Books of 2018

As someone who is drawn to non-fiction more than fiction, 2018 held quite a few pleasant surprises. In general, I ended up reading more books I enjoyed, and that makes me happy. It also gives me hope reading might one day become something I can pursue as rest and enjoyment because it's been at least ten years since I've been much of a bookworm. I also actually bought some books this year? A hunking 6, and 4 of them were bought in faith (aka, I hadn't ever read them or any by those authors). Now I just need to get on top of review writing...I'm slowly becoming a responsible future-author, little by little. You would not believe how long it takes me to write cohesive sentences about why I like or didn't like things, though.

So, last year I read like...29 books? And this year I read 22 books, including 2 rereads, but I didn't really have time to sit down and just read. I also didn't travel by air which is usually a time when I read more. Anyways, here's my books of 2018!

1.

The Sacred Eneagram - Christopher L. Heuertz

This book. It's probably my most daring buy, but I've been curious about the Enneagram since Sleeping at Last started writing his Enneagram song series. I've read about the types on different sites, but when Ryan O' Neal (aka, Sleeping at Last) recommended this book (because it's written by the person who Ryan learned about the Enneagram from), I was really curious.

It's a Christian take on the Enneagram, and I'm so glad I bought it and read it at the time I did. I wanted to write up a whole post on it, and maybe I still will, but I realized it would end up a condensed version of the book instead. There's just so much in this relatively short book. About identity. About lies we believe. About how to see ourselves and others with so much more compassion and understanding. And a different way to become the healthiest versions of ourselves (which is meditation, but an early church version of meditation before all this new age stuff). There's so many things I would want to tell you about this, but you should probably just read it yourself, if you're curious about the Enneagram from a Christian perspective =)

2.

Blessed are the Misfits - Brant Hansen

This book was an exhale for me. It's written for the 'Misfits' or the perpetually guilty. The people who feel like they're always failing because they can't pray right or they don't feel the things other people seem to feel. The ones who are still lonely even though God is suppose to fulfill them. The ones who are depressed and must be the worst of all Christians. The introverts who keep showing up to cultivate community in spite of their set 'what's the quickest way to escape these people?' mindset. Just because you experience things differently than what seems the 'set way' doesn't mean you're guilty or you've messed up so much that God is done with you. These things that seem as though they separate you from God may be the very things God has chosen to draw you into a closer fellowship  with Him, and maybe that's all the blessing you need. 

I love the cover because I love penguins. And I love the this book. I read it in three days which is the fastest I read any book in 2018. Brant Hansen is funny. That's the best part. His writing style is very conversational and at times random (which is also great) and compassionate and relatable. His intent is to remind people who fall into the catagory of 'Misfits' what God thinks of them -- The Ones Who Apparently Landed on the Wrong Planet, The Unfeeling Faithful, The Introverted Evangelical Failures, The Wounded, The Ones Who Don't Have Amazing Spiritual Stories, People on the Autism Spectrum, The Imposters, The Introverts Who Keep Trying, The Perpetual Strugglers, The People Who Do Church Anyway, The Melancholy and the Depressed, The Unnoticed, The Lonely, The Skeptics and Those Who Don't Know Where Else to Go (These are chapter titles). 

3.

Winter - Marissa Meyers

This my favorite book in the Lunar Chronicles because Winter is my favorite character. She's a little weird in the very best ways, and her pain and mental anguish is so very poignant. Also, I absolutely love the conversations between Winter and Scarlet. I expected the ending to have a higher cost, and I don't know what I think. I mean...I do like happy endings, but after four books and such overarching destruction, to have nothing permanent happen to the primary characters? I don't know. It seems so perfectly convenient. Nonetheless, it's been a long time since I've read a series, and this one made the commitment a joy.  

4.

Some Kind of Happiness - Claire Legrand

I had seen this book on the shelve in a bookstore in 2017, and it's so far the one time I was tempted to buy a book because of its cover (and title). I read it later because it was recommended by a friend, and I even ended up giving it to my mom to read. It was different -- a book that's a combination of being a kid and make-belief + writing fantastical stories as a means to escape + mental health-- but a book there's a definite place for. I related to the main character's struggles to an extent (I wasn't necessarily as young -- I think the MC is 12? --but some things like fear and sadness don't mature. They stay the same). Maybe some children are born naturally inclining to struggle in these areas. Maybe some have experienced things that cause them to have anxiety or depression, but this book introduces the subject of mental health without dwelling so much. I loved the characters. The interactions. The subject. The bittersweetness of it. And the supportive family, in spite of all the rifts.

