Best Books of 2019

How is it time to be picking a Top Ten yearly reads list again? It feels like we were just welcoming 2019, and now here it is, just hours away from 2020.

For this year's list, I decided to do something different. While I'm still picking my ten favorites, this year I'm not limiting myself to 5-star books as I have in the past. Instead, I'm going with the ten books that have most stuck with me. Ones that I loved (but maybe weren't perfect), ones that I could see myself reading again.

Best Books of 2018: Top Ten

2018 was a bit of an odd reading year for me. According to Goodreads, I read 104 books, and I can think of a handful of others that I read but didn't review, so the total is probably closer to 115. But out of all of those books, I didn't have that one read that made me think, "This is it—I bet this will be my favorite book of the year!" Don't get me wrong: I read a lot of great books, and some I identified immediately as ones that would probably make this list, but not one stood far out from the rest as the book of the year. I'm still ranking these books from ten to one (as I always do), but I might feel differently about the order tomorrow 🤣.

Best Books of 2017: Top Ten

Thank you, snow day, for giving me the time to work on this today! Otherwise, it might've been March before I finished (like it was last year)!

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I've Read So Far This Year

Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic, The Best Books I've Read So Far in 2017, was too good to pass up. Why? Because it always takes me f.o.r.e.v.e.r to compile and publish my yearly "best of" list ... so if I pick the best ones I've read in the first six months of the year now, I'll have less work to do in December (or January. or February. or March.)! I'm listing them in the order I read them, from most to least recent. Just picking them out is enough work for now—don't ask me to rank them, too!

Best Books of 2016: Top Ten (Plus Two!)

So ... I'm a little embarrassed to even post this now. It's March 1. I have never been so late with my "best of" list before. I don't even have an excuse; I just kept procrastinating!

best books of 2015: top ten

Yesterday, I posted my "honorable mention" list of books I read in 2015, and today it's time for the main event: my top ten favorite reads of 2015! (Remember, these are books I read in 2015; a few were released in previous years.)

10. The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher (my review)

Amish novels don't often make my list of favorite reads, but this latest release from Suzanne Woods Fisher is simply spectacular. Full of humor, romance, and intriguing characters, The Imposter also deals with problems within the leadership of an Amish church district, making it unusual and fascinating.

9. The Inn at Ocean's Edge by Colleen Coble (my review)

Colleen Coble is at the top of her game with The Inn at Ocean's Edge. I find that often romantic suspense falters on either the "romantic" or "suspense" part—but The Inn at Ocean's Edge has both romance and suspense in spades. It's easily the best book I read in the genre in 2015.

8. The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson (my review)

Hands down my favorite YA read of the year, The Golden Braid is a wholly entertaining retelling of Rapunzel. It's one of those books you could hand off to your preteen daughter with no concern, yet you'll fully enjoy yourself. I can't wait to read more from Dickerson!

7. The Lost Garden by Katharine Swartz (my review)

Easily my favorite book cover of 2015, The Lost Garden is beautiful and literary and gently romantic. I had never heard of Katharine Swartz before picking up this novel, but I'll definitely be watching for her work now!

6. For the Love by Jen Hatmaker (my review)

The only non-fiction book on my list, For the Love was truly life changing, in more ways than one. The content of the book caused me to reevaluate several things in my life; the community that sprung out of the book's launch team also changed me. I'm ever so grateful for this book!

5. A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade (my review)

It's no surprise to find a Becky Wade book on this list: I have yet to come across something she wrote that I didn't love. In A Love Like Ours, she gives readers two romances for the price of one: Lyndie & Jake and Amber & Will. Both are charming.

4. The Wonder of You by Susan May Warren (my review)

Another year, another Christiansen family entry in my top ten list. (It could just as easily be Always on My Mind, Casper Christiansen's story, on this list, but I decided long ago to only include one book per author on my top ten lists!) The Wonder of You tells Amelia Christiansen's story, and it also checks back in on Max and Grace, whose story began in It Had to Be You, which made my top ten list last year. I have loved this series so much, and I'm sad that it's nearing its end.

3. Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin (my review)

Sarah Sundin kicked off her new Waves of Freedom series with Through Waters Deep, a novel just as engaging as all of her previous ones. While I usually gravitate toward contemporary fiction, I have a soft spot for the World War II time period, and I don't think there's anyone who writes better World War II fiction than Sundin. The characters, romance, and plot of Through Waters Deep are all top notch, and I eagerly await the next book in the series!

