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Amy’s Favorite Books

Book Series

  1. The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
  2. Harry Potter by JK Rowling
  3. Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
  4. Wrinkle in Time by Madeliene L’Engle
  5. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
  6. Mitford by Jan Karon
  7. All Creature Great and Small by James Harriot
  8. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith
  9. Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
  10. The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
  11. Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer, 
  12. Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald, 
  13. Tales of the Kingdom by David and Karen Mains
  14. Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit  JRR Tolkien
  15. Book of the Dun Cow by Walter Wangerin, Jr.
  16. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
  17. The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers

Favorite Children’s Stories

  1. Matilda by Roald Dahl
  2. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM by Robert O’Brien
  3. The Grave Yard Book by Neil Gaiman,
  4. Holes by Louis Sachar
  5. The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg,
  6. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
  7. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  8. Heidi by Johanna Spyri,
  9. Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott
  10. The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss
  11. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
  12. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
  13. Till We Have Faces by CS Lewis
  14. Watership Down by Richard Adams
  15. The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
  16. Wonder by RJ Palacio
  17. Sarah Plan and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
  18. The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
  19. The Midwife’s Apprentice and Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
  20. A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
  21. The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
  22. The Railway Children by E. Nesbit
  23. Ronia, The Robber’s Daughter by Astrid Lindgren
  24. Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

Lighthearted Romances

  1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
  2. Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
  3. The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery
  4. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson
  5. Paranassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley
  6. Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
  7. A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin
  8. Which Witch by Eva Ibboston
  9. Persuasion by Jane Austen
  10. Daddy Long-Legs by Jean Webster
  11. Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace 
  12. Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson

Funny Memoirs

  1. Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
  2. Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffagan
  3. When Life Gives You Pears by Jeannie Gaffagan
  4. Yes Please by Amy Poehler
  5. Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
  6. Is Everyone Hanging Out without Me? by Mindy Kaling
  7. In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
  8. Green Sparkly Earrings by Melanie Shankle
  9. A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson
  10. One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwier
  11. Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reich

Spiritual Memoir

  1. The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You by Lisa-Jo Baker
  2. Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and Peace by Christie Purifoy
  3. Wearing God: Clothing, Laughter, Fire, and Other Overlooked Ways of Meeting God by Lauren F. Winner
  4. Miracles and Other Reasonable Things: A Story of Unlearning and Relearning God by Sarah Bessey
  5. The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris (And The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and “Women’s Work” (Madeleva Lecture in Spirituality)  
  6. Present over Perfect by Shana Niequist
  7. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
  8. Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep by Tish Harrison Warren (and Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life)
  9.  The Shaping of a Life: A Spiritual Landscape by Phyllis Tickle

Spiritual Growth

  1. Surprised by Hope by NT Wright
  2. The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri J.M. Nouwen
  3. The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis
  4. The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and “Women’s Work” by Kathleen Norris
  5. Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter’s Dictionary by Frederick Buechner
  6. Prayer by Richard Foster
  7. Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton
  8. The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard (Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God 
  9.  The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer
  10. Paradox Lost: Uncovering the True Identity in Christ by Catherine Skurja
  11. The Open Door: Entering the Sanctuary of Icons and Prayer by Frederica Mathewes-Green
  12. Ponder These Things: Praying with Icons of the Virgin &  The Dwelling of the Light: Praying with Icons of Christ by Rowan Williams
  13. Prayer our Deepest Longing by Ronald Rolheiser

Health and Wellness

  1. Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode–and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber
  2. Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships by Curt Thompson
  3. Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It by Ethan Kross
  4. The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body’s Fear Response by Ellen Vora
  5. Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
  6. Move Your DNA: Restore Your Health Through Natural Movement &  Rethink Your Position: by Katy Bowman
  7. Back Mechanic by Dr. Stuart McGill
  8. Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully by Kelly and Juliet Starrett
  9. Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease Heal Your Body & Nutrivore: The Radical New Science for Getting the Nutrients You Need from the Food You Eat by Sarah Ballantyne
  10. Outlive: the Art and Science of Longevity by Peter Attila
  11. ROAR: Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Unique Female Physiology  by Stacy T. Sims PhD
  12. Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

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I'm so glad you're here! I'm Amy - Anglican, mother of two, lover of trees, coffee, & fairy tales. Here's where I write about making space for creativity and filling our days with long walks, good food, morning prayers, and the reading and writing of good books. Drop me a line at AmyRogersHays (at) gmail.com.

