are some of my most anticipated this year.

ROMANCE BOOKS ABOUT ART

Are you craving a spicy romance with artistic themes? These selections will wow you.

THRILLER BOOKS ABOUT ART

Discover the suspenseful side of the art world with these compelling thriller reads.

HISTORICAL FICTION BOOKS ABOUT ART

These vivid historical fiction books intertwine the art world with surprising true life story inspiration through the centuries.

LITERARY FICTION BOOKS ABOUT ART

These compelling literary fiction books celebrate creativity and unique partnerships.

MEMOIR AND NONFICTION BOOKS ABOUT ART

These nonfiction books are among our reader's favorites this year.

Looking for more books from books about addiction? Here is a short list from the MomAdvice Book Club community.

Fake by Erica Katz

The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel

Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland

The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro

What is your favorite book about art or artists? Let us know in the comments below what this list is missing!

The Best Books About Art and Artists

The Best Fiction Books of 2023

Thursday, January 4th, 2024
The Best Fiction Books of 2023

Looking for your next page-turner? These are the best fiction books of 2023 we read, along with some of our favorite backlist books for your best reading year.

Happy New Year, friends! This reading recap has always been my favorite post of the year, and I’m so excited to share our favorite books from 2023 with you.

Storygraph Stats

This year, I devoured 102 books and over 35,000 pages. This number is less than the prior year, but I also made a goal to watch 52 films (or a TV season), which brought a beautiful balance into my reading life.

It was so fun to document that and share movie dates with the people I love in my life.

The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Are Here

We ushered in our 2024 book club books, and I loved sharing almost every week with an author in conversation for the Book Gang podcast and MomAdvice Book Club.

Today, you can hear my incredible co-host Larry Hoffer and I discuss our top books of the year, including some excellent backlist books we just discovered.

The Best Fiction Books of 2023 Checklists

JOIN THE PATREON COMMUNITY TO UNLOCK THE PRINTABLE

We want to thank our patrons who have helped fund this space and given us a platform to share each year.

To say THANK YOU, you received a printable version of this checklist to document your reading with us. There is no better time to join than now- we will shower you in bookish gifts.

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

There is truly something for everyone on this year’s fiction list. This list of best nonfiction books offers my top recommendations and will be updated soon with some newer selections from this year.

I have a long list of books I can’t wait to get into, and these three buzy books may be on next year’s list!

Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (I SNAGGED A SIGNED COPY!)

Heaven and Earth Grocery Story by James McBride

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

The Best Fictions Books of 2023

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

AMY'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023

Browse my favorite books of the year to snag your next favorite fiction book.

BEST HISTORICAL FICTION 2023

These historical fiction books were among my favorites read in 2023.

BEST LITERARY FICTION 2023

These 2023 literary fiction books were among my favorite books of the year.

BEST FANTASY BOOKS 2023

Craving a cozy fantasy or a fast-paced romantasy selection? These are my favorite fantasy books from 2023.

BACKLIST BOOKS

The majority of the books I read this year fall in the backlist books category as I was hosting a backlist book club year. A backlist book is a year older or more and likely available at your local library.

LARRY'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023

From today's transcript, here are a small portion of the best books of 2023 from Larry. We encourage readers to head to his blog, where he has documented even MORE books, including some of his honorable mentions this year.

Love this post? Be sure to check out these other great lists!

Best Books of 2022

Best Books of 2021

Best Books of 2020

Best Books of 2019

Best Books of 2018

Best Books of 2017

My Top Ten Books of 2016

My Top Ten Books of 2015

My Top Ten Books of 2014

My Top Ten Books of 2013

The Best Books Read in 2012

My Top Ten Books in 2011

TELL ME: What were YOUR favorite fiction books of 2023?

Meet Our New Book Gang

Thursday, January 4th, 2024
Meet Our New Book Gang Podcast

Meet my new book gang collaboration with Victoria from The Reader’s Couch Podcast and Cindy from Thoughts from a Page Podcast, as we embark on a new journey.

I’m thrilled to bring you a special pop-up episode announcing a fabulous new collaboration for the upcoming year. I couldn’t be more excited to team up with my bookish friends, Victoria from The Reader’s Couch Podcast and Cindy from Thoughts from a Page Podcast, as we embark on our own little book gang adventure.

These incredible hosts share my love for reading. Today we dive into how this love for reading began and take a behind-the-scenes look at how our communities started. 

You’ll also get a sneak peek at our favorite reads of the year and the upcoming releases we can’t wait to get our hands on.

Through this partnership, you can expect to hear us regularly on each other’s podcasts, discussing our favorite books and delving into all the reading-related fun that fuels our shows and passions. 

It is SO beautiful when women lift each other up, and I hope you feel that excitement today through this new collaboration effort.

Victoria Wood- The Reader's Couch Podcast

Meet Victoria Wood (The Reader’s Couch Podcast) 

Victoria Wood hosts The Reader’s Couch Podcast. She is a reading enthusiast who has successfully guided self-proclaimed “non-readers” into cultivating and sustaining reading habits and assisted readers in fostering more intentional and fulfilling reading lives. She hosts conversations with authors to learn more about their writing and reading lives. 

Cindy Burnett- Thoughts from a Page Podcast

Meet Cindy Burnett (Thoughts from a Page Podcast)

Cindy Burnett hosts the Thoughts from a Page Podcast where she engages in compelling author interviews and discussions with industry professionals. Beyond her podcast, she actively promotes books through social media, writes columns for The Buzz Magazines, contributes monthly reviews to Bookreporter.com, and co-creates Conversations from a Page—an author event series in Houston.

