My Ten Favorite Reads From 2017 ⋆ A Delightful Glow

Books and reading! Reading and books!

I love words and inspiration and beautiful book covers!

Here are ten of my personal top picks of the books I opened the covers on in 2017.

You’ll find my Library List for 2017 of books I read on this Pinterest Board right here.

Most of them on the Pinterest board I finished, but there are a few that I did not read in their entirety. Not because I didn’t want to or didn’t like them. But because they got laid aside or bumped aside by another title! 🙂

1. Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner

This story was a fun read for me. I read it at the beginning of the year and thinking about it makes me want to read it again! Erin shares here life and the tug and pull of the fun, the mundane, the have-to, the hurry-ups and the way life can find us chasing slow. I found her writing style thoughtful and engaging.

2. Uncommon Marriage by Tony and Lauren Dungy

I really loved this book! I love seeking encouragement to grow my marriage and I really appreciate Tony and Lauren Dungy and their words and wisdom.

3. The Magnolia Story By Chip and Joanna Gaines

I grabbed this book on a whim when I was at the library. I noticed they had it and thought it would be fun to read. I didn’t expect to like it as well as I did. {I mean that in a good way! 😉 }

I was late to the whole Fixer Upper thing and the names Chip and Joanna Gaines. I’ve watched a very few of the episodes, {we don’t have general tv} and I liked them, but I definitely like the book more. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed The Magnolia Journal magazine.

4. The Kindness Challenge by Shaunti Feldhahn

I liked this book so very much even though it definitely challenged me in a good way! Kindness matters. It’s amazing the difference the same words can sound when I utter them in kind tones instead of curt ones. When I do little things for people I love and remember to offer grace and lace it with laughter.

5. So Close to Amazing by KariAnne Wood

Absolutely loved this book! It made me laugh out loud, sigh in an understand-the-frustration-of-life way and find a new phrase to exclaim in the try-my-patience moments………”So Close to Amazing!

I was on the launch team for this book this summer and had a grand time!

6. Church of the Small Things by Melanie Shankle

Another laugh-out-loud book from one of my favorite authors!

7. Gracelaced by Ruth Chou Simons

This book is so beautiful! Inside and out.

In art and words.

It makes an absolutely lovely gift for almost anyone! My fourteen-year-old niece received one for Christmas and I gifted one to an eighty year-old lady.

8. At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider

And this book! I loved reading it.

I’m a homebody. Tsh is a world traveler. She’s a minimalist. I’m a cozy collector. {In between minimalism and hoarding. 🙂 } I’m introvertish and I think she is too. I’ve enjoyed reading her other books and her blog.

There are some places I would love to travel and visit. Maybe I’ll get to. Maybe not. BUT I love books and stories and I love how they take us places. And how a good book makes a great companion anywhere in the world!

9. Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

I love Max Lucado’s gentle and encouraging style of writing. I love the stories he shares and the way he points to Jesus through his teachings and words. This book didn’t disappoint.