This was an odd reading year for me. Not only did I read less but I have more books than usual that I never finished and hated. It wasn't a fantastic reading year. However, even with that, there were some pretty awesome books that stood out and made this list.
I did a lot of reading this year via Scribd. If you want to try it out, click HERE to get two months free trial.
I also used my Kindle, Audible, and (of course) old-fashioned paperbacks. You can see all my Goodreads stats HERE.
#10
What Dreams May Come by Alana Terry
I found this book at the thrift store a few years back and sat down one day when I was sick and read it cover to cover. It was a gentler story that blessed me with its heart and strong faith. This was my first Alana Terry book and it won't be my last.
#9
When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey
Our pastor, Aaron, gave Scott and I each a copy during our premarital counseling. It was the only marriage book I read all the way through and I know I'll be returning to it. It's not an exhaustive source, but it does get to the heart of so many things. I feel like I would have benefited from it even years ago as a single.
#8
Kingdom Single by Tony Evens
This was the first read of the year and one of the best books on singleness I've ever read. While I'm no longer single, I still am grateful for the positive impact this book had and will continue to recommend it to others.
#7
Before I called you Mine by Nicole Deese
This was another new to me author, and so far everything else I've read by her has fallen short of the abslout amazingness of this story. The struggles in this story are so relatable, the emotions so well captured that even I teared up several times while reading (and that doesn't happen often). I know I will be rereading this book again before too long.
#6
Suffering is never for nothing by Elisabeth Elliot
I have been so blessed by Elliot's works since I was young. This book is a new release compiled from a series of lectures she gave on the topic. Again, this will be another book I will be rereading and find value in the future.
#5
The Lines Between Us by Amy Lynn Green
This was the second novel by Amy Lynn Green I read this year and it was stellar. I really didn't think that she could write a book as brilliant as her first book but I was wrong. This book was amazing and delved into both unique history and some wonderful moral questions.
#4
The Heir of Redclyffe by Charlotte Mary Younge
I learned about this author while reading the book Snuffed Out. My friend Kelsey and I read it together and I was blown away not only by the readability, but by the depth of characters and exploration into pride and humility. This is an old book and author, but it is a timeless gem.
#3
Love, Paris by Natasha Metzler
Ever since I read Emma and the Reasons, I have been waiting for the next book in the series. This was an emotional book I felt a whole lot of emotions while reading it. I even had to stop a couple of times. Metzler wove a realistic story about a girl who made a string of really bad choices, but whom God redeemed.
#2
Things We Didn't Say by Amy Lynn Green
This book... where do I even start? I love epistolary novels, but this is the best epistolary novel I have ever read. Not only that, it was such an amazing and unique story that I never wanted it to end. It was so, so good. The characters were vivid, the history it captured unique, and moral questions asked were so well thought out. I had a hard time reading after this book because everything felt dull in comparison.
#1
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane C. Ortlund
This one has been recommended by my pastors for a while and I was glad to dig into it. I was more blessed by this book than I thought I could be. It was theologically rich and extremely well written. I've already given the book to some others, it was too good not to share.
What were your favorite reads of the year?