7 of My Favorite Fiction Books and more...

One of the changes I'm most excited about this year is that I've fallen back in love with reading fiction. Below are some of the best fiction books on my bookshelf that I highly recommend! If you've followed me for a long time, you might remember that I ... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  View Online Here's what's new: 7 of My Favorite Fiction Books Hire a Registered Dietitian for Zero Out of Pocket + My Honest Review of Nourish 7 of My Favorite Fiction Books One of the changes I’m most excited about this year is that I’ve fallen back in love with reading fiction. Below are some of the best fiction books on my bookshelf that I highly recommend! If you’ve followed me for a long time, you might remember that I used to read fiction regularly. Getting lost in a good story was one of my favorite ways to unwind and recharge. But somewhere along the way, that habit slowly disappeared. Looking back, I think part of it was the grief we experienced after saying goodbye to C, whom we fostered for 8½ months after bringing him home from the NICU in 2020. Then life became very full with fostering and adopting David, getting pregnant with Micah, and navigating all the beautiful and demanding responsibilities that came with those seasons. At the same time, I gradually replaced reading with other habits—especially scrolling on my phone at night and keeping up with politics. (Many of you know I’m a bit of a political junkie, even though I rarely talk about politics publicly!) Little by little, fiction disappeared from my life. I still read nonfiction almost every day, but I missed the joy of getting completely absorbed in a great story. My sister started gently encouraging me to pick fiction back up again, and this past year, I finally decided to make a change. I committed to reading for just five minutes before bed and started using the Opal app to block distracting apps after 8 p.m. The results totally surprised me. Not only did I find that I almost always have at least 30 minutes to read each throughout the day (sometimes broken up in smaller snippets), but regularly reading fiction before bed is helping me sleep better, look forward to going to bed, and wake up feeling more rested! Today, I wanted to share seven fiction books I’ve loved the most — in case you need some good ideas for what to read next. My Favorite Fiction Books: 1. Salt to the Sea I absolutely loved this book. It was well-written, super engaging, and I learned a lot about an event in history (that took place during WWII) that I’d never even heard of before. I also loved that it was the same story written from multiple perspectives, which made it really fascinating. It’s a sad story, but the author handled it in a way that it would be appropriate even for younger readers. Our teens read it with me over the summer and we all really enjoyed it. One thing I will say is that since it’s told from multiple perspectives, it may take a bit to get your bearings on who is who and what is what… but keep reading for the first 30-40 pages and you’ll probably then not want to stop reading! Also, as a result of loving it so much, I went on and listened to all three of the author’s other YA books! 2. Dear Mr. Knightley The book starts out slowly, but once I got to about page 40, I couldn’t put it down. It delves into some deeper issues of how past hurts and rejection can wound people so deeply that they hide their real selves for fear of further pain and rejection. It’s a beautiful story of healing and redemption and of how to love and reach out to hurting people. Ever read a book that you just don’t want to end and when you finish it, you want to meet the characters in real-life? That was this book for me. 3. The Nightingale I cried multiple times reading this book — especially the part where she says goodbye to the boy that had become like her son (if you’ve read it, you know!). I was reliving so many of the emotions I felt of when we said goodbye to C — putting him in his car seat and telling him how much I loved him, and sobbing wondering if I’d ever see him again. Knowing it was best for him to reunify with his mama but also not knowing if I could stand the hole in my heart with him not in our home anymore. It was a beautifully moving book with many heart-wrenching but also redeeming parts. 4. The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip This book was slow moving in some regards but there was honestly beauty in the slowness. I fell in love with Mrs. Kip and learned so much from her — and I actually got emotional near the end because of all that I had gleaned from her fictional life.  (I feel like the mark of a great fiction read is if it stays with you, it opens your eyes or teaches you something, you don’t want it to end, and/or you feel so connected to the characters and the writing that it makes you cry.) If you are looking for a clean fiction read that is unique and will likely touch your heart, I’d recommend this one. I will say that there were parts where I felt like the writing could have used some tightening up as it seemed a little choppy, but because of how the book moved me, I still highly recommend it. 5. The Frozen River This is the book I first picked up when I started regularly reading fiction again. It was a really interesting historical novel based upon a true story. I found it heartbreaking to hear how women didn’t have much of a voice at all during this time period. If you enjoy historical fiction, I definitely recommend this book. 6. Only the Beautiful This is a heart-wrenching and heartwarming story of lives that people deem not really worthy of treating with compassion and value. There is one rape scene in it that I felt was more in-depth than it needed to be, but overall it was clean and it opened up my eyes to parts of history I didn’t know about. I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a good fiction read. (Interesting tidbit: I actually finished this book in the hospital where I was staying a few years ago with Micah because he had gotten really sick due to a stomach bug.) 7. Remarkably Bright Creatures So, this is a book I never expected would make my Top 7 list. But, it completely surprised me how much I loved it and grew attached to the quirky characters in it — including an octopus! In fact, I started listening to it on audio (I had gotten it free from the library through Libby) and enjoyed it so much that I actually bought a copy so I could finish reading it instead of listening to it! I rarely do that, so you know I loved the book. It’s a book with multiple unique characters telling their story from their own point of view and the way they all weave together in the end is beautiful and endearing. If you enjoy a good fiction story told from different vantage points that spans a wide variety of ages and interests, definitely check this book out! Note: This is not a Christian book and has some crass language in it, but it is well-written and engaging story… and it made me want to learn a lot more about the octopus from it as it was fascinating and I learned so much just from the parts of the book included about it! Want to Find More Time to Read? Want to read more but can’t seem to find the time? You’re not alone — and it’s more doable than you think. Check out my post on how to find more time to read, even when life is busy. My favorite trick? Audiobooks. Folding laundry, waiting in the carpool line, washing dishes — all of it becomes reading time with audiobooks, making it one of the easiest ways to sneak in more books without rearranging your whole day. Browse my favorite audiobooks here and find your next listen! More Links You’ll Love: How I Finally Found Time to Read Again and How You Can Too How to Listen to Books for Free Where to Get Books for Free (Yes, Really!) Where to Buy Cheap Books (So You Can Read More Without Spending a Fortune) Best Devotionals & Christian Books for Women My Top 4 Favorite Reads From 2025 My Top 7 Favorite Audiobooks My Favorite Non-Fiction Books & Memoirs What are your favorite fiction books? I’d love some recommendations! FREE Summer Reading Challenge Printable Pack!  Sign up below to get your free summer reading pack that includes 30 books to read this summer, tips for how to read more, reading trackers/checklists, and more!       Hire a Registered Dietitian for Zero Out of Pocket + My Honest Review of Nourish Looking for a free dietitian online or online nutritionist consultation covered by insurance? I have been LOVING my Nourish dietitian and this is my completely honest review! Truly — it’s been life-changing for me! This One Small Step Has Been Transforming My Health (and It’s Covered by Insurance!) Are you wanting to make healthy changes in your diet but don’t know where to start? Struggling to hit your health goals or feeling overwhelmed by trying to stay on track? In the summer of 2025, I made a decision that I honestly didn’t expect to have such a big impact. I signed up to meet with a Nourish dietitian. Not because I had a big health goal or some drastic change in mind, but because I was feeling a little stuck. I had been working out more, trying to be mindful of what I was eating, and wanting to better support my body through this full season of life. I figured it couldn’t hurt to get a little expert insight, especially since Nourish is fully covered by insurance under our plan. Honestly, I expected to get a few helpful tips on calories and macros. I didn’t expect it to shift so much of how I view my body, my energy, my relationship with food, and even how I approach rest and recovery. But it has. And I’m so grateful. Let me tell you more about my honest experience with Nourish… What Is Nourish? Nourish is a virtual platform that connects you with an online registered dietitian — someone trained to help you with everything from emotional eating and hormone health to energy levels and gut issues — all from the comfort of your own home. Instead of handing you a one-size-fits-all meal plan or a strict list of foods to avoid, your