I love to read. The smell of books, the feel in my hands, the way authors pull together words and characters and ideas that teach, transport, and fill me in ways I could never do on my own. So I thought I would share with you some of my favorite 2018 books.

I started keeping a reading journal about two years ago, prompted mostly by my poor memory. Did I already read that book? What was it about? Did I even like it?  I wish had done this years ago.

My journal is simple. I write the title of the book, the author, the date I started (sometimes), the date I finished (sometimes), and a brief summary of the plot and/or my thoughts about the book. Sometimes I give it stars. Sometimes I write a favorite quote or two. If I don’t finish the book (gasp!), then I write why.

I’ve never set a reading goal, but since I started keeping track of books, I’m tempted. To date, I’ve read 35 books in 2018 including e-books, traditional books, audio, fiction, non-fiction, Bible studies, and for the first time ever, reading through the Bible with a chronological plan.

I upped my book count by listening while driving, walking, folding laundry. I’ve also read tons more because we cut our cable. That’s another story.

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Why and What I Read

I don’t tell you this to boast or invite competition or to make you sigh if you’ve read one or two books this year. Or none.

Reading is part of my work. It’s a life-long hobby for sure, but it’s also been my life-long discipline as a literature student, teacher, and writer. So if you are a nurse, a lawyer, an elementary teacher, a dental assistant, a realtor, a dietician, a home-schooling mom with littles everywhere? You read different things. Maybe you don’t have the time or the desire to pull out a mystery or the latest New York Times Bestseller. Netflix calls you at the end of the day. And even if you have time, you need to sleep or throw in a load of whites or buy spinach.

So breathe.

I share my list because I would love to inspire you to read one more book next year, and maybe you’ll find that book here.

These aren’t full-fledged reviews, just snippets of my reflections on what I thought were the best of my reading year, plus a link to a summary. (If you like more deep-dives into books before picking them up, check out my book club.)

I will also try to warn you about any sensitive triggers and language. I’m using the sometimes ambiguous cinematic ratings but hoping this will place it on the radar for you. I read widely. While I don’t like bad language, sometimes it’s there. I try to vet books first to be sure I’ll be okay. (As I prepare this list to share, I realize I need to be better with note-taking since I’m having a harder time remembering all the details!)

Additionally, I don’t always agree with all the author’s politics, theology, ideology, or any other -ology expressed within the pages. I’m okay with that. I chose the books for this list because I like the writing, the characters, the story, the lessons. I love to have conversations about the characters and their choices, their sins, and their redemption — just as I love to have conversations about my own choices, sins, and redemption.

Grace. It’s here and there and everywhere. Thankfully, Ephesians 2:8, 9, and 10 is a promise.

Finally, as a writer working on my first novel — still! — I have so much respect and admiration for published authors, whether it’s their first book or their fiftieth. What perseverance; what discipline; what focus!

Okay. Enough of me. Here’s the list. Enjoy.

My Favorite Books from 2018

Contemporary Fiction

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

I listened to this book on Audible and wished I was reading a hard copy so I could return again and again to beautiful phrases. I love a book filled with characters whose lives become intertwined. (Dickens!) Gorgeous language. I believe it took Mr. Doerr ten years to write. War-time violence, some language. (R)

The Cruelest Month and A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

These are No. 3 & 4 in the Inspector Gamache series. I got hooked late to these carefully crafted and beautifully written mysteries, so I’m pacing myself and reading two or three a year. Ms. Penny published No. 14 less than a month ago, so if I keep that rate, I can count on good mysteries for a few more years. I was drawn into the lives of the unforgettable Three Pines characters. You don’t have to begin at the beginning, but I like to follow the characters from the start. (PG-13)

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

A friend let me borrow this little book, less than 200 pages, and I read it fast. I have mixed feelings about the ending, but the book is beautifully written and a great conversation-starter about a challenging time in our history. It was selected by our Michigan town as the “Big Read” a couple years ago. (PG-13)

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste NgI

I just learned that this will be a Hulu mini-series with Reese Witherspoon. I’m always hesitant to see what Hollywood does with a well-crafted book, but I’m curious enough to tune in. The book explores numerous big themes: motherhood, race, young love, class, and loss, all with poetic language. I was eager to see what would happen to these troubled characters. Would there be more fires? Or would there be light and life? Please be warned. The story includes teenage sexual relations and other events that may be difficult to read. (R)

