My 2018 Booklist
It’s officially that point in the season where I feel like winter is going to last forever. Thankfully we have a little reprieve this week with some warmer temps, but all I have wanted to do lately is stay curled up with no less than three blankets, a cup of tea, and a good book. So in the interests of spreading the blanket+hot beverage+book love, I wanted to share some of the top books on my 2018 booklist.
Now, I love reading. But I am picky. Picky, picky. For instance: I hate ambiguous endings. I am not a fan of coming to my own conclusions. Can I? Yes. But do I want to? Absolutely not. Please, dear author, finish the story for me.
Anyway, ambiguous endings aside, on my list is a healthy mix of non-fiction, fiction, old and new. I tried to include a brief note with each book so you can get a feel for if it’s something you would like to read too. So, take a look, and let me know what you are currently reading or planning to read!
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My 2018 Booklist
Inspiration
Steal Like An Artist – Austin Kleon | A small book (and theoretically easy read, but likely quite thought-provoking) about unlocking creativity.
Start – Jon Acuff | The subtitle says it all. I want to love my work and do work that matters. I’m hoping that this book gives some practical advice on how to do that.
Spiritual Growth
Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life – Tish Warren | Recently suggested by a good friend, I knew this one had to happen. About finding sacredness in the ordinary everyday things of life.
Let Me Be a Woman – Elisabeth Elliot | Elizabeth Elliot on what it means to be a Christian woman. I read the first bit of this on Amazon and seriously, go check it out. Even the title itself I find so powerful!
Surprised by Joy – C.S. Lewis | Love C.S. Lewis and I can’t believe I haven’t read his spiritual memoir yet. I’m looking forward to reading about his journey of moving from atheism to faith in Jesus.
The God Who is There – D.A. Carson | From the back cover: “In this basic introduction to faith, D. A. Carson takes you through the big story of Scripture to help you know what you believe and why you believe it.” I don’t think a Christian can ever be too secure in their faith, so I’m tackling this one with great expectations.
Fiction
Mary Barton – Elizabeth Gaskell | It’s forever North and South that has my heart, but it’s definitely time to read some more Elizabeth Gaskell. Mary Barton is Gaskell’s first novel and it doesn’t look to be a light read (murder, scandal, poverty and social division between classes in the mid-1800s). I’m curious though!
The Blue Castle – L.M. Montgomery | From the author of the beloved Anne of Green Gables books, this book promises to be a sweet romance with all the charm we know and love from the Anne books.
The Inheritance – Louisa May Alcott | This will be a re-read for me, but I’m looking forward to it. It always makes me think of Jane Austen which is one of the reasons I love it. A charming love story with a orphaned heroine, secret inheritance, and a few really solid take-downs of the bad guys.
Daddy Long Legs – Jean Webster | So, maybe everyone has apparently read this except me? Honestly, I’ve always found the premise of this book a little creepy. Basically, the main character gets her college tuition paid for by a mysterious benefactor on the conditions that she write him monthly and never find out who he is. Creepy, or no? Time to find out!
A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman | A book about a curmudgeonly old man next door. This was suggested to me by a family member and after checking out the first couple pages on Amazon I was won over. Hoping it lives up to the hype!
A City of Bells – Elizabeth Goudge | I keep seeing Elizabeth Goudge books come up on my radar and knew I needed to try reading one. I picked A City of Bells somewhat arbitrarily. The reviews kept saying “charming” over and over again so I went with it. ha!
Education
Exposure: From Snapshots to Great Shots – Jeff Revell | I plan on doing some serious study on photography this year as I continue to work on my skills (and hopefully prove to myself that I am worthy of a lens upgrade!) and this book has been helpful to me in the past. The plan is to work through the whole thing step by step and not skip around.
Simple Gatherings – Melissa Michaels | I’m always working to get better at hosting and welcoming others into our home, so this book of tips & tricks looked like a fun one to page through.
I’d love to hear what’s on your 2018 booklist! Share with me in the comments!
