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Book Recommendations!
68
items Whether you're looking for children's, middle grade, self help, adult (including smutty) books or more, I have them all!
Sections
4
Children's Books
Self Help/Development & Memoir Books
Adult Books
Middle Grade Books
Children's Books
Filled with puns, join Penny as she gives you some local insight into Pittsburgh. Meet friends, watch a game, visit a museum, and so much more! This was a super cute book!
The Cheesiest Pierogi in Pittsburgh
I'm biased because I'm the author, but Shelly Goes to Arizona is a book about a girl and her best friend on an adventure through the Grand Canyon where they also visit Navajo Nation and learn about how wildlife adapts in the desert!
Shelly Goes to Arizona (Adventures of Shelly & Coco)
Cutest book about finding yourself and who you are! There's no better you than YOU
Jumo the Unicorn: Manda's Magical Zoo
A gratitude book that reminds readers to just appreciate the little things in life. I also have this linked in Spanish!
Thank You
I have this also linked in English, but my husband is Spanish so I have both version! A great book about gratitude and remembering the small things
Gracias (Thank You Spanish Edition)
I love Gatsby and his adventures! a Robin Hood retelling of sorts, follow a Corgi as he helps poor animals that live on the streets.
Robin Hound (The Adventures of Gatsby)
I love Gatsby and his adventures! A Prince and the Pauper retelling of sorts, follow Gatsby as he learns about what life is like on the other side…
The Prince and The Pupper (Adventures of Gatsby)
I love Gatsby and his adventures! A Tortoise and the Hare retelling of sorts, follow Gatsby as he learns to overcome obstacles and learn that with hard work anything is possible.
Short and Stubby Wins the Race (Gatsby)
I read this book as part of my 3rd Annual Homeless Care Package Project, and I loved it! The illustrations are done by children, but the stores are written from lived experience. A great discussion starter about homelessness. Highly Recommend!
I May Not Have A Home: Children's Book on Homelessness
As someone who loves using their own voice, I related to the story behind this book so much! Speaking up/advocating for those who can't is so important, and who doesn't love reading about animals to tell a story??
Manda's Magical Zoo
This is such a classic book but will never get old. We are all connected in one way or another, even if someone has passed on. Great read!
The Invisible String
As soon as I saw this book existed, I immediately preordered it. Once it arrived and I read it, it was confirmed to me that everyone needs this. An honest, eye opening, story about a real life experience, and it doesn’t even begin to touch the surfac...
The Boy from Mexico: Immigration Story
Something that every single person could stand to learn a little more about. Teaching kids when they're young that it's okay to lose helps them grow into teenagers and adults who don't expect participation trophies. Great read!
It's OK to Lose!: Kids Book on Losing & Emotions
I purchased this book for my firefighter friends that had babies! I've only gotten the FireDAD version, but they have a FireMOM as well. A cute book that explains to little ones how important their parent(s) job is to society!
FireDAD: Book for Tiny Humans Fire Life
I'm biased because I'm the author, but Shelly Goes to Summer Camp follows a young girl as she experiences sleepaway camp for the very first time! Nervous and without many friends she ventures off on her own where she meets a friend that will change h...
Shelly Goes to Summer Camp (Adventures)
I'm biased because I'm the author, but Shelly Goes to Massachusetts follows two best friends as they study for an upcoming test. They'll visit Plymouth Rock, walk the Freedom Trail, and my favorite - witness the Boston Tea Party!
Shelly Goes to Massachusetts (Adventures)
I'm biased because I'm the author, but Shelly Goes to the Capitol is a great - not political - story about two best friends visiting the nation's capitol. They visit famous monuments, learn basic functions of the government and how it works, and have...
Shelly Goes To The Capitol (Adventures)
I'm biased because I'm the author, but It's okay to be You is a rhyming empowerment book that encourages readers to be the best version of themselves despite what society says. It also reminds readers that everyone has emotions, and that's OKAY! We c...
It's okay to be You
This is such a sweet and gentle book that can help guide young ones through their grief and loss. Reminders to keep their spirit alive by remembering them and the things that were special is such a sweet way to honor them. Highly recommend!
Saturdays with Gramps
You can be anything you want to be! This is the message this book gives to young readers of all ages. There are no limits to your dreams!
When I Grow Up
Self Help/Development & Memoir Books
As a woman who has always spoken up and out for what’s right, is confident in herself and who she is, and also thinks men are shit (that was literally my saying all through college lmao), I relate to Drew on so many levels. I wasn’t sure what to expe...
Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than Your Life
Personally, I love Will Smith, and I loved his memoir. I think it was honest, reflective, and exactly what I imagined it (and he) would be. I purchased this book to read myself, but I've also gifted it to both my sister and my mom to read. Highly rec...
Will
I love Kevin Hart and I love memoirs so put them together, and this was a great read about him and his life!
I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons
A great read about how your upbringing and childhood can shape and alter your adulthood.
