Top Reads of 2017

At the start of 2017, I resolved to read more since life had kinda knocked reading to the side. And I did read more than previous years, but I also wrote a lot less. So mixed success? I read a total of 28 books, an increase of 11 from 2016 (Now that I actually count it, it sounds less impressive). But I did get stuck on a 650+ page book in the Summer. It's surprising I got anywhere after that. Oh, and I read Dune which probably is high on the page count (I read it on Kindle - reading on Kindle is so deceiving. You really don't know what you're getting yourself into). But without further ado, here are my top reads of 2017 (don't expect any 2017 books. I never read current books. Ever):

One Thousand Gifts & The Broken Way - Ann Voskamp

There is one reason why I don't review books (well, two, actually. I kinda like books few and far between). When I like them, I have no adequate words to describe why.

Ann Voskamp has an amazing gift with words. She writes poetically raw and achingly real about her life and her struggles. Her fight for joy and thanksgiving and a full life. That's why I like her writing - so much of the time it echoes my own questions and wonderings. My own shouts. She isn't afraid of the messy. She is familiar with despair and depression, and yet she writes about joy and thanksgiving. In the Broken Way, she writes about living with a broken heart in a broken world and how do you do that? And about loving people and sharing your broken with other people.
I have highlighted so many portions in both of her books, and I wish I could share them all with you. You all should really read these. Truly some of the best books I've read.

Hinds' Feet on High Places - Hannah Hurnard

I've mentioned this book once on the blog, and I'll mention it again. I loved it so much. This book is an allegory which is a little different. But I related so much to the main character and to the journey. It was also a very beautiful book full of inspiring words. I would say it helped my relationship with God in the same way as when I read the Chronicles of Narnia (which is saying a lot). It softened the face of God. It reminded me of His patience and compassion. He is much more merciful than me - what a hard thought.

"She did not realize that the Prince of Love is 'of very tender compassions to them that are afraid.' She supposed that, like everybody else, he was despising her for her silly fears..." 

Unoffendable - Brant Hansen

Is 'righteous' anger actually righteous? Do we have a right to be angry with people? To be offended by people, even if we know we're right and they're wrong? I'm someone who gets indignant easily so this book kinda flipped my thinking on its head. It just doesn't stop with the whole 'offendable' thing. It delves in deep asking why we get offended so easily. It shows us what we truly could do if we pushed it aside. And I love the humble way this guy writes. Sure, I'm probably gonna need to read it once a year (at least) to keep reminding myself, but I came away with something, and that's one of the things I look for in books. 

The God I Love - Joni Eareckson Tada

I've admired Joni Eareckson Tada for years, and I've read various books by her and biographies about her through the years so I had a pretty good idea of her story, but this book still highlighted different aspects of it. Her love for people, guys! And the way God has provided for her and used her as His hand in so many far-off places. And she may write so honest about her different struggles, but she is still one incredible woman. There's also something comforting in reading someone's full-life story. You can see the threads. Or they'll point out the threads. They'll point out this prayer and then the eventual answer. In her case, the answers to so many of her questions weren't what anyone could foresee or predict or what she thought she wanted. It's funny how we view things as tragedies when, as painful as it is, they're actually answers to prayers. Long read but so inspiring.

The Practice of the Presence of God -Brother Lawrence 

Brother Lawrence served as a lay brother in a monastery in France during the 1600s. This is a compilation of letters and conversations recorded between him and other people, and it is soooo good. For some reason I imagined there was less of an emotional/friend/relationship connection between people and God back then. That people regarded Jesus more reverently and holy than they do now which might impede that closeness (which is sad). But after reading this, it made me realize that there were those throughout all time who have tried to live lives in constant closeness with God. It's just interesting to think you might have something in common with a lay brother who lived in France a little less than 400 years ago. As for the subject of this book: I guess growing up, I always thought of that song by Acapella about having to 'come down from the mountaintop to the people in the valley below'. In retrospect, I'm pretty sure it's about Moses, but originally I thought that was how it worked. You might spend an hour in prayer and Bible reading in the morning, but then you eventually had to pack up and go out into the world. Brother Lawrence experienced it differently. He believed you could truly walk with God all day. You could always be in communion with Him. That your thoughts could be stayed upon Jehovah. It's a simple thought, but also kinda incredible. 

Cinder &  Scarlet - Marissa Meyer

I like reading Speculative Fiction. Or rather, I always thought I did. I had this idea of what kind of book I would like, but I kept reading Sci-Fi and being disappointed by the lack of character development, character conversation, character anything. Finally I was recommended this series, and I was not disappointed. Why do I think it's good? Because I wanted to keep reading. It's been a long time since I've wanted to keep reading a book. Or bothered picking up the second book in the series. 

I Only Want to Get Married Once - Chana Levitan

This is a very good book (obviously since it's on this list). My family has always been a little strange (according to society's standards) on relationships. No dating until you're actually able to consider marriage seriously, family-involved process, etc. But this book is a more mainstream approach to wise dating. It focuses on creating healthy relationships from the start by making wise choices from the beginning. The author gives advice on how to really end up with someone you can be married to for the rest of your life (not just leaving it to 'feelings' or fate or however the chaotic winds drop you). One thing in particular that struck me was the emphasis on values. Figure out your top three core values. Your top five. And never waver on them. You put these in place before you are dating. You tell your friends, the people who will keep you accountable if your head starts flying off. Sure, other things are important, too, but these are the solid foundation.

Conversations with a Writing Coach - Susan May Warren 

This year was the year of reading writing craft books for me (Okay, so I only read four, technically). For the most part, they don't do a whole lot for me. Here and there, something will pop out, but mostly it feels like I'm being dumped with information. Out of the books I have read, this one was my favorite. I liked the conversational style of it, and one piece of information in particular popped out:

You can set the emotional stage of the scene by what descriptions you highlight at the start or throughout it.

I had never thought of that before.

Other Reads:

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

Ender's Game - Scott Card Orson
The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh - A. A. Milne
Land of the Brave and the Free - Michael Philips
Writing Fiction for Dummies - Randy Ingermanson and Peter Economy
Every Young Woman's Battle - Shannon Ethridge and Stephen Arterburn
And the Bridge Wore White - Dannah Gresh
Purple Moon - Tessa Emily Hall
Jesus Among Other Gods (student version) - Ravi Zacharias andd Kevin Johnson
I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
Dune - Frank Herbert
The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro
Dear John - Nicholas Sparks
The Giver - Lois Lowry
The New Recruit - Jill Williamson
A Novel Way -Various Authors
Revision & Self-Editing - James Scott Bell 

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So, those are my books of this year. You might notice that I mostly picked non-fiction as favorites (which is surprising even to me), and there is a definite vein through them. A lot of them made me want to love better, to serve better.  And I hope in the coming year, I am able to do that.

Have you read any of these? Are you a fiction only type of reader? A mix of both? Or are you a non-fiction reader like me? What is your top book of 2017?

Happy New Year!