I read a large variety of books this year and enjoyed mostly all of them! When I sat down and tried to narrow down my favorites out of the 66 that I read, I took a long look at them and realized that they were all the SAME!! So apparently I have a book type. HISTORICAL FICTION/MEMOIR. So if you are not into that genre, I am going to do a post tomorrow of the best book I read in every genre. But here are my overall favorites of the year! Let me know in the comments if you've read any of these and what you thought!
This is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are by Melody Warnick
This was one of the first books I read this year and it was the perfect start to my reading! We had moved to our house 6 months earlier and it was totally new to me. Just outside of where I spent my college years, I love all of Melody's advice on how to make anywhere you are a wonderful place to be and in a sense "bloom where you're planted".
The Lincoln Hypothesis: A Modern-day Abolitionist Investigates the Possible Connection between Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and Abraham Lincoln by Timothy Ballard
Tim is my hero after reading this book! You might have heard about his work with Our Underground Railroad where he dedicates most of his time saving children from trafficking but in his spare time he has spent years researching this hypothesis and I am sold. His perspective on this is convincing and fascinating!
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba
Reading William's story made me want to go out there and do something. His smart brain and love of reading and learning led him to create electricity for his little town and provide a better life for them. He is amazing and has changed the world where he's from.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
Honestly, I didn't even know the name behind Nike before I read this book. Phil has sure grit and will power. He didn't give up on his dream and there is something really powerful about that.
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Among the hundreds of books that have been written about WWII, this is one of the top for me. It takes place in France which is not a place that is often associated with the Holocaust. Flipping between modern-day and the time of the Vel d'Hiv in Paris, this book is filled with mystery, loss, and uncovering a story from years before.
That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon's Perspective on Faith and Family by Tom Christofferson
The respect I have for this man is astounding. I LOVED reading his humble account of his life story and his journey to find his place in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints despite being gay. He has searched and prayed more than anyone I know to find out the path that was meant for him and he gives so much hope, faith, and understanding to everyone as we help our fellow brothers and sisters on this earth and treat all with love and kindness.
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Bryan and I read this one together and we never wanted to put it down! Dan Brown has a way with words that made this story extremely intriguing. Our favorite thing was going to D.C. shortly after we finished and visiting all the places and things he referenced in his book.
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede
Another one of those stories that you never hear about at the time, but WOW! The people in Gander will always be remembered as some of the kindest, most giving people this world has ever seen. When 9/11 happened and the airspace in the U.S. was closed, hundreds of flights were re-routed to Gander. The people took the passengers in with open arms by putting their lives on hold for several days after that tragic event in U.S. history.
The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way by Amanda Ripley
I'm not joking when I say this book changed my life. As a teacher, I was extremely passionate about the topic and am completely frustrated with the U.S. education system. Education reform is on the top of my dream list as I think about how different the future of our children could be if we did things a little bit differently. Not that anyone has it all figured out, but some other countries are doing amazing things to educate their youth in effective ways, as well as preparing teachers to be more professional, held in high esteem, and excel at their jobs.
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
Anyone know anything about Francisco Franco? Yeah, me neither. Spain did a really good job at hiding their dictatorship under Franco and this time in history, that was less than a 100 years ago, is unbelievable. Following a young photographer and his stay with his parents in Madrid during this time, you get to experience the tension and the unfortunate events that followed poor families through the eyes of those who were living it. Ruta has also done plenty of research and I loved her author's note at the end that described our responsibility to uncover history and how our world is better because of it. I can't wait to read more of her books.
This is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are by Melody Warnick
This was one of the first books I read this year and it was the perfect start to my reading! We had moved to our house 6 months earlier and it was totally new to me. Just outside of where I spent my college years, I love all of Melody's advice on how to make anywhere you are a wonderful place to be and in a sense "bloom where you're planted".
The Lincoln Hypothesis: A Modern-day Abolitionist Investigates the Possible Connection between Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and Abraham Lincoln by Timothy Ballard
Tim is my hero after reading this book! You might have heard about his work with Our Underground Railroad where he dedicates most of his time saving children from trafficking but in his spare time he has spent years researching this hypothesis and I am sold. His perspective on this is convincing and fascinating!
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba
Reading William's story made me want to go out there and do something. His smart brain and love of reading and learning led him to create electricity for his little town and provide a better life for them. He is amazing and has changed the world where he's from.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
Honestly, I didn't even know the name behind Nike before I read this book. Phil has sure grit and will power. He didn't give up on his dream and there is something really powerful about that.
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Among the hundreds of books that have been written about WWII, this is one of the top for me. It takes place in France which is not a place that is often associated with the Holocaust. Flipping between modern-day and the time of the Vel d'Hiv in Paris, this book is filled with mystery, loss, and uncovering a story from years before.
That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon's Perspective on Faith and Family by Tom Christofferson
The respect I have for this man is astounding. I LOVED reading his humble account of his life story and his journey to find his place in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints despite being gay. He has searched and prayed more than anyone I know to find out the path that was meant for him and he gives so much hope, faith, and understanding to everyone as we help our fellow brothers and sisters on this earth and treat all with love and kindness.
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Bryan and I read this one together and we never wanted to put it down! Dan Brown has a way with words that made this story extremely intriguing. Our favorite thing was going to D.C. shortly after we finished and visiting all the places and things he referenced in his book.
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede
Another one of those stories that you never hear about at the time, but WOW! The people in Gander will always be remembered as some of the kindest, most giving people this world has ever seen. When 9/11 happened and the airspace in the U.S. was closed, hundreds of flights were re-routed to Gander. The people took the passengers in with open arms by putting their lives on hold for several days after that tragic event in U.S. history.
The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way by Amanda Ripley
I'm not joking when I say this book changed my life. As a teacher, I was extremely passionate about the topic and am completely frustrated with the U.S. education system. Education reform is on the top of my dream list as I think about how different the future of our children could be if we did things a little bit differently. Not that anyone has it all figured out, but some other countries are doing amazing things to educate their youth in effective ways, as well as preparing teachers to be more professional, held in high esteem, and excel at their jobs.
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
Anyone know anything about Francisco Franco? Yeah, me neither. Spain did a really good job at hiding their dictatorship under Franco and this time in history, that was less than a 100 years ago, is unbelievable. Following a young photographer and his stay with his parents in Madrid during this time, you get to experience the tension and the unfortunate events that followed poor families through the eyes of those who were living it. Ruta has also done plenty of research and I loved her author's note at the end that described our responsibility to uncover history and how our world is better because of it. I can't wait to read more of her books.
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