There’s something magical about getting lost in a good book. Last week, my reading stack took me through stories of family, healing, resilience, heartbreak, and finding peace in the middle of life’s messiness. Some books wrapped around me like a warm blanket, while others challenged me to reflect on life, relationships, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward.
Here’s a look at the books that filled my week and my heart.
When We Were the Kennedys
This memoir was deeply emotional and beautifully written. Monica Wood shares the story of her family after the loss of her father, and the raw honesty throughout the book made it impossible to put down. It explores grief, identity, family bonds, and the stories we tell ourselves about where we come from.
What I loved most was how relatable the emotions felt. Even if your family isn’t anything like the Kennedys, there’s something universal about trying to understand your roots and the people who shaped you.
This was one of those books that lingers in your mind long after you finish the final page.
Protecting My Peace
As a huge Real Housewives fan, I couldn’t wait to dive into Garcelle Beauvais’s book — and it did not disappoint.
What I loved most about this read was getting to see another side of Garcelle beyond what we see on television. She opens up about motherhood, relationships, career struggles, personal growth, and learning how to protect her peace in an industry that constantly demands your energy.
There was something refreshing about her honesty. She talks about setting boundaries, staying true to yourself, and not allowing outside noise to define your worth. As someone who watches The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, it was interesting to connect the woman in the book with the woman we see navigating friendships and drama on screen.
This book felt empowering, relatable, and inspiring all at once. If you’re a Housewives fan like me, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR stack.
Letting Go
This fiction read pulled me in with its emotional depth and relatable characters. Angela Day does a wonderful job exploring themes of loss, healing, relationships, and learning how to move forward even when life doesn’t go the way we planned.
What I enjoyed most was how realistic the emotions felt. The characters weren’t perfect, which made their struggles and growth feel even more authentic. There were moments that made me emotional and others that reminded me how important it is to let go of the things weighing us down.
This was one of those books that quietly sneaks into your heart before you even realize it.
Also you might remember I posted that this one was free last week.
The Road From Gap Creek and Gap Creek
Reading these back-to-back felt like stepping into another time and place.
Robert Morgan has such a gift for capturing Appalachian life with honesty and grit. These stories are filled with hardship, perseverance, love, and survival. The characters feel real — flawed, determined, and deeply human.
What stood out to me most was the strength of the women in these books. Even through unimaginable struggles, they keep moving forward. There’s something inspiring about that kind of resilience.
The writing itself is beautiful in a quiet, understated way. These aren’t flashy stories, but they pull you in slowly until you feel like you’re living alongside the characters.
If you enjoy historical fiction with rich storytelling and strong emotional depth, I highly recommend both books.
Final Thoughts
Last week’s reading list reminded me why I love books so much. They help us process emotions, escape reality for a little while, and sometimes even better understand ourselves.
From memoirs to celebrity memoirs, emotional fiction, and Appalachian storytelling, this week’s books all carried themes of healing, strength, and finding peace in difficult seasons — something I think many of us can relate to right now.
Now I know some of you are probably wondering how I manage to read so many books in one week. Well, my secret weapon is audiobooks. I don’t just sit down and physically read every book — I also listen to them throughout the day. I love listening while I do my morning workout or when I’m working alone in the Blog Cabin. Audiobooks have completely changed my reading life because they allow me to enjoy more stories even during busy days. It honestly feels like having a friend telling you a story while you go about your day, and for this busy mom and blogger, that makes all the difference.
Have you read any of these books? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if not, which one would you add to your TBR pile first?
Happy reading, friends. 📚
