March is reading month! And what better way to spend this last month of winter than cozied up with a good book?! In 2023 I finished 60 books, and found that my favorite books came from recommendations from my friends and family. The contributors at Detroit Mom have provided a list of their all-time favorite books and authors for you to read. So if you’re looking for a new book, this is the post for you!
Our all-time favorite books and authors:
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler
“Just . . . wow. I really connected with Adelaide and all she experienced in this book, even though I hadn’t been through exactly the same situation as her–there were enough similarities that I really found myself hopeful for her and how things would turn out, because I saw a lot of myself in her story. A great read that led me to uncover some understandings about my own personal journey through life.”
-Whitney Cornelli
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
“I love this book because it’s different from anything I’ve ever read, and it’s gritty and heartwarming at the same time. It’s the only fiction book I’ve read multiple times.”
-Laura Herr
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“This fiction book was a reprieve after several serious, non-fiction books I had read. I couldn’t put it down and I really enjoyed the story of this retired female tennis star coming back to her sport to attempt to reclaim her grand slam record. It was a fast-paced, emotional journey right to the last chapter. You don’t have to love tennis to enjoy this book, but it’s an extra bonus if you do!”
-Jessica Rischar Johnson
Dan Brown
“The author of [the] The Da Vinci Code series really weaves a web of interesting characters, descriptive settings, and a page turning plot.”
-Molly Nagelli
Dan Siegel
“I loved The Whole-Brain Child. I have learned so much about myself and my children reading his books.”
-Molly Nagelli
Diana Gabaldon
“The Outlander series tell[s] amazing stories in the backdrop of events that have really occurred.”
-Molly Nagelli
Freida McFadden
“This is the author that really got me back into reading. Her thrillers are quick reads that have so many twist[s] and turns . . . and just when you think you have it figured out . . . you’re wrong! I have read more than half her books and each one had me on the edge of my seat right up until the very end. I also love that all her books have audiobooks released the same day as the electronic and print versions, making her books accessible to everyone.”
-Lauren Dalton
Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy
“This is the most helpful parenting book I’ve ever read! Her science-backed methods and suggestions coupled with her experience in psychology helped me with my own parenting as well as reparenting and healing myself. It’s beautiful, eye opening, and beyond helpful.”
-Natasha Kearney
Happy Place by Emily Henry
“This is a story about a group of college friends who meet up annually at a lake house. Harriet and Wyn had been dating but broke up. They never told the friend group and are now forced to stay together as if they are still a couple. The story is written in a way that will keep you guessing. ‘You are in all of my happiest places’ is a quote I love from the book and think of all the time now.”
-Amanda Nihem
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
“This will always be my favorite book/series. It’s not only nostalgic for me since I’ve been reading it since I was a kid, but it was truly innovative for its time and paved the way for other future fantasy fiction novels. Plus the entire concept of how J.K. Rowling came to write it is also outrageous and innovative, showing us all that even the craziest idea can actually be a successful one if we take a chance on it.
“This series still has the capacity to transport me into another world when I want to be, and sometimes I pick it up just for that purpose. As a former teacher it was my top suggestion for students who said they’d never found a book they love to read, and it usually made the student like reading. As a mother now it’s my kids’ and my favorite book series to listen to together.”
-Rana Makki
“The Harry Potter series is by far and away my favorite series. I’ve read them all countless times and listened to the audiobooks even more. The books transport you to another world. I was lucky enough to be in middle school when they first came out and got the experience of waiting in line at the bookstore at midnight when new books were released. J.K. Rowling’s writing is second to none and is a series people of all ages can enjoy.”
-Kristin O’Neill
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
“This is one of my all-time favorite books. First off, I love historical fiction. Learning and entertainment blended together is my jam! Secondly, this book made me realize that I did not know as much as I should about this dark time in recent American history. The struggles Japanese Americans were subjected to during WW2 are heartbreaking. This novel has deep themes of forgiveness and incredible characters that you will undoubtedly fall in love with. It will also ignite a fire in you to learn more about one of the most volatile times in our history.”
-Jamie Freeman
Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans by Michaeleen Doucleff
“The author, also an NPR reporter, takes her toddler around the world to three different cultures to explore their parenting styles. She gives practical tools to raise children who help you (without asking) and to grow humans that are just generally enjoyable to be around. Her tips to stop yelling and nagging are practical in a way I’ve never seen any other parenting book be. I think I’m on my third time reading it in six months–it’s THAT good!”
-Dana Abraham
It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War by Lynsey Addario
“This was a deeply moving book that was told both through the author’s words and her photos of a life that brought her to crisis zones around the world. It reminded me of the struggles innocent civilians endure during wars and the sacrifices that journalists make to have those stories not be lost during conflicts. It also highlighted the challenges she faced as a female photojournalist. It’s stayed at the top of my list for many years.”
-Jessica Rischar Johnson
Ken Follet
“The Pillars of the Earth series tell[s] amazing stories in the backdrop of events that have really occurred.”
-Molly Nagelli
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
“This book is peace and permission wrapped in a righteously revolutionary cause I didn’t even know I needed. I thought I was doing so good with my work-hard, play-hard mindset. What I discovered is the body is not designed to operate at the machine pace of capitalism, that pushing myself beyond my limits is a by-product of my ancestors that couldn’t rest.
“I am learning to create more pockets of stillness in my day, to set and apply boundaries at work, and release my drive to hustle and grind my way to the top. If you are looking for a way to create intentional rest into your life but feel like it’s impossible because life is moving so fast, then you MUST get this book. A bonus . . . get the audiobook. Her voice makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a warm blanket with a cup of hot cocoa.”
-Charmaine Johnson-Fuller
The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
“It is a transformative book about making peace with your body through the practice of radical self love.”
–Jennifer Stallings Dewey
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
“This book is reminiscent of Agatha Christie mysteries which are excellent at sucking you in by not [having] too many clues. Similarly, The Guest List is all about a group of friends and former connections attending a wedding on a remote island when things go awry. It slowly builds the tension from multiple view points and doesn’t give anything away until the end in the most dramatic, thrilling, and he-said-she-said way.”
–Megan Moore
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
“This book holds a special place in my heart as one of my favorite books. Written by Khaled Hosseini, an Afghan American novelist and humanitarian, this novel weaves a tale of friendship, redemption, and the profound impact of choices. The story takes place in Afghanistan, unraveling a narrative that delves deep into human emotions and societal complexities. Through the characters of Amir and Hassan, the novel explores themes of loyalty, guilt, and the enduring quest for redemption. It is a powerful exploration of the human spirit, making it a timeless and cherished piece of literature for me.”
–Faten
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
“Beautiful, moving, and heartbreaking tale of what women left behind during WW2 must’ve went through. This takes place in France and follows the story of two sisters in very different situations. I was sad when I finished this because I didn’t want to leave the characters behind.”
–Natasha Kearney
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
“I’ve been reading and re-reading it since I was a teenager, and I’ve found that as I grow, my perspective on the coming-of-age theme changes and grows too. It makes me alternate between laughing out loud and crying cathartic tears. There are so many relatable and beautifully written moments throughout the book that make me feel so deeply, which is exactly what I think a good book should do.”
–Elizabeth Ireland
Toni Morrison
“Reading The Bluest Eye in college was transformational. It opened my eyes to not be ‘colorblind’ and the inequity of American society.”
–Molly Nagelli
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
“This is an amazing memoir about letting go of others’ expectations and living as your most authentic and true self.”
–Jennifer Stallings Dewey
