April 2020 | TBR

The Best Found Family YA Books

Sometimes you’re born into a family, and sometimes you have to create your own. That becomes even more apparent as soon as we come of age and define our own values, which are sometimes separate from those that raised us–or as we discover a family when we don’t have any nearby. These 15 YA books showcase some of the best examples of found family across genres, so if you’ve ever felt alone, pick up one of these books for a bit of comfort-reading.Continue Reading

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous Book Club Questions

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong is the moving story of a young man known as Little Dog, written as a letter addressed to his illiterate Vietnamese mother. It reveals a family history that begins in Vietnam and moves to the United States when he is just a child, where he comes of age living with a single mother and his grandmother in Connecticut. Through excavating his history and revisiting various moments of his youth, Little Dog reveals parts of himself that his mother has never known, working up to an emotional climax. Continue Reading

15 of the Best Funny Fantasy Books

Do you like a hearty dose of laughter along with your magical creatures? While some people may not head to fantasy novels for the laughs, there are a whole bunch of fantastical and funny fantasy books out there that provide some escapism and comic relief. We rounded up fifteen of the funniest fantasy books that go beyond masters like Terry Pratchett and Jasper Fforde–so get ready to fall down a rabbit hole of laughter and magic!Continue Reading

The Best Christian Allegory Books

Readers of Christian fiction books are oftentimes on the prowl for novels that also function as Christian allegories. What is an allegory you ask? In fiction, an allegory is a story that can be interpreted as having a deeper moral or religious message. Christian allegory novels are books whose plots oftentimes mirror lessons that can be found in the Bible, or reflect the story of Jesus. The most famous example of this is The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, published in 1678–but luckily there are more recent titles for you to explore! If you’re curious about Christian allegory books, here are some good books and series that we recommend, perfect for your next book club or Bible study!Continue Reading

15 Uplifting Book Club Books To Make You Smile

uplifting book club books Let’s face it–the world can be a  scary, sad place sometimes. Happy books provide the perfect escape to other worlds where you can forget about your problems for a while. Plus, some books will leave you feeling uplifted and optimistic about life, which is never a bad thing. If you’re looking for uplifting book club books for 2020, we’ve got you covered! We compiled a list of 15 feel-good books that are sure to be heartwarming:Continue Reading

The Best Books About Dysfunctional Families

books about dysfunctional families Leo Tolstoy famously wrote “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” When it comes to books about dysfunctional families, that couldn’t be more accurate. From comically absurd to families affected by trauma and haunted by dark secrets, these novels about family problems, drama, and secrets make for fascinating reading and are great book club picks. They may make you happy for your own family…or provide some much needed escape. Here we go!Continue Reading