5. 

The Greatest Gift - Ann Voskamp

This was a Christmas devotional I wasn't very successful with (I started it...after Christmas?), but there were so many places in it I wanted to underline. Ann is very poetic, and she isn't always writing something new that I've never thought of or heard before. She writes the words in a language my heart can understand. She writes with vulnerability and strips things of the mundane and the 'I've heard this so many times before' so I see it in new light. One of the quotes included in the book is by Amy Carmichael: "Joys are always on their way to us. They are always traveling to us through the darkness of the night. There is never a night when they are not coming." --And that's the best part of her books. Ann doesn't discount the pain. She knows pain, and so it's easier to read of the hope. 

6.

All the Crooked Saints - Maggie Stiefvater

For the first two chapters, I really didn't think I'd like this book. Sometimes it takes me a while to adjust to author's voices (and sometimes I just have to get over the fact the author breaks rules. Lots of rules *ahem*), and Maggie Stiefvater especially has a unique way of writing. The next half of the book, I was sort-of in disbelief ("Welp...that's...happening.") because I hadn't realize what kind of book this was...or the genre of it -- there's literally a rain cloud following that lady around. And then I went ahead and decided I liked it in all its weirdness. I love how character-driven the story is -- character driven stories are my favorite, and I could relate to the characters. And the unique setting of the book (I know about the desert and rabbit bush and Russian thistle). And just the idea of the story. So interesting. I hope to actually get a copy of this eventually. 

7. 

Cress - Marissa Meyers

I don't remember exactly what part of the plot occurred in this book of the Lunar Chronicles, but I DO know I enjoyed it. I just love the cast of characters. Whenever I think of having many characters in my own stories, I usually unthink it very quickly because of the challenges created. The characters have to be unique, and they have to have conversations among themselves where each of the characters retain their own personality, but Marissa does this quite well. All the interactions are so fun and meaningful and...normal. Plus, out of all the many, many romances in this series (I know it's a fairy tale retelling, but man, there's way too many romances), my favorite is Cress and Thorne (and the fact he went blind for that little while -- That was interesting). 

8.

The Lost Girl of Astor Street - Stephanie Morill 

I honestly thought I was kind-of done with historical fiction, but this book changed my mind. I'll keep the door open on this genre awhile longer(granted, this was technically a mystery which is something I haven't read in the historical fiction genre). This was a bit of a difficult read because (as opposed to my usual apathetic book-reading self) I felt the MC's pain in the story. Usch. I believed the stakes. The setting was fun. And I loved the characters, and there were parts that almost made me laugh out loud. I wouldn't say the mystery was totally unique, but as long as a story plot has believable stakes, I'm not very picky. 

9.

Angel Eyes - Shannon Dittemore

I think this counts as a...paranormal (supernatural?) romance? It's definitely not the kind of book I'd normally go for, but I wanted to support Shannon Dittemore and her contributions to GoTeenWriters so I just bought it. I'm awfully skeptical of the whole Demon vs. Angel stories, and I still don't know what I think 100%, but the book was an easy read. The characters were likable. I could believe the stakes/the story problems, and I didn't dislike the romance...so there's that (- See, I'm really good at this. On my top 10 list, and I end the thoughts with 'so there's that'.). 

10.

Be the Gift - Ann Voskamp

Okay, so technically this one is more of a devotional with clips from Ann Voskamp's other books that I've already read, but it's still one of my favorite reads of this year because I love Ann's words. 'Nuff said.

