Some writers do more than tell stories—they draw us into a world where every page whispers truth and goodness, illuminating simple joys and deep aches.

The older I get, the more refined my reading taste has become. I don’t have much patience for twaddle (translation: utter nonsense) in literature. Time is limited, and I want my reading life to edify and encourage - not just entertain - me.

Today, I want to celebrate five authors whose books consistently fill my shelves and my soul. Their stories don't just entertain; they shape us, offering comfort, challenge, and a window to wonder.

Five Favorite Authors that illuminate truth, beauty and goodness

Wendell Berry

Wendell Berry is a poet, novelist, essayist, and farmer whose work is rooted in the rhythms of land, family, and small community. His Port William stories invite us into a tapestry of interconnected lives—quiet, gentle, and imbued with purpose.

Berry’s writing pulses with reverence for creation, humility in the face of mystery, and a fierce, tender hope that small acts of goodness ripple outward. If you long for books that slow your heart and attune it to the sacred ordinary, Berry won’t disappoint.

My personal favorite is Hannah Coulter. I gave this book to my mom to read shortly before she died. She loved it, too, which makes it all the more special to me.

Hannah Coulter: A Novel (Port William)Jayber Crow A Place on Earth: A Novel What Are People For?: Essays

Elizabeth Goudge

Elizabeth Goudge’s novels feel like old friends. Her signature blend of Christian themes, forgiveness, and redemptive suffering creates a world where beauty matters deeply and “happy endings do, in fact, occur”.

Goudge’s love of nature and myth flows through each page, making it easy to believe that everyday moments are glimmers of grace. Her books, especially The Little White Horse and The Dean’s Watch, invite readers to seek goodness even in darkness and to marvel at the healing power of imagination.

I am a member of the Elizabeth Goudge Bookclub on Instagram and Substack. In 2024, I faithfully read one Goudge book each month and attended the online discussions. What a blessing that was! Her novels are sometimes hard to find in print, so if you’re in a used bookstore or at a library sale and find one - snap it up!

Check out Girls Gone By Publishers - they have many of Goudge’s books back in print, along with many other authors.

Elizabeth Musser

Elizabeth Musser’s stories have been called “entertainment with a soul”—and with good reason. Her books, like The Swan House Trilogy and Searching for Eternity, weave together faith, perseverance, and the tenderness of human connection.

Musser’s gift is creating characters who wrestle with real-world struggles yet find hope, always pointing back to Christ’s love. Whether set in Atlanta (hooray!) or woven through the fields of France and Algeria, her novels shine with encouragement, compassion, and a gentle nudge to live bravely.

I first found The Swan House at a used book sale - and loved it so much I sped through the trilogy in a couple of weeks! My Southern heart is always very happy when I read her books. Her latest novel, From The Valley We Rise, is right in the sweet spot of historical fiction that I love!

Searching for Eternity The Swan House (The Swan House Series #1)Dwelling Place: (Swan House Book 2)The Promised Land (The Swan House Series Book #3)Words Unspoken From the Valley We Rise: A Fictional Historical Novel with Triple POV Amidst WWII in France

Katherine Reay

When you dive into a Katherine Reay novel, you enter a world saturated with literary references, heart, and authenticity.

Her fiction—Dear Mr. Knightley, Lizzy & Jane, and The Brontë Plot—draws on classic literature but feels fresh and fun. (Dear Mr. Knightley is one of my all-time favorite books!) Reay writes about real relationships—the messy, layered love between mothers and daughters, friends, and communities—with an emphasis on hope and healing.

Her books celebrate the transformative magic of story itself and leave you feeling both challenged and restored.

In recent years, Katherine Reay has written some spectacular historical fiction as well. I just finished The English Masterpiece and enjoyed it very much! Everything I read by her has become a favorite.

A Portrait of Emily Price Of Literature and Lattes The Austen Escape Dear Mr. Knightley: A Novel The Printed Letter Bookshop A Shadow in Moscow: A Cold War Novel The London House The Berlin Letters: A Cold War Novel The English Masterpiece: A Novel

Willa Cather

Willa Cather’s enduring power lies in her evocative depiction of place—her Nebraska prairies and pioneer landscapes aren’t mere backdrops; they’re living, breathing characters. In novels like O Pioneers!, My Ántonia, and O Pioneers, Cather explores courage, nostalgia, longing, and belonging.

Her prose is spare and strong, always saturated with beauty and truth. Cather shows us the profound dignity in ordinary people choosing love, resilience, and faith as they build lives on the edge of the wild.

I haven’t read as many books by Willa Cather as I would like, but I have loved the following three. I’m on a mission to read more.

My Ántonia (Signature Editions)Death Comes for the Archbishop O Pioneers!

These authors remind me daily that beauty, goodness, and truth are intertwined—and that true enjoyment and edification can, and should, coexist in the books we cherish.

I hope their stories become dear friends to you as well, shedding light on your own journey and reminding you that wonder is never far away.

The response to the 2025 Reading Challenge has been overwhelming! What fun chatting books with you all this past month has been.

(Visit the original challenge post if you have no idea what I’m talking about and would like to join us for the rest of the year!) Don’t forget that kids can join us, too. I’ve heard from some of you that you’re including your children, which makes me extra happy!

What people love about this reading challenge is that it is NO STRESS. If you want to participate, that’s fine. If you don’t, you can watch from the sidelines. Some of you have been very active chatting books in our Facebook group and on Instagram. Others observe. (Whatever floats your boat - I’m just happy we’re all reading!)

What I Read in January

Choosing a book with the word “winter” in the title proved to be a bit difficult. There were several suggestions, and I ultimately chose one I already owned and wanted to read - Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher.

My review from Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mary @ Homegrown Learners (@homegrownbookpicks)

As you can tell, this was a five-star book for me. The characters I could fall in love with, a cozy setting, and redemption throughout will make this a favorite of mine for all time.

February Homegrown Book Picks Challenge

In February our challenge is to read a classic. That’s a broad category, isnt’ it?

I’ve decided to read Jane Austen’s Emma. This is a book I haven’t read, and it’s perfect for a month when we celebrate love. A special shoutout goes to a young lady I’ve known since she was little. We talked books as she was growing up, and she is now in college and still an avid reader. She suggested to me that I read this classic!

I purchased this sweet Puffin in Bloom edition at the beginning of the year, too!