Here are 100 books that Finding Your Inner Gold fans have personally recommended if you like Finding Your Inner Gold. Book DNA is a community of 13,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Book cover of Everything to Live For

Kerryn Harvey Author Of Mostly Ups

From my list on sporty people who overcame adversity and never gave up.

Why am I passionate about this?

My passion is sport, and as an athlete who has overcome a life-changing medical condition that resulted in becoming an upper-limb amputee, then rebuilding a new life as a para-athlete, I draw great inspiration from reading memoirs from athletes who have successfully returned to sport and are living fulfilling lives after a major life trauma. I have been fortunate enough to meet most of them. These athletes have a similar mindset to my own. They set lofty goals; they are driven to succeed; they adapt, and they never give up. Outside of that, they are kind, generous people who are living their best lives. Something we can all aspire to!

Kerryn's book list on sporty people who overcame adversity and never gave up

Kerryn Harvey Why Kerryn loves this book

I loved this book as it resonates so closely with my own story.

Like me, Turia was an athlete who suffered a catastrophic injury that changed her life forever. Like me, she survived due to her high level of fitness. Like me, she then went on to achieve some incredible sporting feats. Like me, Turia never gave up. Turia and I have much in common.

By Turia Pitt , Libby Harkness ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Everything to Live For as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Everything to Live For is the story of one young woman's survival against extraordinary odds and is a remarkable testament to the human spirit

In September 2011, Turia Pitt, a beautiful 25-year-old mining engineer working her dream job in the far north of Western Australia, entered an ultra-marathon race that would change her life forever. Trapped by a fire in a gorge in the remote Kimberly region, Turia and five other competitors had nowhere to run. Turia survived with catastrophic burns to 70 per cent of her body. She has already had numerous operations and there are many more to…


If you love Finding Your Inner Gold...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Book cover of The Anna Meares Story

Kerryn Harvey Author Of Mostly Ups

From my list on sporty people who overcame adversity and never gave up.

Why am I passionate about this?

My passion is sport, and as an athlete who has overcome a life-changing medical condition that resulted in becoming an upper-limb amputee, then rebuilding a new life as a para-athlete, I draw great inspiration from reading memoirs from athletes who have successfully returned to sport and are living fulfilling lives after a major life trauma. I have been fortunate enough to meet most of them. These athletes have a similar mindset to my own. They set lofty goals; they are driven to succeed; they adapt, and they never give up. Outside of that, they are kind, generous people who are living their best lives. Something we can all aspire to!

Kerryn's book list on sporty people who overcame adversity and never gave up

Kerryn Harvey Why Kerryn loves this book

I loved this book, as I have met Anna Meares several times, and she is such a different person off the bike than when she raced on it.

When competing for Australia as an Olympic Track Cyclist, she looked so intimidating as she eyeballed her opponents to psych them out, and she was a ruthless competitor. That’s part of the reason for her success.

I was fortunate to meet Anna when I was in hospital recovering from a flesh-eating bacteria. Off the bike, she was generous and kind, with a winning smile. Her story of overcoming a severe injury and competing at the Olympics a short time after inspired me to never give up on my sporting dreams as an amputee.

By Anna Meares ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Anna Meares Story as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Anna Meares Story is the story of the grit and determination of a young woman who overcame major life-threatening trauma to realise what she had barely been able to dream about. Olympic track cyclist Anna experienced a career-stopping heavy fall during a time trial at the World Cup in Los Angeles in January 2008, less than eight months out from the Beijing Olympic Games. Falling on the hard, wooden velodrome floor at a speed of 65 kilometres an hour, she suffered a fractured neck, and a dislocated shoulder, torn ligaments. She was millimetres away from permanent injury.


Book cover of Hard Wired

Kerryn Harvey Author Of Mostly Ups

From my list on sporty people who overcame adversity and never gave up.

Why am I passionate about this?

My passion is sport, and as an athlete who has overcome a life-changing medical condition that resulted in becoming an upper-limb amputee, then rebuilding a new life as a para-athlete, I draw great inspiration from reading memoirs from athletes who have successfully returned to sport and are living fulfilling lives after a major life trauma. I have been fortunate enough to meet most of them. These athletes have a similar mindset to my own. They set lofty goals; they are driven to succeed; they adapt, and they never give up. Outside of that, they are kind, generous people who are living their best lives. Something we can all aspire to!

