Top Ten Books of 2019

My last post included 47 books I read in 2019. (Click here to read it). I enjoyed most of them, but here are my FAVORITES of 2019. If you haven’t read these yet, add them to your:

“Must Read” list of 2020!

Each is an affiliate link, that means if you click and decide to purchase, I may earn a small commission for recommending that product! Thanks for reading!

1. The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

Rating: 10/10

Review: This was the first audiobook I listened to in 2019 and I absolutely LOVED it! Chip and Joanna have a FASCINATING story that they tell in their own words. The book includes the story of how they met, as well as the hilarious story about how their show Fixer Upper almost didn’t happen. This is probably a fun book to read, but the Audiobook is amazing because the story is told by the authors! You can listen for free if you have a library card and use the Hoopla app!

2. The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown

Rating: 10/10

Review: I listened to this one on my Hoopla App and recommend that you do the same. Brene shares stories on Joy, Vulnerability, Courage and Connection throughout the entire book. It was EXCELLENT!

Key Takeaways:

1. The whole-hearted person cultivates rest and play.
2. Brene says she has never interviewed a single person who lives with Joy without ACTIVELY practicing Gratitude. The one difference to becoming a JOYFUL person? Practice gratitude. When you look into the faces of your children and experience the shudder of vulnerability – actively express gratitude. (RATHER than catastrophizing). When a fear comes, verbally express gratitude. 

3. Fully Alive: Learning to Flourish Mind, Body and Spirit by Susie Larson

Rating: 10/10

Review: I listened to this on my Hoopla App, but would like to read this in printed form so I can highlight and underline. This book is filled with truth and encouragement.

“Jesus wants us to flourish. He wants us whole. He wants to take what the enemy meant for evil against us and turn it for good. He wants us to live life bold and free, courageous and steadfast.”

Susie Larson

Fully Alive is a journey of healing from the inside out through the redemption of Jesus’s eternal love for us. Susie suggests healthy ways to replace destructive thoughts and habits and answers to the anxiety, fear, and worry that weigh us down.

“Picture Jesus Himself holding your face in both of His nail-scarred hands and looking directly into your eyes. Hear Him say to you, “I love you. I see you. I hear your cries. I remember you. I will take on your pain. I will heal you.” Let those words soak into your soul!”

Susie Larson

4. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Rating: 10/10

Review: I don’t read a lot of fiction. I’d rather be reading about someone’s life or learning something new. However, my friend gave me her copy of this book and said she loved it. Once I started reading, I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. Delia is a phenomenal writer and I see why this book is a New York Times Best Seller. At the time of this post, this book has received nearly 30,000 5-star reviews on amazon! (I have 1% of that with my book!)

It’s the story of a girl who raises herself. It’s a captivating story about how she survives, who she chooses to trust, and how she provides for herself.

This a great book to take on vacation.

5. Educated by Tara Westover

Rating: 10/10

Review: I neglected nearly all household chores for 24 hours to devour this memoir. Tara Westover shares her fascinating story of growing up in a Mormon family, not being allowed to attend school or do anything that her family considered “worldly.” She ends up teaching herself so that she can take, and pass ,the SAT. She then gets into college – and goes on to get her PhD. That is my short and boring version of a fascinating story.

6. Maybe you should talk to someone by Lori Gottlieb

Rating: 10/10

Review: I saw a friend recommend this book and decided to purchase it. When it arrived in the mail, I read the first two pages to get a feel for what the book was about…but then I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up way too late too finish this one. When I read the last page, I wanted to read it again.

This is a book written by a therapist and writer – Lori Gottlieb. She shares stories about some of her clients, as well as what she learns from her own therapy. I appreciated the insights she gives about her patients and her own behavior.

7. God Smuggler by Brother Andrew

Rating: 10/10

Review: This is an old book that I finally read for the first time this year. It’s a fascinating true story about a missionary who smuggled Bibles into communist countries. The story describes one miracle after the other and leaves you full of hope and joy. It strengthened my faith in the goodness of God. This would be a good family read-aloud!

8. Janet Benge books

Rating: 10/10

Review: Janet Benge writes biographies of people who made a positive difference in this world. Each book is about an ordinary person who does something extraordinary with their life. Her books are great for ages 8 and up. I recommend you read to or listen with your children or grandchildren. They are easy-to-read and so engaging! The three I read this year were:

• Amy Carmichael
• Corrie Ten Boom
• Gladys Aylward

I loved each one and plan to read more aloud with my boys this year!

9. 40 day Joy Challenge for Moms

Rating: 10/10

Review: This was written by women, for women. They are Bible studies for each day to help you live a life of joy. Included in this study is access to a short teaching video on Joy by Tommy Newberry.

This would make at the perfect book for a small group Bible Study!

There’s new study about to be published. Read it with me in the spring of 2020. Click here to check it out.

10. The Blind Side by Michael Lewis

Rating: 10/10

Review: I’ve always loved to read, but sometime between babies 3 and 4, I took a break from reading. I was just too tired and too busy.

However, after watching “The Blind Side” movie... I wanted to read the story behind the movie. I checked this book out from the library. The book was so interesting that I couldn’t figure out why I ever stopped reading. Michael Lewis is a phenomenal writer. This book was the catalyst to me reading voraciously again.

This year, I decided to reread The Blind Side. It’s the perfect book for football season because there is so much insight into the sport. I love this book and recommend it to anyone who loves a good, true story! You’ll especially enjoy it if you like football.

What was your favorite book of 2019! Leave me a comment!

Also – is there a book you are looking forward to reading next year? Let me know! Ted’s already set out a stack of books for me to read this year.

Click here to read the other books I read in 2019 – some really GOOD, some really BAD!

Click here to read my 9 of 2018!

May your 2020 be full of GOOD STORIES!

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