I had no intention of doing a top 10 books post this January.  I recount them (although usually with no critique of any kind) in my month end reviews.  But then I saw that 2 of my 10 most read posts of last year were book themed.  And I know how much I always love book recommendations from people I trust.

Well I guess I’m presuming a lot now to say that you trust me or my taste.  Maybe you do and maybe you don’t.  But for what it’s worth, here are my 10 favorites of all the books (29) I read last year.

My Top 10 (in No Particular Order)

1.  I’m Still Here:  Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown.  This New York Times Bestseller and Reese’s Book Club Pick gave me a tiny glimpse into a world I will never understand.  That of growing up black, Christian and female.  But I will keep on trying to learn.

2.  Messy Grace:  How a Pastor with Gay Parents Learned to Love Others without Sacrificing Conviction by Caleb Kaltenbach.  My mom runs a church library and had this one on her shelves when I needed it.  Many lessons for me here as I learn to navigate relationships with others who are different from me.

3.  The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers.  This author wrote some of my favorite novels (maybe you’ve heard of a little book called Redeeming Love – now also a movie!), but it’s been a while since I’ve indulged in one of hers.  This one did not disappoint.

4.  Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus:  How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg.  The more I get to know Jesus the more I love Him.  And this book helped me love Him more.  So interesting.

5.  Eat Cake, Be Brave by Melissa Radke.  I felt like I knew Melissa after reading this endearing memoir that I picked up from a used bookstore.  And I so wanted to be her friend.  She encouraged me and made me laugh.  Both things I enjoy in a book.

6.  Taken at Birth:  Stolen Babies, Hidden Lies and my Journey to Finding Home by Jane Blasio.  A very different kind of memoir that I was fortunate enough to be gifted in exchange for a review.  Spoiler:  I loved this story that is part true crime, part soul searching genealogy.

7.  Steal Like an Artist:  10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon.  Every year I try to read a few things to help me improve as a writer.  This one, found at my local library, was both informative and fun!  And I found it applicable to other creative arts as well.

8.  Holy Sexuality and the Gospel:  Sex, Desire and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story by Christopher Yuan.  I previously read Yuan’s memoir – Out of a Far Country:  A Gay Son’s Journey to God.  A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope – written with his mother.  He has since become a leading voice on LGBTQ+ from a biblical perspective. 

9.  If I Were You by Lynn Austin.  This was my favorite fiction read of the year.  If you love a period piece – especially WWII – give it a try.  It was sweet and suspenseful and fascinating.  It’s not often I find myself telling family and friends about the plot of a book, but I couldn’t help myself with this one.

10.  Hidden Christmas:  The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ by Timothy Keller.  So good that I quoted from it the entire month of December on my socials.

There you have it!  I would love to hear your opinion on any of these you have already read.  Or let me know if you decide to pick one up.  Also, comment with your favorite book from last year or what you are currently reading to give me some new recommendations!

Happy reading!

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

Carlie Lake of From Dust Toward the Heavens dropped a challenge for us all with In This Dark World, Do Your Words Leave Room for Hope?  

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).

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

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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