Kerryn's book list on sporty people who overcame adversity and never gave up

Kerryn Harvey Why Kerryn loves this book

I loved this book as Emma pulls no punches as she describes her triathlon career in detail.

Being a triathlete myself, I could relate to the long, hard training sessions and the highs and lows of competition. I admire her work ethic and the self-belief she had to become the best in the world.

She refused to give up when dealing with some extremely serious medical conditions and injuries. I could relate to her mindset of doing whatever it takes to get the best out of herself. I have much respect for her as an athlete.

By Emma Carney , Jane E. Hunt ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hard Wired as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Fresh out of school and emerging as one of Australia's future distance running stars, Emma Carney discovered the sport of triathlon. The sport was never the same again. With an unmatched record, she devastated the international circuit. Defined by a relentless pursuit of sporting excellence, Emma was known to detest losing more than she loved to win.

At home in the cutthroat world of professional sport, Emma didn't expect a welcoming party waiting for her when she reached the pinnacle of triathlon. A fiercely independent athlete, fitting in and conforming was never her style. Rules annoyed her. Authority irritated her.…


If you love Carol Cooke...

Book cover of Katie’s Gamble

Katie’s Gamble by Kara O'Neal,

Katie's Gamble is an unexpected, unique story about a young woman who's trying to support her younger siblings by keeping her family's confectionery shop open.

In order to do that, she has to take on her older brother, who's a notorious gambler in Louisiana. Additionally, she has to outsmart Rowdy…

Book cover of One Foot on the Podium

Kerryn Harvey Author Of Mostly Ups

From my list on sporty people who overcame adversity and never gave up.

Why am I passionate about this?

My passion is sport, and as an athlete who has overcome a life-changing medical condition that resulted in becoming an upper-limb amputee, then rebuilding a new life as a para-athlete, I draw great inspiration from reading memoirs from athletes who have successfully returned to sport and are living fulfilling lives after a major life trauma. I have been fortunate enough to meet most of them. These athletes have a similar mindset to my own. They set lofty goals; they are driven to succeed; they adapt, and they never give up. Outside of that, they are kind, generous people who are living their best lives. Something we can all aspire to!

Kerryn's book list on sporty people who overcame adversity and never gave up

Kerryn Harvey Why Kerryn loves this book

I loved this book as it's full of funny stories about living with an amputation.

I have spent time with Don over the years, and he writes his book just as he speaks. He is a larger-than-life character, loves a laugh, and lives his life to the full.

As a fellow amputee, he helped me see the lighter side of life and not get too bogged down in being defined as a person with disability. A generous man who tells a great yarn. I laughed out loud often while reading his story!

By Don Elgin , Kevin Moloney ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked One Foot on the Podium as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Born without the lower half of his left leg, young Don Elgin never considered himself disabled until he was in high school – and even then, he had to be convinced. His story, of a boy from the bush who battled the odds and finally stepped onto the podium as a medallist at the Sydney Paralympics, is one of absolute inspiration. Driven by an inherited sense of grit, determination and pure guts, Don overcomes an abundance of obstacles to rise to the top of the sporting heap. His life’s philosophy tells us that success is not a birthright – it’s…


Book cover of If She Only Knew

Julie C. Gilbert Author Of Money Makes It Deadlier

From my list on sassy or determined female leads.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a multi-genre writer who loves hearing the characters’ voices and getting their stories out there in the world. A lot of my characters are shaped by their gifts, whether they have supernatural ones or not. The things that happen to them shape who they are and how they react to future events. I exist on sarcasm, sass, and hot tea, so many of my characters do too.

Julie's book list on sassy or determined female leads

Julie C. Gilbert Why Julie loves this book

I heard this one on audiobook first. The first book is amazing.

What drew me to this one was the character of Cal James. She’s got an unenviable gift of being able to see recent ghosts and interact with them. Her personal life’s a hot mess, but she has a heart of gold, and doesn’t mind punching ghosts.

