5-star Bookshelf

5 star books are sorted into genres, but aren't in any particular order within those categories.

5-star Fiction:

Wildwing by Emily Whitman: I adored this story and recommend it to anyone ages 12+. No sex or language

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks: Content: blissfully clean. There was romance between Will and Ronnie, but no sex. It wasn’t needed, either. I feel like the fact that they didn’t sleep together added to the book rather than took away from it. It was also clean of  foul language. There was some mention of God and the Bible, but never did it feel like Sparks was preaching. Recommendation: Ages 14+

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Content: clean. Recommendation: Ages 12+

Magic under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore: Content: no sexual content, and appropriate language (not overdone or overused, I think there was one foul word used only once or twice). Recommendation: Ages 14+ to anyone who wants a fast enchanting romance worth dying for.

Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer: Content: Gloriously clean: no language, no sex. Recommendation: Boys and girls (it’s such an adventure that boys would like it too!) Ages 13-Adult. It’s not aimed specifically to teens or young people, and would be perfect for an adult as well.

The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay: Content: This book is not for the easily offended. There was language and sexual aspects of the book that make it an adult novel, though there were no sex scenes. Recommendation: Ages 17+ to anyone who wants to read a really exceptional book. 

The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay:  Content: Just as the last book, I wouldn't recommend this one to anyone who can't stomach some violence, is easily offended by language and some sex or sensuality. Ages 18+

Blind Sight by James Pence: Content: 100% Clean! Recommendation: Anyone ages 10+ would enjoy this! It would be a wonderful read for a family to share, or for an adult looking for a good clean Christian-thriller, or a teenager with the weekend off of homework.

The Secret of Joy by Mellisa Senate: Content: There was only an occasional swear word, and some mention of sex, but no details. Recommendation: Ages 14+ to anyone craving a light-hearted sit-by-the-fire-with-tea kind of book.

The Light, The Dark, and Ember between by N. W. Nicklaus: Content: there was an occasional cuss word scattered through some of the short stories, but it wasn’t overdone, overly offensive, or inappropriate. Recommendation: Ages 10+ to lover of any genre.

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick: Content: Clean. Recommendation: Ages 14+

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick: Content/recommendation: Ages 16+ for some sensuality. And you have to read Hush, Hush first or none of it will make any sense.

The Diary of Pelly D by L. J. Adlington: Content: Some mention of sex, some language, but pretty clean. Recommendation: Ages 14+

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson: Content: some sex, some language. Recommendation: Ages 17+

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen: Content: some sex, some language. Recommendation: Ages 15+

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins: Content: clean. Recommendation: Ages 13+

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Jane Austen and Steve Hockensmith: Content: an occasional dirty word (I think d--- was used like, twice in the whole book?), very few sexual references. But remember that we’re talking about dead brain-eating zombies here, people. It’s not for the faint of heart (or stomach) and it’s not for kids.Recommendation: 12+ If you love the paranormal, horror, or anything Jane Austen, this one is for you.

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien: Content: Clean of sex, language, and violence. Recommendation: Ages 12+ Adults will love it, too!

The Language of Secrets by Dianne Dixon: Content: medium language, some violence, mention of sex but no details, mention of rape but no details. Recommendation: Ages 16+

Poetry Speaks Who I Am edited by Elise Paschen and Dominique Raccah.
Recommendation: Boys and Girls, Ages 8+

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin 
Content: Clean. Recommendation: Ages 14+

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Content: some gruesome descriptions of blood from the murder. Recommendation: Ages 14+

5-star Memoir

Terror by Night by Terry Caffey with James H. Pence
Content: clean. Recommendation: I wholeheartedly recommend Terror by Night to everyone over the age of 14. Terror by Night is extremely emotional, several times I had to stop and put it down. There were also some disturbing images of how the children were killed. It would probably make you cry if you read it in one sitting. However, I still think everyone should read it.

The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
Content: clean, some language. Recommendation: Ages 14+

The Sugarless Plum by Zippora Karr
Content: There is one scene with brief mention of sex but no explicit details, and there is no language.  Recommendation: Ages 12+ to anyone who has ever dreamed about the stage, any athlete who suffers from Diabetes and needs encouragement, or anyone who loves a touching and inspirational memoir.

I can't keep my own secrets by teens famous and obscure
Content/recommendation:  There are some really great six-word memoirs in this book... but it's not for the easily offended. There is language, sexual references, religion... but it is amazing.

Catch me if you Can by Frank W. Abagnale
Content: There is some sex but it's not explicit. Some language. Recommendation: ages 14+ to anyone who wants a good non-fiction adventure.

 

5-star Non-Fiction

Radical: Taking Back your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt
Recommendation: All ages

Cheating Death by Sanjay Gupta
Recommendation: Ages 16+ to anyone who likes non-fiction, medical thrillers, or thrillers of any kind.

Angels by Dr. David Jeremiah
Recommendation: Ages 12+ to Christians wanting information about Angels that lines up with the Holy Bible.

Totally Toned Arms by Rylan Duggan
Recommendation: Ages 12-ish to Adult to anyone who wants "Michelle Obama Arms" in 21 days!

The Mayo Clinic Diet by the weight loss experts at Mayo Clinic
Recommendation: Anyone who needs to loose weight but is afraid of “another diet.” This is not the same diet you’re used to. Again, I think “diet” is the wrong word. This is a new lifestyle.

Quilted Devotions by Lisa Cogar
Recommendation: Intermediate to experienced quilters.

Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris
Recommendation: Ages 11+ but Adults would benefit too!

60 Quick Knits in Cascade 220 by Tanis Grey and Sixth &Spring books 
Recommendation: Knitters of any level

Cowl Girls by Cathy Carron
Recommendation: beginner through advanced knitters

Knitting at Home by Leanne Prouse
Recommendation: beginner through advanced knitters