This year, I set a goal for my reading, and it was simply to read more than I did in 2018. Last year, I read fifty-seven books between January 1st and December 31st, 2018…this year, I read eighty books in the same time frame.
The Stats for 2019:
Books read: 80
Fiction: 27
Non-Fiction: 47
Cookbooks (yes these get their own category!): 6
Hardcover: 10
Paperback: 23
Kindle: 47
I (somehow!) narrowed it down to my top twenty five for the year – broken into a few different categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Politics/Current Events, Cookbooks, and a few honorable mentions that I really loved but couldn’t fit into the other categories! So, let’s get to it!
(Quick note before you get to each category: Every book is linked so if something catches your interest you can quickly look it up!)
Top Five Non-Fiction books read this year:
Becoming, by Michelle Obama — We have chosen hope over fear. “Becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. It’s about forward motion, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” More than a political memoir; a story of hope, of love, of strength. (I recommend that you read this with tissue nearby!)
Signs of Life: Resurrecting Hope out of Ordinary Losses, by Stephanie Lobdell — An encouragement to read. Each chapter had me underlining and marking in the margins, and nodding along because I could see myself in between the pages. Signs of Life is about looking for the little things in the world around us that remind us of Whose we are.
The Truths We Hold, by Kamala Harris — “For all of our differences, for all the battles, for all the fights, we are still one family, and we should act like it. We have so much more in common than what separates us.”
Catch and Kill, by Ronan Farrow — “In the end, the courage of women can’t be stamped out. And stories — the big ones, the true ones — can be caught but never killed.”
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson — An eye opening look at incarceration and capital punishment, and the journey of a lawyer seeking justice. This is a heavy book, it’s a lot to take in; it shines a light on the brokenness and injustice of our criminal justice system. Woven throughout the main story is the work that Stevenson did to reform the juvenile criminal justice system and my heart aches for the children that grew to adulthood under the worst circumstances. This should be required reading by all. “…mercy is just when it is rooted in hopefulness and freely given. Mercy is most empowering, liberating, and transformative when it is directed at the undeserving. The people who haven’t earned it, who haven’t even sought it, are the most meaningful recipients of our compassion.”
Top Five Fiction books read this year:
Evvie Drake Starts Over, by Linda Holmes –Jenna Bush Hager’s July Today Show bookclub choice. Laugh out loud funny. I had to put it down several times to wipe tears from my eyes after laughing so hard! Hysterically funny, incredibly poignant, and just plain fun. Evvie and Dean are so relatable and easy to connect to as characters. They are both broken and working on healing in their own way, and helping each other with the healing process. This book was a sweet reminder of the importance of community, and friendship, and laughter. “She owed nothing to anyone.” (also, I love anything with even a hint of baseball in it!)
The Crimson Cord, by Jill Eileen Smith — Finished this one with a box of tissue in bed with me. Gorgeous writing, a familiar story told in a way that made you fall in love with the characters in a new way. Rahab struggles with the idea of grace much in the same way that we do. How often do we question Jesus’ sacrifice for us and our sin? In the same way, Rahab questions the sacrifice of a spotless ram for her sins. She struggles with grace and mercy and justice…ultimately, her faith leads her to complete devotion to God – a public declaration – cementing her place among the people of Israel.
The Negotiator (The O’Malley Series, Book 1), by Dee Henderson — “God didn’t shortchange justice to grant mercy. He paid the full price himself.” This story explores the intersection of God’s justice and mercy, and what it looks like to fully trust in Him and His immense love. I’m so glad to have stumbled upon this series again.
The Prophetess, by Jill Eileen Smith — I love that it shows the strength of Barak and Lapidoth in trusting Deborah. In a society where women weren’t allowed to learn to read and write, Lapidoth taught Deborah to read and write the law. Barak wouldn’t go into the final battle against Sisera without Deborah by his side. The strength of these men, and the trust and respect they have for the women in their lives is so refreshing! I love the relationship between Barak and Deborah.
Waiting for Tom Hanks, by Kerry Winfrey — This book is HYSTERICALLY funny, and I feel slightly called out by it! I am a sucker for rom-coms, just like Annie! Annie and Drew have a great relationship (very You’ve Got Mail, after Joe finds out that he’s been writing to Kathleen). The plot is predictable but in the best way. It reads like a rom-com and I look forward to more from this author!
Top Five Political/Current Events books I read this year (I read so many that they deserve their own category):
Dear Madam President, by Jennifer Palmieri — “Speak up — Your voice is needed.” This book should be read by women everywhere; there is more than one glass ceiling and eventually we will all encounter one. You’ve earned your seat at the table, make the most of it. Blaze trails and remember the women who came before you. Write your story. “Go show us what a woman leading us in this new world looks like. We can’t wait to see.”
From the Corner of The Oval, by Beck Dorey Stein — Remember to look up. Appreciate where you are and what you are doing and who you are doing it with. Believe in HOPE. Surround yourself with friends who love you for YOU.
