There are several books with which we are pretty familiar and there are books that explore different facets of events with which we are already familiar. Several of the books I’ve read recently reminded me of other books and some I read concurrently. In both instances, I felt that my reading experience was enhanced by reading these in pairs and that I received a more well-rounded reading experience. Here are several book pairing suggestions that I would recommend.
Caroline and Little House on the Prairie
You have doubtless heard of Little House on the Prairie, the story of which is told from Laura’s perspective; Caroline is told from Mamma’s point of view. I think this is a great juxtaposition as we hear about the familiar events of the Little House on the Prairie, told from Mamma who was pregnant, by the way, as she started life fresh in the new territory—one that was harsh and unforgiving. For me, I found it fun to see the events from Little House on the Prairie, with which I was familiar as a child, retold through an adult lens!
Anne of Green Gables and Marilla of Green Gables
Again you have probably heard, read, or watched Anne of Green Gables. Marilla of Green Gables tells the story of Marilla Cuthbert’s childhood and young adulthood before Anne comes into her life. We get a glimpse at how events in Marilla’s childhood shaped her into the character we know and ultimately love from the Anne of Green Gables books.
Christy and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
Christy is the story of a school teacher who goes to teach in the impoverished area of the Appalachian Mountains around the early 1900s. Being immersed in her surroundings is a culture shock for young Christy, who grew up in an affluent home. Contrast that with The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and we see what life is like for those who have always lived in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. Cussy, the main character, is a Blue—a person who due to a genetic trait has a blood disorder causing the skin to appear blue, further ostracizing her in this already impoverished area.
To Kill a Mockingbird and The Giver of Stars
Although these books have two completely different settings, I saw various parallels between To Kill a Mockingbird and the Giver of Stars. Both of these books spotlight people who live a little differently than societal norms would dictate and are, therefore, easily villainized as a result. Prejudice takes many different forms!
Find Your People and The Life We’re Really Looking For
These are both faith-based books about community and the state of relationships in our world today. In Find Your People, Jennie Allen makes a case for why we need deep friendships with those who are near us—as in having friends who live within 15 minutes so that we can actually share in each other’s day-to-day struggles. In The Life We’re Really Looking For, by Andy Crouch, Andy takes an in-depth look at the role technology has played in disconnecting us from each other. This is not just because we spend time on devices instead of with each other, but because technology has enabled us to build more and more of a life where we hardly need each other—which is in direct contrast to the way the Bible wants us to approach life and relationships.
Disclosure
Please remember that this post contains affiliate links; that means if you click on the link, I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a way to support my blog! I will only ever share an affiliate link if I love the product and think that you just might love it too!