19 Incredible Books About Families That'll Actually Change Your Life

"To me, this is the ultimate book about family. The March sisters have their typical sibling struggles, but they are supportive, loving, and are always up for adventures together. They basically adopt Laurie and he becomes like a brother to them when they are younger. Marmee is an awesome mom, and she and the girls have a wonderful, loving relationship."

—Liz Boccolini, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes & Noble for $8.95+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"It’s such a beautifully written book — it focuses on friendship and growing up, but also the values of family. There's a lot of unique relationships between parents and the characters in the book. It’s such a great book because you can relate to it, but it’s also a very engaging read."

—hamiltonandlaurens

Get it from Amazon for $6.80+, Barnes & Noble for $8.88+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"It’s by far one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. It's about three siblings who were all adopted by different families finally meeting each other. At first, I didn’t think it was totally my vibe at all, but Benway’s voice drew me in instantly. She writes as if she’s inside my actual head! I never got bored with this book and found myself reading it all in just about three days because I truthfully could not put it down. If you’re looking for a book to warm your heart, definitely pick this one."

—Lauren Garafano, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $12.59+, Barnes & Noble for $14.39+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"I absolutely love this book. The book dives into Walls' unconventional, poverty-stricken life as a child with very dysfunctional parents. It's hard to believe it's not a fiction novel, but rather Walls' memoir. The way this book is written pulls you into Walls' struggles growing up and drags you along for a very interesting ride. I highly recommend."

—Nichole Francois

Get it from Amazon for $9.32+, Barnes & Noble for $13.60+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"This book is about Julia — a poor Mexican-American high school student in Chicago. She tries to find her identity while living under the watchful eyes of her strict parents after the death of her older "perfect" sister. This is great and quick read for anyone who relates to being the black sheep of the family."

—ajdufford

Get it from Amazon for $12.59+, Barnes & Noble for $14.39+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"Isabel Allende spins a yarn about a long line of remarkable women. Over the course of a revolution, through multiple homes, and with the help of a little magic, we watch these women grow and shape better futures for their daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters. This book is beautiful and satisfying. Allende is a superb writer, and I was shocked when I discovered that this was her breakout novel — it’s phenomenal."

—Rebecca Wiens, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $10.87+, Barnes & Noble for $13.60+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"This book charts the interwoven stories and the intergenerational trauma of 10 Indigenous women in Winnipeg amidst a backdrop of a terrible crime (a sexual assault) in the city. These Indigenous women’s experiences, strength, and love rise to the forefront of this book’s pages. Vermette’s usage of orality builds complex characters who speak truth to power in a colonized and male-driven world."

—Hope Houston, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $11.51+, Barnes & Noble for $15.26+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"It's my go-to family read. To be honest, I wasn’t in love with the ending and the characters sometimes really frustrate me, but that’s what makes it feel so authentic! Real-life families are messy, frustrating, and complex. Also, I totally appreciate this book for its Jewish-American representation."

—alliealmaj

Get it from Amazon for $13.38+, Barnes & Noble for $16+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"It’s a memoir of a professor who came of age during the height of the Whitey Bulgar era in South Boston. While reading you will most definitely cry because of the tragedies that this family went through, but you will also be left with the happy and humorous tales of this family as well! Growing up in an area close to Boston, this book also helped me understand my love/hate relationship with where I grew up!"

—sobrien91

Get it from Amazon for $11.74+, Barnes & Noble for $15.84+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"I don’t want to say too much about the plot, but it’s about a young woman named Anna, who grew up in Nazi Germany, and her daughter Trudy. Their relationship is riveting and you won’t see the twists coming."

—amandaf40ed61fa1

Get it from Amazon for $7.47+, Barnes & Noble for $7.47+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"It's about a man named David who was married to a woman named Julie, before admitting to himself that he's gay. Julie remarries, has a daughter named Mandy, and 17 years later is in the process of divorcing her second husband. Mandy invites David to their home to secretly help her mom cope with the divorce. When David arrives, he finds Julie's house in need of repair, and Julie herself in need of emotional support. This was a really nice book about reconnecting and a reminder that people can be as much of a home as a place is."

—Liz Boccolini, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+, Barnes & Noble for $16.99+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"It's a true crime story/memoir, which combines the author's examination of the murder of a child in Louisiana with her own experience of being abused by a relative when she was a child. It's an intriguing discussion of the nature of evil, and of how we handle cruelty and betrayal by the people who are supposed to love us the most."

—Amanda Cuda Swavy, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $9.98+, Barnes & Noble for $16.19+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"It's about a Bengali couple whose marriage is arranged and they subsequently move to America to start their family. It's so charming and lovely. I like to re-read certain favorite parts, and some of the book will make me cry hard every time."

—Liz Thomas, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $8.69+, Barnes & Noble for $12.79+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"It’s a story about family, loss, first loves, and the chaos of the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. Through June's perspective, we see a 14 year-old-girl thrust into adulthood with the knowledge of her beloved uncle’s condition. Navigating the harsh realities of prejudices, strained relationships, and mourning — the love that June has for her uncle is what saves her and someone else in return. Reading this book sticks you in a certain space and you sink into it — it’s not a fast-paced read, but it’s worth it."

—Imani Brooks, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $14.01+, Barnes & Noble for $15.30+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"I read this book again every few years and get something different from it each time. It follows the author's childhood relationship with her parents through their up and down marriage. She also discovers mysteries about her mother’s own rough childhood."

—samanthamaec

Get it from Amazon for $8.16+, Barnes & Noble for $15.30+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"It's an amazing book about family relations and what happens when an elderly parent cannot take care of themselves anymore. The writing, character depth and development, and plot are all great — but what really stands out to me is Franzen's depiction of dementia through the patient's eyes and his spouse's eyes. It's absurd, heartbreaking, and hilarious all at once — which is exactly what caring for a patient with dementia feels like from day to day."

—Nína M. Saviolidi, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $10+, Barnes & Noble for $17.10+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"This book breaks my heart every time. It’s about a family trying to recover when an uncle of the main character is killed in a terrorist attack in England. But, at its heart, it’s about the different relationships between the whole family and how even before the attack they were struggling individually and as a family. The writing is beautiful and the characters feel like home."

—brooklync4f584d553

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+, Barnes & Noble for $7.99+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

“It's the story of Tara’s attempt to thrive and succeed in a formal education setting despite the manipulations and paranoia of her survivalist family. Although growing up in a family packed with doomsday preppers is not a common experience, there are parallels with the expectations and demands of any family. Through her narrative, Tara skillfully shows that we are a product of our upbringing and family, for better or for worse."

—Rebecca Wiens, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $16.80+, Barnes & Noble for $17.83+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.

"It's a story about a wealthy, seemingly perfect family, the Richardsons; the brilliant, nomadic artist that rents their apartment, Mia; and Mia's daughter who becomes fascinated with the Richardson's wealthy way of life. The author grew up in Shaker Heights, the community where the story takes place, so it feels like these characters are very real and familiar. It's a lovely, interesting, and fascinating read."

—Lucía Mateo, Facebook

Get it from Amazon for $15.65+, Barnes & Noble for $16.75+, Indiebound, or find a copy at your local library.