Best Books I've Read So Far This Year

We're halfway through the year, and I've been reading A LOT. Out of the 37 books I've read so far in 2019, these are the 14 books that have gotten 5-star ratings from me.



Watching You - Lisa Jewell/ The Third Wife - Lisa Jewell
Have you guessed by now that I'm a big fan of Lisa Jewell? (I think she's got a new one coming out, too.) This year I've read two of her books and both have left me guessing. She's a great writer who knows how to craft a thrilling mystery.

The Immortalists - Chloe Benjamin  
This book got a lot of buzz when it came out and with good reason! Four siblings visit a fortune teller and learn the dates of their deaths. What they do with that information and how they live their lives is the story that this novel tells. If you're looking for a good book club read, I'd suggest this one.

Lying in Wait - Liz Nugent  
Ooo, this book was creepy. Just a lot of weird characters doing weird things. I couldn't put it down!

When Faith Fails: Finding God in the Shadow of Doubt - Dominic Done  
This was one of my review books, and I really enjoyed reading about the author's own struggles with faith. Definitely recommended for those looking to keep the faith even during a lull.

How it Ends - Catherine Lo  
This was a fantastic young adult novel about friendship and bullying. Told from the perspectives of two girls, it's the tale of how their friendship begins and how it ends. I think all teens need to be reading this book.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead - Sheryl Sandberg
Are women today still reading this book? I'm a little late to the table on this one, but it definitely got me thinking about my own workday interactions and how I might be able to change things for the better for myself.

Memory-Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home - Jessica Smartt
Lots of fun ideas in this book to build memories with your family. You don't have to spend a lot of money for your kids to fondly look back on their childhoods. Create traditions as simple as ice cream for breakfast on the last day of school.

Have More Fun: How to Be Remarkable, Stop Feeling Stuck, and Start Enjoying Life - Mandy Arioto
I got the chance to review this book before it came out, and I need to re-read it and write down my favorite passages. When a book calls you out on your bad habits and makes you cry with a wonderful story all before the end of chapter 3, then you know you've got a winner.

The First Love Story: Adam, Eve, and Us - Bruce Feiler
This book was so interesting, taking the reader on a journey from the first couple and how the idea of Adam and Eve has been transformed and misconstrued into the idea of "love" that we have today.

Girl in the Blue Coat - Monica Hesse
Another fantastic young adult novel that even old adults will like. It takes place during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and shows what one girl and other young people like her were willing to do to save their people.

Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God - Sybil MacBeth
If Bible journaling isn't your thing, try Bible doodling. I liked the idea behind the practice laid out in this book, though I still haven't tried it yet.

The Adults - Caroline Hulse
What happens when a man, his girlfriend, his daughter, his ex-wife, and her new husband go on holiday together? Surely nothing bad because they're all adults, right? I loved this book so much that I had dreams about it.

Girls with Sharp Sticks - Suzanne Young
If you have a teen girl who is not reading this book, then do her a favor and go get it for her. Especially in today's political climate, it's more important than ever that we empower our girls and that's exactly what this book does.

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