Chasing Hillary, by Amy Chozik — An insider’s look at the presidential campaign process. Amy Chozik was part of the press corp for the Clinton campaign during the 2008 primary run and again during the 2016 campaign. Her behind the scenes stories paint a picture of the difficulties faced by all who run and follow campaigns. Really enjoyed this book!
So Here’s The Thing, by Alyssa Mastromonacco — Empowering and relatable and made me a little nostalgic. Both of her books are fantastic, this one has some fun behind the scenes stories from her days as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Obama Administration. From her list of words and phrases that her employees should pay attention to: “Don’t worry about it — I got it!” If this isn’t me!! I don’t know how many times, in how many situations I utter this phrase to the people around me. “Test your limits, stretch yourself, get out of your comfort zone.”
The Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report: Report of the House Permanent Select Committee On Intelligence, Pursuant to H. Res. 660 in Consultation with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, by The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Adam B. Schiff (CA) Chairman, et. al. — I read the whole thing and I’m considering it a book because it was longer than some of the books that I read this year. I’m a history nerd, and I always have been and reading this was eye-opening and actually pretty interesting! History has unfolded right before our eyes this year, and whatever side of the argument you fall on, these last few years are going to shape the years ahead in unimaginable ways. I believe it’s important to stay informed and know what is going on in the world around us.
Top Five Cookbooks I read this year:
Molly on the Range, by Molly Yeh — I have never laughed so hard when reading and cookbook! Funny, down to earth, and full of amazing recipes!
101 Epic Dishes, by Jet and Ali Tila — Bookmarked lots of recipes! I love all of the skills that are taught in each recipe, the tips and tricks, and it’s Jet Tila…so, there’s no shortage of great recipes! Perfect for home cooks who are just starting, and those who’ve been cooking for years.
Sugar, Butter, Flour, by Jenna Hunterson (and the creative team behind the Broadway musical “Waitress”). — (Tie-in cookbook to the Waitress musical) Great recipes, fun stories! Pays tribute to the musical and the original movie. Clever, insightful, tasty recipes. “…it’s amazing what baking can do”!!
Forking Good: The Unofficial Cookbook for fans of The Good Place, by Valya Dudycz Lupescu and Stephen H. Segal — Incredibly funny, kind of heartwarming, and not at all what you expect from a cookbook! So many punny recipes and lots of Chidi-style ethics lessons! Also, the number of Blake Bortles references had me cracking up…Jason Mendoza would be proud!
Season With Authority: Confident Home Cooking, by Chef Marc Murphy– Worth it for his pasta carbonara recipe alone!
Honorable mentions (AKA, the books that I felt really bad about not putting into a Top Five!):
Emboldened: A Vision for Empowering Women in Ministry, by Tara Beth Leach — Full disclosure, this was my third read-through, but the only one in this calendar year. I read it for the course of study class “Foundations of Women’s Ordination”. This book continues to be an encouragement to me and my ministry. I’m thankful for Tara Beth and for the men and women with whom I’m priveleged to partner with in ministry.
A Year of Biblical Womanhood, by Rachel Held Evans — There is no right or wrong way to be a “Biblical” woman. We are human, and in humanity, it is important to know that we are created as image bearers of God, we are more than just “helpmeets”, we are equal partners. We are more than just wives, daughters, mothers — we are women of VALOR! “Those who seek to glorify Biblical womanhood have forgotten the dark stories.”
The Stolen Kingdom, by Bethany Atazadeh — An Aladdin re-telling. A wonderful story, with rich and vibrant characters…and a message that touched my heart in the most unexpected of ways. Side Note: I highly recommend this author, I’ve read all but one of her books (I’ll be starting another of her’s, the sequel to The Stolen Kingdom, in 2020).
Yes, I’m Hot In This, by Huda Fahmy — I follow Huda on Instagram, but this curated collection is awesome. She teaches without being preachy, she helps readers to see the struggle that she deals with as a Muslim woman in America, and is incredibly funny. An illustrated reminder that there is so much more that unites us than divides us. I look forward to more from this artist!
My Squirrel Days, by Ellie Kemper — Laugh out loud funny. Great stories from behind the scenes on The Office and Kimmy Schmitt. Ellie tells some very personal, very poignant stories that are interwoven with her sense of humor and a very funny narrative voice.
What I’m looking forward to reading in 2020:
Inspired, by Rachel Held Evans
This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers, by Lillian Daniel and Martin B. Copenhaver
The Cursed Hunter, by Bethany Atazadeh
Berlin 1961, by Frederick Kempe
The Day the World Came to Town, by Jim Defede
First: Sandra Day O’Connor, by Evan Thomas
Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII’s Most Highly Decorated Spy, by Larry Loftis
And so much more…..
You tell me!
What did you read this year? What was your favorite this year? What is your all-time favorite (I know it’s hard to choose!!)? Anything I need to add to my list for 2020? I love to talk books so let me know if you’ve read any on my list, or if there are any that you think I should read!
Looking forward to another year of great reading!
Fine Linen and Purple 