Coming Clean: A Memoir
I listened to the audiobook version of this, which is narrated by Jennette. Personally, I love memoirs especially from celebrities, and this is no different. I was a huge iCarly fan growing up, and while I never got into or really watched Sam & C...
I'm Glad My Mom Died: Befreiung aus toxischer Mutter-Tochter-Beziehung
As a 20 something I thought this was a great book. It both emphasized things that some don’t start thinking about yet as well as helped me to relax about some things we do think about. Your 20s are about setting yourself up for the future, and this b...
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter
I’ve been aware of Brian Weiss for a few years now, but I actually didn’t know he wrote a book until tiktok told me. Past life therapy can be considered ‘radical’ I suppose, but everyone believes in something, right? Many of the reviews of this book ...
Many Lives, Many Masters: True Story of Past-Life Therapy
“Listening is a courtesy, and more fundamentally, a sign of respect. It’s impossible to convince someone that you respect them by telling them so. It must be demonstrated, and listening is the simplest way to do that.” EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. Needs to...
You're Not Listening
Great insight into Britney’s life and the context needed to some very public headlines. Written very simply, as if you’re just listening to a friend casually talk about her life and experiences. Doesn’t go as deep as readers may hope, and ends shortl...
The Woman in Me
This book recounts the experience and true story of a young gentleman, Lale, as he became that tattooist of Auschwitz. While arriving at the concentration camp, he made a vow to survive. He was further motivated after falling in love with Gita. This ...
The Tattooist of Auschwitz: Love & Survival
Read this if you're not sure where to begin when it comes to finances, don't want to be shamed for your situation, past, or your choices, and want to learn how to grow from here from someone that feels like your older sister.
Financial Feminist: Master Money & Build Life
“Don’t let difficulty dissuade you from living your best life” I already had the primary mindset of this book prior to reading this, so most of this read - to me - was just confirming and building on top of that. The premise is simple - life is short...
Die With Zero: Maximize Life Experiences
After a very close friend of mine lost her son, I made it my mission to find a book to gift her. I searched the internet and none of them quite felt right. When I came across this book, my interest was piqued and I decided to read it myself. As someo...
The Grieving Garden: Living with Child Loss
This was a great read and great reminder to say YES! - to the things you love, to the things you want, to the things that make you uncomfortable, to yourself. This felt real and allowed me to relate to Shonda, someone I never thought I could relate t...
Year of Yes
I'm biased because I'm the author, but after paying off more than half of my student loans just a few years after graduating, I got asked MANY times how I did so. I came to realize that there aren't a lot of “beginner” resources out there that are ea...
My Budget Journal: Tips from Average Millennial
Adult Books
Technically this is Middle Grade, but I read this entire series as an adult and AM OBSESSED! I cannot recommend this enough. This fandom has a chokehold on me.
Throne of Glass Paperback Box Set
This was unlike anything I have read, but I love it! Jillian has learned how to handle multiple different styles of guests, but one of them sticks out more than the other. You find yourself rooting for Jillian in every way, and my attention was alway...
Jillian's Island
I enjoyed this series SO MUCH more than I ever thought I would after hearing from other readers about it. The SJMverse sucked me in fully and wholly. This series is a bit hard to get into at first, but trust me when I say you want to push through!
Crescent City Paperback Box Set
I attempted to read this years ago and with the recent announcement of the movie decided to give it a go. I'm glad I did! I'm not big into sci-fi books and the science talk did lose me a little, but that's to be expected when reading about a scientis...
Project Hail Mary: A Novel
Fairly quick read about a half-breed human/alien believing her destined powers never manifested and she was meant to live a life of loyalty to her sisters. When one of them finds themselves in deep trouble, she goes to Hells Gate prison to use a pris...
Chosen: Psi Mates Book 1
This was my first fantasy series and step into the SJMverse and I was NOT disappointed. This absolutely blew my mind and it one of the best series I've ever read. Whether you're into fantasy or not, I highly recommend the series!
A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set
Steamy, sexy, and the perfect book to start with from Willow!!
Adrian & Suzette: Tell Me You Want Me
As someone who loves a good office romance, I thought this book was pretty good!
Mr. CEO (Bad Boys Next Door)
What started out to be slow turned into such an enjoyable, SPICY, read. I'd give about anything to let my dude Brendan spoil me... don't tell my husband ;) LOL
It Happened One Summer: A Novel
The Bellinger sisters are so wholesome!! Hannah is a girl trying to make it big in her career while figuring out how to go from supporting roles to leading lady, and boy does she! We love a woman gaining confidence and knowing her worth! Her ability ...
Hook, Line, and Sinker: A Novel (Bellinger Sisters 2)
I love me a hockey romance and this gave that! Hockey player meets figure skater and sparks run wild.
Icebreaker: A Novel (The Maple Hills Series)
4 books in one from Willow Winters and Lauren Landish. I wasn't too sure if I would be interested in a collection like this and the auction-world it exists in, but I was pleasantly surprised! The first and fourth book were my favorites out of the who...