Nourish online dietitian walks with you step-by-step. They listen to your goals. They help you build habits. They offer insight on how nutrition, sleep, stress, and movement work together. And they empower you to nourish your body well — without shame, restriction, or overwhelm. My Completely Honest (+ Very Vulnerable) Nourish Dietitian Review To be honest, I was hesitant at first. I wasn’t sure I needed an online nutritionist consultation. I wondered if my health goals were “big enough” or if it would be worth the time. But I also knew I wanted to take better care of myself. I felt a little foggy some days. I wanted accountability and clarity, and deep down, I wondered if I was giving my body what it needed to thrive. That first call with my Nourish dietitian? It blew me away. She helped me understand how the stress and depletion of the last few years — pregnancies, nursing, fostering, adopting a child with disabilities, caregiving, running a business, and raising six kids — had left me running on fumes. She walked me through how under-eating and under-sleeping were actually slowing down my metabolism and affecting my mood and hormones. She didn’t guilt me. She didn’t overwhelm me. She encouraged me and gave me clear, simple steps I could take that very week. What I’m Learning from My Nourish Dietician Every session has been eye-opening. Not because of some radical overhaul… but because of how freeing and healing it’s been to undo old beliefs. My dietitian has helped me: Identify and challenge long-held beliefs about food and weight. Realize how often I’ve equated worth with a number on the scale. Shift from restriction to nourishment. Take baby steps toward what she calls “food freedom” — where food supports your life, not controls it. It’s emotional work, too. But so, so worth it. Finding Food Freedom After I started eating more (at the encouragement of my dietitian), I discovered that it was a big struggle for me. I realized I had a lot of fear around food and had put a lot of stock into what the scale said. My joy or frustration for the day and how I felt about myself was often very tied to whatever number the scale showed that day. One of the big things my virtual dietitian encouraged me to do was to stop weighing myself. This was scary — but it ended up being SO freeing!! It took awhile to get used to, but once I did, I began to feel a whole new world open up for me! I discovered that I had spent years trapped in a cycle of so much food noise in my head — constantly analyzing calories, pushing myself to exercise more, thinking I needed to lose weight, chasing skinny, mentally beating myself up if I didn’t follow the diet plan I had come up with for myself. I did all of this under the guise of self-discipline when it actually was dysfunctional! I am slowly finding such freedom when it comes to food. My brain feels much quieter around food and it feels weird but also so amazing!! I love that I can find joy in food and eating without needing to constantly analyze, stress, or feel like I’m not where I need to be. I’m chasing strong not skinny, nourishing myself not a number on the scale — and it’s been incredible! Taking My Wellness Even Further Recently, my dietician has been challenging me with practical ways to prioritize more sleep and to prioritize play. She’s having me try out better bedtime routines and try out different hobbies. It has been so good for my soul… and I feel like meeting with her is therapy for my whole self! I’m also SO excited because Nourish is now offering lab work as part of their program and it’s covered by insurance for most people, as well! So just like you can hire a dietitian through Nourish and most insurance companies will pay for it, you can also now have lab work done as part of the program and it’s $0 cost to you if your insurance covers it! The Nourish Lab panel checks the most important data for your metabolic and heart health — cholesterol, blood sugar (A1C), kidney function, electrolytes, and thyroid hormones. This is all so helpful because this data enables you and your dietician to make more informed decisions as you collaborate to improve your diet and health, and it provides another way to measure your progress. These labs are done at a Quest Diagnostics location near you and are fully covered every 3 months at no cost to you, providing up to $200 per year in value.  