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Turn the Page: Top 10 Book Recs for the New Year

January 15, 2021 by Lauren 21 Comments

Little did we know at the start of last year how much time 2020 would eventually grant us to work through our reading resolutions.  And yet I managed to still waste too much time and not get to as many books as I wished.  I am resigned, however, that my reading list will never reach completion.  As soon as I cross one book off, I add three more.

 

With Christmas in the rear view, my thoughts turn to the books I still want to tackle.  So, in case you need some reading recommendations for the new year, I present my 10 favorites from those perused in 2020.  And the rest as well.

 

For When You Need Something Light (and Who Doesn’t These Days?)

  1. On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – Melanie remains one of my favorite authors and somehow knew exactly what 2020 needed.  Part humor, part memoir and all an encouragement to look for the good in any situation.
  2. Why I Hate Green Beans by Lincee Ray – Melanie Shankle wrote the intro and I agree with her synopsis.  This book feels like a conversation with an old friend.

For When You Want Something True(ish)

3.  My Dear Hamilton:  A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie – Yes, I know.  This is technically fiction, but so well researched that I learned a lot.  I have been a Hamilfan for several years, but this book gave me a much deeper understanding of the musical.  I enjoyed subsequent viewings on Disney+ even more.  This author team also wrote another favorite of mine – America’s First Daughter, which they based on the letters between Thomas Jefferson and his oldest daughter.  Do yourself a favor and read both!

4.  Wally Funk’s Race for Space:  The Extraordinary Story of a Female Aviation Pioneer by Sue Nelson – I can’t say for sure if my love for this book would be the same had I never met Ms. Funk.  She attends (at least pre-Covid-19) the senior center where I hold a part time job.  But I wanted to read it because I do find her fascinating!  She was among the Mercury 13, the first group of American pilots to complete NASA’s 1961 Women in Space Program.  Her physical and mental test scores outranked many male astronauts including John Glenn!  Unfortunately, the program’s sponsors cut funding, but she still awaits a trip to space now well into her 80’s.  Her many other accomplishments won’t fit in this post, but I think you will like to read about them in the book.

 

When the Prominent Topics of the Day Pique Your Interest

5.  Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry – a memoir from a girl of color who came to know God and learned she wasn’t who she thought all along.  Whether you want to learn more about same sex attraction or read more women of color, you won’t be sorry you picked up this beautifully written memoir.

6.  A Bigger World Yet:  Faith, Brotherhood and Same-Sex Needs by Tim Timmerman.  This one might be hard to find, but proved for me a very eye-opening perspective on how the church, and Christ-minded individuals might better love the same-sex attracted.

7.  White Rage:  The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson – Lots of books about racial inequality and justice got into lots of hands last year.  I chose this one, written by a reputable author, on good recommendation.  I won’t sugar coat how much my heart broke to read about some of the lesser known events of our nation’s history with regard to racial relations.  But I think it’s important to know how we got here so that we can do better.

 

When You Need to Read and Meditate More on Scripture

8.  Chasing Vines:  Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life by Beth Moore – Whether you read the book alone or do the workbook with videos in a group (I did both.), just read it.  Full of insight and truth with encouragement to introspect, you will come away with a new appreciation for the God of creation and want to know and serve Him better.

9.  Love Found a Way:  Stories of Christmas by Ron Mehl – Each chapter of this little book tells a precious freestanding story with enough scripture included to use for devotionals during Advent.  That’s what I did.

 

Last, but Not Least, Fiction

10.  The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson – You have to weed through a few curse words, but this story is a delight for the literary minded.  Part family mystery, part love story set in a background of books, books, books.  I read other fiction books last year, but none as enjoyable.

 

And the Rest (Some Good, Some Forgettable)

  1.  Confident Moms, Confident Daughters:  Helping Your Daughter Live Free from Insecurity and Love How She Looks by Maria Furlough.  Review here in To End a Generational Curse.
  2. Sharing Love Abundantly in Special Needs Families:  The 5 Love Languages for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities by Gary Chapman and Jolene Philo
  3. Rosemary:  The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson
  4. Out of a Far Country:  A Gay Son’s Journey to God, a Broken Mother’s Search for Hope by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan
  5. Rooted Peace (Small Town Secrets #3) by M.E. Weyerbacher.
  6. God’s Heart for the Nations by Jeff Lewis.
  7. Ready to Rise:  Own Your Voice, Gather Your Community, Step into Your Influence by Jo Saxton
  8. Sunday Punday:  Celebrate the Little Everyday Joys That Make Us Smile by Winsor Kinkade
  9. Well, Girl:  An Inside-Out Journey to Wellness by Jami Amerine
  10. Appeal to the Courtroom of Heaven by Shonda Whitworth
  11. Lose It For Life by Stephen Arterburn
  12. Where Does a Mother Go to Resign by Barbara Johnson
  13. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman
  14. Giant Killer:  A Heart Like David by Dennis Jernigan
  15. The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation:  How Knowing Ourselves Can Make Us More Like Jesus by A.J. Sherrill
  16. Chasing Vines Group Experience:  Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life by Beth Moore with Darin Buursma
  17. The Care of Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray
  18. The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
  19. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #8.5) by Angie Fox.  Don’t ask me why and don’t ask how this could be number 8 and a half in a series.
  20. The Christmas Honeymoon by Alicia Street
  21. Two Heart’ Christmas Wish (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance #4) by Tamara Ferguson

And now for this week’s featured post!

