Great books to complement a budding sewing interest

Five-year-old C has been interested in learning to sew! We made some ornaments for our Christmas tree together and she's already daydreaming about future projects. (She's hoping I'll buy this or this any day now 😉)

I thought I'd tell you today about some sewing-focused books I have loved... Actual sewing books I adore and sewing-heavy fiction for children and adults alike! 

American Girl's Addy, Isabelle, Josefina, and Kirsten books feature quite a bit of sewing. Isabelle isn't my favorite but I adore the other three! (See my full list of American Girl reviews here) 

Beneath the Seams... This grown-up contemporary Christian fiction novel is all about sewing! This is a really great look at the fashion industry, humanity, and balancing motherhood with career aspirations. Definitely recommend! 

The Canada Geese Quilt... I love Natalie Kinsey Warnock's writing. This one is ideal for 4th-ish grade reading level readers. Ariel and her grandmother work on a quilt for the arrival of Ariel's baby sister. 

The Josefina Story Quilt... This leveled reader is about Faith's family's journey west and Faith's quilt chronicling her chicken Josefina's life. 

Little House books are filled with sewing stories and are probably the very reason she wanted to learn! We've enjoyed the full series as audio books read by Cherry Jones, B loves the chapter books, and all four kids have enjoyed the picture books for years. 

The Nesting Quilt by Cathryn Falwell... This sweet book is like a picture book version of Canada Geese Quilt... A young girl and her grandmother make a quilt to prepare for the arrival of her new sibling. 

One Yard Wonders... I also like their Fabric by Fabric One Yard Wonders and Little One Yard Wonders books, too. These are great books full of small sewing projects using only one yard of fabric. 

The Quilt by Ann Jonas... This is a short and simple picture book showing a young girl's love for the various fabrics in her patchwork quilt. 

The Quiltmaker's Gift... I love this gorgeous book about a woman who makes the most beautiful quilts but only for those who need them, and a king who doesn't need one but is willing to do anything to get one. Touching and heartwarming, a clear favorite for my family. 

Sew Dolled Up... This is a fun project book of simple felt dolls of a few styles and all kinds of outfits. 

Sew Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp... This is my very favorite sewing book because it taught me how to use my sewing machine! It's very informative and easy to understand with several adorable projects. 

Storybook Toys... The prettiest project book! These projects are a little too advanced for me but I'm still trying to learn them because I just love them! 

WWII nonfiction for children and adults

I am not sure why, since they often break my heart, but I have been drawn to (fiction and non-fiction) WWII stories since I was nine years old. They touch on something deep in my heart. 

Amelia Lost... This middle grade biography is far more about Amelia Earhart than WWII, but I consider her mystery to be a WWII story so she makes it onto the list. This book was fascinating and well-written but parents should be aware that Amelia had an affair and this book (tastefully) tells the reader. 

Born Survivors... This was a nonfiction about three women who gave birth in Holocaust concentration camps. I’m sure there were many others, but these three women, along with their babies, all survived and were able to tell their stories to an interviewer. It feels strange saying it was one of my favorites since it was so wrought with horror and despair, but it was also an amazing portrayal of human resilience and it was very inspiring. It’s definitely extremely disturbing at times but if you are interested in Holocaust memoirs or biographies I for sure recommend this one. (But. Not while you are pregnant. Yikes)

Boxes for Katje... This picture book, found through TGTB's book list, reads like a fiction but is a true story about a girl in Holland receiving boxes of help from a new American pen pal right after the war. 

The Boy on the Wooden ... This memoir (also on the TGTB book list) is one man's account of his Holocaust experience and his rescue by Schindler. I just finished this the other day and now I want to watch Schindler's List. 

Candy Bomber... Also found via TGTB's book list...  This is the story of Gail Halverson, the candy bomber who dropped chocolate out of his plane as he flew over restricted areas after the war. This is a very uplifting read unlike so many WWII stories. There are also some great picture books on this subject but I adored this middle grade nonfiction and hope anyone who likes WWII stories will give it a whirl. 

The Diary of a Young... I first read Anne Frank's diary in sixth grade and did appreciate it, but it was when I had to re-read it in ninth grade that I was able to really appreciate their plight. 

Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport... This middle grade read talks about the children who were sent away on trains for protection. Many endured abuse or never reunited with their parents so this was an informative but devastating read. 

The Faithful Spy... I adored this graphic novel about Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life and involvement in WWII. Highly recommend for middle school or even early high school. 

God is my Hiding *... I was deeply moved by Corrie ten Boom's book The Hiding Place so jumped at the chance to read this book of 40 devotions put together with her writing. They did not disappoint! She was one faithful, inspiring woman and this is one faith-filled, inspiring book! 

The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History... I just listened to this middle grade as an audio book last week and was fascinated by the story of the Monuments Men, a part of WWII I had never learned about before. There were two (at least) graphic descriptions of bodies discovered so I put it in my kids' 9th or 10th grade reading list. 

Man's Search for Meaning... Victor Frankl was a psychiatrist before being imprisoned in a concentration camp so his memoir tackles psychology elements I had never considered before and was rich with insight. Still, many have called this one depressing so be prepared for a darker memoir if you go this route. 

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot... This younger version of the candy bomber story was a big hit with my son!  

Unbroken... This story about POW Louis Zamperini is engaging and fascinating, but still, reader beware. I found it to be too much for me on multiple occasions.  

* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

9 Microbiome books I love

Fiber Fueled... This one is my very favorite! This explains the microbiome in easy-to-understand language, offers a ton of information for healing your gut enough to actually rebuild a healthy microbiome, and includes a meal plan + many recipes in the back. This one is primarily vegan but you can still follow this great real food advice + meat if you aren't! 

Follow Your Gut... This was the first grown-up one I read, based on a TED Talk. This one is very short but a quick, snappy read you'll understand no problem. 

Happy Gut...  This book is a lot like Fiber Fueled but leans more paleo than vegan. Lots of great microbiome information + meal plan and recipes in the back! 

The Human Microbiome... This one is geared towards I'd say middle schoolers. While I did like it just fine, I think it's probably my least favorite on this list. 

Let Them Eat Dirt... This one is primarily geared towards parents wanting to set their kids up with healthy biomes, however, I personally think it's a great read for anyone who is interested in seeing the ways his or her own biome was shaped in childhood and getting ideas for healing it. 

The Magical World Inside of You... This rhyming board book is actually the very first microbiome book I ever read. My kids and I truly adore this one and it got the whole family (especially me) curious!  

The Psychobiotic Revolution... So fascinating- the microbiome + mental health! I learned a ton from this book but it's a bit more technical (though still quite readable) so best suited for those who are especially interested. 

Tiny Creatures... This picture book explains the biome in such a simple but informative way! We love this one. 

Turtles All the Way Down... This one has inappropriate language all throughout but it's a well-written YA fiction novel in which one of the characters suffers from a mental health disorder (I no longer remember what) and an unhealthy obsession with the microbiome. 

Christian authors by Enneagram type!

Maybe you are looking to read a book by someone who thinks a little bit like you. Or maybe you are looking to read a book by someone who thinks a little more like someone you love. 

Either way, I had a lot of fun putting together this list of Christian authors I like and the Enneagram types they themselves have claimed through their books, blogs, podcasts, or social media accounts. (No speculation on my part). I hope you will find at least one new book you'd like to read today!  

1- Kristen Welch (Raising World Changers in a Changing World is my favorite but I also really liked Rhinestone Jesus) // Holley Garth (The Powerful Purpose of Introverts was so good!)

2- Lisa Jo Baker (Surprised by Motherhood was wonderful- especially the birth stories!) // Michelle Cushatt (Undone was such a beautiful story about the author's cancer battle and so much more!) // Erin Odom (More Than Just Making It is a great book for those living on a low income) // Ann Voskamp (One Thousand Gifts was gorgeous and life changing for me.) // Suzanne Stabile (Ryan and I both really liked The Path Between Us) // Jennifer Pepito (Really enjoyed Mothering by the Book) 

3- Kayla Aimee (Anchored is one of my favorites, but In Bloom was good too) // Michael Hyatt (Platform has a lot of great information for those building an online platform) // Louie Giglio (My kids and I love his science devotional Indescribable) // Ashlee Gadd (The Magic of Motherhood had several beautiful pieces that really touched my heart) // Scarlet Hiltibidal (I liked Afraid of all the Things but loved He Numbered the Pores on my Face) // Bethany Turner (The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck is not my usual style but I still enjoyed this fiction quite a lot)

4- Sarah Mae (I loved Desperate and The Complicated Heart! // Ian Morgan Cron (The Road Back to You is such a delight!) // Emily P Freeman (The Next Right Thing was so good for me, a 9!) // Andrew Peterson (Adorning the Dark is so great for creatives!) // Tsh Oxenreider (At Home in the World was so fun and wanderlust-y!)