2. The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall (my review)

I read the first three novels in The Everstone Chronicles in 2015, and while I enjoyed them all, I loved, loved, loved The Bound Heart. Lawry and Meredyth's romance is sweet, frustrating, and passionate. I started reading The Bound Heart one evening and stayed up way too late so I could finish it. Easily my favorite romance of 2015!

1. A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert (my review)

I don't even have the words to describe how much I loved this novel! Though it's marketed as a romance, I didn't find it that romantic, at least in the conventional way. Instead, it felt like a romance between God and His children. One of the themes of the novel is forging ahead with faith when life doesn't turn out as planned—something I think we all can identify with! I know I haven't done an adequate job of describing just why this novel is special, but take my word for it: you want to read A Broken Kind of Beautiful.

So there's my list. What about yours? If you posted a top books list this year, please leave a link in the comments so we can all check it out. And if you didn't, you could just list your favorites in a comment. I'd love to know if we loved any of the same books!

See my lists from 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.


Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

best books of 2015: honorable mention

2015 was a banner year for lovers of inspirational fiction. I can't remember another year when I've had such a difficult time choosing a top 10 list—I read so many phenomenal books this year that I couldn't limit myself to 10. (Goodreads tells me I read 104 books this year—crazy!) We'll start with the honorable mentions today (which were hard to narrow down, too!) and then move on to my 10 favorite books of the year tomorrow. Keep in mind that these are books I read in 2015; a few of them were published in previous years.

One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg (my review) 

While I loved all three of Tagg's novels/novellas that I read in 2015, One Enchanted Christmas takes the top prize for its humor and adorability.

The Girl From the Train by Irma Joubert (my review) 

Always a fan of World War II-era fiction, I devoured this novel about a German orphan who is adopted by a South African couple.

A Table by the Window and Reservations for Two by Hillary Manton Lodge (my reviews) 

I couldn't read these novels quickly enough, and I can't wait for the third to release! They contain a love triangle that is rare in the fact that I have no idea which man the main character should choose.

Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter (my review) 

I always love Denise Hunter's novels, and Falling Like Snowflakes marks a great start to her new Summer Harbor series.

Somebody Like You by Beth Vogt (my review)

Somebody Like You is the first book I read in 2015, and it remains one of my favorites. The premise—an identical twin the widow didn't know about shows up and falls in love with her—could have been ripped from a soap opera, but the book is not even slightly soapy.

Shadows of Ladenbrook Manor by Melanie Dobson (my review) 

I simply adored this dual timeline story that shows how one secret can affect a family for generations.

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck (my review)

This final book in Hauck's Royal Wedding series is cute, romantic, and thought provoking. It's a definite winner!

I'm sure there are many more books I could list here, but I have to cut myself off somewhere! Check back tomorrow for my top ten list, and be sure to let me know in the comments if you loved any of these books, too!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

best books of 2014: top 10

According to my Pinterest board, I reviewed 88 books in 2014. I'm not sure I remembered to pin all of my reviews, and I did read a few books that I didn't review, so I'm guessing that I read between 90 and 100 books during 2014. That's insane! I enjoyed—even loved—the vast majority of books that I read this year. It really seems like the inspirational market was on fire in 2014—there were just so many great books published, and I still have a bunch of titles on my TBR list. Here's hoping 2015 is just as good!

I had a really difficult time narrowing my list of best books down to ten, but after much debate, I did it ... though I will list some honorable mentions at the end. (Note that these are books that I read in 2014; they may have been published earlier.)

10. An October Bride by Katie Ganshert (my review)

I read each of Zondervan's Year of Weddings novellas, and An October Bride was my favorite. I absolutely love fake dating/engagement stories (almost as much as I love marriage of convenience stories), and Ganshert's novella nears perfection. Plus, it can be read in about an hour, making for a really enjoyable evening.

9. Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck (my review)

I'm absolutely loving Hauck's Royal Weddings series, and Princess Ever After was a pure delight. If you like fairy tales with a side of reality, then this is the book for you! (Also note that you don't need to have previously read Once Upon a Prince in order to enjoy Princess Ever After.)

