Discover books similar to "Taking the Reins"

Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees

This novel tells the story of Lily, a 14-year-old girl in South Carolina in 1964, who runs away with her nanny and best friend Rosaleen after Rosaleen is arrested for attempting to vote. They find refuge with the Boatwright sisters, three African-American beekeeping sisters, where Lily learns about beekeeping, love, and the power of female strength. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book features a strong female protagonist and explores themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery.

Kathryn Stockett

The Help

This bestselling novel is set in Mississippi during the early 1960s and tells the story of Aibileen, a black maid who secretly begins writing a tell-all book about her experiences working for white families. Skeeter, a young white woman, becomes Aibileen's ghostwriter, and together they challenge the racial status quo. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book explores themes of race, class, and gender and features strong, complex female characters.

Vanessa Diffenbaugh

The Language of Flowers

This debut novel tells the story of Victoria, a young woman who has spent most of her life in the foster care system. As a child, she discovered the language of flowers and used it to communicate her emotions. Now, as an adult, she must learn to navigate the world on her own and come to terms with her past. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book features a strong female protagonist and explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.

Amanda Coplin

The Orchardist

This novel tells the story of Talmadge, a reclusive orchardist who takes in two pregnant teenage girls who have run away from a brothel. As he cares for them and helps them give birth, he must confront his own past and learn to open himself up to the world. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book explores themes of family, love, and redemption and features complex, fully realized characters.

Sue Monk Kidd

The Invention of Wings

This novel tells the story of Sarah Grimké, a real-life historical figure who was an outspoken abolitionist and women's rights advocate. The book is set in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1800s and tells the story of Sarah and her slave Hetty, who dreams of freedom. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book explores themes of race, gender, and social justice and features strong, memorable female characters.

Markus Zusak

The Book Thief

This bestselling novel is set in Nazi Germany and tells the story of Liesel, a young girl who discovers the power of words and books as she steals them from the Nazi party. With the help of her foster father, she learns to read and share her love of books with others. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book explores themes of love, loss, and the power of literature to bring people together.

Barbara Kingsolver

The Poisonwood Bible

This novel tells the story of the Price family, who move to the Belgian Congo in 1959 to spread the word of God. As they struggle to adapt to their new surroundings, they are forced to confront their own biases and assumptions. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book explores themes of family, culture, and self-discovery and features complex, fully realized characters.

Barbara Kingsolver

The Lacuna

This novel tells the story of Harrison Shepherd, a half-Mexican, half-American man who becomes caught up in the political turmoil of Mexico in the 1930s. As he tries to find his place in the world, he becomes friends with famous artists and writers, including Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book explores themes of identity, culture, and the power of art and literature to shape our understanding of the world.

Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale

This novel tells the story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who are separated during World War II. Vianne must protect her daughter and her home in France, while Isabelle joins the Resistance and risks her life to save others. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book explores themes of love, loss, and the power of female strength and resilience.

Mary Ann Shaffer

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

This novel is set in the aftermath of World War II and tells the story of Juliet Ashton, a young writer who begins corresponding with a group of people on the island of Guernsey, who have formed a literary society as a way to cope with the hardships of the war. As Juliet learns more about the members of the society and their experiences, she begins to understand the power of literature to bring people together and heal wounds. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book explores themes of love, loss, and the power of literature to bring people together.

Rosamunde Pilcher

The Shell Seekers

This novel tells the story of Penelope Keeling, a middle-aged woman who must come to terms with her past and her family's legacy after her father's death. As she sorts through her father's belongings, she reflects on her own life and the choices she has made. Like 'Taking the Reins', this book explores themes of family, love, and self-discovery and features complex, fully realized characters.