5- Morgan Harper Nichols (All Along You Were Blooming was such a joy to read!) // Myquillyn Smith (The Nesting Place makes you want to create your perfect home sanctuary!)

6- Bart Millard (I Can Only Imagine was a pretty powerful story and I love so many of his songs, too!) // Angela Bucher (Redeeming Destiny is such a powerful healing story but the subject matter is very gritty so you've been warned!) 

7- Annie F Downs (Looking for Lovely is probably my favorite) // Bob Goff (We adore Love Does for Kids and Everybody Always for Kids) // Shauna Niequist (Her essay collections are such a delight... Cold Tangerines is probably my favorite) // Korie Robertson (I refer back to Strong + Kind often) // Ellie Holcomb (Her songwriting is wonderful and my kids love Who Sang the First Song [and the CD, Sing]) // Nicole Deese (Before I Called You Mine was such a lovely novel!) // Kristin Schell (The Turquoise Table definitely made me think!) // Joy Clarkson (Girls Club made me so happy and so much less anxious about the thought of my daughters growing up) // Jennie Allen (I found Get Out of Your Head to be so powerful!)

8- Crystal Paine (Love-Centered Parenting is my heart's favorite but Money Making Mom is so awesome for helping you bring in income from home) // Christopher L Heuertz (The Sacred Enneagram and The Enneagram of Belonging are ideal for those already comfortable with the Enneagram and are so beautifully written!) // Shannan Martin (The Ministry of Ordinary Places was life-changing!)

9- Maria Goff (I've never felt as seen as I did while reading Love Lives Here!) // Beth McCord (Becoming Us is such a wonderful look at relationships through the Ennneagram) // Lysa Terkeurst (Uninvited fit me so well and now I know why- we're both 9s) // Anne Bogel (Reading People is my favorite because personality frameworks fascinate the heck out of me... But I'd Rather be Reading and Don't Over think it were really good, too!) // Erin Loechner (Chasing Slow was so powerful for me!) // Melanie Shankle (On the Bright Side was so fun but does contain a curse word a few times) 

I'll try to remember to update this list when I learn other authors' Enneagram types.

Memoirs

I was talking to a friend the other day and she confessed that she wasn't sure if she liked memoirs or not. "I love them," I shared. "Such a cool thing to me to see God moving in other peoples' lives."

I hadn't realized that was what I loved about them until I said it.

I love to see Romans 8:28 played out in another person's tragedy. I love to see people find joy in spite of circumstances they once thought would render them forever joyless. I love to see perseverance change lives. I love to see the amazing things God can and does do for us--and often in spite of us--gently rolled out through the pages of a good book.

To me, this is what life is. Life is just this long (or short, really) winding path where we're all (hopefully) trying hard to make the world a better place than it was when we got here. You know when you get necklaces tangled up together and you spend wayyyyy to much time untangling them? I sometimes feel like that's how we view our lives. We think God's plans are like a tangled part of our necklace and we work way too hard trying to separate his plans out of our lives. But really, in the end,  it wasn't like that at all. His plans are what made the hard parts of the story beautiful in the first place. 

I like all kinds of memoirs, but Christian memoirs are my favorites. Here are a few of my favorites, in no particular order...

The Vow // Nourished // Chasing Slow // Kisses from Katie // The Lucky Few // 7 // Unreasonable Hope // Miracles from Heaven // Undone // A Different Beautiful // Riley Unlikely // Through the Eyes of Hope // Anchored // and for your kids (although Ryan and I both liked it quite a lot too), Lost on a Mountain in Maine

If you have any to recommend, I'd love your suggestions!