Favorite Books of the Year and a GIVEAWAY!

It’s my favorite post of the year!

I love telling you all about the best books I’ve read during the year. Plus, if you leave a comment (either here on the blog or on my corresponding social media post) telling me which book you’d like to read, you’ll be entered in a giveaway to receive that book! This year I’ve also included a “For Kids” category for those upper elementary/middle school age children in your life. A few of the kids books are also must-reads for adults, so some will fall into two categories. (Links are affiliate)

Here we go!

NONFICTION

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer: All about rest and Sabbath and being an apprentice of Jesus. My favorite quote from the book is this: “We are distracting ourselves into spiritual oblivion.” 
• A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park: Written for upper elementary grades  and based on the lost boys of Sudan. Heartbreaking and inspirational!
• Find Your People by Jennie Allen: Jennie discusses friendships and loneliness and gives practical suggestions for building community. 
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson: An insightful look at race in the south. (I re-read this book this year and it was still just as powerful as the first time I read it.)
• The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr: The author uses historical contexts to help us understand Paul’s letters regarding women and submission and does a few deep dives into different Biblical translations. Super interesting.
• Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge: If you’re looking for permission to slow down and step away from societal expectations, this is the book for you. Favorite quote: “What are you dreaming about these days? Or are you hunkered down, braced against this world, just getting by?”
• Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri: Written from the perspective of the author’s 12 year old self as his family immigrates from Iran and he encounters difficulties with acclimating to America. 

FICTION

• Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland: Sweet, sentimental story that follows two families who co-own a hotel in the Catskills and the drama that ensues as the hotel becomes outdated.
• The Wingfeather Saga #4 – The Warden and the Wolf King by Andrew Peterson: Adventure mixed with  themes of repentance, redemption, and sacrifice. Heartbreakingly hopeful – perfect for kids or adults!
• A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum: Switching from past to current day with an undercurrent of women’s oppression, this story follows Palestinian immigrants to America. 
• The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave: A suspenseful page turner following a wife whose husband has suddenly disappeared. 
• Pretty Things by Janelle Brown: A thriller following two families whose paths reconverge after the children are grown. Deception and trickery abound with lots of twists and unexpected turns.
• The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate: Alternates between post-civil war south and current day, dealing with slavery, prejudices, and secrets.
• Me Before You by Jojo Moyes: themes of love, assisted suicide, and determining when a life matters. I re-read this in 2022 and it’s still my favorite book!
• Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus: Set in the 1960’s, covering women’s equality, and includes quirky characters who I fell in love with. Heartfelt yet humorous. 
• The Record Keeper by Charles Martin: The third in a series so you’ll also want to read the first two. This was a good conclusion to the other books. 
• The Winners by Fredrik Backman: Themes of hockey, friendships, revenge, and love abound in this saga. I cried my eyes out reading this book, and that hasn’t happened in a long time.
• Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown: Themes of family, life, and loss – A great mystery with an unexpected ending.
• This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub: A book based on time travel (which I don’t usually like) telling the story of a beautiful relationship between the main character and her father. 
• One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle: A story about love, loss, and rediscovering who you are, all set on the Italian coast.

FOR KIDS

• A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park: Written for upper elementary grades  and based on the lost boys of Sudan. Heartbreaking and inspirational!
• Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri: Written from the perspective of the author’s 12-year old self as his family immigrates from Iran and he encounters difficulties with acclimating to America. 
•  The Wingfeather Saga series by Andrew Peterson: A definite must-read for kids with themes of good vs evil, redemption, and sacrifice.
• The Green Ember by S.D. Smith: another book about repentance and redemption. I read this one aloud to my kids and they loved it!

Okay, friends, now it’s your turn! Tell me which one of these books peaks your interest and you’ll be entered to win a copy. Comment here on the blog or the corresponding social media post. Giveaway will close Saturday, December 17, 2022, at midnight so get your entries in!