I made a promise to myself at the beginning of the year. I would read because I love to read! I would not make reading one more thing to mark off my to-do list! Reading should be for pleasure. I did not want to turn one of my favorite hobbies into something stressful. I also promised myself that if I wasn’t loving a book, I could stop reading it. No questions asked!
I sort of kept the promises I made to myself. Life got super crazy this year between homeschooling and special needs parenting, and reading for pleasure tended to be the first thing I stopped doing. I don’t necessarily like this fact, but at least I wasn’t stressing about finishing the pile of books on my bedside table.
I really hope to make reading more of a priority in 2019.
I still read a lot of good books this year. Here’s my list for 2018. My top three favorites are listed at the end…
An Island Christmas By Nancy Thayer
I wanted a fun Christmas read at the beginning of December, so I purchased this book on my Kindle. The story is set on Nantucket Island where family and friends gather for a Christmas wedding. It was a cute and quick read that got me in the holiday spirit.
The Christmas Sisters By Sarah Morgan
I loved this book! Loved it! I could not put it down. It’s about three sisters who were adopted at a young age after their parents were killed in a tragic climbing accident. I loved each and every character and the entire storyline. I had never read anything by Sarah Morgan before, but I’m looking forward to starting one of her book series next year!
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way By Lysa TerKeurst
This book is just what my weary soul needs as 2018 comes to a close. Parts of this year have been really hard. As a special needs mom, I often find myself thinking, it’s not supposed to be this way. I’m really enjoying this book. I plan to do the Bible study component of the book to kick off 2019.
One Day in December By Josie Silver
I started this book, but haven’t finished it yet. I’m only a few chapters in and so far I’m not hooked. The book is about a girl who sees a man through the bus window and instantly knows he’s her soul mate. She spends a year trying to find the mystery man and when their paths finally cross, he’s introduced to her as her best friends boyfriend.
I’m not ready to give up on the book just yet. I will keep reading and hopefully finish over the holiday break.
Just A Name By Becky Monson
I won an advanced copy of this romantic comedy! Holly Murphy had her life all planned out, until her fiancé ditched her. She’s stuck in a rut at work, but desperate to get the big promotion. Forced by her boss to take a vacation, she decides to go on her honeymoon with a complete stranger.
Remember God By Annie Downes
I enjoyed this book. It was a good reminder, in a difficult season, to remember all God has done for me in the past. To remember His faithfulness. Annie writes transparently and with a lot of bravery. It’s hard to admit you have doubts and sometimes question God’s goodness. Annie tackles doubt head on and shares how she replaced her doubts with a deeper faith.
Winter In Paradise By Elin Hilderbrand
I was so excited when I found out Elin Hilderbrand released a new winter trilogy. I loved her Winter Street series. The new series is a little different – it’s not set on Nantucket. I read a lot of mixed reviews about the first book, but I enjoyed it. I fell in love with several of the characters and I have no idea what kind of twists and turns are coming up in the storyline. Now I just have to wait until October 2019 to read the next one!
The Perfect Couple By Elin Hilderbrand
I preordered this book and it arrived in June. It took a lot of will power, but I saved it to read during our beach vacation in September. This was Hilderbrand’s first attempt at a murder mystery and it didn’t disappoint. Family and friends are gathered on Nantucket Island for a wedding. Hours before the big day, the maid of honor is found dead on the beach.
Forever Beach By Shelley Noble
This book piqued my interest because it’s about a young woman who grew up in the foster care system. Now, Sarah is trying desperately to adopt her foster daughter, while struggling with her own commitment issues. It was a decent read that shed light on the red tape involved in adopting through foster care.
The Read Aloud Family By Sarah Mackenzie
I wrote an entire blog post devoted to this book! I loved it so much. You can read all about it here.
Mindful Parenting for ADHD By Mark Bertin MD and Ari Tuckman PsyD
I haven’t read this book in it’s entirety, but the sections I’ve read have been so beneficial to helping me better understand my ADHD kid! Parts have been eye opening! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is parenting a child with ADHD.
The Life We Never Expected By Andrew and Rachel Wilson
This book is about a couple raising two children with Autism. They are transparent about the challenges they face raising children with special needs and how that has impacted their faith.
Me Before You By JoJo Moyes
I saw the movie before I read the book. I know, I know, I’m behind the times! I still thoroughly enjoyed the book, although I knew what was going to happen. I had every intention of reading the other books in this series, but I never got to them. I guess I will add them to my 2019 reading list! I’ve heard the third book is really, really good!