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Welcome!


I’m so glad you’re here! I’m Amy – Anglican, mother of two, lover of trees, coffee, & fairy tales. Here’s where I write about making space for creativity and filling our days with long walks, good food, morning prayers, and the reading and writing of good books. Drop me a line at AmyRogersHays (at) gmail.com.

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Recent Posts

Maundy Thursday: A Liturgy for Children and Families

Maundy Thursday: A Liturgy for Children and Families

Family Easter Basket Ideas: Books, Games, and Really Good Chocolate

Family Easter Basket Ideas: Books, Games, and Really Good Chocolate

Newbery Review #104 (The First State of Being, Kelly, 2025)

Newbery Review #104 (The First State of Being, Kelly, 2025)

40 Books for My 40th Birthday: A 2024 Reading List

40 Books for My 40th Birthday: A 2024 Reading List

Family Christmas Letter 2024

Family Christmas Letter 2024

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Recipe for a Birthday Hike

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Our Board-Game Loving, Third Grade Son’s Top 5 List of Favorite Board Games

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Our First Grader’s Top Board Games: 5 No-Reading-Required, Travel Friendly, Family Card Games

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5 Games to Start a Board Game Collection

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40 of the Best Picture Books for 5 Year Olds

Newbery Review #103 (The Eyes and the Impossible, Egger, 2024)

Newbery Review #103 (The Eyes and the Impossible, Egger, 2024)

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Ash Wednesday: A Liturgy for Children and Families

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How to Find Great Children’s Books: 20 Guide Books, Books Lists, and Web Resources

39 Books for my 39th Birthday: A 2023 Reading List

39 Books for my 39th Birthday: A 2023 Reading List

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Newbery Review #102 (Freewater, Luqman-Dawson, 2023)

Newbery Review #102 (Freewater, Luqman-Dawson, 2023)

The Best Children’s Bibles: 30+ suggestions from Board Book Bibles to Illustrated Study Bibles

The Best Children’s Bibles: 30+ suggestions from Board Book Bibles to Illustrated Study Bibles

An Epiphany Liturgy for Children and Families

An Epiphany Liturgy for Children and Families

Categories

  • Anxiety
  • baby
  • Board Games
  • Book Lists
  • Children's Spiritual Formation
  • Connect
  • Creativity
  • Eat
  • Family Stories
  • Fun with Kids
  • Liturgical year
  • Love & Marriage
  • Make
  • Motherhood
  • Move
  • Newbery Book Reviews
  • Order
  • paleo
  • Pray
  • pregnancy
  • Read
  • Reflections
  • Rest
  • Self-Care
  • simplify
  • Toddler
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • walks in the woods
  • Wisconsin Beauty
  • Write

Favorite Posts

natural haircare

Make
Natural Hair Care: Baking Soda, Apple Cider Vinegar & Vodka-Gelatin Hair Gel

 

homemade deodorant

Make
Homemade Deodorant For Sensitive Skin: Bentonite Clay and Baking Soda

 

college advice

Advice to Future College Students: 10 Things I Wish I Had Done More

 

belonging to a church

Belonging to A Church

 

dyslexia

Reflections on Dyslexia:
May B. A Novel by Caroline Starr Rose

 

leaving grad school

A Defining Retreat: Deciding to Leave Grad School

 

love story

The Beginning of a Love Story In Honor of Anniversary Weekend

 

breakfast

Scramble Up A Simple Paleo Breakfast

 

cake

Bake Up A Flourless Chocolate Cake

 

comfortable and presentable

Organize Bookshelves by Color

 

trees

My Life In Trees

 

elimination diet

An Elimination Diet Figure Out What Foods Are Making You Sick

 

goodbye letter

A Goodbye Letter to Our Church: Leaving Those You Love

 

paleo blended chai recipe

Paleo Chai: A Blended Coconut Oil & Butter Recipe

 

Prayer book

16 Online Resources: Liturgical Prayer Apps & Websites

 

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