This post has taken all year to prepare for, with countless hours dedicated to one of my 2019 goals: read 1 book per month. I’m proud to say I reached that goal! And I have a colorful stack of books to show for it.
I’ve gone several years without reading even a single book, so when I started this yearly goal in January 2018, I didn’t have much hope for changing my ways. But due to a few little changes (detailed in my how to make yourself read more post), reading for fun gradually became a realistic part of my life.
In case you’re looking for a new book to read, I’m giving little descriptions/reviews of all 12 books I read this past year. Keep scrolling to the way bottom of this post if you want to see the top 5 I recommend!
1. Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
After struggling through a book in December 2018, I decided to start 2019 with one I knew would be a thought-provoking, interesting read for me. Present Over Perfect details the author’s mission to transition from her frantic, busy life to one that is calm and focused on being present and connecting with others. While I did really like this book, it didn’t leave a lasting impression for me, just because I struggled to relate.
2. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
I’ve had this book for 10 years and have never read it. A Farewell to Arms details the story of an American on the Italian war front and his love for an English nurse. Throughout the entire book, there’s a balance of this romance and the fighting of war. Wartime books aren’t usually my favorite, but I’m happy I read this classic, even though it was a challenge at times to stay committed.
3. Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
I picked up this book after craving something that dove into the concept of happiness. This approaches it from a research-based perspective. Flow examines how people experience the state of “flow,” which is described as a state of consciousness where a person is fully engaged in their life’s activities, causing them to experience “optimal excellence.” This was the most difficult book for me to read of the year, and half the reason was the font and font color (maybe it was just the copy I had?). Plus, it just felt like an academic book, though some of the chapters I really connected with.
4. Bread Baking for Beginners by Bonnie Ohara
I’ve talked about this cookbook a million times over the last year and have posted numerous bread photos on my Instagram stories. Jenna Fischer inspired me to work my way through this bread recipe book, and it’s been a fun little project all year. I’ve made every single type of bread at least once (25? total so far), with just two left. Managing my own sourdough starter and learning how to properly fold, knead, and pre-ferment breads has really helped me grow as a baker! I also love following Bonnie on Instagram. Watching her making bread dough with soothing music playing in the background is mesmerizing.
5. The 5 People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
I’ve read this before, but I couldn’t remember details about itโonly that I knew I liked it. The 5 People You Meet in Heaven details the journey of one man, Eddie, after his death. It’s a theory on the afterlife that involves meeting five people that impacted his life at some point (or that he impacted without realizing it). By the end, it answer his big question of whether his last act on Earth was successful or not. I haven’t met a Mitch Albom book I didn’t like.
6. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
I never knew much about the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair until I read this, and it really opened my eyes to how rich the history is in this city. The book bounces between different perspectives, including the architects of the Fair (i.e., Daniel Burnham) and H. H. Holmes, the serial killer who started a hotel during these years, specifically designed to hide his secret (often referred to as the “Murder Castle”). Fun fact: we went for a walk through Graceland Cemetery awhile back (don’t ask) and stumbled upon a beautiful headstone with a familiar name: Daniel Burnham, it was the architect from this book! Such an awe-inspiring discovery.
7. The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz
In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz utilizes Toltec wisdom to explain the beliefs that limit us from being “personally free.” He details four rules to follow in life to be unapologetically ourselves and be able to embrace happiness and love. 1. Be impeccable with your word. 2. Don’t take anything personally. 3. Don’t make assumptions. 4. Always do your best. While this didn’t feel life-changing by any means, I did enjoy it, and it’s apparently made a significant impact on many people’s lives.
8. Atomic Habits by James Clear
I bought this after seeing its high ratings and being intrigued by the topic of how small habits can transform your life (because who couldn’t use a boost of discipline every once in awhile?). Categorized as one of the many personal development books out there, Atomic Habits gives clear examples of how to turn bad habits into good ones. The author’s personal background really shows how much can improve when you are determined to make changes.
9. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
I’ve been meaning to read (or rather, restart and actually finish) this book since I was in high school, when I originally asked my teacher if I could borrow a copy, which she said I could keep it (because it’s clearly falling apart). Brave New World is a dystopian novel that depicts a futuristic world that is genetically engineered to be so perfect, life starts losing all meaning. This took me awhile to get into, since Huxley is creating a solid visual of the unique world the book is set in. But by the end, I definitely had some feelings.
10. Dracula by Bram Stoker
I didn’t expect to enjoy Dracula as much as I did; this was a book Matt already had and recommended. Appropriate for my October read, Dracula is one of the original stories presenting vampires and the infamous Dracula character. It follows journal entries of multiple people who were in contact with him, gradually telling the story through different perspectives.
11. Bossypants by Tina Fey
Borrowed from my sister, this was one of the quickest reads of the year. I love Tina Fey as an actress, improviser, and overall human being. Her book takes you back to her childhood and follows her through her career and into her 30 Rock days. Her writing is very entertaining and helps you understand the events, opportunities, and people that shaped her into the person she is today.
12. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
My final book of the year comes highly recommended from countless people. I’m currently flying through this book and am almost done, because I’m enjoying it that much. Where the Crawdads Sing details the life of the “Marsh Girl,” Kaya Clark, who has lived alone in a house on the coast of North Carolina since she was very young. The story vividly describes the region, her life struggles, and the few relationships she’s had, eventually tangling her up in a murder investigation.
So there’s a little overview of each book in case you’ve ever thought about reading any of them. In addition to these descriptions, I also want to provide which books I liked the most. It’s a tad difficult to narrow it down to my top five, but I’m doing it anyways. So without further ado, here are the books I’d most recommend!
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
- The 5 People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
- Bread Baking for Beginners by Bonnie Ohara
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
For the record, just because I didn’t rank a book in my top 5 doesn’t mean I didn’t thoroughly enjoy it. Every book on this list is loved be a lot of people; I just didn’t connect with some of them as much as those I highlighted above
Every book was its own journey (clichรฉ, I know), and I learned more about what genres I do and do not particularly enjoy. Each year, I try to mix it up from month to month, choosing book topics/themes I know I’ll like, as well as books that aren’t as “me” but I’m intrigued by.
I don’t have a library membership at this point, so I’ve been buying books online/in stores, pulling them out of our dusty bookshelf, and borrowing from others. At this point I love “collecting” books, though, so it’s been fun to treat myself every couple months to purchasing a new book.
A general takeaway from my reading this year: I think I might need to start a book journal, where I can reflect on what I’ve just read. Because several in this list, I could read again, and they would feel like new. While I’m in the moment and enjoying them as I read each one, the inspiration and stories gradually fade away in my memory. Has anyone ever journaled about books they’ve read? If I could motivate myself to actually do this, I feel like it could help me fully soak in what I’ve read and not rush to the next story immediately.
Do you like reading for fun? What genres do you like?
Any books you’d particularly recommend? I need ideas for 2020!