I had a metabolic panel done and it was so easy to do, the results came quickly, and my dietitian went over it with me. Best of all, it was entirely covered by insurance! Making the Most of Your Free Dietitian Online If you decide to sign up (which I highly recommend if you’re curious!), here are a few tips to make the most of your online nutritionist consultation: Track your eating, movement, and sleep for a few days ahead of your first call (I used MyFitnessPal and my Oura ring). Bring questions or struggles you want help with — even small things like “I snack all day and feel tired after lunch.” Share your health history (I even brought my bloodwork to our second session!). Be honest and open — this isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. How Much Does a Session Cost with a Nourish Dietitian? If you’re wondering what a Nourish session might cost, here’s the exciting news: 94% of users pay $0 out of pocket when they use insurance! That’s right! You have a very good chance of being able to meet with a free dietitian online — right from the comfort of your own home. How cool is that?! I have been sharing about Nourish for the past few months or so as I have been using it and benefiting from it. Here’s what one my my readers had to say about their experience after giving it a try: “I tried Nourish because of you and it has helped me SO MUCH!! I’m overweight and I’ve never had anyone teach me how I’m supposed to eat to be healthy and fuel my body, until now…and I’m 45 years old. Any my insurance has been paying 100%!!! Thank you for sharing. It’s been life changing for me too. I’m so thankful.” I would say that number they give is quite accurate as the majority of my audience is also finding that Nourish is covered by their insurance, too. That said, every insurance plan is a little different — some may have a small copay or coinsurance — but Nourish does everything they can to keep your costs low and offers a simple insurance coverage calculator to help you know what to expect ahead of time. Here’s what you need to know: Most people pay nothing. Yes, really! The majority of users don’t pay anything out of pocket because Nourish is in-network with hundreds of insurance plans across all 50 states. You can check your coverage easily. Nourish makes it super simple to verify your insurance and see if there may be any copays or fees. No surprise bills. What your insurance says is what you’ll pay — no hidden costs or unexpected fees. All appointments are backed by the Nourish Guarantee to provide a no-surprise billing experience! Note: One of my followers was told that her insurance would cover Nourish and then that ended up not being the case. Nourish zeroed out her balance and didn’t charge her anything for the two sessions she had because of their Nourish Guarantee. Paying out of pocket? If your insurance doesn’t cover sessions, the self-pay rate is $145 per session — and you’ll know that up front. Why I Recommend It If you’re: Feeling stuck with your health goals Battling low energy or brain fog Walking through a tough postpartum season Wanting to build a better relationship with food Or simply needing some gentle accountability… I highly recommend checking out Nourish. This is one of the most grace-filled, personalized things I’ve done for myself in a long time. What Others Are Saying As you can see, I’ve really enjoyed Nourish but you don’t have to just take my word for it! Here are some messages and feedback I’ve received on social media and email from those who tried Nourish for themselves and shared the experience: Ready to try Nourish? Head here to check if your insurance covers it: Nourish Dietitian Program If it does, you’ll get access to a caring, credentialed online dietitian covered by insurance who will walk with you, encourage you, and help you create a life that feels vibrant, nourished, and whole. Nourish FAQ How much does a Nourish session cost? 94% of users pay $0 out of pocket when they use insurance! Is Nourish really free with insurance? Yep! Most insurance plans cover it 100% and you’ll pay nothing out of pocket! Saying yes to that first call with the Nourish dietitian is changing my life in the best of ways and I am so thrilled and grateful! Go here to sign up and see if Nourish is covered by your insurance. More Links You’ll Love: 5 Steps to Start and Stick With Better Habits Greek Yogurt Bowl with Protein Powder (Easiest High-Protein Snack That is Delish!) 6 Tips to Find Motivation to Work Out Every Morning How to Find Time to Work Out Multiple Times Each Week 6 Strategies to Kickstart Your Morning Success (and get my habit tracker FREE!) If you’ve ever tried an online nutritionist consultation or free dietitian online, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below! FREE Goal Setting Worksheets!  Let me help you set, track, and actually accomplish your goals this year!       Latest finds on Pinterest Need an easy, affordable dinner idea? 🥚✨ This crustless spinach quiche is totally customizable (perfect for using leftovers!) and pairs beautifully with simple whole wheat bread. A wholesome, family-friendly meal for under $10 — and the bread machine does most of the work! This chicken pot pie with a homemade cream cheese crust takes comfort food to the next level! 🥧✨ Creamy filling, flaky crust, and made for under $10-- it’s an easy, cozy family dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Perfect for weeknights! 💛 Pet emergency at 9 p.m.? 🐾 Walmart+ now includes FREE 24/7 virtual vet access through Pawp -- a $99/year value. See how this underrated Walmart+ perk can help you avoid unnecessary vet bills and save money. 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