By Alexandria Clarke ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked If She Only Knew as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In Red River, the Wild West is alive and well. When Calamity James reluctantly returns to her hometown for a funeral, she wants answers that no one will give her. Soon, the local sheriff blackmails Cal into helping him solve a missing persons case. Though no one knows it, Cal is uniquely qualified to find homicide victims—she can see the dead. Of course, the dead don’t always cooperate. As the mystery unfolds, Cal falls deeper into her troublesome past, navigates burdensome family matters, and digs up new mischief with old rivals, both dead and alive.


Book cover of The Book of Hidden Wonders

Steena Holmes Author Of The Patient

From my list on that keep you up past your bedtime.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a teenager, I loved reading past my bedtime, getting lost within a story, then having it fill my dreams and leaving me on the hunt for another book just as good. The best books to read are those that draw me in with their voice and storytelling and leave me needing to turn page after page. Getting in trouble as a kid for reading too late was the best type of trouble to get into and even now, when I need to make a second pot of coffee after a night of reading, I walk away with no regrets. 

Steena's book list on that keep you up past your bedtime

Steena Holmes Why Steena loves this book

This story mesmerized me. It’s deceptively deep with a hint of whimsical, and the story plays out in your mind like a movie. It’s so beautifully written that I felt myself pulled in so many emotional directions and needed to let the book sit with me after I finished the final page. 

By Polly Crosby ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Book of Hidden Wonders as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A young girl. A hidden treasure. A dark family secret.

'Evocative and enchanting - a future classic' Veronica Henry
'An extraordinary debut... beautiful, dark, haunting' Edward Carey
'A captivating coming-of-age story' Daily Mail
'A bewitching read' Woman & Home

Romilly lives in a ramshackle house with her eccentric artist father and her cat, Monty. She knows little about her past - but she knows that she is loved.

When her father finds fame with a series of children's books starring her as the main character, everything changes: exotic foods appear on the table, her father appears on TV,…


If you love Finding Your Inner Gold...

Book cover of The Delphi Agenda

The Delphi Agenda by Rob Swigart,

Papyrologist Lisa Emmer's world flips when the Sûreté detains her at her Metro station with news of the savage murder of the esteemed Paris historian Dr. Raimond Foix, her friend and mentor in the study of ancient documents.

Horrified, Lisa finds clues at the crime scene left behind for her…

Book cover of The Black Gold Lenormand Too

Nyasha Williams Author Of Black Tarot: An Ancestral Awakening Deck and Guidebook

From my list on card decks for deepening ancestral connection.

Why am I passionate about this?

As an author, educator, weaver, and sacred storyteller deeply rooted in Ancestral reclamation, I create work that celebrates Blackness, spirituality, and liberation. My passion for intuitive tools and Ancestral healing is woven into every book and deck I create or recommend. I’m committed to honoring the wisdom of those who came before us while empowering present and future generations to connect with that lineage through spirit-led practices. These decks are a part of my personal ritual toolkit and I’m excited to share them with others on their journey back to self and source.

Nyasha's book list on card decks for deepening ancestral connection

Nyasha Williams Why Nyasha loves this book

This deck is a visual celebration of Black beauty and ancestral symbolism. I was drawn in by the rich colors and powerful imagery, but it is the guidebook that keeps me coming back. The energy it carries is deeply Ancestral, protective, and real. When I need clarity that cuts through the noise, this is the deck I go to.

This deck brings clarity, especially around questions of generational patterns and healing. It feels luxurious and sacred, like oral knowledge passed down through generations. It’s a whole vibe and an act of reclamation.

By Grandma Baby Apothecary ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Black Gold Lenormand Too as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of The Klondike Gold Rush: Photographs from 1896-1899

Frances Backhouse Author Of Women of the Klondike

From my list on the Klondike Gold Rush.

Why am I passionate about this?

My interest in the Klondike gold rush was sparked by a Canadian history course I took as an undergrad. Nearly all the accounts I read then relegated female participants to the sidelines and implied that most were of dubious moral character, but I suspected there was more to the story than that. I started digging and, unlike many Klondikers, I struck gold. Since then I’ve made numerous visits to the Yukon and Alaska, hiked the Chilkoot Trail twice and spent three months as Writer in Residence at Berton House in Dawson City (where I worked on my third gold rush book, Children of the Klondike). Today, I’m still captivated by this colorful, character-rich historic event.

