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Last year was a good year of reading. I found some new favorite books, re-read some old favorites, and added a bunch of titles to my ever-growing to-read list. Click here to check out my 2019 reading plan! Here are 18 favorite reads from 2018:
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
A must-read (or listen-to). This book gave me practical tools for cutting out the non-essential extras in my life and honing in on what’s most important to me instead of acting like everything is the most important thing.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Only my second fantasy novel, and I absolutely loved it. Laini Taylor is a master of metaphors and character and world-building. This story really drew me in and was such a fun escape novel.
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
One of the most fascinating, heartbreaking, empowering memoirs I’ve read. I was impressed by Tara’s bravery to break out of the life that was laid out for her in favor of the one she was meant to live. It made me think about the mental blocks and ingrained thought patterns that I let stop me from doing what I feel called to do. This book is both horrifying and inspiring, but riveting all the way through.
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emma Orczy
I love Sir Percy Blakeney’s character. I can’t get enough of his dialogue (sink me!) I’ve always loved the movie with Jayne Seymour and Anthony Andrews, but seeing the play at the Hale made me love the story even more.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
If you’re looking for a light and fun romantic comedy that’ll take you back to being Sweet Sixteen, this is the one. After you read it, go watch the Netflix original! The second one is in the works.
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
The perfect mix of history, mystery, romance, and an unexpected (but not frustrating) twist. One of my favorites of Kate Morton’s.
Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris by Jennifer L. Scott
A simple lifestyle guide with Parisian secrets to eating, style, and health. I especially love the chapters about building a mindful wardrobe, decluttering, and rejecting the new materialism. It was written by a girl who went to France as an exchange student in college and was a delightful read.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
If you’re into time-travel, the sweeping Scottish countryside and romantic Scottish hunks, this one is for you. There’s some sexual content and profanity, so not for everyone. The TV series is incredible, but I recommend watching at least the first season on VidAngel if you want to screen for content!
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
It’s hard to find an interesting middle grade historical fiction, and my daughter and I loved this one. It has a sequel too!
Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards
My 8-year-old daughter and I read it together and it feels like one of those books that’ll give her nostalgic memories about her childhood. Mandy was written in the 70s by Julie Andrews. (Mary Poppins!) It’s the story of an unhappy orphan in England who finds an abandoned cottage. It becomes her own secret place and project. It reminded me of the secret little spots I found as a kid and the excitement of making them my own. The story and characters were refreshingly sweet and simple.
Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown
This book was a powerful reminder that we all desperately want to belong—to our families, neighborhoods, communities, and the world. And we tirelessly chase that feeling of belonging. But before we can ever belong anywhere else, we have to belong to ourselves. As we learn to do that, the belonging to other people—the kind of people who are right for us—will come naturally.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is about a socially awkward woman with a traumatic past (I’m noticing a theme here!) who finds love and healing in an unexpected friendship with an old man and an endearing co-worker. I love the quirky main character and feel of this book.
At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the World by Tsh Oxenreider
Finishing this book felt like the end of an adventure. I lived vicariously through Tsh Oxenreider, a fellow journalist-mom who traveled the world for a year with her husband and three kids. I felt like I was visiting Australia, New Zealand, and England again and discovering Africa, Italy and Thailand with her.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
I read this when I was really young, and I remembered it made an impression on me and literally craved reading it again last year even though I hadn’t read it since then. I read it with my daughter and it was so fun to experience it with her. We were both really into it! Don’t judge this book by its movie!
A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Simplified Living by Emily Ley
I devoured this book in one morning. I feel like Emily Ley and I have similar mindsets and goals in life. She gave me the extra motivation and tools I needed to declutter and prioritize every area of my life. She covers topic like simplified meal planning, finances, schedules, self-care, technology, service, and faith. She even has a section on a capsule-ish wardrobe.
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
Re-read this favorite in one day. I’ve converted many a friend to Regency romances with this little beauty. It’s probably my most-recommended book when someone asks for a feel-good read to take on a trip.
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
This book opened my eyes to how much of an issue racism is today, and more importantly (and painfully) how I might play a part in it without even realizing it. Fair warning, there’s some language.
Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis
A reminder to get out of your head and go for it! I thought Rachel’s voice was honest and refreshing. A great audiobook to listen to when you need a little extra motivation and zest for life (Rachel reads it herself).
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Here’s a question for you. My 5th grader is struggling with reading. I keep thinking that reading with her would be good but don’t want to to take away from what she can get out of a book by reading alone. I assume you will say there’s no wrong way to read as long as you’re doing it but if you have any tips to help me help her get into and read a book and also to pick up the pace of her reading so she can finish a book before she loses interest, I would love to hear them!
Hi Keri! I will say reading aloud to her can definitely help her get into reading on her own, so I wouldn’t ever stop doing that. But starting with shorter books that’ll hold her interest could be good, even if they’re a little below her level. Have you tried graphic novels? Those can work wonders for kids who are a little more reluctant about reading.
We have a lot of the same favorites! I would add one more to the list: the hate you give. Very thought provoking of the young black person/and police encounters. I never would have known any of what it must feel like growing up black. Also we just watched the movie and I highly recommend that too!!! Only one swear wordy!!! ( that’s the downside of the book and maybe why you wouldn’t recommend it- LOTS of f…) ? Maybe they have a clean version?
I’ve heard that one is amazing! I need to bump it up on my list. Thank you!