For one more week I selected a post similar to my own.  While I read lots of bloggers’ book recommendations, this is the first one I’ve seen written about books the writer wants to read versus books she already read.  I enjoyed this fresh twist and added a couple from her wish list to mine!  Visit Cathy at thoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com to read 5 Books on my Future Reading List.

 

Grace and Truth_Rules

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace Truth_Button

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

 

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Filed Under: book review, Christian, Grace & Truth Link Up Tagged With: books, reading

Comments

  1. ~ linda says

    January 15, 2021 at 10:06 am

    Upon reading this, “White Rage” stands out to me as I have read a number of the books out of late. Yes, these things are coming to light and appall me yet I am seeing it happening right now again! Especially with the 2020 elections. I am saddened and disgusted, all at the same time. Thanks for the other books too.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 18, 2021 at 3:29 pm

      I know just what you mean, Linda. Prayers for our nation constantly going up!

      Reply
  2. Laurie says

    January 15, 2021 at 12:27 pm

    Your TBR list sounds like mine. It is always growing, never shrinking! 🙂 Thanks for these good recommendations! It will make my list grow even more!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 18, 2021 at 3:28 pm

      Ah, a fellow bluestocking!

      Reply
  3. Tai East says

    January 15, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    This looks like a great list of recommendations, Lauren! And I’m looking forward to diving into quite a few of them. Thanks so much for sharing and thank you for hosting as well! 😊

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 18, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      My pleasure! So glad to be getting to know you online!

      Reply
  4. Jerralea says

    January 18, 2021 at 11:44 am

    I love reading other people’s book sugguestions – but my TBR pile is already bigger than I think I can get to in 2021!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 18, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      I know mine is!

      Reply
  5. Lisa notes says

    January 18, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    I love seeing your reading list, Lauren! So many of these books look good to me, too. White Rage would be my top pick of what I’d want to read next. Thanks for sharing these.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 19, 2021 at 9:34 pm

      Thanks for weighing in!

      Reply
  6. Donna Reidland says

    January 19, 2021 at 9:46 am

    Lauren, I didn’t get as many books read as I had hoped either. I start too many and finish too few. This year, my goal is to stay with what I’ve started. Blessings and thanks for hosting.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 19, 2021 at 9:34 pm

      That’s funny. I have an inability to quit on a book. It has to be very offensive or the dullest thing ever. Otherwise I always push on through. Some kind of internal legalism I’m sure.

      Reply
  7. Maryleigh says

    January 20, 2021 at 5:05 pm

    The cook in me wants me to dive into the green bean book! LOL – and the Dear Hamilton – During recovery in January, February and March – I read and read because I couldn’t sleep – but I read books that were like going home – and then I sprang out and read others out of my usual book choices. Thanks for the list – I love reading!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 24, 2021 at 9:48 pm

      I love it too, Maryleigh. Which is why I love recommendations from others. So I thought I would share some.

      Reply
  8. Shelbee on the Edge says

    January 21, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    Really fantastic round up of titles, Lauren! All three listed in the prominent topics section really piqued my interest as well as Wally Funk’s Race for Space. Thanks for linking with me!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 24, 2021 at 9:47 pm

      I love to get reading recs so I thought I would share some too!

      Reply
  9. Laura Thomas says

    January 24, 2021 at 10:01 am

    You have some fabulous recommendations here! Chasing Vines was one of my favourites, and definitely a book I’ll refer back to time and again. Stopping by from #heartencouragement 🤗

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 24, 2021 at 9:41 pm

      Beth Moore is a treasure.

      Reply
  10. Elena Wiggins says

    January 29, 2021 at 8:06 pm

    I am in a prayer group with Melanie Shankle’s mother-in-law, so it’s fun seeing her books on different blogs because I am rooting for her! I loved Gay Girl Good God. Jackie Hill Perry is an amazing author, poet, and Bible teacher.

    Linking my favorite books of 2020, if interested!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      January 30, 2021 at 11:17 pm

      Thanks! I will look at your books, too.

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        January 31, 2021 at 4:57 pm

        Thank you for weighing in on all my stuff!

        Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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