High School Spring Book Picks 2026/27

We're officially homeschooling our oldest again, and I am in joyful chaos mode curating high school curriculum, reading excellent books alongside him, and diving into the world of dual enrollment.

It’s all a HAPPY whirlwind!

For those who've been following our journey: our son still attends his private Baseball Academy six-plus hours a day, and they've graciously allowed him to continue homeschooling alongside that. We never know where the Lord will take our children, and that's exactly how we like it. We are so grateful to keep walking with him toward his academic AND athletic goals.

A few high school reads are listed below in no particular order.

 

Many are read slowly together, some independently, all looped each week. We're using Ambleside Online and a mix of other living books and adding in a few reads, curriculum and video courses to round out his lessons. 

Are You Liberal? Conservative? or Confused? by Richard J. Maybury (We are working through the second half of my Simple Studies: Exploring Political Ideologies guide with this book since we put it down to move across the US last year!)

The Odyssey by Homer 

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass

Common Sense & The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine

Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington by Richard Brookhiser

The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (He’s reading one of our beautiful, illustrated versions printed in the 1800s)

Chemistry (We own the Apologia books both early and high school but are supplementing with various other videos and curricula)

Saxon Geometry

The Art of Construction by Salvadori 

Never Give In! The Best of Winston Churchill's Speeches by Winston Churchill (we are reading this aloud with his younger sister, and he reads one Historical Document each week listed on Ambleside Online.)

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 

The Fool and the Heretic by Wood & Falk (This is turning out to be one of his favorite books this term so far).

A History of the English Speaking Peoples: The Age of Revolution by Winston S. Churchill 

One Race One Blood by Ham & Ware 

Fierce Wars and Faithful Loves: Book I of Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene by Roy Maynard 

101 Great American Poems — (Dover edition)

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence


Sometimes I turn to audiobooks to help me pre-read some of our books we’re discussing together.

And I hear Amazon is currently running a FREE TRIAL for their brand new Audible Standard Membership! 🎧🤩


We recently announced our latest new release: Simple Studies: Western Marvels — A Literature Guide for Grades 5–12.

So many of you have pleaded for guides that your middle and high schoolers can use.

I’m reading through Richard Halliburton's Book of Marvels: The Occident a second time around with our youngest, and I created a Simple Studies guide to go alongside it and am sharing it with you, because I know you're also looking for resources that actually meet your kids where these living books take them.

 

Thank you for being here!

⭐️ Breadth + Beauty: A Year-Long Reading Invitation for 2026

Want to Read Widely But Don't Know Where to Start?

For years, I've believed that reading widely is one of the most transformative things we can do as humans and as home educators. When we encounter different worlds and ideas, we become more thoughtful, more curious, and we're better equipped to lead our children.

We have SO MANY guides telling us what to read aloud to our children. Yet when it comes to our own reading journey, we're often left wondering where to start.

So I created a little something for you: Breadth + Beauty: A Year-Long Reading Invitation.

 
 

A guide designed specifically for you to kickstart 2026. It's my way to cordially invite you into some exciting genres you've maybe never explored.

To remind you that your reading matters too.

What's Inside:

  • A 40-page 2026 Reading Challenge Guide (12 Genres, 12 Months)

  • Over 50 personal, curated book recommendations across 12 diverse genres (from literary fiction and philosophy to mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, and faith)

  • Detailed book descriptions for every title to help you discover the perfect fit for each month

  • Bible Verse connections for each genre to journal on as you read

  • Genre introductions that set the tone and invite you deeper as you explore each one

  • No pressure, no rules—simply enjoy expanding your reading in 2026

The 12 Genres You'll Explore

January: Literary & Contemporary Fiction
February: Greek & Roman Philosophy
March: Historical Fiction
April: Memoir & Biography
May: Adventure & Survival Stories
June: Nonfiction (Narrative, History, Science)
July: Mystery & Suspense
August: Young Adult
September: Science Fiction
October: Fantasy & Cozy Fantasy
November: Faith-Based Nonfiction
December: Seasonal / Advent / Devotional

 
 

Think of this guide as your reading friend, not your reading boss. My recommendations are here to inspire, but your journey is completely your own. Follow my suggestions or forge your own path—both are beautiful and worth exploring.