Meet Our New Book Gang

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Bluff by Michael Kardos

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene

Trixie Belden The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Six Months to Live by Lurlene McDaniel

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Enid Blyton

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Turn of the Screw by Henry James

The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos

Homecoming by Kate Morton

I Could Live Here Forever by Hannah Halperin

The Last Word by Taylor Adams

The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

The Dissonance by Shaun Hamill

A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamill

A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall

The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Khong

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

There There by Tommy Orange

The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

Northwoods by Amy Pease

The Turtle House by Amanda Churchill

Shop the above (Amazon) links or through my Book Gang Bookshop Page!! They pay a 10% commission on every sale and match 10% to independent bookstores.

Connect With Us:

Connect with Victoria Wood on The Reader’s Couch Podcast, Instagram, or Bibliolifestyle

Connect with Cindy Burnett on Thoughts from a Page Podcast, Instagram, or the Thoughts from a Page website.

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Buy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

The Best Found Family Trope Books To Read Now

Thursday, December 14th, 2023
The Best Found Family Trope Books to Read Now

Celebrating the found family trope books is a theme any reader can love. Explore chosen family through historical fiction, older protagonists, fantasy, and YA.

If you are anything like me, you love the found family trope in your books and are thankful to experience that in your real life, too. 

Throughout my extensive years of reading, I’ve discovered a consistent thread weaving through many stories—a chosen family narrative showcasing the bonds between characters beyond blood ties.

What is Found Family Trope?

The found family trope is a storytelling trope where a group of characters, often unrelated by blood, come together and form close familial bonds. 

These relationships are built on shared experiences, mutual support, and a deep emotional connection. 

In contrast to traditional family structures, where individuals are related by birth or marriage, the found family trope emphasizes the idea that relationships can be forged through choice and shared hardships can be just as strong and meaningful. 

This theme is prevalent in literature, film, and television sitcoms, showcasing the diverse ways in which individuals create their own families beyond biological ties.

Chosen family is showcased today through this month’s book list and our podcast, where we discuss some of our favorite found family stories from the unexpected to TOTALLY expected (but we loved that for us). 

Listen to the full episode (the show notes are located here) below and subscribe to the Book Gang podcast for more episodes like this one.

The Best Found Family Trope Books To Read Now

The Best Found Family Trope Books

Uncover the magic of chosen family in this gathering of captivating found family trope stories, exploring the beauty in belonging.

This week's list was created with @tonightsbookishfeast for this week's Book Gang podcast episode.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

FANTASY FOUND FAMILY

Discover enchanted worlds where characters forge unbreakable connections through the strength of their chosen family.

MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS WITH FOUND FAMILY

These enchanting middle-grade books also celebrate the power of found family!

HISTORICAL FICTION BOOKS WITH FOUND FAMILY TROPE

These are my favorite books on chosen connections in trials and triumphs of the past through historical fiction.

FOUND FAMILY BOOKS WITH OLDER PROTAGONISTS

Join characters who, later in life, find unexpected connections, forming bonds that redefine what it means to be family.

What found family book would you recommend? Let us know in the comments below what this list is missing!

The Magic of Belonging in Found Family Books

Thursday, December 14th, 2023
The Magic of Belonging in Found Family Books

Discover the magic of chosen bonds in our favorite found family books as we discuss heartwarming tales of belonging in this trope of love in unlikely places.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to our new contributor voice to the Book Gang podcast. Jessica Bearak is likely a familiar voice to you because she is such a loyal participant in so many book club spaces around the web. 

It was such a treat to meet her IN PERSON earlier this year, and after having the best time discussing our books together, I asked if she could picture herself sharing the microphone with me.  Learn more about Jessica’s reading life and the surprising destination I took her to when she visited that kickstarted our year together. 

We brainstormed many fun ideas for the days ahead but knew we needed to start things off with a magical hook.  What could be better to celebrate this occasion than a book stack filled with found family?  

Today, we will dive into the concept of the found family trope and its significance in literature and our lives, especially around the holidays. 

From insights from past guests to the trivia we discovered about some of our favorite beloved stories, there is something for everyone in today’s introductory episode. I hope you feel compelled to share this episode and support our new voice today. 

The Best Found Family Trope Books To Read Now

Check out these BONUS found family trope books that includes our favorite historical fiction, middle-grade novels, and even a dark psychological thriller with this theme. 

Jessica Bearak- Book Gang Contributor

Meet Jessica Bearak

Jessica is a lifelong book lover who embarked on her literary journey at three, immersing herself in childhood classics like “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “The Phantom Tollbooth.” 

Jessica actively participates in two in-person book clubs and many online discussions regularly. She has been an invaluable member of the MomAdvice Book Club and joins us as a regular contributing voice.

The Magic of Belonging in Found Family Books

Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:

Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including access to our 2024 MomAdvice Book Club, the FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more! 

The 2023 MomAdvice Book Club Books (thank you to EVERY AUTHOR who participated!)

The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven by Nathaniel Ian Miller

The 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books Announced

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler by E.L Konigsburg

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprints by Donald J Sobol (includes the story Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Fighter Kite)

Public Library of Saint Joseph County

What Chosen Family Means and How to Build Your Own

Matt Cain’s Publishing Journey: The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain

The Magic of Old Hollywood Books

The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader

The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore

Best Books About Hollywood to Get Swept Away

Moloka’i by Alan Brennert

Daughter of Moloka’i by Alan Brennert

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

How to Use the Storygraph App For a Better Reading Life

2023 Summer Reading Guide

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley

The Spectacular Life Lessons from Books About Road Trips

Mosquitoland by David Arnold

The Best Prime Reading Guide (FREE books, including The Second Life of Mirielle West)

Amy’s Interview with Nathaniel Ian Miller

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

Shop the above (Amazon) links or through my Book Gang Bookshop Page!! They pay a 10% commission on every sale and match 10% to independent bookstores.

Connect With Us:

Get My Happy List Newsletter

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

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