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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).

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Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

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

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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Now Let’s Link Up!

 

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Help for Reading Resolutioners

January 10, 2020 by Lauren 33 Comments

Photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash

While many are setting New Year’s goals and making promises they may or may not keep, may I selfishly encourage you to consider a reading resolution this year.  It’s selfish only because I am a writer who needs readers.  But reading benefits us on so many levels.

 

Reading improves memory, enhances vocabulary, increases creativity, relieves stress and lowers blood pressure, and makes you more empathetic.  Books provide entertainment, education and keep the brain young.  In my un-asked-for opinion, getting lost in a biography or novel is also a much easier path to self-improvement than going keto.

 

I read about half as many books in 2019 as I did in 2018.  I don’t think I actually spent that much less time physically reading, but I did discover a wheelbarrow load of new podcasts that kept me from listening to as many audio books.  If you are looking for some reading inspiration for 2020, I gladly share what I consumed last year and even divided them into categories – with the tiniest of commentary.

 

Fiction

  1.  When We Were Young by Karen Kingsbury .  I used to read all of her books.  I don’t follow Kingsbury that closely anymore, but I’m so invested in the make-believe Baxter Family after all these years that I have to keep up with anything about them.
  2. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery.  I’m a fan of hers from way back and discovered an old but new-to-me title.
  3. Gennie the Huguenot Woman by Bette M Ross (It’s a long and weird story why I chose to read this, but it is actually pretty good.)

And that, sadly, completes my fiction list.  When I looked back at my year in books this appalled me.  I resolve right now to indulge in more stories in the months to come.

 

Devotional or Bible Study

  1.  Perseverance:  30 Devotions for Faith that Moves Mountains.  I had to list this one.  It’s the first book I’ve ever been published in.  And I’m proud to be included.
  2. Seeing God’s Hand Through the Art of Sign Language by Connie Rowland
  3. Discerning the Voice of God:  How to Recognize When God Speaks by Priscilla Shirer
  4. Awaken:  90 Days with the God Who Speaks by Priscilla Shirer (I love her)

 

Books on Writing

  1.  The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.  Yep.  That’s it.  I am a student of my craft.

 

Non-Fiction

  1.  Is the Bible Good for Women?:  Seeking Clarity and Confidence Through a Jesus-Centered Understanding of Scripture by Wendy Alsup
  2. Mended:  Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters by Blythe Daniel and Helen McIntosh
  3. Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors:  How Less-Than-Perfect Parents Can Raise (Kind of) Great Kids by Jami Amerine
  4. Stolen Jesus:  An Unconventional Search for the Real Savior by Jami Amerine (I really dig her raw and honest voice)
  5. When Harry Became Sally:  Responding to the Transgender Moment by Ryan T. Anderson (It’s time for the church to talk about it.)
  6. The Power of Christian Contentment by Andrew M. Davis (a definite struggle for me).
  7. Big Magic:  Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert (For me, this did not live up to the hype.)
  8. It’s a Love Story:  From Happily to Ever After  by Lincee Ray
  9. The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg
  10. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality:  It’s Impossible to be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature by Peter Scazzero
  11. Prototype:  What Happens When You Discover You’re More Like Jesus Than You Think?  by Jonathan Martin
  12. The Wondering Years:  How Pop Culture Helped Me Answer Life’s Biggest Questions by Knox McCoy (a gift from my BFF)
  13. Sex, Jesus, and The Conversations the Church Forgot by Mo Isom
  14. Giddy Up, Eunice (Because Women Need Each Other) by Sophie Hudson (I love her podcast with Melanie Shankle.)
  15. Anatomy of a Song:  The Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits that Changed Rock, R&B and Pop by Marc Myers (Just listen to the songs.)
  16. For Young Women Only:  What You Need to Know About How Guys Think by Shaunti Feldhahn (I read this to discuss with my daughter because For Women Only:  What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men was extremely eye opening to me as a newlywed.  The original was much better and I would advise any moms out there to just go with the more “adult” book for convos with your daughter about boys and dating.)

Books That Should Be Required Reading

  1.  Night by Elie Wiesel (hard, but important)
  2. The Louder Song:  Listening for Hope in the Midst of Lament by Aubrey Sampson (taught me so much about being real)
  3. Winning the Heart of Your Child by Mike Berry (even though my kids are older, this book motivated me to change my parenting)
  4. Your Future Self Will Thank You:  Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science (A Guide for Sinners, Quitters and Procrastinators) by Drew Dyck  (Just look at the title!  Do you not fall into one of those categories!?!)
  5. A Practical Guide to Culture:  Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle
  6. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands:  People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives) by Paul David Tripp (All church members should read and apply.  It’s really about being a good friend.)

Books That Will Make You LOL

  1.  I Ain’t Doin’ It:  Unfiltered Thoughts From a Sarcastic Southern Sweetheart by Heather Land (If you like yourself at all, get it on audio and prepare to need to change your underpants.)
  2. by Melanie Shankle (one of my all-time fave authors and speakers)

Christmas Books (Saved for Last Because You Won’t Need Them for a While)

  1.  Because of Bethlehem:  Love is Born, Hope is Here by Max Lucado
  2. Christmas Joy:  A Novel by Nancy Naigle (the delightful book equivalent of a Hallmark Christmas movie)
  3. Christmas in Georgia by Celestine Sibley
  4. Touching Wonder:  Recapturing the Awe of Christmas by John Blase (LOVE!)

I hope you found something here to intrigue or inspire.  If you did, do me a solid and order from my link so I get a small commission.  It helps me keep the lights on this site.  I would also love to hear about your favorite recent reads in the comments.  I need some inspo too!  Happy reading!

 

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!

 

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Hearth and Soul Link Party,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

Legacy Link Up, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

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About Me

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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