The Likeness by Tana French

This is Book 2 of 5 books in the Dublin Mystery Series. It’s gritty and dark and not at all cozy, so if you don’t like those characteristics, then cross this off your list. French is a master, though. She reminds me of Elizabeth George, another gritty mystery writer, in these page-turning who-done-its. Lots of rich character-driven story lines, and she still keeps me guessing. Definitely language and violence. (R)

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

I just listened to this newest release by Kate Morton. I have loved so many of her other books, and this one didn’t disappoint, although it’s not my favorite. This one is a multiple timeline story with intricate characters and relationships focused on murder, love, art, history, and beauty. A 17-hour listen, this one satisfied my love of an epic story that you don’t want to end. (PG-13)

Before We Were Yours   by Lisa Wingate

Two families, two generations, and one real-life scandal about a Memphis-based adoption agency that kidnapped and sold children. It’s an eye-opener. Yes, it’s fiction, but it is based on real events. Lisa tells this story with grace and gentleness. The plot-line is troubling, but this one doesn’t dig too deep into the ugliness. (PG)

Christian Fiction

Lest you think I only read gritty mysteries or R-rated books, here are two of the best from this year that reveal the balance in my reading life. I crave a fun story that ends happily tossed in with the hard stuff. (I read many more, but these are my recommended ones.)

The Story People by Heather Kaufman

This is a delightful novel about stories, relationships, and love. It’s set in a small Midwest town with an indie bookstore, heart-warming characters, God’s grace, and a happy ending. Check out Heather’s behind-the-scenes clips about how she came to write this novel. In her words, the novel has “a lot of shenanigans and a lot of celebrating!” Perfect for younger readers too. (G)

Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber

How can you go wrong with romance, a seaside setting, a bit of mystery, and a happy ending? This was my 8-hour round trip driving audiobook when I attended the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Nashville last fall. Coincidentally, Debbie Macomber was our keynote speaker. She is a lovely heart-warming encourager. Just like her millions of well-loved books. (G)

Non-fiction

Endurance by Alfred Lansing

The incredible true story of Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 expedition to reach the South Pole. I’m not usually drawn to these stories, but this was an Audible book for several road trips with my husband. He loves a plot-driven adventure story. Me? A character-driven one. This filled both requirements. We listened to the final hour — Shackleton and one other man making an icy mountain crossing to reach civilization — sitting at our kitchen table.

The Whole30 by Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig

While this is not a curl-up book, it is a hefty collection of nutritional advice if you’re looking to figure out how your body reacts to various food groups. Basically, you eat vegetables, meat, eggs, and some fruit for a month. Nothing else. I’d recommend you keep the journal to record your reactions and emotions. At the end of week one, you will be comforted to know you aren’t alone when you “hate all things,” as the authors say. This was one big lesson for me about slaying the sugar dragon. The book sits on my cookbook shelf as a reminder when I’m starting to feel sluggish.

Bible Studies/Devotional

Armed and Dangerous: Praying with Boldness by Jane L. Fryar

Last summer I led a women’s Bible study on prayer, and I re-read this gem of a book to prepare. It was published over 20 years ago, and it is still on my devotional bookshelf for reference. The author invites us to pray boldly and to stand firm in our faith as we approach the throne of God with our heart cries, needs, joys and sins. She includes practical prayer tips as well as guides for prayer retreats.

Altogether Beautiful by Heidi Goehmann

This was our fall women’s Bible study of the Song of Songs. In our class of 20+ women, no one had ever studied this book of the Bible in such depth. It was a wonderful eight weeks learning about Solomon and his Shulammite wife, their love, and how this relationship mirrors our relationship with Christ. He calls us beautiful. “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.” Song of Songs 4:7. You can download the first five days of the study for free here.

Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren

This was Christianity Today’s 2018 Book of the Year. I had to see what the buzz was all about. Plus the cover is an open-faced peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The book is all about pausing to know God is with you even in the mundane, the teeth-brushing, the traffic, the emails, leftovers, and more. Her book prompted several of my writings this year including Hitting Pause, Avoiding the White Rabbit Thing, and Remembering.

Current books

So there’s plenty of reading time left in 2018, and I have several in-progress books that might still make this list. I’ll let you know. The Art of Fiction by John Gardner, Quiet by Susan Cain, True to You by Becky Wade (Christy Award Winner 2018).

What are your favorites from 2018? I’ll add them to my To Be Read list! If you have read or will read any of these books on my list, I’d love to hear from you.