8. All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant (my review)

If you enjoy cooking competition shows like I do (my most recent fave was Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship), you'll love Betsy St. Amant's romance/behind-the-scenes look at a Food Network-ish show. Plus, the cover is to die for!

7. Luminary by Krista McGee (my review)

This may seem like an odd choice, since I also read the wonderful conclusion to McGee's Anomaly series in 2014. I gave both books 5 stars, but I enjoyed Luminary just a bit more. I think it was because it focused on Thalli's introduction to the world outside of the State, and Revolutionary (the final book) takes place almost entirely in the State. Both books are fantastic (as is Anomaly, which was #9 on my best of 2013 list); I just liked Luminary a bit more.

6. Silenced by Dani Pettrey (my review)

Finally in 2014, Pettrey gave us the story we'd been waiting years for—Jake and Kayden's story! (At least I'd been waiting years for it!) Silenced is the fourth book in Pettrey's fantastic Alaskan Courage series. Not only is the romance wonderful (and long overdue!), but the suspense in Silenced felt so much more, well, suspenseful than in the previous novels. Read this book ... but read the others in the series first (Submerged, Shattered, Stranded)!

5. A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga (my review)

Of all the books on the list, A Promise in Pieces surprised me the most. When it arrived in my mailbox, I thought, Why on earth did I request this book? Then I started reading. Not only is the story completely captivating, but this book is also responsible for the top "ugly cry" of the year. I was practically sobbing! A Promise in Pieces is so much more than a romance—it's a beautifully written, life-affirming masterpiece. (And I still say that Hallmark should make it into a movie!)

4. In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin (my review)

Is it any surprise a Sarah Sundin book landed on my list? Each year that I've compiled a list (2011, 2012, 2013), a Sundin book has made the cut. 2014 couldn't be the odd man out! In Perfect Time is the perfect (ha, ha) conclusion to Sundin's Wings of the Nightingale series, and I think it's probably my favorite of the three books in the series. Now I'm eagerly awaiting Sundin's next release!

3. Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter (my review)

Dancing with Fireflies is the second book in Hunter's Chapel Springs series to make one of my "Best of" lists—Barefoot Summer was #10 on my 2013 list. Where Barefoot Summer was wonderful, Dancing with Fireflies was simply phenomenal. In fact, for much of the year I thought it would end up in the top spot. It did get edged out (barely), but it's still one of the best books I've read in a long time.

2. When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren (my review)

The love that I feel for Susan May Warren's Christiansen Family series knows no bounds. In fact, this is one series that I think I could happily reread (and I very rarely reread books). While I completely adored Take a Chance on Me and It Had to Be You (though I never reviewed them ...), I fell head over heels for When I Fall in Love. Grace Christiansen is my favorite book heroine of 2014, probably because I see bits of myself in her. Because of the way Warren is writing this series, with one book flowing into the next, you really need to begin with Take a Chance on Me and just dive into the series. Trust me; you want to read these books!

1. Meant to be Mine by Becky Wade (my review)

In 2012, I read Wade's My Stubborn Heart and immediately knew I'd found another writer to watch. (That book ended up in the #1 spot on my Best of 2012 list.) While I enjoyed her follow-up novel, Undeniably Yours, I didn't have the same connection with that book that I'd had with My Stubborn Heart. (Don't get me wrong—I liked it. A lot. But it just wasn't quite as good as My Stubborn Heart.) So I went into Meant to Be Mine a bit cautiously, wondering if Wade could capture the magic of My Stubborn Heart again. And she did! I read Meant to Be Mine in one evening (and early morning)—I simply couldn't put it down! Not only was the romance sizzling hot (without crossing the line), but the characters were some of the most realistic that you'll find in the inspirational market. Celia and Ty were certainly not perfect ... and that made them even more likable. Even now, I'm itching to read the book again. It's so, so good!

Honorable Mention (because I couldn't stop at 10):
A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher (my review)
Take A Chance on Me, It Had to be You, and Evergreen (my review) by Susan May Warren
A May Bride by Meg Moseley (my review)
Friend Me by John Fabion (my review)
Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin (my review)

There are my favorites ... what did you love reading in 2014?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

best books of 2013: top 10

It's that time again: time to pick my favorite books of the year. (And this year, I'm actually posting before the new year—if only by two hours. That's quite the improvement over my 2011 and 2012 lists!) If my Pinterest board is to be believed, then I read 87 books in 2013 (and I'm not sure that I remembered to pin each book I read). Out of those 87, I enjoyed the vast majority, so narrowing my list of favorites down to 10 was quite difficult—so difficult that I'll be publishing a list of honorable mention books later this week. Below are the books that I settled on as my favorite 10 reads of 2013.

10. Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter (my review)

Barefoot Summer is a fantastic opening to Hunter's Chapel Springs series. Madison and Beckett's chemistry practically leaps off the page, and the conclusion is heartwarming and satisfying. I can't wait for book two's release this spring!

9. Anomaly by Krista McGee (my review)

Anomaly stunned me. I expected to enjoy it (it's YA/sci-fi, so how could I not?), but I didn't anticipate the way McGee would so completely suck me into her world. The book ends with a delightful twist, and I can't wait to read the second book in the trilogy!

8. Duchess by Susan May Warren (my review)

The final book in Warren's Daughters of Fortune trilogy, Duchess is also the best. For whatever reason, it really resonated with me—and I especially connected with main character Rosie. Here's a snippet of my review: "Really, Rosie could be any of us. No, we don't all have bombshell looks or the attitude to go with it, but we do all have regrets and hurts that motivate our actions, and without surrendering to Christ and trusting that He loves us, we could gain the whole world and still be searching for meaning and wholeness. The spiritual lessons found in this book (and the rest of the series) are profound, yet not at all 'preachy.'"

7. Shattered by Dani Pettrey (my review)

Shattered is the second book in Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series. It focuses on Piper and Landon, two of my favorite characters from the first book in the series. Packed with mystery and romance, Shattered was easily my favorite romantic suspense novel of the year.

6. Moon Over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart (my review)

Of all the books on this list, Moon Over Edisto is the least overtly "Christian" and the most literary. (It is put out by a Christian publisher, but the faith aspect takes a backseat. And I think that's totally fine.) It's the only novel that I read this year that I thought my sister, who tends toward literary snobbery, would enjoy—and so I promptly bought her a copy as soon as I finished reading mine. Moon Over Edisto is a beautifully-written novel about family, and it ended far too soon for my liking.

5. The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen (my review)

If you love Jane Austen, you'll love Julie Klassen. I've read several of her books so far, and each one is better than the last. The Tutor's Daughter is pure delight. Here's a bit of what I had to say in my review: "As I read, I couldn't help but feel that I was reading a Jane Austen novel. Or, more accurately, that I was watching a film adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, as Klassen has a way with words that put a very clear picture into my head as I read. The plot evokes memories of Northanger Abbey, Emma,Pride & Prejudice, and even Jane Eyre while still remaining unique." Klassen's next book, The Dancing Master, is currently sitting on my to be read shelf—I can't wait to pick it up!

4. A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund (my review)

I loved everything about A Noble Groom...especially the hero, Carl. In my review, I said that "Carl gives Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy a run for his money. While Carl is by no means perfect, he is wonderful (and a lot less uppity than that Darcy fellow)." And that cover? It may be my favorite book cover of the year!

3. On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin (my review)

Fun fact: Sarah Sundin is the only author to have a book appear on my "best of" list each year that I've made one: With Every Letter was number four on my 2012 list, and Blue Skies Tomorrow was my pick for my favorite book of 2011.

On Distant Shores continues Sundin's streak of excellent World War II fiction. I love that while her books are full of romance, they contain so much more. On Distant Shores highlights the struggles pharmacists faced in the Army, and Sundin wrote about it so realistically that I wanted to call my senator to demand fair treatment for them! I'm eagerly awaiting Sundin's next novel.

2. Invisible by Ginny Yttrup (my review)

Ginny Yttrup was a new-to-me author, and she totally blew me away with this novel. Invisible focuses on three women, each of whom is hiding in some way. As they connect with each other, they work through emotional and physical trauma and learn about the God who loves them infinitely. Invisible is completely captivating, and when I finished reading it, I just had to sit there and let it sink in. I loved it.

1. Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay (my review)

Dear Mr. Knightley, Katherine Reay's debut novel, is so unique and fun! I don't think I can say it better than I did in my review: "Honestly, I picked up Dear Mr. Knightley expecting a simple romance, but this book turned out to be so much more—throughout the course of the novel, Sam found her voice, her place in the world. And, yes, she found love—in many forms. One of the most touching aspects of the novel was not the romance (though it was sweet) but the love Sam found in family.

