5 Reads for National Book Month

“One glance at a book and you hear the voice of another person, perhaps someone dead for 1,000 years. To read is to voyage through time.” – Carl Sagan

October is National Book Month! I wanted to bring you 5 recommendations for all different genres! A book about sex, adventure, leadership, a haunting, and more! Reading has always been a HUGE part of my life. I can still remember where I was sitting when whatever book I was reading grabbed at my heart and made me cry. Sitting on my back porch with The Art of Racing in the Rain. Curled up on the couch clutching The Outsiders.

Books, like music, have such power to MOVE us. They speak to us, they make us think, they bring perspective – they bring an escape. Growing up, reading always made me feel less alone. I got to go on adventures, meet so many different characters, and learn about the world and myself.

I hope that you enjoy one of these book recommendations! Comment below what your favorite book is or what your latest read was!

You can watch my IGTV about these books here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGIfF9Yl7Ln/

1. As Old As Time by Liz Braswell

"What if Belle's mother cursed the Beast? As Old as Time is the third book in a new YA line that reimagines classic Disney stories in surprising new ways."

I'm a BIG Disney girl myself, but especially Beauty and the Beast. It's always been a favorite of mine so when I saw that there was a new, slightly more grown-up, version of the story I had to check it out.

Liz Braswell did not disappoint with this book at all! She broadened the world of Belle and the Beast in an even more magical way. It's filled with adventure, bravery, and a strong message of equality.

The Twisted Tale goes deep beneath the surface of the original movie while keeping the classic elements alive. It was so fun to read it and feel like my childhood was merging with my adulthood.

Liz Braswell actually has Twisted Tales for several Disney classics; Peter Pan, Mulan, The Little Mermaid, and more. I'm determined to read them all 😆

You can purchase As Old as Time on Amazon: https://amzn.to/36zACuX

2. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

"It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting"; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House."

Since it's October I couldn't help but include a ghostly read! The Haunting of Hill House is a classic in gothic horror written by the iconic Shirley Jackson.

What makes this ghost story stand out (now and over the decades) is the emotional and psychological aspects. Instead of bloody horror, Shirley Jackson uses the characters' lives and psyches to incite terror.

There are so many great one-liners in this book, "Whatever walked there walked alone" and one of my favorites, "...insist on your cup of stars; once they have trapped you into being like everyone else you will never see your cup of stars again..."

The series on Netflix with the same name is very loosely based on the novel. If you read the book before watching you'll see all the clever nods to the original book that the writers included.

You can purchase The Haunting of Hill House here: https://amzn.to/3l8iQ66

3. The Naked Truth About Sexuality by Havilah Cunnington

"This shame-free, hope-filled, entertaining and informative resource will answer your questions about sexuality including: What does God have to say about sex? Why did God give us a sex drive? Where is the line? Why is porn so addictive? How does sex affect us: body, soul, and spirit? Why do we feel so attached to the people we’ve been involved with?"

Whether you're a Christian or not, this book sheds so much light on the taboo conversation surrounding sex.

Havilah is one of my favorite speakers, authors, and influencers. She is an amazing woman of God and has a gift of putting truth plainly.

She packs lots of science and Biblical truth in this book and it is an amazing resource if you're a parent, a single person, or a teenager trying to figure sexuality out. If you're a skeptic, read this book! If you think you're an expert, read this book! If you're the slightest bit intrigued, READ THIS BOOK! 😃

You can purchase The Naked Truth About Sexuality here: https://amzn.to/33xYVHF

4. Helium by Rudy Francisco

"Helium is filled with work that is simultaneously personal and political, blending love poems, self-reflection, and biting cultural critique on class, race, and gender into an unforgettable whole."

I read this phenomenal work in one day, I couldn't put it down. I then reread it over the next few weeks. I highlighted and underlined my favorite ones.

Rudy Francisco blends humor and heartache flawlessly together – just like life. If you've never read a poetry book before, this is a good one to start with!

"My mother wears her wrinkles the way an ocean wears a wave. She is the only body of water that refuses to let me drown." - Rudy Francisco, Helium

You can purchase Helium here: https://amzn.to/2GG5aA6

5. A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards

"This best-selling tale is based on the biblical figures of David, Saul, and Absalom. For the many Christians who have experienced pain, loss, and heartache at the hands of other believers, this compelling story offers comfort, healing, and hope."

This is another one that I read in a day because I couldn't bear to stop. And then I reread it and each time I did I got something new out of it.

If you're a Christian, especially if you're a Christian in leadership, you NEED to make this book a priority to read. The lessons that David, Saul, and Absalom teach us with Edwards' help are crucial.

Three different types of leadership, three different men, three different relationships with God – there is so much depth to this 110-page book.

You can purchase A Tale Of Three Kings here: https://amzn.to/2Gz8wFb

Bonus Recommendation: Cirque by Brooklynn Langston

Suicidal thoughts. Physical abuse. Self-Harm. Hopelessness. Five teenagers, Drew, Zoe, Jordan, Lilly, and Michael, all complete strangers, wake up in a circus tent. After meeting the whimsical ringleader, R.L, they are marked with a tattoo symbolizing the circus act they were meant to master.

Come along on this mystical journey to see how their lives are forever changed by a cloud of glittery red smoke, a bright smile, and three simple words: “Welcome to Cirque.”

Cirque offers adventure and hope for anyone facing darkness. I wrote this book with a passion for wanting to tell my generation that suicide isn't the answer – that there is a life worth living!

It's a great book to gift someone who might be struggling. Let's spread HOPE!

You can purchase Cirque here: https://amzn.to/33AfC5v

Thank you for checking this post out! Share it and go and buy yourself or someone else a book!