As the last few days of 2020 countdown, I’m sharing twelve of my favorite books I read this year.
Reading is growing.
I’ve seen these three words in some posts and I liked the truth, thought, and reminder of them.
I want to be a life-long-learner and reading is part of it.
I appreciate books because I am a slow processor. I can read and then take time to ponder, muse, and pray.
I also love the coziness and relaxation of curling up with a physical book in my hands and flipping through the pages.
My favorite reads of 2020 are listed in the order I read them in.
It’s a list of eleven books + one great Kid Pick book!
No.1
January 2020 opened with me opening the cover on
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer.
This book was restful and reflect-ful. I appreciated the intentionality in it and the call to examine the rhythms of our lives.
I resonate with John Mark Comer’s writings and as it happens I will be opening 2021 by opening the pages on another of his books, God Has a Name.
No. 2
Chasing Vines by Beth Moore
So good. I loved the theme of this book. Grapevines and grapes and the Vine and the Branches. The research and information about raising grapes and the correlation to our spiritual lives along with Scripture about abiding in the vine made such an insightful read and lessons to grow in.
{I posted about Chasing Vines in this post in January.}
No. 3
Don’t Overthink It by Anne Bogel
I was quite excited and eagerly anticipating this new book from Anne Bogel. Not all the books in my list were new releases in 2020. Some of them were and this was one of them.
I so enjoyed it.
I’m a pro at overthinking, so hearing Anne’s stories and experiences, tips and thoughts made for a great read.
{I have a post about Don’t Overthink It right here.}
No. 4
When to Walk Away by Gary Thomas
I have completely loved every book I’ve read by Gary Thomas so far. Apparently I resonate with his way of thinking.
When to Walk Away is filled with great insight, wisdom, and Biblical application. If you are, if you have been, a people pleaser, juggling difficult relationships, or stuck in a cycle unable to say no, this book is the best read.
I also like the book Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.
Here’s the thing about both these books for me personally. While I like them both so very well and I believe in the messages, I find it much harder to apply them and live them out well in my day-to-day.
No. 5
Stand All the Way Up by Sophie Hudson
Once again, I so anticipated this new book. Sophie Hudson has long been one of my favorite authors. She’s fun and funny, tells a fantastic story, and makes me laugh like nobody’s business. I have all her books lined up on my shelf.
{A review of this book over in this post.}
No. 6
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
Just like her website’s byline, “Be a Genius About the Things That Matter and Lazy About the Things That Don’t” this book compiles thirteen Lazy Genius principles to create your own system based on what matters to you. I loved the inspiration and the insightful down-to-earth practicality of this book.
{This book appears in this post here.}
No. 7
The Powerful Purpose of Introverts by Holly Gerth
Oh my goodness. How I wish I had this book twenty years ago. It would have helped me understand myself in so many ways so much earlier. New in 2020, I had this book pre-ordered and read through it pretty quickly when Amazon left it on my doorstep. It’s quite surely on my to-read-again list.
Since I pre-ordered I received access to Holley Gerth’s mini course 7 Ways to Thrive as an Introvert and I greatly appreciated watching the videos. You’ll find the course over here on this webpage.
No. 8
Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren
Again, I enjoyed turning every page in this book. So many things I resonate with and good reminders about savoring each day in front of me and delighting in the details. Stopping to appreciate the simple, the every day, and the way it shapes me and shows me my daily need to rely on the strength and grace of Jesus.
No. 9
More Power to You by Margaret Feinberg
This devotional was deeply impactful for me this year. I struggled and bumbled through a few things that set me off-kilter and this devotional reminded me of truths I needed to remember and hear. I fight most often with insecurity, fear, and seeing my self-worth. Some people may get hung up with pride or over-confidence or boasting, but those generally aren’t my struggles. My pride would trend toward focusing on self in my insecurities and doubts.
All this to say, this book meant so very much. I found myself in many of the words, questions, and struggles.
Reading over the truths and reading them aloud was important and helps preach truth to myself and reframe my thinking.
No. 10
Unseen:The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed by Sarah Hagerty
I enjoy hearing people’s stories and so many books share the lessons wrapped up in the story of life. This book does it so well. Once again, I related. I need the reminders of how important all the work in the daily, in the unseen, in the mundane, in the hidden, and in the repetition really is. Every time. It matters. Most of life happens in the small. In the day. In the again and again and again.
Jesus sees.
No. 11
Shadow & Light by Tsh Oxenreider
We read this for Advent this year and it was lovely. We lit candles each evening and gathered in the lamplight and soft twinkle lights of the Christmas tree. The peaceful soulfulness of pondering Christ’s birth and longing for His return were grounding and life-giving to me. We’d read each day’s pages and listen to a song.
The book’s format offers a Scripture reading along with a short contemplation. Each day also has a question to consider or discuss and a song recommendation if you want to listen, and an art recommendation.
You can find all the resources over here at the Shadow & Light webpage.
No. 12
Kid Pick:
Gracie’s Garden by Lara Casey
So many things to love about this children’s picture book and so many things I do love!
{Find more photos in this post about Gracie’s Garden.}
I’d love to hear your list of favorite reads from 2020!
I’m looking forward in 2021 to the Elijah Bible study by Priscilla Shirer, That Sounds Fun by Annie F. Downs in February, and Jon Acuff’s book Soundtracks coming in April. Oh, and Emily P. Freeman has this journal debuting in January as a companion to The Next Right Thing.
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