My Best-Loved Books of 2016

Jan 05 2017 My Best-Loved Books of 2016

Can we talk about books?

I enjoyed this last year (see: http://wp.me/p4RztF-ve).

Let’s do it again!

Most of the following books did not come out in 2016, and there is no particular order of favorites. I use the Goodreads app. On the app is a list of books I’d like to read. I usually check books at the library or borrow them on my Kindle. Sometimes, I’ll splurge and buy a book if it is one I know I’ll want to highlight and return to again and again. Amazon often offers used books and free shipping for Prime members. I also like http://www.half.com. As a bookaholic, I must keep my book budget down to keep the children fed.

Please feel free to jump over to my Books page on the site: http://wp.me/P4RztF-g1

Here we go. 

My top 10 of 2016:

A scarf weaves together two women a century apart.  I stayed up too late reading this one. Susan Meissner writes beautiful fiction. I’m not a fan of contemporary novels, yet I enjoyed the parallel storytelling a century apart and the contemporary characters. AND it was “clean”.

Pondering Piper. Reading Piper always makes me feel smarter. His thoughts and theology are lofty yet reachable for even my brain. The author reflects on his marriage and shares his view (backed up by scripture) of marriage as a covenant.  Piper presents a vision of marriage for married couples, those widowed, and pre-married. I have read the last few chapters many times. Wow.

My girlfriend gave me this excellent book to read during a dark and painful time. I loved every word. Max Lucado encourages his readers by examining the life of Joseph at the end of Genesis. Going through pain isn’t usually quick or easy, as most of us have learned. I was deeply inspired and comforted by the message of hope given here—that God redeems evil for good. Yes, He does.

Bob Goff is a fascinating man! His conversational stories are inspiring. This dude is bursting with a life yielded to God. He embraces each day, inviting his reader to live love as a verb. So worth the read.

My favorite nonfiction book of the year. This book fell into my hands at the perfect time—a God thing. Margaret is a cancer survivor. She reflects on her journey and the ways she incorporated JOY as a tool in healing and surviving. She maintains that God’s joy is a weapon to fight life’s battles. I needed this book and learned (and continue to learn) to fight back with JOY.

This is an irresistible title. I adore Father Tim and the Mitford gang. This delightful series holds my heart. I finally finished reading this one (#10) and the following novel (Dooley’s Wedding and #11) in 2016. These characters feel like family.

This book started slowly but picked up, and I was hooked. It is a historical novel about Ethel and Julius Rosenberg told from the perspective of their neighbor and friend. I have been interested in this couple since learning of them in 10th-grade history. Were they innocent? This book will make you wonder. PG-13 in places.

 Many people struggle with depression and do not want to use medication. I tend to fall into the “natural remedy” group myself. Dr. Brogan asserts that the best way to heal the mind is to heal the body, beginning in the gut. I found this book revolutionary and opposite of everything else I’ve read. The author gives a pretty radical plan for a lifestyle shift. Interesting theories and lots to think about here. FYI: evolutionary-based.

Let’s hear it for the introverts! What a fascinating read this is. Susan Cain presents her case by maintaining that introverts are undervalued in an extrovert world. This is a helpful book for anyone in leadership, parenting, or working with children. The author cites loads of research in psychology and neuroscience and gives examples of “successful” introverts. It’s long but fascinating.

A lovely book. Cynthia Ruchti presents beautiful metaphors comparing tattered art to tattered lives. I reread many sentences loving her gentle and graceful style. This hope-filled book ministered to my tattered soul by giving me weighted confidence in my restoration.  

Currently reading:

On my list for 2017:

God used books in 2016 to minister and encourage me. But the book that did those things more than any other was the Bible. Therefore, I must give an honorable mention to the book of Psalms. I camped out in Psalms for six months and chose this beloved verse to end this post: 

Happy New Year and happy reading!

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