Recent reads 2026.

Sandwich by Catherine Newman- This book is set in present time where Rocky's family is on their annual vacation together in Cape Cod, but also jets back in time here and there to different memories. A big secret is revealed, which helps connect everything and explain emotions/behaviors. She is in the "sandwich" generation between her almost grown kids and aging parents. I did not love the LGBTQ aspects (not the main point of the book but there), but I did really enjoy how much of the book was just about the simple moments of life and how to find wonder and joy in the everyday.

Gospel Mom: How to Make Biblical Decisions and Discover the Mom God Created You to Be by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler- The women in our life group went through this this year, and wow it was good! So practical and encouraging, filled with thought provoking elements and good reminders. The first section takes you through the framework (creation, fall, redemption, consummation). The second section takes you through the practices (spiritual disciplines and habits). The third section takes you through the thinking (unique circumstances, personal conscience, and heart motivations). It would be a great study to do with a few other Christian moms, but also encouraging to read on your own too.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans- This book is written entirely in letter format, from the different letters/emails that Sybil Van Antwerp sends and receives. It's hard to say more than that without revealing too much I think? I heard this book receiving incredibly high praise online from many people! I don't know that I'd say it was the greatest like I heard many others say, but it was very good and I did enjoy it very much. 

Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland by Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus- What a powerful story! This was cowritten by Amanda and Gina, two of the girls who were kidnapped by Ariel Castro in Cleveland and held captive for about a decade in the 2000s. (Michelle Knight, the third woman he captured, retold her story solo.) Amanda had a daughter during that time. What a story of redemption, perseverance, and resilience in the face of great trials. They hung on, kept hope, and did their best to make the most of a truly terrible situation. 

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear- This one had been on my book list for awhile, and I'm glad I finally read it! It was very interesting- he talked a lot about how small changes can produce big results. He talked about things like habit stacking, improving your environment, setting yourself up for success, etc. and gave many examples of how small changes make a difference in the long run. He also gave tips for how to combat our world of instant gratification to make doable, sustainable small changes to help yourself improve.