Books we’re thankful we read

by Lisa Ridzén

🎧 Audiobook

Even though it’s not my usual genre and it took me some time to get into, I am thankful for having read When the Cranes Fly South this year. It was a very raw and eye-opening look at aging and how it feels from the perspective of the person doing the aging. The main character is Bo, an 89-year-old man in Sweden dealing with losing the things he loves as he ages (his wife to Alzheimer's, his dog that he can’t physically care for, his independence and decision-making power, etc.).

It made me think of myself, my parents, my own kids and how we will all eventually deal with what comes with aging. And how important it is to treat people with the same dignity we do when they’re young, to say things we mean to the people we love when we can, and to value your time because it’s brief. It was sad. There’s no sugarcoating that, but it felt important and I really took a lot from it. Also reaffirms that dogs really are the best friends. 🐶 - Molly M.

by Tara Westover

🎧 Audiobook

I always hype this book and here I am again. Her memoir inspires me; she grew up in rural Idaho with no formal schooling, dealing with a dysfunctional family and dangerous isolation, but still found her way to education and eventually earned a PhD from Cambridge.

It's about self-invention and how education can completely transform who you are. It also explores the painful choice between family loyalty and self-preservation. What do you owe the people who raised you versus what you owe yourself?

My worst days are nothing compared to what she went through. Really puts your life in perspective. The audiobook is terrific! - Jen L.

by Cara Bastone

🎧 Audiobook

Many people assume grief is a rigid line and a set of stages you follow until you're actually in the thick of it. It can make you feel foggy, short-tempered, disconnected, and a whole host of other things people don't really talk about. For a slow-burn romance, this was also a very therapeutic reflection of someone grieving a loved one who isn't a relative, but felt like one. The number of times I felt seen and understood was, honestly, shocking. All that to say, don't be wary of the heavy subject matter. This book will make you feel all of the feelings, but at the end, you'll be glad for it. - Sarah F.

by Alyson Stoner

🎧 Audiobook

Alyson's honest reflection on growing up in the spotlight shines a light on the often unseen emotional, mental, physical, and financial struggles child performers face. Reading it made me grateful for the grounded childhood I had and affirmed how I’m raising my children and allowing them to simply be kids. - Shannon K.

Note: Read with care, as there are trigger warnings.

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

🎧 Audiobook

I didn’t think I would end up loving this book as much as I did. Honestly, the title didn’t sound appealing to me at all. And since it was trending, I hesitated because books that blow up online don’t always live up to the hype, at least in my experience. So at first, I wasn’t interested. But after hearing glowing reviews from a few people I really trust in the literary world, I decided to give it a chance.

Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Evelyn Hugo is such a multifaceted character, mysterious and elegant, witty and fierce. As you learn about her past and her relationships, you can’t help but grow to love her. It’s not just a story about a woman and her seven husbands; it’s about resilience. It shows how a woman can keep pushing forward through whatever life throws her way, head held high, doing whatever it takes to care for the people she loves, even as her own passions and desires slowly fade. I think I connected with her in that way. Hands down, this book is a 10 out of 10! - Kiki F.

by Rick Steves

I’m so thankful for Rick Steves and his European travel guidebooks. Rick Steves is an American treasure. His books don’t just tell you where to go, they teach you how to travel well, how to enjoy the experience, how to make the most of every moment, and how to do it smart.

My wife and I have leaned on Rick Steves for trips to Italy, England, and France. His guides steer you toward local hotels and restaurants, help you dodge the tourist traps, and point you to the authentic experiences that make travel unforgettable. He takes the stress out of planning and even helps you let go of those preconceived ideas about the people and places you’ve always dreamed of visiting. With Rick Steves, you skip the “trendy” and find the real thing, backed by decades of research and passion.

One of the things I admire most about Rick is his belief that travel is a political act. He reminds us that crossing borders and meeting people from different cultures isn’t just about sightseeing, it’s about understanding the world and breaking down barriers. That perspective has changed the way I think about every trip.

And then there’s his advice on packing light. Rick makes you believe it’s possible to have everything you need without hauling around a burden. His tips help you pack smart so your luggage doesn’t slow you down, and honestly, that freedom makes the whole experience better.

I don’t think I’d appreciate art the way I do without his books. He doesn’t just tell you what’s hanging on the wall, he tells you the story behind it along with who painted it, why they painted it, and how it ended up where it is today. That changed everything for me.

Honestly, the world would be a little less wonderful if Rick Steves hadn’t decided to start writing guidebooks. - Jeff R.

by Ayelet Waldman

🎧 Audiobook

Parenting is the hardest thing I've ever done and some (most) days, I feel like I'm not doing it right. This book helped me laugh at those anxieties and most importantly, feel like I'm not the only one. I wrote down a quote from the book on a piece of paper and get it out when I need a reminder:

“Even if I'm setting myself up for failure, I think it's worth trying to be a mother who doesn't fret over failings and slights, who realizes her worries and anxieties are just thoughts, the continuous chattering and judgment of a too busy mind. A mother who doesn't worry so much about being bad or good but just recognizes that she's both, and neither. A mother who does her best, and for whom that is good enough, even if, in the end, her best turns out to be, simply, not bad.” - Annie S.