My reading got quite a bit slower after the Summer, so here are the 8 books I read over five months. Lousy, I know. But, it is what it is.
1. Eight Twenty Eight: When Love Didn't Give Up by Ian & Larissa Murphy
2. Forever Mom: What to Expect When You are Adopting by Mary Ostyn
I recommend this book for anyone in the adoption process. She shares so much that I could relate to, and so much that I wish I had known in the first few years of bringing my kids home. If you are about to bring a child home, I recommend you read this now, and again during the first year of having them home.
Mary joins me on an upcoming podcast soon, so be looking forward to that!
3. Shame Interrupted by Edward Welch
I read this to prepare for an event I was speaking at about overcoming shame. This book is pretty heady for me, but I still enjoyed it and got lots of great information from it. If you are someone that is struggling with shame in your life, I recommend this one for you.
4. 168 hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam
Laura makes you think about how you use your time every day and truly we do have way more time than we think. I recommend this for anyone. Mom, dad, business owner, teacher, banker, everyone could benefit from this information.
5. The Minister's Daughter by Julie Hearn
I actually listened to this book and honestly I think it's the only way I would have gotten through this one. It's not something that I loved, but I also didn't hate it either.
6. United: Captured for God's Vision for Diversity by Trillia Newbell
Oh how I love this author and this book. There is lots of talk about racial reconciliation (yeah for this talk!) and diversity within the church and Trillia has so many good words in this book about this subject. I recommend this book for everyone to read! Trillia's writing is super easy to read and this sums up a lot of the book: “What I discovered as I grew in my Christian faith was that my identity is not solely that I am a black female, nor is it dependent on what others think of me. My identity is in Christ.”
Trillia will be a guest on THE HAPPY HOUR this year too!
7. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
I have been told I need to read this book forever and finally I threw it in my bag for my trip to Spain and oh my gosh I loved it. First of all my number one favorite type of books to read are memoirs, and this one did not disappoint. You 
8. Rescuing Hope by Susan Norris
Yes Yes and Yes to this one. It's a fictional story based on true events. Susan has worked with trafficking victims and she took her knowledge and experience and created this story about a girl named Hope that goes missing and becomes a sex trafficking victim. This was a story I couldn't put down, and Susan answers the question we have all at one time or another asked, “how does this happen here in America?”. If I had a teenage daughter this would be a great book to read with her and discuss. (read first and then read with her)
I'm doing another book club get together about this book in the next few weeks, and I think the author is going to try and join us for a bit of it via Skype. We shall see!
That rounds out all of 2014 for my reading. I'd love to hear the best books you read this year! I'm trying to read 36 books in 2015, so I need some great reads to get started!!
I just started the Glass Castle, and I’m glad to see you enjoyed it! It seems a little dark and sad from the onset, but I’m sticking out for some hope…
Every book that I have read that you recommended I have loved! I have both United and Rescuing Hope on my book shelf waiting to be read. Just can’t get to them fast enough. I just finished Unbroken and then saw the movie. So glad I did it in that order 🙂 I am currently half way through AD 30 by Ted Dekker. I usually have a hard time with historical fiction, but I love this book. I would recommend it. I also got an advanced copy of Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner. It is a must read for any woman, especially if you’re a mom! I could go on and one about books…but, I’ll stop now 🙂
Did you ever read the book Wherever the River Runs by Kelly Minter?!! Because you should and then do a podcast with her! Please??!! =)
Also, just finished Every Bitter Thing is Sweet by Sara Hagerty and loved it. About to start the Divergent series and then the Maze Runner.
I LOVED The Glass Castle! One of the first books I’ve read this year is The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. This book is going to be the book to beat for me in 2015. Amazing! It’s about a rowing team from Washington in the 1930’s and their quest for the 1936 Olympics. His writing style is like Laura Hillenbrand (Unbroken and Seabiscuit) and Erik Larson (Devil in the White City). These authors provide my favorite way to learn about history. I hope it makes it to your list! BTW…I’m pounding through your Podcasts like you pounded through Friday Night Lights. Super enjoyable!!! 30 minutes every morning on the treadmill. Helps me get out of bed! Happy New Year!
Tiffany I have randomly heard of that book, but you just sold me on it! I LOVED unbroken and so when you said that, I was sold. Thanks for the recommendation. Adding to my goodreads “to read” list now and gonna request at the library!
Also thanks for listening to the podcast. Gosh I love doing them, so it makes my heart happy when someone likes it!!! 🙂 I’ve been wanting to get one up this week, but I’m sick and have this nasty sick voice and that just wouldn’t sound good, so it’ll have to be next week. BUT I have already recorded three lovely guests, so you’ll be excited for 2015!
LOVING that book. Honestly I’ve been reading it for months and you have encouraged me to go find it and finish it. Reading this Fall was so sporadic for me and that book fell in the midst of crazy reading times. Gonna finish it soon!!! Oh I’d love to do a podcast with her!
Sybil – Yes Fringe Hours is on my list to read as well. It’s on my bedside table and maybe I’ll pick it up soon! Jessica is actually an upcoming guest on THE HAPPY HOUR, so that’s super fun!!!!
Kelli it is for sure sad and dark, but there’s something about REAL LIFE stories that keeps me moving on books like this. Makes me realize the whole world isn’t perfect. Not that I ever thought it was – ha! I just have something for memoirs, even if they are dark and sad. My friend Noelle makes fun of me for this b/c she HATES books like this, but me I love them!!!
You know, that’s actually why I usually choose nonfiction over fiction – the fact that it is real life, real problems, real people. I find it more interesting and compelling to read. My husband jokes these days when I go to pick up a fiction book from the library about whether or not I’ll finish it! Ha!
Anyways, thanks for your response and for reminding me why I, too, enjoy nonfiction!