Last March in my birthday bucket list post, I set a goal to read at least eight books every year. I am thrilled to report that I well exceeded that goal and my final book number for 2019 was sixteen. I definitely surprised myself and believe that setting the goal was a big part of it. I always love hearing about book recommendations from girlfriends and family so I figured it would be fun to track all of the books I read here on the blog and share them with you! I am a bit behind in reporting but here is a recap of the books I read from September-December. I’ve also included a snapshot of the books I read the entire year. I must admit that for as strong as my summer was on reading, I did not end the year with a bang. But hey, 16 books? I will take it! (To see books 1-12, scroll down to the bottom of this post)
13. Educated
So much hype came along with this book and I was super excited when my friend dropped it on my porch for me to FINALLY read. It was my flight companion for my NYC trip and I really enjoyed it. That is, until about two-thirds through. I don’t know what happened. I think it just became too… hard. If you’ve read this, you probably understand what I mean. The author’s life story is so fascinating, but she went through some tough stuff and maybe I was just in a place where I wanted something lighter, but I never did finish this one. (which is very unlike me!)
14. Summer of ’69– Elin Hilderbrand
I read this entire book in one day when we were on fall break in Seaside, FL. Just like many of the author’s stories, it takes place in Nantucket although this time it is set in 1969. It’s a great story about four siblings living through the social changes of that era and the Vietnam War. I always enjoy when history is woven into a book and this one was a great and easy read.
Sidenote that I shared in one of my Front Porch Coffee Talk Posts- this was my friend Rachael’s book, and it was on my “to-read” list. I had the book Little Fires Everywhere, which was on her “to-read” list. So we decided to do a book swap and mail each other our books. By using the media mail rate at the post office- it only cost us each $3.47 to mail the hard back books to each other from Atlanta to Chicago. Much cheaper than both of us buying them new. Win win for everyone!
15. The Alice Network– Kate Quinn
While this image doesn’t show a book, this is the exact spot I sat and binge read The Alice Network over Labor Day. I was hesitant to read this one as I felt like I had read several World War 2 books lately and honestly wasn’t quite sure if I could take another “war” book. However, this one takes place during World War 1 and the female spy character that is based on a real war heroine made this such an intriguing read. The author really sucks you in by having the story take place over two different time periods. Overall, I would recommend this one!
16. Unglued– Lysa Terkeurst
This was my one and only “self-help” book in 2019 but I figured it still counts as one of the books I read so I would share it here. I joined a women’s bible study last fall- and the format is really just a weekly book club meeting. We chose the book Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the midst of Raw Emotions and I can honestly say that within the first 3 paragraphs I was nodding my head wondering if the author had been present in my home that very morning! This book was a great reminder that I have the choice on how I react in every situation.
My goal for 2020 is to read 12 books- but I need to get reading since I have yet to read a book in 2020. I would love to hear your book recommendations- I need something to get excited about! I’ve had a pile sitting on my nightstand for weeks… so far my wish list is:
My Grandmother Told Me to Tell You She Is Sorry– Fredrik Backman
The Book Thief– Markus Zusak
The Paris Wife– Paula McLain
Daisy Jones and the Six– Taylor Jenkins Reed
Beneath a Scarlet Sky– Mark Sullivan
Evvie Drake Starts Over- Linda Holmes
Lilac Girls– Martha Hall Kelly
Feels Like Falling– Kristy Woodson Harvey
City of Girls– Elizabeth Gilbert
Catch up on 2019 Reading Recaps Here:
- The Perfect Couple- Elin Hilderbrand
- The Last Mrs. Parrish- Liv Constantine
- It Ends With Us- Colleen Hoover
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
- Where the Crawdads Sing- Delia Owens
- Southern Side of Paradise- Kristy Woodson Harvey
- Little Fires Everywhere- Celeste Ng
- The Lying Game- Ruth Ware
- The Identicals- Elin Hilderbrand
- The Wife Between Us
- Sea Change- Karen White
- All We Ever Wanted – Emily GiffinSept-Dec
- Educated
- Summer of ’69– Elin Hilderbrand
- The Alice Network– Kate Quinn
- Unglued– Lysa Terkeurst
Happy reading!
xoxo-
Heather
I really enjoyed The Poppy Wife by Caroline Scott. If you enjoyed the movie 1917, you’ll enjoy this book. Maybe the word enjoyed is a poor choice for a war theme…appreciated, maybe? The book is very touching, in any event.
Here is Publishers Weekly review. https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-295532-6
Thank you SO much for the rec- I will def look into this. And yes I hear you on “enjoyed” for war books- but touching sounds great!
You always inspire me to read more!! Still need to finish Little fires everywhere 🤪😩🤪
I completely understand where you girl. I was there for MANY years, don’t worry about it. You will feel like reading again…. someday….
I am so happy that Feels Like Falling is on your list! I so hope you enjoy. I’m actually listening to Educated right now and it is definitely a hard listen. I keep thinking, “How are any of these people alive?” What that woman overcame is just remarkable! Thank you again!! xoxo Kristy
That is exactly how I felt with Educated- it was just so intense and I think I was in more of a Southern Side of Paradise frame of mind, ha. Looking forward to your book! xo- Heather
I read The Lilac Girls and enjoyed it so much. I’m glad to see it on your list. White Houses by Amy Bloom is an interesting book about Eleanor Roosevelt. It is a fast read. I am reading a book called One Second After by William R. Forstchen. I would recommend this book to you.
happy to see that there are a few books on our list that I have read and maybe recommended to you. My goal for 2019…I wanted to read 50 books, and I read 71 books! That is a new record for me! I love a good book!