7 Books I Recommend from Joy to Hope to Justice
“The helpful thought for which you look
Is written somewhere in a book.”
– Edward Gorey
I rarely set out to read related books in any given month, but sometimes a theme emerges anyway.
In the books I recently finished, I see this invisible question emerging: How can we live with dignity—for ourselves and for others—in a complicated world?
Each book answered that question from a slightly different angle, showing that being fully human is practiced through joy, abundance, hope, justice, respect, morality, and empathy.
[See previously recommended books here]
Here are the 5 nonfiction and 2 fiction books I recommend this month.
NONFICTION
1. Joyful, Anyway
by Kate Bowler
Kate Bowler shares so many personal stories in her books that she feels like a friend you can trust. I appreciate her witty yet poignant reflections in this book on what it means to find joy in the midst of the ache. She says that joy isn’t the absence of suffering; it’s a way of remaining open to beauty, hope, and connection even in the midst of it.
2. Big Time
A Simple Path to Time Abundance
by Laura Vanderkam
Another of my favorite authors, Laura Vanderkam always challenges my ongoing feeling that I never have enough time. In this book she offers practical strategies for creating a greater sense of time abundance. I wrote more about it here, 10 Ways to Think Bigger About Time.
3. The Deliverance of Hope
The Spiritual Discipline of Writing People on Death Row
by Wendy Ramage and Jeff Hood
I’ve met these authors on Zoom calls lately, and they’re both sincerely passionate about restoring human dignity to people who often receive it the least. They do an incredible job exploring how letter-writing is one way to bear witness to the truth that each person is more than the worst thing they’ve ever done.
4. A Thousand Ways to Die
The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America
by Trymaine Lee
Another well-written book on a difficult topic, this one by journalist Trymaine Lee tells how violence affects Black communities far beyond the immediate loss of life. Through reporting, real-life examples, and statistics, he shows how families and communities continue to bear the long-term effects of gun violence. This book will move you.
5. Beyond the Politics of Contempt
Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times
by Doug Teschner, Beth Malow, and Becky Robinson
My book club spent several months reading this practical guide to learn how to better keep healthy relationships across political and ideological differences. Spoiler alert: It’s not about winning arguments. Instead, it relies more on curiosity, respectful dialogue, and everyday graciousness toward fellow humans.
FICTION
6. The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
This was a repeat read for another book club I’m in. It’s about a dystopian society where children from each district are forced to participate in a televised fight to the death. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister’s place and enters the Hunger Games. It’s a disturbing premise, but the story reveals a lot about the power of resistance, about inequality, and about the choices that people make when they live in oppressive societies.
7. James
by Percival Everett
This is the perfect follow-up after reading Adventures of Huckleberry Finn last month. It’s is a reimagining of the same story except through the character of Jim (James). No offense to Mark Twain, but I enjoyed this book more than the original. Everett is a great storyteller and gives James amazing depth. He sticks loosely to the original storyline of Twain’s original while also adding in some surprising twists along the way to make the story feel entirely fresh. I highly recommend this Pulitzer Prize-winning book.
WHAT I’M READING NOW
- Theo of Golden
by Allen Levi - I Belong to Me
A Survivor’s Guide to Recovery and Hope after Religious Trauma
by Tia Levings - Why Won’t You Apologize?
Healing Big Betrayals and Everyday Hurts
by Harriet Lerner - Influence
The Psychology of Persuasion
by Robert B. Cialdini - In Love with the World
A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying
by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche - Aging Out
An Exploration of Caregiving, Community, and How Americans Grow Old
by Lucy Schiller - Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury
Together, the books I finished this month reminded me of the importance of treating each other better every day. None of us has it all figured out. But by becoming more thoughtful, attentive, and compassionate, we can improve both our own lives and the lives of others.
That’s one of the reasons I love reading. Stories entertain us, yes, but they also reshape how we see the world and how we choose to live in it.
Have you read any of these books? Leave a comment with your thoughts—or tell me what book you recommend.