Dear Mr. Knightley is a novel that will grab you at the first page and not let go until you've finished the last. Run to your nearest bookstore (or, more realistically, click on over to the website of your favorite bookseller) and get your hands on a copy of this book. You won't regret it!"

I almost wish I hadn't read Dear Mr. Knightley yet—because that would mean I could experience it again for the first time! For a limited time, it's only $2.99 for Kindle (check the price before you buy)—you really need to read this book!

There you have it: my top 10 reads of 2013. Check back at the end of the week for my honorable mention books. Happy New Year!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

best books of 2012: top 10

Last year (okay, it was really last February), I picked my favorite books of 2011 in several genres. These were books that I read in 2011, but they weren't necessarily published in 2011. This year, rather than pick my favorite books of 2012 in particular genres, I've assembled a Top 10 list. Some of these books are in the same genre, because—let's be honest—nearly everything I read is a historical or contemporary romance. These books didn't all earn 5-star reviews—but they are the 10 books that, at the end of the year, I remembered most fondly. I nearly decided to skip ranking the books and merely list 10 of my favorites, but that would be the easy way out. So here they are, my 10 favorite books of 2012.

10. Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska by Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss (my review)

This is one of the last books I read in 2012, and it was definitely one of the best! I love how the two stories—one from the present and one from the past—are intertwined. Plus, both romances are really heartwarming. Definitely a winner!

9. Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz (my review)

I read Beyond Molasses Creek on a train, in an airport, and on a plane. When I finished, I just had to sit there and absorb it—it was that good. It's definitely not fluff (though you know I enjoy the fluff, too!)—it's a novel to be savored.

8. Dreamspell by Tamara Leigh (my review)

It's a time travel story with humor and an excellent romance, capped off by a touching epilogue. Do I need to say more?

7. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen (my review)

I stayed up far too late reading this book about an heiress who goes undercover as a maid. Though it's set a full century before Downton Abbey, if you're a Downton fan, you'll enjoy this book.

6. The Choice by Robert Whitlow (my review)

This is absolutely the best pro-life book I have ever read. Here's part of my review: "This book shows the abortion debate in a different light as it goes beyond the choice itself and shows the aftermath of the decision. While I have always considered myself pro-life, The Choice helped me see past the politicized pro-life/pro-choice debate and consider the women who face the pain of unplanned pregnancy while also strengthening my belief in the importance of choosing life."

You need to read this book!

5. Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol by Creston Mapes (my review)

Honestly, I didn't expect to enjoy Dark Star very much ... so I never would have guessed it would end up on my Top 10 list!

From my review: "Rarely do I read a book that captivates me as much as Dark Star did. I felt like I was really reading a rock star's autobiography—it was like an E! True Hollywood Story in book form. I literally could not stop reading—I had to know what would happen next!"

4. With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin (my review)

With Every Letter is a wonderful World War II romance that takes its cue from The Shop Around the Corner (the precursor to You've Got Mail). Sarah Sundin is one of my favorite historical fiction writers because of the wonderful characters she creates. Her books are can't miss for historical fiction lovers!

3. The Stars Shine Bright by Sibella Giorello (my review)

Giorello's Raleigh Harmon series is my favorite in-progress series. Raleigh is an FBI agent, and each book details one of her cases ... as well as her relationship (which can't really be described as a romance—yet!) with fellow agent Jack Stephanson. The Stars Shine Bright is my favorite Raleigh book to date, and I eagerly await the next installment.

2. Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore (my review)

Angel Eyes was my favorite book of the year in two categories: Young Adult (YA) fiction and sci-fi/fantasy. This is a fabulous book that is at turns witty, thought provoking, intense, and sweet. I can't wait to read the sequel, which releases next month!

1. My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade (my review)
I read My Stubborn Heart at the end of April. After that, every time someone asked me for book recommendations, this was at the top of the list. This is a fantastic book with wonderful characters, and it has a great message about following God instead of your heart.

If you pick just one book from this list to read, read My Stubborn Heart. Not only is it my favorite book of 2012, but it would easily make my list of the Top 10 books I've ever read!

Have you read any of the books on this list? What did you think of them?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”