A Steep Price (Tracy Crosswhite #6) By Robert Dugoni
My favorite Seattle homicide detective is back! Tracy Crosswhite is asked to look into the disappearance of a young woman and immediately feels it isn’t an ordinary missing persons case. The young woman’s body is found in an abandoned well, and it’s up to Tracy to solve the case.
Same Beach, Next Year By Dorothea Benton Frank
This book was good, but a little strange.
Former high school sweethearts, Adam Stanley and Eve Landers, each with their spouses, find themselves at the same summer vacation destination. That first summer together, turns into 20 years of friendship.
The Baker’s Secret By Stephen P. Kiernan
I decided to read this book after it was recommended to me by a high school friend who also happens to love a good book. I’ll admit it took me a little bit to get into the book, but it turned out to be a really great story about a courageous young girl who risked her life daily to feed the people in her village during World War II.
All We Ever Wanted By Emily Giffin
I have to admit this wasn’t my favorite Emily Giffin novel. It had a pretty serious story-line and by the end it felt like the story just wasn’t finished. Something was missing.
On Fire By John O’Leary
As a child, the author of this motivational memoir, was severely burned in a house fire. I didn’t finish this book. It was very repetitive and didn’t keep my interest.
The Party By Robyn Harding
I wanted to like this book more. I finished it, but the entire time I was reading, I kept hoping it was going to get better.
It’s about a sweet sixteen party gone wrong and the dramatic fallout that follows.
Cancel The Wedding By Carolyn T. Dingman
I really enjoyed this book! I was expecting it to be light-hearted chick lit, but it had way more depth than I was expecting. Olivia has it all – an amazing career, a loving family and a handsome fiancé’ – but she’s struggling to accept her mother’s death. When she discovers her mother’s final wish is to have her ashes spread in the Georgia town where she grew up, she’s confused. Her mother rarely spoke about her childhood in Georgia, so why would she want her ashes spread there?
Sisters First By The Bush Twins
I’m from Texas and all politics aside, I love me some George W. Bush! He’s one of those people I would love to sit down and have a conversation with. This book, written by his twin daughters, made me laugh out loud more times than I could count. It also made me tear up a time or two, too. There are so many sweet stories about their sisterhood and friendship, about the sweet relationship they have with their parents and the amazing bond they share with their grandfather. The letters George Bush Sr. sends his granddaughters are priceless. It’s a sweet, sweet book! I really enjoyed it!
Center Ring By Nicole Waggoner
Nicole is my neighbor and her books had been on my “To Read List” for a while. I finally downloaded the first book and was quickly sucked in to the story of five female friends and their crazy lives. The first book in The Circus of Women Trilogy did not disappoint. The characters are well developed and the plot is fun and surprising. The topics run deep – affairs, eating disorders, infertility, suicide and much more. I downloaded book two as soon as I read the last page!
The Act By Nicole Waggoner
The second book in The Circus of Women Trilogy was just as good as the first one! I am eagerly awaiting book three!!! I can’t wait to find out how the story ends! These books are perfect for packing in your beach bag!
P.S. From Paris By Marc Levy
I downloaded this book for free on my Kindle. It probably isn’t a book I would have read, but the description intrigued me. It’s a quirky romance between an American author living in Paris and a British actress. It was a fun, light-hearted read.
Sisters Like Us By Susan Mallery
Sometimes I love Susan Mallery’s books and sometimes I find them lacking. Her newest book, Sisters Like Us was a good read! It’s part of the Mischief Bay Series and so far I’ve liked all the books in this series. Sisters Harper and Stacey couldn’t be more different. Harper was made to be a mother, while her sister is in denial that she’s about to become one. While Harper tries to get her life back together after an unexpected divorce, Stacey tries to get over her fear of motherhood.
Special Education at Home By Shawna Wingert
I stumbled across Shawna’s blog not long after we decided to homeschool. It is overflowing with good information! When I saw she had written a book, I immediately ordered it. It’s a simple read, but I found myself highlighting like crazy!
No One Ever Asked By Katie Ganshert
The adoption storyline is spot on! As an adoptive mama, I found myself saying, yes, yes, yes! more than one time. This book takes an honest, gut-wrenching look at racism in the United States. It is so, so good. I highly recommend it!
Everybody Always By Bob Goff
I kept seeing people post about this book so I ordered it off Amazon. I might be one of the only people who has not read Love Does. This book has made me laugh out loud and has made me cry.
