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(And as a reminder, this are my opinions and these are books that I enjoyed this past year. You don't have to like them and you don't have to read them because I suggested them. Truly. Please don't be annoyed with me if you don't like something. Just chalk it up to preferences and move on. Thanks.)
And so, once again, here is my list in random order, except the first one of course.
The Book of Mormon
This book will be at the top of any book list forever. Once again, my great love for it caused me to read it twice. Which is more than any other book this year. Here are my thoughts on it again, if anyone is interested.
Ida B:...and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World
I loveth this book. So very much. But listen carefully, it is very important if you want to give this book a try, that you don't read it. But instead listen to it. I am telling you, I am usually one who thinks that reading a book is far better then listening, but in this case (and a couple of others), I will make an exception. I could go on and on, but I will just say, go check out the audio version from your library and listen to it. With your kids if applicable. Loved loved loved it.
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
And here again, my friend Julie Klassen made another appearance. Good grief, I like her writing. It makes me happy. That is all. Oh, except I heard she has another book out this month. Can you say giddy?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Yes folks, I officially finished the Harry Potter series. Just sixteen years late. And many people told me I wouldn't like how the last book ended, because I want everything perfectly happy and wrapped up without any sadness, but, surprisingly, they were wrong. I loved it. It ended just as it should in my opinion. Well played, J.K. Rowling, well played.
Kisses from Katie
I do not even know how to talk about this book except to say please read it. It changed me quite a bit and I am so grateful. I am so inspired by the faith of others and how they choose to change the world. And Katie Davis is changing this world of ours. Big time. What an inspiration.
Divergent
This book won't change you or the world, but boy howdy, I liked it. It may not be for everyone, but sometimes I just love reading something entertaining and enthralling and that I don't have to think too hard about. I liked it mucho.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
Alrighty, it took me a while to get up the guts to read this book. I was worried I would just be annoyed the whole time I read it (because of what others had said about it), but to be honest, I wasn't. I was really grateful I read it. First, it was interesting. And second, it made me realize that there are areas where I am lacking and I can require more of my children and that there are other areas where I can take a big-old-settle-down pill.
The Walk
Many years back, I read several books by Richard Paul Evans. And then haven't read another of his books for a long time. So I decided to pick up a few and this book stood out to me. It was just really interesting to me and has made me think quite a bit. I would be lying to say I absolutely loved it, but I did enjoy it. And I finished the second in the series today and liked it even more. So, it may be worth your time.
The Happiness Project
Gretchen Rubin makes me laugh. She has a dry humor that appeals to me and this book was so incredibly interesting to me. Oddly, I loved how she approached finding happiness. I'm not saying it is how I would do it, but it was fascinating to me and it has made me think a lot about happiness and about my choice to be happy. And has influenced some of my thoughts and resolutions for 2013.
Heaven is Here
I, along with a whole lot of people, read this book by plane crash survivor, Stephanie Nielson. I laughed a lot and I cried a lot and I felt intensely grateful for the privilege of being a mother and a wife. And my lack of challenges surrounding that great honor. Every time I think of this book, I try to remember that. And for that, I will always be grateful.
Read on cute friends, read on!