Highest Bidder
This is technically part of the Highest Bidder series but is not part of the bulk book (with the first 4 stories). This is on my TBR and is sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. While this was published after the series, I do believe it serves as a...
Bound (Highest Bidder Book 5)
The last book in the series, and this is on my TBR waiting to be read! I cannot wait to get into this story!
Don't Let Me Down
First book in the Don't Let Me series, and after seeing Kelsie's tiktok marketing this book, I was hooked. It most definitely delivered🔥
Don't Let Me Fall
These hockey romances have me in a chokehold😅 It took me way too long to get to this second book after the first, but once I picked it up and started, I didn’t want to put it down! I’m a sucker for a childhood romance, especially one that’s a little...
Don't Let Me Go
This is the 3rd book in the Don’t Let Me Series, and I honestly think it’s my favorite so far!! The chemistry Kate and Mack have is out of this world. I felt like this was the slowest of burns. Also love that it brings awareness to epilepsy. Kelsie d...
Don't Let Me Break
I love this series!! This book serves as a sequel to the first 3, and a set up for the 5th. This book gets a lot of hate, but honestly I think it’s a good example of how life just is sometimes. Shit happens and whether we like it or not, we have to l...
Let Me Love You (Don't Let Me)
This might’ve honestly just became one of my favorite books!! I’ve never read anything by Lucy, and didn’t read the first 2 books in the series, but after I saw a video describing this book I knew I had to have it. Luckily, you can read this as a sta...
Things We Left Behind (Knockemout Series, 3)
I watched the movie and thought it was pretty good. This book starts off VERY slow. I do think it got a little bit better, but if I hadn't watched the movie and knew somewhat of what to expect, I might've been confused.
Leave the World Behind: A Read with Jenna Pick
After a celebratory 21st birthday, Eden awakes to find out she signed a contract to lose her virginity at Pleasure Academy - a reality show that lasts a year on a sex island. Is there an easier way to get the money to fulfill your dreams? The whole d...
Novice: Steamy Contemporary Rom-Com (Book 1)
This is not only the first book of his that I've read, but the first romance book I've read written by a man. Be sure to check your triggers before reading, but as far as BDSM books, I'd say this is a great read, and in my opinion, not overly spicy a...
Kingdom
This book had me wanting to read 24/7 until I finished it was so good. Jennifer does such an amazing job portraying the environment, feelings, and mood of what is going on, and it's so easy to imagine you're right there in the scene. Seren has a long...
Hiraeth: A bold journey of longing and survival.
I received this as a Blind Date w a Book, and it’s outside my typical range of spicy romances. This book is 15 years old, so some of the wording is outdated, and some of the dialogue cringy at times. Spicy, FOR SURE. Plot, predictable. Characters, im...
Forbidden Heat
This was a beautiful journey of womanhood, femininity, community, love, and death. You’re left wanting but also left fulfilled. This was real, RAW, and honest. Reflects the importance of society and human interaction while also the perseverance of a ...
I Who Have Never Known Men
I fear if this book was a possibility for reality, we would no longer need human men🫢 Heard about the door book, ended up here. This was… interesting to say the least, but oh so spicy. If you need a fun, taboo, smut read, look no further. Maybe now ...
Teddy: Paranormal Teddy Bear Romance
Such a heartwarming story of an older woman, a young man, an octopus, and the journey of life. Everyone is on their own path, but sometimes fate brings you all together. Plus, as an aquarium lover, I love Marcellus.
Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel
I've been stoked to go back to the Pleasure Academy to see how Eden's journey continues, and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed this just as much as the first book, maybe even a little bit more. This is becoming one of my favorite series! The spice wa...
Acolyte: Steamy Contemporary Rom-Com (Book 2)
I enjoyed this read overall. Two human girls are ‘claimed’ by a werewolf pack and find out the reason was because they’re mated. I’ll likely continue the series as I’m interested enough to keep going and it practically ended on a cliffhanger!
To Be Claimed
Middle Grade Books
I absolutely loved this book. While I could guess some of the twists and turns, I couldn't guess them all and was still left shocked! I truly felt like I was inside of a movie while reading this. The characters, the plot, the twists, and of course ou...
Beatrice Bumble of Bayview Place
I read this entire series as an adult, but it's technically MG which is why I'm putting it in this list. This series was AMAZING. In every sense of the word. I cannot say enough about it. This fandom has me in a chokehold.
Throne of Glass Paperback Box Set
Another fantastic book by Melody! Growing up I never read many, if any, books that had strong FMCs. A Story Unfinished is a MG book about a pre-teenage girl who never finishes any stories she starts. One day when her characters all come to life, she ...
A Story Unfinished
I've been following Melody as an author since she started writing children's books, and she inspired me to embrace myself as an author and writer. I was honored to be a beta reader for this book, and I'm just as SHOOK the 3rd time reading as I was th...
A Girl Called Ruthless