Stories can and do reshape us and how we perceive the world, Lisa. These all sound terrific! By the way, you will LOVE Theo of Golden. Blessings!
I’m enjoying Theo of Golden so far. I’ve heard so many good things about it that I’m hoping I haven’t built up my expectations too high. 🙂
I loved James!
Wasn’t it amazing? I was quite shocked at one reveal in particular (you’ll know what I’m talking about)! Such a brave and interesting book project to retell an older classic.
I have not read any of these yet, except The Hunger Games. I think that would have been an interesting book for a discussion, even though it wasn’t my personal cup of tea.
There are so many inspiring stories of truth and justice out there, and that gives me hope. We can’t all do such big things as some writers of these books, but each small deed of becoming more compassionate and thoughtful matters.
I agree, Lory. The big things feel out of my reach, but I’m grateful that we’re all afforded opportunities daily to do those small things. And that they do eventually add up.
Very worthwhile reading Lisa and its always good to have reading that supports us in being better as humans. I read The Hunger Games years ago but wouldn’t every reread it! My great niece does that though with the whole series!!
I don’t typically reread novels myself, but the things I’ll do for a book club! ha. It had been so long ago since I’d originally read The Hunger Games that I knew I needed a refresher. It was easier the second time around since I knew what was going to happen, but still too gruesome for me in general.
“She says that joy isn’t the absence of suffering; it’s a way of remaining open to beauty, hope, and connection even in the midst of it.”
Oh, I like this!
James has been on my list but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet! I loved The Hunger Games (definitely disturbing but so hard to put down). I’m looking forward to watching the prequel when it comes out later this year!
Always love your list. I just picked up today from the library a book I heard about on the podcast Hidden Brain. Author is Lisa Miller and the book the Awakened Brain. Haven’t read it yet but it looks good.
Interesting books and reviews. Our book club read James and enjoyed its different perspective on a well know story.
Thanks for the great recommendations and for linking up to our blog challenge. I have now reserved James but it seems to be in popular demand so it will be months before I see it. I struggle, even only working super casual, to feel I ever have enough time so I am definitely going to read Big Time to see what she says. Thanks.Bernie
These sound really good. I’m adding a few to my TBR list. James was a choice for our bookclub awhile back, but didn’t get chosen. I thought it sounded interesting. I also bought Theo of Golden but haven’t read it yet.
We read Fahrenheit 451 in classic bookclub. I don’t enjoy dystopia at all, but man, that one has stayed with me. So many, way too many, scary parallels for it not to.
I’ve read The Hunger Games and have seen the movies based on it and the sequels. An article I read about the author explained that her father was a military veteran who took her and her siblings to war memorials for vacations. He wanted them to understand the true cost of war. After reading her book, I knew she had learned his lessons well. The other books you highlight sound like important topics to know more about. Thanks for the recommendations.
What an interesting selection of books Lisa. I pinned this post, and am excited to see many of the books you mention piqued my interest just from your brief description. Way to go and Happy Aug. Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health.
Joyful anyway sounds good – and very m #Monthlybookwormsuch a book for our times. Will check out!
100% yes to this! “Together, the books I finished this month reminded me of the importance of treating each other better every day. None of us has it all figured out. But by becoming more thoughtful, attentive, and compassionate, we can improve both our own lives and the lives of others.”
Very interesting selection of books, I’ve not read the Hunger Games but I have seen the first movie. I think out of all of these I’d probably enjoy James the most.
I loved Theo Of Golden. I was slow for me at first but then I got into it and cried at the end. You had a really good reading month.
Thanks bunches for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
Ps: don’t forget to share your reads over at my bookish blog quarterly link up @
https://www.betweenthebookends.blog/2026/07/10/bookish-bliss-musings-more-quarterly-link-up-july-10th-through-september-10th/
These all sound like good books. I read The Art of Writing the Personal Letter. It an art form that can make for a deep connection.
That is an interesting selection of books. A Thousand Ways to Die sounds like a particularly tough read. I don’t like dystopian books, but I love The Hunger Games series. Sometimes, it feels like life is heading that way…