I generally read over 100 books each year, and I try to pick up different genres each month to help grow in my faith, grow in wisdom, and enjoy my reading life. This guide is my way of sharing that journey with you.

A Note About Content

I've done my best to curate recommendations that are clean and appropriate for Christian homeschool families. However, I want to be transparent: a few of these books contain mild adult themes or occasional language that some readers may prefer to avoid. Nothing graphic or gratuitous, but content worth being aware of. Every book reflects something beautiful or meaningful, but I encourage you to read reviews on Goodreads if you have specific content concerns. Your comfort and convictions matter.

Making an Impact Together

50% of the proceeds from this guide go to sponsoring children in poverty through Compassion International. When you invest in your reading journey, you're also investing in theirs.

Let’s read WIDELY together in 2026!

☀️ Summer Reading Challenge, Book Ratings + US Travels

Our summer travels have officially begun! We visited Universal Studies Florida and the new Epic Universe last week and as I type this, I'm sitting north of Atlanta, Georgia, watching our daughter kayak the Chattahoochee River. 🚣🏼‍♀️ She's having the time of her life out there, and honestly? I'm a little jealous! Though I can't complain because I managed to sneak in a gorgeous hike earlier today.

I attended Mississippi State University and have traveled plenty throughout the South over the years, but somehow I'd forgotten just how much Georgia reminds me of Oregon. The rolling hills and the lush foliage. It's striking how similar they feel despite being thousands of miles apart. (However, it’s definitely warmer and muggier here!) 😅

But you’re not here to talk travels. You’re here for the BOOKS!

Here are the books I've been reading lately, plus some new finds from visiting local bookshops around Atlanta.

 
 

Over the past couple of months, I've been devouring books at a pace that even surprises me.

There's something about summer that makes me want to read everything I can get my hands on. But I’ve also noticed that I tend to jump into a lot of YA reads I can devour within a sitting or two.

Today I'm excited to share (in no particular order & with ratings when applicable):

The Eye of the World ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Violent Bear It Away (Catching up on my classics!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Out of the Silent Planet (CS Lewis space trilogy pre-read for our son’s summer scholé class) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Screwtape Letters (another read with my son for summer studies) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sunrise on the Reaping (Flew through this and am now excited to read the entire series!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Next Breath (biography of the month) 

Hillbilly Elegy (last month’s biography) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Wind in the Willows (finished this RA with my daughter last week) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Uwind and Dry (YA Reads since I enjoyed Scythe) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Faith That Sticks: 5 Real-Life Ways to Disciple Your Preteen

Breath of a Dragon (Bruce Lee’s daughter writes epic MMA fight scenes - yes THAT Bruce Lee!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Night Circus (Audiobook narrated by Jim Dale! For those of you who’ve listened to Harry Potter with your kids… IYKYK) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heartwood (Audiobook) ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Apartment Women & Convenience Store Woman (I’m a sucker for short translations!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Radical: Taking Back your Faith from the American Dream ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Invisible Hour ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Gifted School ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Sirens ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flirting with Disaster: True Travel Tales of Fear, Failure, and Faith ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Metal Slinger ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Belladonna ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bear ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beartown 

The Georgia Aquarium was INCREDIBLE! Thanks to those of you who recommended we visit!

 

We spent four days at Epic Universe, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure… my head is still spinning from all the rides! (The Harry Potter worlds were my favorite parts!)

 
 

Thank you for journeying through books and the US with us… it’s a pleasure not only to read alongside many of you but to also hear what YOU’RE loving too!