Expanding Your To-Read List for Read Across America Day

At the risk of sounding like a motivational poster from your kid’s elementary school classroom, there’s nothing like a good book.

I love the way that reading can transport me to a faraway place, teach me something new, help me connect better to those around me, or just enjoy a few relaxing minutes letting my imagination run wild.

As a kid, I read all the time. When I had babies and every free moment was dedicated to sleeping, I took a break from books. But as we entered the preschool years in our house, I once again found myself with the time and energy to get lost in a good book. If you’re still in a life stage where magazine articles (or even this blog) are too long for you to make it through, I understand. I’ve been there – congratulations on reading this far. Go you!

In honor of National Read Across America Day, here are a few books to add to your to-read list – for now, or for later.

Three Books to Add to Your To-Read List

None of these books are brand new, but I really enjoyed the time I spent with each. I hope you do, too!

Mystery: 

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

There are more books out there than I’ll ever have time to read, so I appreciate a good recommendation from a friend – like this one. The Cartographers is part mystery, part thriller with just a touch of fantasy. It follows a young woman on an adventure as she discovers a family secret in a seemingly worthless map left behind by her deceased father.

Historic Fiction:

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

This one was a favorite amongst my book club – and given our variety of reading preferences, what a win! The Last Train to Key West tells the intersecting stories of three women over Labor Day weekend in 1935 as the island braces for a historically powerful hurricane. This book is absolutely a page-turner.

Feel-Good Fiction:

The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

I read this book at my mom’s recommendation, and I’m so glad I did. The Authenticity Project follows six strangers who come together and develop an unexpected friendship as they share their secrets in a simple green notebook. This book has all the feels.

Looking for additional recommendations, be sure to check out these posts from Atlanta Mom! Happy reading!