-Additional Reads-

A Home for the Heart - Michael Phillips

~The last book in a historical fiction 8-book series. Starts during the California gold rush and ends sometime after the Civil War. Only finished because it was a series my grandma sent me, but I guess it was alright?  Kind-of have had an overdose of historical fiction, though ~

Boundaries - Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

~A very stretching book but also kind-of annoying. Showed me I need better boundaries in my life and some of the reasons why I have a short-fuse. But also there's some parts where I feel like they stretched some Bible verses to fit their ideas. ~

The 'No Work' Garden Book - Ruth Stout

~This was actually a fun book, and the first gardening book I've read. I love her writing style, very conversational. She wasn't a 'know-it-all'. She just took notes of what she did and what worked and what didn't. She also liked to do things that aren't *scientifically* supposed to work. I tried to put into practice some of the things I gleaned, and it did help, but finding the same material readily accessible is difficult.~

The Treasure Principle + The Grace and Truth Principle + The Purity Principle - Randy Alcorn

~Three small books so I couldn't count them separately. They were all stretching and good. I like how straightforward and blunt Randy Alcorn is. The first book has to do with tithing and the idea of blessing to be blessed and re-emphasizing what I already believe about being only a steward of everything I have. Why do I hold so tightly to my money when it isn't even mine? Giving is a part of fulfilling joy. 2nd book: God is the God of grace and truth, and one without the other is as good as having neither. Convicting. I need to remember grace. 3rd: If you don't think you need to take precautions as a Christian in dating, etc. "You can spell your name S-t-u-p-i-d." - direct quote. Told you he was blunt, but he's just paraphrasing 1 Corinthians 10:12. ~

Fawkes - Nadine Brandes

~Another historical fiction with a dash of magic. That aspect was fascinating, and it reminded me how amazing authors are. How do we even come up with our ideas? Anyways, I really, really wouldn't have liked to live in London during the 1600s. ~

Parables of the Christ-Life + Parables of the Cross - Lilias Trotter

~I first heard of Lilias Trotter because Sleeping at Last composed a beautiful soundtrack to a documentary that was created about her life. She was a promising, mostly self-taught artist who was born in England in the mid-1800s. She decided to leave her pursuit of art and go instead to Africa as a missionary. There's one song on the soundtrack to the documentary called 'Art vs. Calling', and that idea challenges me immensely. I can't help but be drawn to people like her. I can't help but listen to their words and wonder how they decided what they decided to do. These two books are in the free domain now, and I really liked them. I loved how she included so much of nature in her writings and little pieces of her art. I hope to find the documentary somewhere to watch eventually. ~

The Dance of Anger - Harriet Lerner

~Usch. This deals specifically with women's anger and how we tend to go towards two drastic ways of dealing with it (I'll tear you apart with words vs. passive aggressiveness). And dealing with conflict in important relationships for growth. And boundary making. Taking full responsibility of your emotions and actions. And the importance of working through 1st family relational conflicts because of how they can cause weeds to rear up in other relationships and your 2nd family. Essentially, anger is only good if helps you learn more about yourself. Stretching book, but it gave me much needed tools.~

The Phantom Tollbooth - Norton Juster

~This was a fun read. Lots of interesting depth to it and cleverness. And an orchestra of color? I love that thought (and probably one of my favorite parts of the book). Sometimes I imagine what it would be like if all of creation broke into song. What would that sound like? It's a somewhat similar idea.~

Rebels - Jill Williamson 

~ Bought this...and then realized it was the third book in the series *insert very, very sad face*. This is what Meaghan gets for buying books she hasn't read, but since I bought it, I went ahead and read it and managed to understand what was going on. Lots of characters to figure out, but I mean...it was pretty interesting given the circumstances? ~

Hinds' Feet on High Places - Hannah Hurnard (reread)

~Reread this because it's one of my soul books. I needed to read it, and it's as good or even better than the first time because I understood more. It's such a beautiful allegory. I went ahead and ordered a new edition that includes illustrations and is just beautiful. ~

The Bible (reread)

~I read through the Bible every year. This year I learned to appreciate the Psalms a lot more, and I delved a little deeper, but I still need to implement an actual Bible Study method. ~

