I’m always so excited about making this list every year. Some years it has been hard to figure out how out of all the books I’ve read, how to get it down to ten. Some years, it’s been a stretch. This year, the list came together easily. There were only eleven books that I wanted to put on this list and it was easy to cut one out.
First, let's look at some fun stats from the year:
You can see more by going to my Goodreads page HERE.
So, here are the top ten books I read in 2018
First, let's look at some fun stats from the year:
So, here are the top ten books I read in 2018
10. The Lost Heiress
This was an early read in the year. While fiction, it helped me process some of my own feelings. The story itself is brilliantly written and powerful. I listened to the audio version and the narration was perfect.
9. Monster
I’ve wanted to read this book for years since it came out. I finally was able to read it during the time that I had Kindle Unlimited. This was not an easy book to read. It was heart-pounding, disgusting at times, and sad. Yet the point of the story and the careful way that things were handled made it one of my favorites for the year. It was a compelling book that examines the value of life – every life.
I read all of Meredith Allady’s books this year and I loved them all. Letters to Julia was my favorite. It has the feeling of a Jane Austen with stronger elements of faith, and a loving family at the center. I enjoyed this book so much.
I’ve almost read this entire series by Charles Swindoll. I wasn’t expecting this book to be so impactful. This was another book that helped me process some of my own emotions. His insight from the book of Job on how to deal with stressful situations while they are happening and afterward was extremely helpful.
One of the things that I love with this whole series is that it reflects life in a powerful way. Joy and sorrow are intermingled in a powerful way. This whole series is amazing, and I think all of them have made my yearly list. It is fantasy at its best.
I have long admired the Edwards family. I’ve read a lot of books about them and I knew they had a connection with Brainerd. I read this book and I have to say I haven’t read another book like it. It was honest about how girls can struggle with feeling attraction and attachment to a man without any encouragement. It also showed a godly way of handling it. This story was also about true love, devotion to God, and self-sacrifice. It made me want to revisit all those books I read about this family and also encouraged me in my walk with God.
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This book made me think, a lot. It helped remind me of the importance of a close, intimate friendship with God. Do I agree with the author on every aspect? No. However, as Carolyn Currey examined the men and women of the Bible that have shared a close friendship with God, I was reminded that, despite what the world says, friendship with God is more important than a successful career, a marriage, and children, or any achievements that might seem important.
3. Beloved
My brother bought me this series at a time when I needed it. This trilogy, written as kingdom fantasy, has the same feeling as the book of Kings. It feels a lot like Isreal but also feels like the story of our hearts. I think it was about a week before I felt like reading anything else. It left me feeling satisfied, victorious, and hopeful.
While classified as fiction, this story is true. Margaret Landon took the books that Anna Leonowens’ wrote, did some research into some of the events, and produced this story. I read this book with a friend. We had been reading a classic each month this year. This book caught me by surprise. This book was a powerful reminder to me of sticking to the course. I was discouraged because my life is pretty much at the same place it has been in for years, only a little busier. I can’t see a lot of results from my labor and choices. Anna went to teach in a very hostile environment and her months and years in Siam were filled with discouragement. She kept her goal in mind: She could help shape a better future if she stayed the course and taught the royal children. She made a huge impact on the next generation. Things like slavery disappeared quickly when the children she taught took power all because she didn’t give up.
Those of you who have been following me for a while, know that 2017 was a tough year. 2018 was a year of healing. In October, I read this book and realized that one of the things I had stopped doing was praying for big things. I had been so disappointed in 2017, I was afraid to ask for anything but the smallest things. I have a prayer card in my Bible now with a list of things only God can do. I pray for them almost daily. As I worked through the book and workbook, I also experienced some answers for wisdom about some of the smaller things I was facing. This book helped me process a lot of things and helped rekindle the flame in my heart.
There you have it! My top 10 books of 2018. You can find lists of past years here.
What are your top ten?
I wasn’t planning on writing a blog post but as 2018 is drawing to a close, I had some words on my heart I wanted to share.
2018 has been a year of healing. I spent the first day of the year crying because I felt so broken. I wondered if any amount of time would put together the pieces of my heart that had been pounded to a pulp by 2017. I cried because I didn’t want to have to face another year that might hold just as much hurt.
I sit here tonight, looking back at a year that was nothing like what I dreamed, with many of my prayers still unanswered, but with a heart that has healed and is stronger and wiser.
I’ve prayed diligently that relationships that had been destroyed in 2017 would be restored, God said no.
I prayed that my sister Rose, who had her heart broken would find new love it 2017, God said no.
I planned that 2018 would be a year full of writing, instead, God provided two other jobs to take up much of my time.
I didn’t know if I would be able to trust others like I did before, my Heavenly Father has given me the strength to do so.
I wanted to hide from the outside world, God laughed and gave me more new people and places than I’ve had in a long time.
I never thought I would recover, in a sense, I haven’t. I hope I never do, because the healing that I’ve experienced has drawn me closer to God, left me in awe of the day to day grace.
In reflecting on the past year I found myself thinking about Joseph. Since I was a sickly teenager, he has been my hero. He faced overwhelming challenges. He was ripped from his home by his own brothers. He built a life out of nothing with the help of God only to have it ripped out from under him by one false accusation.
As I writer, I’ve often imagined what the darkest moment of Joseph’s life was and what it felt like. I have to think it was a couple of weeks after he had been thrown into prison. He wasn’t getting out, he had a lot of time to think, and he knew how hard it was to rebuild a life. This time, he had even less opportunity than he did in as a slave. As he sat in that cell, I imagine that there came a moment when he realized he had a choice. He could give up and just let his new life wrap around him and consume him or he could believe that God was still working all things out for his good.
