Beauty on the Backroads

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The best books I've read so far this year

The first four months of this year have flown by, it seems, and I’ve yet to give you a round-up of the best books I’ve read so far.

According to my Goodreads stats, I’ve read 30 books in 2015 so far. Some of them I’ve reviewed, and some I haven’t. I know for sure that I’ve branched out this year, reading mainstream memoirs, popular non-fiction and general market fiction as well as Christian fiction.

Here are some of my favorites so far:

Best memoir: Yes, Please by Amy Poehler. Besides being funny, Poehler is also insightful about creativity and women who pursue their talents in male-dominated fields. The book was funny, yes, but also encouraging. Though I have no desire to act or do stand-up comedy, I found Poehler’s stories relevant to the field of writing (because she does that, too). And I loved the behind-the-scenes commentary on her time at Saturday Night Live. I found this book at the library, but I’d easily buy this and keep a copy on my already-stuffed bookshelves.

Best non-fiction: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. This massively huge story of Louis Zamperini is never dull and reads like fiction. I’m impressed and amazed by Hillenbrand’s writing and research processes, which makes the book that much more impressive to me. This was another library find. the tomb

Best Christian fiction: The Tomb by Stephanie Landsem. Biblical fiction is one of my favorite genres because it takes familiar stories and breathes life and detail into them. We only get the highlights of these stories in the Bible, and I love a good imaginative telling. The Tomb gives us a story about Martha that is rich and full and gives a new slant on her story.

Best general fiction: Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner. A World War II/contemporary story set in England. Do you need more explanation? Plus Meissner is one of my favorite authors. I love her writing.

do overMost life-changing: Do Over by Jon Acuff. A blend of humor and practical advice for anyone who feels stuck in their work/calling/vocation. Acuff lets us learn from his mistakes and encourages us to develop the skills we need to have a job/career/calling we love.

Runners-up: Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage by Madeleine L’Engle; Matilda by Roald Dahl; The Beautiful Daughters by Nicole Baart.

It’s always hard to narrow it down. I’m trying to be selective about the books I read so that I’m only reading the best stuff. These books rise above. If you want to see what I’m reading on a regular basis, check out my Goodreads profile in the sidebar, and check in here every Wednesday for a review of a book I’m reading.

What great books have you read so far this year?

The best books I read in the last 3 months

So, here we are, nearly at the halfway point of the year, and I’m trying to sum up the best books I read in the second three months of 2014. (For a look at first quarter’s best books, check out this post.)

Why is this so hard?!?!

I’m sorry if you think me dramatic, but I’m reading great books this year, and if you can’t find a good book to read, ask me for a recommendation! Because I’m super picky about the books I read and review, and if I don’t think they’re amazing, I’ll let you know. Here’s an attempt at the best books I read in the April-June range (in no particular order). And if you want to see what all I’ve read this year, find me on Goodreads. I track all my reading there. broken kind of beautiful

  • Just missing the date cutoff for the first quarter was Katie Ganshert’s A Broken Kind of Beautiful. This novel features one of my favorite fictional heroes. Possibly of  all time. Ganshert writes contemporary romance but it’s not light reading. I compared this book to Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love, which is on my all-time best books list.
  • Next up is The Waiting by Cathy LaGrow. Non-fiction that reads like fiction, and it is a tear-jerker, heart-breaking, hope-filled story of family reunion.
  • Jennie Allen’s Restless was a book that took me almost the entire quarter to read, and I still need to return to it and flesh out more of the questions it raises. If you’re lacking purpose or vision or wonder how and if God can use your life, this book will help.girl at end of world
  • I was surprised by how much I identified with the story in Girl at the End of the World by Elizabeth Esther. This is a memoir of the author’s years growing up in a fundamentalist cult. Her experiences are heartbreaking and her insights are challenging.daisies
  • I’m going to give this last one to a category of books: war novels. Daisies Are Forever by Liz Tolsma and The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot have renewed my interest in history. Tolsma’s book is set during World War II. Groot’s is a Civil War novel. Both are based on historical events and places, and both I would consider must-reads for any history buff out there.

Seriously, these lists pain me, so why I keep trying to pick favorites, I don’t know. But, if you’re in need of a summer read yet this year, check out one of these.

And tell me, what are the best books you’ve read so far this year?