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January 2026 Reading Challenge: Start at the Beginning

There’s something especially hopeful about beginning a new year with the beginning of a story. For our January 2026 Homegrown Book Picks Reading Challenge, (click that link to print the full 2026 challenge) we’re inviting readers to do just that: choose the first book in a series and begin a longer reading journey.

This challenge is designed primarily for adults and will take place inside our Homegrown Book Picks Facebook group. The goal is simple and achievable—start a series and see where it leads. Many of us, however, love to read with our children or encourage them to join in alongside us. Because of that, I’ve intentionally included a section of child-appropriate series as well, so families can share the rhythm of reading while still honoring different ages and interests.

Whether you’re choosing a novel just for yourself, reading aloud as a family, or pairing your book with one your child can enjoy independently, these series offer rich places to begin the year.

Adult Book Series Recommendations

The Windy City Saga by Jocelyn Green

First Book: Veiled in Smoke

Set in post–Great Chicago Fire Chicago, this series opens with a beautifully atmospheric novel following two sisters navigating grief, resilience, and rebuilding. Rich in setting and character, it’s an excellent choice for readers who love immersive historical fiction.

The Swan House Trilogy by Elizabeth Musser

First Book: The Swan House

This trilogy begins with The Swan House, a beautifully written story set in Atlanta that weaves together art, history, faith, and personal healing. Centered around a historic home and the lives connected to it, the novel explores restoration—both physical and spiritual—making it an excellent choice for readers who appreciate layered characters, a strong sense of place, and gentle but meaningful themes.

The Timeless Series by Gabrielle Meyer

First Book: When the Day Comes

This series opener introduces a woman living two lives in two different historical eras, forced to choose between them. It’s a compelling blend of history, faith, and the weight of personal choice. I’m generally not a fan of time travel, but I enjoyed the entire series!

Dering Family Series by D. E. Stevenson

First Book: Vittoria Cottage

A gentle, character-driven novel that opens the door to Stevenson’s cozy, relationship-rich storytelling. Caroline Dering, a widow with three grown children, lives a cheerful, quiet life near the idyllic English village of Ashbridge. But things are about to liven up! Perfect for readers who appreciate quiet humor, domestic life, and emotional warmth.

The Hawk and the Dove Series by Penelope Wilcox

First Book: The Hawk and the Dove

This historical series begins with a story of loyalty, courage, and divided allegiances—a thoughtful option for readers who enjoy layered moral questions within a strong historical framework. Set in a Benedictine monastery in the 14th century, the stories of the monks make me smile.

The Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower

First Book: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 1

Witty, observant, and full of heart, this series opens with Emma’s return to her old London neighborhood and the journals that chronicle her life and relationships. Ideal for readers who love character-driven humor.

Note: The audio of this series is excellent! I breezed through the first 8 volumes this year and am anxiously awaiting number 9!

St. Simons Series by Eugenia Price

First Book: The Lighthouse

This series begins on the Georgia coast with The Lighthouse, a richly atmospheric novel rooted in faith, family, and place. Eugenia Price brings the history of St. Simons Island to life through deeply human characters, making this an excellent starting point for readers who love regional historical fiction with spiritual depth.

You can visit St. Simon’s Island and take a tour of the places mentioned in this series - it’s on my 2026 bucket list!

The Emmy Lake Chronicles by AJ Pierce

First Book: Dear Miss Lake

Told through letters and personal correspondence, this series (set in wartime Britain) opens with a story that values voice, relationship, and thoughtful reflection—a lovely option for readers who enjoy epistolary storytelling.

The Port William Series by Wendell Berry

First Book: Nathan Coulter

This beloved series begins with a quiet, powerful novel grounded in land, family, and community. Ideal for readers who appreciate reflective storytelling and a strong sense of place. This series might become a beloved favorite - I know it did for me!

Children’s Recommended Book Series

Anna Solden Series by Jean Little

First Book: From Anna (Recommended ages: 8–11)

A tender, empathetic story about family, belonging, and courage. Anna’s perfect brothers and sisters call her "Awkward Anna." When Papa announces that the family is moving from Germany to Canada (just before WWII), Anna's heart sinks. How can she learn English when she can't even read German? Nothing could be worse than this! A beautiful introduction to Jean Little’s compassionate storytelling.

The “Shoe Books” Series by Noel Streatfeild

First Book: Ballet Shoes (Recommended ages: 8–12)

A timeless classic following three adopted sisters pursuing dreams in dance and theater. Warm, aspirational, and enduring. I read most of the shoe books in this series aloud to my daughter - they are a beloved memory for us!


The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

First Book: The Penderwicks (Recommended ages: 8–12)

Joyful, humorous, and family-centered, this series opener introduces four sisters and their summer adventures. An excellent read-aloud or independent choice. As an adult, I LOVED these for myself, too.


The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

First Book: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street (Recommended ages: 9–13)

Lively and heartwarming, this book celebrates sibling teamwork and community as five children work to save their home. There are SEVEN books in this series, and I’ve only read the first - I hope to read more this year.


The Wolf Hollow Series by Lauren Wolk

First Book: Wolf Hollow (Recommended ages: 10–14)

This beautifully written series opens with a powerful story about justice, courage, and moral choice. Later books, including My Own Lightning, continue these themes. Both books offer complete stories and don't require reading the other, as they share a setting and themes rather than direct plot continuation.


The Out of My Mind Series by Sharon M. Draper

First Book: Out of My Mind (Recommended ages: 9–13)

This series begins with Melody, a brilliant girl with cerebral palsy whose inner world is rich and insightful. Compassionate and discussion-worthy, with later books including Out of My Heart. I think this series is a must-read for teens!


Starting with the first book in a series is an invitation to linger, to return, and to grow alongside characters over time. Whether you’re reading solo or alongside your children, we hope this January challenge helps you begin the year with good books, meaningful conversations, and the quiet joy of a story just getting started.

Don’t forget to join us in our Facebook group and/or on Instagram. We have a vibrant, edifying community of readers. It’s a GREAT place to be!

If you’re joining us and have picked a book, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! I’m glad you’re here - and happy reading!

Five Favorite Authors: Books That Illuminate Truth, Beauty, and Goodness

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.