It gets to the heart of what Jesus is all about – LOVE!
Begin Again By Leeana Tankersley
I had forgotten that I preordered this book, so I was surprised when I opened my mailbox.
I finished the book, but it wasn’t my favorite.
I loved the reminders to savor instead of strive (since that was my word for 2018).
I loved the challenge to live a slow, simple and surrendered life.
There were bits and pieces of it that really spoke to my heart, but it wasn’t a life-changing read for me.
Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace By Becky Monson
I really enjoyed this fun chick-lit! It’s all about Bridgette and her college love – the one that got away. I really enjoyed the storyline between Bridgette and Ian and how the book keeps you guessing. I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read by Monson, but this one might just be my favorite!
Taking A Chance (A Novella) By Becky Monson
Because I had read all of Monson’s books, I decided I needed to read her novella, too! It’s a cute little romance about two individuals who meet at the top of the Empire State Building. For 99 cents, how could I pass it up?
100 Days to Brave and Everyday Holy are two devotionals I used off and on this year. I didn’t finish either of them, but I go back to them when I need a little encouragement. They are great for busy mamas. You can read a little more about them here.
The Spinster Series By Becky Monson
A friend from high school recommended this series to me and it was just what I needed – good chick lit to escape the mundane moments of motherhood at the end of a long day!
The series consists of three books: Thirty-Two Going on Spinster; Thirty-Three Going on Girlfriend and Thirty-Four Going on Bride – all about quirky Julia Dorning and her hilarious life! You will laugh out loud!!! And an added perk – the books are super cheap to download to your Kindle! You can’t beat $3.99 or less per download!
Of Mess and Moxy By Jen Hatmaker
The same high school friend told me about this book and she recommended that I listen to it on Audible because Jen actually narrates it herself, making the funny parts even funnier.
I have a confession. I had never listened to an audio book until this one. (GASP!!!!)
But I decided to give it a whirl per my friends recommendation. I decided I could listen in the car and on my evening walks. I definitely laughed out loud a few times, but I’m just not sure audio books are my thing. It just felt weird. The book had many funny parts, but there were a few chapters that just didn’t hold my interest. I would be listening, only to find myself daydreaming about something else. I also wasn’t a fan of Jen reading recipes to me. I may have fast forwarded through them. Hey, I’m just not interested in your smoothie recipes.
Now That You Mention It By Kristan Higgins
I devoured this book during our road trip to St. Louis over Spring Break.
After surviving a hit and run and a breakup, Dr. Nora Stuart leaves Boston to return to Scupper Island, the place she’s avoided for more than a decade. The Island holds painful childhood memories, but she’s determined to uncover why her father left unexpectedly, make amends with her sister and finally heal from all her past hurts.
Girl, Wash Your Face By Rachel Hollis
Several friends on Facebook recommended this book and their recommendations are usually good! This one included. I could relate to this book in a lot of ways. Rachel shares a list of lies that she believed for way too long and how those lies kept her from being her best self. I’ve believed many of the same lies, too. That my weight determined my worth. I wrote a little bit about that here. I’ve believed I’m not good enough. I’ve believed I’m a bad mom. Rachel is funny and transparent and gives practical ways to stop believing the lies so you can become a better you!
The Connected Child By Karyn Purvis
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never read this book until now. I’m an adoptive mom who has not read the book every adoptive family is supposed to read before bringing their child home. Honestly, I didn’t think it related to our story all that much since we adopted privately and brought Jackson home from the hospital. Boy was I wrong! This book is for any adoptive family and has better opened my eyes to the needs of my son and how adoption does affect him. It is teaching me ways to better connect with him and be the best mother I can be.
Grace, Not Perfection By Emily Ley
A friend and avid reader recommended this book. When she gave it an A, I knew I needed to read it! I love the title. It reminds me of a blog by a similar name. 😉 I enjoyed this book – it was a great reminder I don’t have to be perfect. Grace is always available to me. This book reminded me to take time for the things I love – writing, reading, photography.
Accidentally Hers By Jamie Beck
I came across this book on my Kindle and it was cheap. It looked good so I downloaded it. It’s totally romantic chick lit and I do love to get lost in a good romance, but honestly, it was a little too steamy for me. I finished it and it was good, but it was uncomfortable to read at times.
Now for my top three books of 2018…
- Sisters First
- The Christmas Sisters
- No One Ever Asked