We see which path he took. Like anyone, there had to be many times when he was discouraged and the choice was again placed before him. We can see by the results that he chose to trust that God was working things out for his ultimate good.
Perhaps, that’s a lesson that I’m really grasping this year. I don’t understand a lot of things. I don’t understand why there aren’t any wedding rings for any of my siblings. I don’t know why prayers for restoration for broken relationships has been answered with a no. I don’t understand why God has made some aspects of my life so easy when others have it so hard. I don’t really need to.
Perhaps what I’m learning is something I grasped in my early teens and somehow lost: Sometimes, there aren’t answers. We aren’t always told why, how, or when. Sometimes, we have to trust that God is in control and everything is working out for our good. Trusting the One who made all things and knows all things seems logical when you think about it.
I don’t know what 2019 holds, but I don’t need to. I know the One who holds 2019.
This sale starts on Friday!
*Please note that my participation does not mean endorsement of the other books involved*
Look for some big deals on the Tales of Taelis series.
There's nothing quite like finishing off a cool autumn day with a bonfire and some smores. So I think it is fitting that we are ending Five Fall Favorites with Bonfires and going over my favorite books of the year, so far.
This whole series was not only amazingly written, but impactful. This last book made me so happy with its inspiring ending. I couldn't read anything else for a couple of days because they seemed so pale in comparison.
This book is the perfect mix of history and fiction. I love how real this story is about emotions and desires, yet handled in a godly way. I've never liked books that pretended that girls could choose not to have feelings almost as much as I disliked books that acted as if we have no control over them. I knew a little bit about David Brainard and quite a bit about Jonathan and Sarah Edwards, but this book made me want to read more about their lives.
I've wanted to read this book since the day it came out. I finally read it on Kindle Unlimited and will probably be buying the paperback early next year because it was so good. This is a deep look at the sanctity of life and what that really means. This book isn't easy to get through, but it is powerful.
I loved the first book in this series but I think I enjoyed this one even more. I fell in love with this family in the first book and it was so fun to see them again and continue their story. If you like Jane Austen, only you want something with more faith in it, this book is for you.
White is a masterful storyteller. While I love many authors, there are a few that just stand out, and she is one of them. This story gripped my heart and didn't let go. I was a puddle of emotion during the whole book (as my sisters will attest to).
1. Brothers at Arms by Jack Lewis Baillot
2. With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin
This is the first of three Sarah Sundin books on my list. She has impacted me a lot, but this is my favorite story she has written. This is about a girl learning about friendship, a young man learning about leadership, and both finding love through letters.
3. A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin
This book isn't for young readers (because of the topic of rape) but this story touched me deeply. Jack's discovers that he is a prideful person. I saw myself reflected in his story and God used this story in my life.
4. A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin
This was the first Sundin book I read and I still love it. It isn't just a romance -- it's about a young woman discovering a real a thriving faith.
5. Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer
Several soldiers enter and exit Rebekah's life as she learns about life and love. This is a story set at the end of World War One and the Spanish Flu epidemic. It is one of my favorite books ever.
Click on the image to get the whole series. For the next two days, you can buy them all for less than a cup of coffee!
It's the last day to enter to win the awesome giveaway!
1. Atonement for Emily Adams by Susan R. Lawrence
I'm always working through all those free books I get on Kindle. I've found good books and bad books. This book was a stellar book. This was the story of how different people handle the death of one little boy. It was very realistically done and Christ shone through the story.
2. October by J. Grace Pennington
This wasn't an easy story to read, but it was so powerful. I think a lot of young people need to read it and know they aren't alone in their struggles. This book is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.
3. Becoming Nikki by Ashley Elliott
From two very serious books, this one is just plain fun! Okay, there are some serious themes but this is a lighthearted sibling story that I enjoyed a lot.
4. Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay
This story was fun but also tugged at my heartstrings. It connected to my beloved Jane Austen, had a powerful message, and memorable characters.
You know what else is contemporary? This awesome giveaway! Go ahead and enter to win!
Is there any sight more delightful to a homeschooler then backpacks on sale. I know to this day, I'm thrilled when school is back in session. It isn't that I don't like children, but I do love that my favorite haunts are less busy. Besides, backpacks are great for stuffing books into...right? Especially if you are going to carry them somewhere to read aloud. Here are some books that I have, or thing would be great to read aloud.
1. Little Woman
Some of my favorite memories are of my sisters and me carrying water bottles and craft projects up to a special place on our land and reading Little Woman aloud under a big tree. It took us a few months to get through the book, but those are memories I treasure.
2. In Grandma's Attic
I don't know how many times we read this book and the others in the series aloud to each other. I know my Mom did a unit study with my siblings based on this book and she read it aloud. Since each chapter is a story, it was perfect for such things.
3. Home on Stony Creek
This was my absolute favorite series in from ages 11 to 15. I read it aloud twice to my siblings and about four or five times to myself. Set in Colonial America, it fueled my love for history, good stories, and even my own writing.
4. A Year with the Potters by Rebekah Jones
I never read this book aloud, but when I read it, I know that it would be perfect for that. I have a copy on my shelf to read to my future children.
5. Aunt Crete's Emancipation by Grace Livingston Hill
I remember my Dad reading this aloud to our family a couple of times. It always makes me think of family. It is a sweet Cinderella story of sorts. A story of love between an aunt and her nephew.
Don't waste any time, enter to win our giveaway!
