Book Recommendation List

~ A list of some of my favourite books to go check out ~

This post will be a little different as I’ll actually be away when this comes out, so I didn’t have much time to write out a full post.

I know how hard it is to find good books, though, so I thought it would be fun to write out a little list of some of my favs, which you all can then go check out.

I’ll split this list into genres to make it clearer to look through, and definitely let me know if you know any of these!

Okay then, let’s start with fantasy.

Fantasy ~

1. Ashtown Burials

This series is one of my absolute favourites, and I’ve reread it so many times. The author also has a few other series that are awesome as well, especially the 100 Cupboards trilogy.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Author: N.D. Wilson

• Page Count: There are three published books (with a fourth written and published via serial but not as a book yet), which average around 460 pages each.

• CWs: Incorporation of myths, including various ancient mythical gods, mild violence, and use of bl**dy, magic.

• Audience: Middle Grade/Young Adult

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/62697-ashtown-burials

2. Wars Of The Realms

Again, this is one of my top favourite series ever. This series really affected me in a lot of ways, namely making me so much more aware of the ways that both Christians and non-Christians alike are influenced by the spiritual realm. Now, before we go any further, I do have to make it very clear that a huge amount of these books is the author’s idea of what the spiritual realm and influence looks like, designed to help young Christians think this through and be more aware of it. As the disclaimer in the front of the books states, these ideas are not all taken from Scripture (although they also do not contradict Scripture), and so they should still largely be treated as fantasy, not fact. That said, these books are amazing, so do go and check them out.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Author: Chuck Black

• Page Count: 340

• CWs: Mention and depiction of spiritual warfare, mention of demons.

• Audience: Young Adult

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/112257-wars-of-the-realm

3. Shadowkeeper

Shadowkeeper is a standalone retelling of Hades and Persephone, full of fun, sarcastic sibling relationships, deep themes of sacrifice, love, and strong family ties, adventure, and plenty more!

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Author: Hope Ann

• Page Count: I couldn’t actually find the exact page count for this, but it’s not long.

• CWs: Magic, death, mild violence.

• Audience: Middle Grade/Young Adult

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43529518-shadowkeeper

Historical Fiction ~

1. Men Of Grit

If you like stories that incorporate strong Christians, adventure, chivalry, damsels in distress, and sarcasm, I’m sure you will absolutely love this series (another favourite of mine!).

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Author: John J. Horn

• Page Count: There are four books in this series as of yet, and they range from 280 to 340 pages in length.

• CWs: Mild violence, death.

• Audience: Young Adult

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/88219-men-of-grit-adventure

  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44795025-the-mountain-fortress

2. R.M Ballantyne Collection

R.M Ballantyne is a 19th-century author with a huge collection of Christian historical fiction novels set all over the globe. Several of his books are among my favourite books ever, so definitely check them out!

• Favourites: Erling The Bold, The Lonely Island, The Coral Island, Fighting The Flames, The Young Fur Traders, Blue Lights, and The Pirate City.

• Audience: Young Adult, Family.

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4927444.R_M_Ballantyne

3. Lamplighter Collection

Lamplighter Ministries has found and republished over 200 classic books, many of which are such gems of Christian literature, but perhaps never gained any popularity and thus have hardly been heard of. Alongside republishing these books, Lamplighter Ministries has also turned many of them into excellent audio dramas.

• Favourites: The Hidden Hand, Treasure Of The Secret Cove, Teddy’s Button, A Peep Behind The Scenes, and Frozen Fire.

• Audience: Family.

• Website Link: https://lamplighter.net/

Biographies ~

1. Out Of The Depths

I’ve read this book at least three times by now; it’s such an impactful, sobering read. It’s technically an autobiography or memoir, and is the retelling of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, told by one of the men who was on board.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Author: Edgar Harrell.

• Page Count: 189.

• CWs: Depiction of the true events during and after the sinking, so death, violence, raw terror and grief.

• Audience: Young Adult, Adult, anyone interested in WW2.

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18652836-out-of-the-depths

2. John Welch: The Man Who Couldn’t Be Stopped

John Welch is certainly one of what could be called my heroes of the faith, and reading his biography for the first time several years ago hugely inspired and impacted me. And his wife, Elizabeth (niece of John Knox), was certainly an inspiration too!

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Author: Ethel Barrett.

• Page Count: 160.

• CWs: None.

• Audience: Young Adult, Family.

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/819016.John_Welch

3. Unbroken

I read Unbroken for the first time just a few months ago, and similar to Out Of The Depths, it was such a sobering and yet also inspiring read. It truly does show the life, struggles, and strengths of Louis Zamperini and all he went through in WW2 so well.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Author: Laura Hillenbrand.

• Page Count: 475.

• CWs: Depiction of the true things Zamperini was put through as a POW.

• Audience: Young Adult, Adult.

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8664353-unbroken

Non-Fiction ~

Note: I have geared these three non-fiction recommendations towards young people and teens, as I know that a lot of my audience is made up of young people.

1. Do Hard Things

If you are a teen, I believe Do Hard Things is one of the absolute best books you could possibly read at this age. It has such a wealth of invaluable advice and inspiration that will really impact you.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Author: Brett and Alex Harris

• Page Count: 242.

• CWs: None.

• Audience: Teens, Young Adults.

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1958785.Do_Hard_Things

2. Will Our Generation Speak?

The first time I heard of the author of this book was through reading the book that she co-wrote with her two siblings, Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends. That first book was such an important reminder and helpful read, and this book is no less than that. In this book, the author challenges her readers in a lot of different ways, but with a specific focus on evangelism.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Author: Grace Mally.

• Page Count: 284.

• CWs: None.

• Audience: Young Adult.

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15761886-will-our-generation-speak

3. Death By Living

I’ve already dedicated a whole separate book review post to this book, so I’ll keep this short.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Author: N. D. Wilson.

• Page Count: 190.

• CWs: None.

• Audience: Young Adult, Adult.

• GR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16161616-death-by-living

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And that’s all for today! I hope you maybe found some potential new reads in there, and obviously I highly recommend them all, so do check them out!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these books in the comments below if you’ve read them, or you can let me know if you decide to read any.

Until next time,

~ Charlotte Emily