Frances' book list on the Klondike Gold Rush

Frances Backhouse Why Frances loves this book

Although photography was in its infancy at the time of the Klondike gold rush, the event’s high-profile nature attracted many intrepid photographers, both amateurs and professionals. Graham Wilson’s carefully curated collection of 125 historical photos showcases their talents and offers a unique glimpse into the past. These are pictures to savor, as you study the faces, take in the landscapes and scrutinize the details of everything from clothing to mining equipment.

By Graham B. Wilson ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Klondike Gold Rush as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Catch gold fever with this comprehensive collection of archival photographs. This is the mother lode of the north - a stunning record of the last great gold rush. With 125 extraordinary images along with fascinating anecdotes and personal accounts, this book reveals the arduous journey north, the frontier towns and the struggles of toiling in the gold fields. Readers will encounter intriguing characters as they experience the adventure of a lifetime. From conmen and prospectors to dog sleds and sluic-boxes, these images are a bonanza of gold rush history. This was the Official Book of the 1998 Klondike Gold Rush…


Book cover of Legend of the Golden City

Mary K. Savarese Author Of The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper

From my list on fantasy adventure novels intertwined with romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have always been drawn to a world of fantasy adventure; be it books or movies made from classics or current adventures. Start with an interesting title and intertwine with romance or several, even better, and my heart is a flutter. I am known for my quirky titles, and I think I love to write these fantasy adventures intertwined with romance and talk about them on podcasts because life is too real. How wonderful when I and we need to escape reality these wonderful worlds are within our fingertips’ reach. I hope you enjoy the books on this list as much as I have!

Mary's book list on fantasy adventure novels intertwined with romance

Mary K. Savarese Why Mary loves this book

I loved this recent read because the adventure starts on page one. I loved how the author weaved true friendships and betrayals. How finding untold treasure leads them to the truth.

I love a journey that begins and grows into an imaginative fantasy adventure. If you can dream it…

By Michael Webb ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Legend of the Golden City as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What is this book about?

The lost City of Gold will solve all their problems . . . if they live to find it.

Fresh off their previous adventure, Peter and his friends settle into ordinary lives, despite their newly gained special powers. Everything changes when they stumble upon artifacts that point to a legendary city of gold, its location lost in time, and its existence doubted by everyone they meet. Enchanted by the promise of untold riches and the thrill of adventure, they embark on a quest to uncover its fabled treasures.

But danger lurks at every turn, and soon they find themselves entangled…


If you love Carol Cooke...

Book cover of The Tao of Poison

The Tao of Poison by Isham Cook,

A poisonous maiden, a Daoist sex cult, and a violent insurgency.

The polyandrous Yan family in China's rural Shaanxi Province takes in two carpenter brothers. When one brother is convicted of murder after killing their neighbor in a dispute, a constable threatens to expose the family's rumored polyandry and extorts…

Book cover of Pooh! Is That You, Bertie?

Beau Johnston Author Of Sleep with One Eye Open

From my list on books that you’re going to hell for laughing at.

Why am I passionate about this?

By now you are probably wondering why the author of a dark and violent tale set in the Zombie Apocalypse is recommending humorous books. The answer lies within the five elements of survival: Shelter, Fire, Food, Water, and Mindset. A positive mindset can get you through a lot of dark and dangerous times, and being able to find the funny in the darkness will help you maintain that mindset (especially if you are injured or scared). 

Beau's book list on books that you’re going to hell for laughing at

Beau Johnston Why Beau loves this book

Because farts are funny (and always will be) the puerile humor in these covers is pure gold. I had to stop reading several times because I was laughing so hard (I lent it to my friend simply to watch him struggle to breathe as he read it). This book is my recommendation when reading-snobs ask me what I'd rather read than the pretentious tripe they insist I should be reading.

By David Roberts ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Pooh! Is That You, Bertie? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Bertie likes making smells. When he trumps it makes his mum cross, embarrasses his dad, upsets his gran and offends his sister. But they all have a secret - and Bertie knows it!

Sequel to the bestselling Dirty Bertie, this hilarious book and its naughty noises will have little ones in stitches. A brilliantly funny bedtime story, jam-packed with parp-tastic humour.


Book cover of Everything to Live For
Book cover of The Anna Meares Story
Book cover of Hard Wired

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

164

readers submitted
so far, will you?