100 Books Like Sister of My Heart

This book gave me permission to be human. In a world that demands perfection and largely being a perfectionist because of this culture. This book reminded me that I can be a feminist and I can like songs that “a real feminist” (however a real feminist is defined) would rage against. If I’m a bad feminist or bad at being a feminist…that still makes me a feminist and I can still be a part of the movement and culture. I’m not looking to be the top feminist. Roxane is a gorgeous soul, and this book is cathartic in the way that it gave me peace to be myself. I’m very thankful that she chose to write this book. It really challenged me to be kinder to myself. 

In this beautifully wrought non-fiction memoir, Adriana Trigiani tells the inspiring stories of her paternal and maternal Italian grandmothers. Her connection to these two women is profound. They taught her many lessons about love and life.

Rich with family and cultural history, this book is a veritable Italian-American feast full of wisdom-filled recipes for living. There is so much I can relate to. Growing up, I was extremely close to both of my grandmothers. Even though they have both passed away, they are still with me, teaching and hugging and loving.

Being a Jane Austin fan myself, it’s hard for me not to love the Glamorist series by Kowal. I deeply enjoyed the magic system she built in the series, and the characters were like… well, like old friends. Vincent provides enough of a Mr. Darcy feel for me that I was pleased by the romance written in here and I quite liked the fact that Jane was “plain” as opposed to the stunning beauties often written in the romance genre. 

While No More Mr. Nice Guy may have saved my life, this book has repeatedly saved my ass.

In the book, Dr. Smith uses his years of clinical experience (and his distinct sense of humor) to offer men a plan to attract the right women and confidently move on from the wrong women. This was a plan that I desperately needed. 

This book forced me to examine my unhealthy relationship patterns. It showed me how to meet amazing women and avoid emotionally unstable women. It taught me how to identify red flags, see women more clearly, and have healthier partnerships.

While not a true-crime book per se, this memoir from the hosts of the smash-hit podcast My Favorite Murder is written with humor and authenticity. The book is filled with anecdotes about all the dumb mistakes they made as teenagers that could’ve ended very badly, lists such as "Ten Starter Ideas For Self-Care Beginners," and stories about the origins of their true-crime obsession. My Favorite Murder stands out amongst all the other true crime podcasts because of the way Hardstark and Kilgariff use humor to cope with the darkness in our world, and their special blend of dark humor is on every page of their book.

I love this book because the affirmations are based on the wit and wisdom of strong women. While there are many focuses on affirmations, I love the affirmations in this book because it focuses on affirmations by women. There are not only affirmations but there are also short bios of strong women throughout the book in sections called "Badass to the Bone".

I learned from the wit and wisdom of strong women that I knew as well as women that I did not know. The book helps to build and strengthen me to be my authentic self and to thrive in my career. 

Miriam Toews has an incredible writing style that is somehow whimsical and also serious, and this book is no exception.

I fell so in love with the characters in this book that I didn’t want the story to end. The novel follows young Swiv, a quirky and fierce kid who is dealing with a lot of very grown-up issues as she navigates an absent father, a feisty grandmother, and a single mother.

While this might sound like a Young Adult novel, it is very much a book for adults, which just shows how talented Toews is at using the voice of young protagonists to unearth some very heavy and serious adult topics. Still, even with the heavy content, Swiv’s special spirit gives the book a welcomed lightness. 

I love how Beth Moore invites you to get comfortable yet uncomfortable in her book. She challenges whether you believe big and act on it. This is so important for changing your thoughts and elevating them for more.

The entire book keeps you engaged, reflecting, and dreaming of more. It’s like having a tall glass of lemonade on the porch with a friend who knows you deeply and expects more from you, so she allows you to want it without you realizing you’ve been up-leveled.

This book puts your faith on steroids, and you will believe bigger and actually want to do something about it. 

This is my go-to book when suggesting read-alouds for teachers and parents who want a charming and engaging story about honesty and compassion.

I love Libby (the main character) for many reasons. She embodies so much of what I was taught as a child about “telling the truth” and also experienced much of what I did before I learned the difference between hurtful and helpful words. My inner child can relate to the character’s missteps—as can my adult self—thus the reason I recommend it for all ages. (As a side note, and for all the right reasons, I also recommend Libby for President.) 

Hazel Hill thinks she’s the only girl in the 7th grade who likes girls that way, until Tyler tells her that Ella Quinn told him she likes Hazel.

But Ella Quinn is pretty and popular, and she’s Hazel’s biggest rival in the upcoming speech contest. They talk. Ella confesses she only told Tyler that to stop his sexual harassment. It turns out, Tyler has been harassing a lot of girls.

They tell the school, but the teachers won’t do anything about it, even blaming the girls and punishing them. It is not a coincidence that Tyler’s mom is the superintendent of schools. Determined not to let Tyler get away with it, Hazel comes up with a plan.