Somewhere around college I became less of a reader for fun and more of a reader because I had to do required reading for coursework. I'd pick up books in the summer, but during the school year fun reading went out the window. By the time I started grad school reading for fun just wasn't happening a whole lot.
So. This year I challenged myself to become a reader again. I set a goal of 12 books. 1 per month. I was worried that was going to be too much to accomplish considering I was averaging 3-4 books a year the previous few years.
Well. This past week I hit 50 and I cancelled Hulu+.
So, I'm sharing some of my favorite reads from this past year in case anyone is looking for a good read (Or 2. Or 10. Or whatever.)
Best Non-Fiction
My mom and I watched the movie and were rolling from laughing. A sweet friend let me borrow the book and it was a pretty quick read. Just as funny as the movie and written by an Iowa author.
Best Guilty Pleasure
This series is Hunger Games meets The Bachelor. Is it a deep thinker? Definitely not. Is it pretty cheesy? YUP. But, did I shotgun the entire series in about a week? Most definitely.
Best Chick Lit
The movie doesn't follow the book 100%, but it's the rare book that the differences work in the book and is easy to understand why some things had to change for the movie. The second one is sitting on my nightstand and am hoping to get to it before the end of the year!
Best Historical Fiction
This book and it's sequel, The War I Finally Won, were so so beautiful. Honorable mention to, Whistling in the Dark by Shirley Hughes.
Best Self-Improvement
My word for 2018 was Lovely so this book paired well with my mindset for this year. I love Annie F. Downs. Remember God is also on my nightstand to read pile. Follow her on Instagram. Listen to her podcast. Read her books. She's great.
Favorite ICCA
I've read 13 of this year's ICCA books. With 20 total, finishing the whole list before the end of the school year should be easily accomplished. I've loved a handful of them, but this is the one that surprised me the most and loved the story so so much.
Best Free Verse
I'm not a poetry lover so the fact that I've read more than one free verse book this year is just as surprising to me as it may be to you. This one had a sweet message and was a ridiculously fast read.
Favorite Recommendation
This book is adorable. I won't spoil the surprising way it's written, but I absolutely loved it. It's a lighthearted falling in love story that's a quick read, but will leave you grinning.
Book I Didn't Expect to Love So Much
This was a book fair purchase last year. It's a hefty book and honestly, was a little daunting. It took me a while to get into it because I started it after reading a string of sad/deep thinking books and it seemed like this one may be a sad/deep thinking book. I powered through and ended up loving it. Such a wonderful message and beautifully written.
Favorite Book of the Year
This book made me think. It made me cry. It made me mad. It made me understand my privileges. It has stayed with me even though I finished it a couple months ago. I would recommend it to anyone.
Book I'm Most Looking Forward to Reading in 2019
Michelle Obama is one of my biggest role models and I'm looking forward to reading her book...alas I'm like 24th on the hold list at my library so it may be a while!
My goal for the coming year is 25. Why not 50? Well, I don't know what 2019 is going to bring and I want to make sure I don't get frustrated with my goal (because I know myself and that's something I do). Feel free to follow me on Goodreads and suggest some of your favorite reads for me to read to make next year's goal!
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