+Critiqued a Novel

~Tried to critique/Critiqued a critique partner's novel. Something I need to get better at, to be honest~

~~~

What are some of your favorite reads of 2018? Have you read any of these? What did you think of them? Any recommendations for 2019? 

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 

*

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! 

The Bibliophile Sweater Tag

Tracey over at Adventure Awaits (you should go check out her blog) tagged me to do this. Thank you, Tracey! :)  So here goes it...

Rules:

• Give the person who tagged you a never-ending supply of cookies (or just thank them - either works) 
• Answer all the questions and use the blog graphic for this tag somewhere in your post
• Pass along the tag to at least five other people 
• Wear a sweater (okay, this is optional...but why wouldn't you want to??)

Fuzzy sweater (a book that is the epitome of comfort)

I know about a million people probably chose this book as their fuzzy sweater, but really, nothing beats this story (and this is the exact version of the book I got - the whole collection in one big volume. Doesn't really help if you just want to take along a book in case). I don't think any story will ever take its place in my favorites. The magic of it has ensnared me for life.  

Striped sweater (book which you devoured every line of)

This is a little different. I picked up this allegory last March and absolutely loved it. I could relate a lot to the main character, and there were so many beautiful ideas and pictures within its pages that gave me more understanding on certain aspects. It also reminded me God is much merciful than I am. 

Ugly Christmas sweater (book with a weird cover)

This was one of the harder ones because I don't pay that much attention to book covers? Growing up, I read a lot of older books (A lot. New books for me could still be 30 years old...), and they didn't have covers that popped out, if any. However, when I requested the Lord of the Rings Trilogy on my Christmas list years back, I didn't specify they had to have cool covers. I wouldn't say they're terrible, but...they're sort of dorky. After watching the epic movie, you then see Aragorn with a silly feather sticking out of his headgear and awesome purple clothing. Plus all the faces are strangely pointed. Oh well. Honestly they pretty much stay in their case so it doesn't matter. 

Cashmere sweater (most expensive book you've bought)

Okay, so I don't buy a whole lot of books, and if I do, they usually end up being from a thrift store or ABE Books. I usually just put whichever ones I want on my wishlist, and someone else eventually buys them for me (because as much as I would love to reread favorites, it just doesn't happen much with my slow reading). So this cost me a little more than $20 dollars, and I ended up giving it to a friend to read. It's a great book, by the by, and I would eventually like a copy, but I have a hard time buying a book for $20 for myself. 

Hoodie (favorite classic book)

This is a classic, right? Out of all the Jane Austen novels, this one has always been my favorite. Probably because I like Mr. Knightley (what is there not to like about him?). I probably watched the three different...four different movies a million times (not necessarily my choice) before reading the books, but it was really fun to read the books and find how faithful some of the film adaptions were. The conversations. The characters. The messiness, but mostly Mr. Knightley. 

Cardigan (book that you bought on impulse)

Another confession: I've never bought a random book on impulse (if by impulse, you mean seeing it and just randomly picking it up without knowing much about it or reading reviews on it, right?). This book was the closest I came to buying a book on impulse. I saw it in a store in SC and read the first chapter to find it humorous and very relatable. I was so tempted, but it was on the more expensive side, and I would have to fit it into my luggage...so...

Turtleneck sweater (book from your childhood)

 One of the first books I ever received. It's about a little girl who has the ability to kiss her elbows which means she can fly. Oh, and a toy dog whose job is to protect her. And a cat. 

Homemade knitted sweater (book that is Indie-published)

---(no idea)---

V-neck sweater (book that did not meet your expectations)

I know a lot of bloggers that loved this book and had put it on their 'all-time favorite' list so I had a lot of expectations. Sadly, it didn't live up to them. It wasn't that I didn't like the story. Most times I don't not like the books I read, I just end up being apathetic towards them. This was one of those. *hides before anyone shoots her*.

Argyle sweater (book with a unique format)

----(no idea)----

Polka dot sweater (a book with well-rounded characters)

Well-rounded, I presume, means three-dimensional? If so, this is it. I can't think of any other book I've read where the characters jump off the pages as much as in this one. Matthew, Marilla, Anne, Rachel Lynde - you never had to wonder who was talking. They were all very distinct. I always felt like I was with friends and family when reading these stories. 

Now I tag...

Ivie @ Ivie Writes

Alea @ Elvish Pens, Fantastical Writings 

Gray Marie @ Writing is Life

And anyone else who wants to do it! 

Enjoy!