I’m a little late posting this because work, Christmas, a birthday, sickness, and New Year’s Eve get-together, all conspired to keep me busy but it was all good except the sickness part. But it’s only January 2nd, right? I’m right on time.
I’m often asked about what I read and can I recommend books or authors so I thought I’d put out a list this year. There were so many good books it was hard to choose so I’ve included some runners-up too because really I can’t contain it to ten. Here are my top reads from 2019, in no particular order.
- There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones
Genre: YA Format: Audiobook
This book is deceiving in the fact you think you’re getting a book about a girl spending a year in Ireland who meets a Hollywood bad boy and they fall in love. But it is so much more – this story has so many layers and I was pleasantly surprised by how deep the story went. Jenny B. Jones has long been one of my favourite YA Christian authors and I would read just about anything she writes.
2. The Reckoning of Gossamer Pond by Jamie Jo Wright
Genre: Christian Fiction/Mystery/Historical Format: Print
I love how this author weaves the past and present together and isn’t afraid to touch onto the hard topics. This is the second book I’ve read by her and I am looking forward to reading more.
3. Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh
Genre: Christian Romance Format: Audiobook
Again a romance with so much more to the story beyond the swoon – broken families, broken people and hope for them to become whole. I liked this so much, I read more by this author this year.
4. How to Catch a Prince and Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck
Genre: Christian Romance Format: Audiobook
I love any story involving a royal lineage and this whole series, Royal Wedding, does not disappoint.
5. The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay
Genre: Adult Fiction Format: Print
This is the third or fourth book I’ve read by this author and she never disappoints.
6. Past Perfect Life by Elizabeth Eulberg
Genre:YA Format: Print
This story had such a twist that it was like WOW! Changed the whole course of the what I thought I was getting. A great example of why I love YA lit.
7. Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
Genre: YA Format: Print
A story of love in it’s most unselfish form. Read the book, watch the movie.
8. 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston
Genre: YA Format: Print
A fun holiday (Christmas) read.
9. Maybe This Time by Kasie West
Genre: YA Format: Print
Love Kasie West and particularly this story where the timing is never right, until it is.
10. Save the Date by Morgan Matson
Genre: YA Format: Print
A little romance and a whole lot of family dynamics in this story.
Runners-up: Vigilant by Sara Davison
Genre: Romantic Suspense Format: e-book
Love Sara because she always writes outside the box and this book is no exception.
The Valiant Series by Lesley Livingston
Genre: YA Format: Print
This series is about female Gladiators in the era of Caesar and Cleopatra. Really entertaining and fascinating to read about that time period. Warning: these books contained some mature content and would probably not fall under the clean genre.
As I look over my list, these books are about imperfect people who are striving to become better and imperfect families that read very true-to-lfe because they are messy, loud, and sometimes painful. It wasn’t intentional on my part but I guess that’s where my head is right now.
I did read a few non-fiction books as well. My favourite was Hillbilly Elegy by J.D.Vance. Runner-up Becoming by Michelle Obama.
Happy Reading in 2020! What books are you going to read in this new decade?