Here are my top reads of the year, in no particular order. As far as I can remember by what I wrote down, I read 56 books this year. I’m sharing the top 26. And then there are 3 or 4 at the end that we bought for the kids for Christmas. (A lot of these books I either borrowed from the library or read on my free library app, most of the devotional or missionary books I have recently bought or have on hand) 

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton … I ADORE all of her books! Mystery and intrigue.

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield..also intriguing…old fashioned, descriptive and beautiful

When Life Gives you Pears by Jeannie Gaffigan. Amazing story by Jim Gaffigan’s wife who had a brain tumor

Bon Appetempt by Amelia Morris – my favorite genre – autobiography centered around food!

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – LOVED this book! What an incredible true story about an incredible survivor. (want to read again!) 

The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall – fictional account of 2 couples working together in a church, an interesting look at human interaction and relationships

The German Midwife  by Mandy Robotham …so interesting and scary! Can’t remember if it’s true or not. 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. This is the prequel to the Hunger Games… our whole family passed this book around and loved it.   

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (same author as Once Upon a River!) Intriguing!!! 

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk – magical and folklore-ish, I loved the nature and simplicity, but also a mystery. It is a young adult book, which I can truly appreciate. 

The Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth. A murder mystery! I loved it. 

Open Book by Jessica Simpson. I realize my book picks are all over the place!! We have Elisabeth Elliot and Jessica Simpson on the same list which seems odd…but this book about Jessica’s life is very interesting! 11 of these books on my list are autobiographical. There is nothing better than a candid look at someone’s life. 

Praying for your Adult Children by Stormie O’Martian – if you have read anything here for long you’ve seenme talk about this author! LOVE these practical helps and scripture-rich guides to praying for your loved ones. 

A Look Within by Faith Taylor. I have done this study years ago and pulled it out again- just a solid helpful tool to learn more about people in the Bible and learn from their lives.  

31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers …loved going through this book during November, chock full of scripture and reminders of God’s goodness and grace.   

One to One Bible Reading by David Helm. Such a simple, helpful, little book. I am using these ideas! All about how to initiate reading the Bible with other people. Such practical ideas and ways to study the Bible for yourself and with others.  

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot. I LOVE this book! It’s like just sitting with Elisabeth Elliot over coffee and chatting about everything. A real look into her thoughts and beliefs and what she has learned about God and many different subjects.   

In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham. An interesting and convicting true story about a missionary couple and their trials. 

I’ll have what she’s having by Rebecca Harrington …so funny! I love reading about different diets and ways to eat, so this was perfect.   

Meet the Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Thames. I love a good move- to- the- country-live-off-the-land type book. This is inspiring! She also has a blog, so it’s fun to read the book, then look at her website and find out more about the family.  

Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson. Great book! Andrew Peterson is an inspiration. You can hear him talk here on the Journeywoman’s podcast He is a songwriter, singer, author, and all around creative, godly man, Dave has been a fan for years.  

Kitchen Yarns by Ann Hood. Again, my fave…a person, their life, and food.   

All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot. Such sweet stories about a country vet, you know the one…its a great read when you are stressed or have just read a contemporary murder mystery! 

Find Your Path by Carrie Underwood. I liked this book mostly for the recipes. I’ve tried her stir fry, the tofu scramble, the roasted veggies, and the quiche. I love the recipes and healthy ideas. 

Two great books that I’ve read multiple times. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr a different look at WWII, where the paths of a young German soldier and a french girls’ lives intersect. And Educated by Tara Westover, the true story of her journey from a difficult background to college and then to Cambridge and getting her doctorate.

These last three we gave to the kids for Christmas. The Sacred Search, I haven’t read yet, but it comes highly recommended, we gave to the boys. Stepping Heavenward is MY FAVORITE book ever that my dear Mom gave to me, so I got a copy for Skye. Skye and I have read the book together. But she needed her own copy. It is written as a journal of a girl who grows into womanhood. It is a very true to life look at the daily struggles and growth in the Lord. This last book is one we got for Wes since he is studying medicine.(He’s in the Physicians assistant program at school) Dave’s Mom recommended this book about a missionary Doctor. We also got a book for Wil called Another Hand on Mine by William J Petersen, another missionary doctor.

Would love to hear what you read in 2020 and what you recommend. Looking forward to reading in the new year. I am currently reading (on my library app called overdrive) The Wilder Life, and ready to start Save me the Plums (another food memoir!)