Hey, friends! Guess what? It’s time for my favorite post of the year!
Although my reading has significantly decreased this year (I only read 41 books compared to 55 last year), I’ve compiled a list of all the best books I’ve read in 2018. Leave a comment with which one you would like to read and you will be entered in a drawing to receive that book!
Fiction
- Water from my Heart: Written by Charles Martin, this book follows an American drug dealer in Nicaragua and how his choices affect those around him.
- The Lost Letter: An interesting read about stamp collecting, this novel is set both in World War II Austria and present day Los Angeles. I love books that jump back and forth, tying together past and present, and I think you will love this one too!
- A Thousand Splendid Suns: This is an older book but one I just read this year. Set in Afghanistan, this is a multigenerational historical fiction story which helped me better understand the Muslim culture.
- Little Fires Everywhere: This book, which mainly follows two families, contains some heavy subjects – abortion, surrogates, adoption – but it was so good! You will be hanging on the edge of your seat to see how it all turns out!
- Force of Nature: This was written by one of my favorite authors, Jane Harper, and is a mystery based around a company retreat. You won’t be able to put this one down! And if you haven’t read Harper’s other novel, The Dry, you really need to grab a copy now!
- Us Against You: This story, set in a small northern town, centers around an intense hockey rivalry and the townspeople who get caught in the middle. I love how Fredrik Backman weaves a story and this book will not disappoint.
- The Summer Before the War: This book is sort of slow but I really got caught up in the characters and the writing. Set in pre-World War I England, it follows several prominent families in a small town and how the war affects them.
- Lies She Told: First of all, I will say that this book has some language and some mild sex scenes so if that will offend you, this book might not be for you. The story follows a novelist whose personal life begins to interweave with the new book she is writing. This is a suspenseful novel that you won’t be able to put down!
- All We Ever Wanted: I loved this book so much, mainly because it was set in Nashville and I could visualize all the places and people. The book follows a Nashville prep school scandal and the sense of entitlement that comes with wealth. So interesting!
Nonfiction
- Walk It Out: In this book, Tricia Goyer helps Christians understand how to live out their faith in the little things. With practical advice, you will understand what it means to actually do what the Lord commands.
- Becoming Momstrong: Heidi St. John helps us discover the truths about what it means to be a godly mom in today’s society. She equips us and coaches us through difficult situations as we strive to be the moms God made us to be. There is also a companion Bible study which I haven’t done yet but looks interesting.
- Daring to Hope: Ok. Katie Davis Majors is one of my favorite people ever, and I think we would be great friends in real life. If you haven’t read her first book, you should totally start with that one. But if you have, grab Daring to Hope. It’s a journey of her sorrows and her seeking God in the midst of hard times. Although she lives on the other side of the world, I think we can all relate to the idea of being disappointed in our circumstances and wondering if God actually sees us.
- In the Sanctuary of Outcasts: This book is a memoir set in Louisiana about a prison and leprosarium in Carville. Y’all, Peter and I grew up in Louisiana and didn’t have a clue about this national leprosarium! This book moved me and brought tears to my eyes at the end, but beware – there is some language because it is set in a prison.
- Red Notice: My sister-in-law recommended this book to me and it did not disappoint. It follows an American citizen who becomes a target of the Russian government and his quest for justice for those around him.
- A Circle of Quiet: I posted this on one of my monthly favorite things list a few months ago. It’s a memoir of sorts written in the 1970’s but I found that it remains relevant today. The writing is eclectic and interesting which appeals to me as a writer but I think everyone will enjoy it!
- Hillbilly Elegy: Containing some mild language, this memoir follows a self-proclaimed hillbilly, his family of origin, and his attempt to improve his life. I always love reading about how others live.
- The Road Back to You: The original Enneagram book! If you are interested in the Enneagram, grab this book and discover your number and the number of your loved ones. You will better understand yourself and your family, which will make for better relationships. I love the Enneagram. One of the authors also just released a new book, The Path Between Us. I haven’t read it yet but I’ve heard it’s amazing and will take you deeper in your relationships.
- Educated: Y’all. If you think your family is dysfunctional, after reading this book you will realize that your family is totally normal. Some of the things in this book were so over-the-top that they were difficult to believe. Not that I doubt the author, just that I can’t even imagine living in a family like hers. It did give me hope, though, that no matter where you come from, you can always make a better life for yourself. Check it out!
So now that you’ve taken a look at my favorites, leave me a comment here on the blog or on Facebook, telling me which book you would like to read. This contest will close at 3:00 pm CST on December 16, 2018, and I will draw a winner that evening. Can’t wait to see who wins the book of their choice!
And if you have any book recommendations for me, I’d love to hear them!