You might not know this, but I am a HUGE reader. I have to read a little bit every night before I go to sleep… It’s just become this soothing, non-negotiable part of my wind-down routine. In fact, on my sister’s bachelorette party a few years ago, we were all laughing because even on this ~wild~ (not really) girls’ trip, I still had to end the day with my nose in a book. (Eeeeeven if it was after a few margaritas. Just sayin’.)
So… It’s no shocker that I’ve also surrounded myself with a bunch of voracious readers on my team. What can we say? Team JK LOVES a good story. I can’t say it surprises me, though. After all, we’re in the business of education over here, so no shockers that we all like to get lost in other worlds and new knowledge that gives our noggins a little boost.
I love hearing what other people are reading, what stories they’re getting lost in—whether it’s non-fiction or fiction. And to me? The sign of a good book is its impact and how much it sticks with you! So, I surveyed my squad to see what they’ve been reading lately and what they’d recommend to you! Here’s what Team JK has to say about what they’re reading and their top book recommendations right now.
01. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
Recommended by my Facebook ads guru, Kerry Swetmon
“If you like historical fiction, this will not disappoint. It’s a love story and takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia (I was there last summer and it was so fun to read about some of the places we went within the book). It’s about a young girl, Tatiana Metanova and her family’s struggle during the 1940’s when the country was at war with Germany. It is a poignant tale, ridiculously well-written; I laughed and cried many times.”
02. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Recommended by my inbox ninja, Stephanie Montgomery
“Historical fiction, time travel, romance, action… it has a little bit of everything. If you are wanting an escape from reality and an adventure in far off places, this is the series for you (also a Starz TV show now, which I highly recommend). It inspired me to plan a trip to Scotland, which unfortunately had to be postponed due to Covid, but I can’t wait to reschedule when it’s safe and see all of the amazing places I’ve read about in real life!”
03. The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education by Ainsley Arment
Recommended by my course righthand gal, Caitlyn Jeffery
“For those of us being thrown into homeschooling or virtual schooling our kids this year… I love her approach to nurturing a child’s curiosity and interests that challenges a more rigid, structured plan. It was a breath of fresh air for this nervous mama and what we’re about to take on this year. If you’re worried about your kid’s education and want some inspiration and positive encouragement, this is a good read. Even if you’re not planning to do this for the long term, it will help you to foster a love of nature, reading good books, pursuing hobbies, and making the world your children’s classroom along with some great resources to supplement your child’s education.”
04. The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda
Recommended by my podcast producer extraordinaire, Kylie Keene Low
“I’m on a mission to read books set in Maine since I’m now back in my home state, but I wanted something a little easier to read than our guy Stephen King, so I was so excited to find this book! It’s a mystery set in a small coastal town that authentically captures what it’s like to be a local living and working around folks ‘from away.’ It’s a keep you up at night-who done it-can’t stop turning the pages mystery that makes you feel the morning ocean mist on your face.”
05. To Shake The Sleeping Self by Jedediah Jenkins
Recommended by my all-star integrator, Marisa Vittoria
“This memoir follows Jedediah’s journey who on the eve of his thirties comes to the realization that he’s been living life on autopilot and needs to reset. To do this, he decides to leave his job as a lawyer for a non-profit and take on the extreme challenge of biking from Oregon to Patagonia. Throughout his story, he dives deeply into his own soul through powerful reflections on life, poverty, his preconceived notions of people, and how they see the United States. If you are itching for a new path, grapple with questions around what it really means to be an adult, might be struggling with pieces of your identity, or just want a great adventure like I did, this story is for you.”
06. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Recommended by my content writer, Audrey Skelton
“This was a quick read and such a compelling story about a fictional ’70s rock band that had quick & massive success followed by a mysterious breakup of the band. It was a good escape during challenging times and the story was written in such a cool way—like a documentary with interview-style commentary from the whole band! There were light moments and heavier ones that made it really well balanced. I’m now reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by the same author and it’s also really good!”
07. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
My recommendation!
“This is a fascinating story about two bi-racial twins who choose different paths and pursue different lives based on race, socioeconomic status, and love. It was an Kindle recommendation and I’m so thankful I grabbed it because Brit Bennett is an incredible writer and this story is incredibly thought-provoking and enlightening. It weaves in more than just a discussion on race but also helps the reader see how different beliefs can be engrained into them from an early age and that most of life is choosing whether to subscribe to what you were taught or run in the opposite direction. Highly recommend this book!”
I hope these recs fill your reading list for the rest of the year! Sometimes we just need an escape, and these books provide a little outside perspective and interesting stories to keep you turning the page. Keep reading, friends!
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