Books of 2019

In 2018 my goal was to read 12 books. I hit that goal and read around 20 total. In 2019 I wanted to read more then that and I succeeded beyond what I thought I could do. I'm horrible at keeping track of what I read. I'm also horrible at remembering what the books are about after I read them. My goal for 2020 is to read at least 20 books, as well as keep track of what I read and what I thought about them overall in better details then I have done in previous years.

Thirty-seven books completed in 2019 (that I can recall reading) and 2 books attempted but not finished because I just didn't like them and what's the point in reading a book you don't like.

One of my top favorite books of the year. I gobbled this one up in one day while we were on the Washington coast for spring break. Could even see reading this one again. This was a book club book pick. 

I dove head first into this one as well, while we were in Arizona in March. After I read it I spent the next hour internet stalking all the people from her family. I later saw her speak in Seattle. I was interested to hear her in person since there were a few things I was curious about. She really blew me away, very well grounded, well spoken and on point with her thoughts. Also, a book club book.

This was 1 of the first books we read in a new parenting book club I'm in. I found the information in here to be beyond helpful and so useful. Also, it really was relevant to my son as well as my daughter. So much to take away, I could easy ready it again to get more from it.

I think this was my first read by Liane Moriarty, but I've heard so much about her books. This was a little take it or leave it for me. It was intriguing enough but pretty far fetched that it lost me by being over the top crazy. I kinda had expected more from it after I had heard so much about her books. Also, a book club pick.

I read this over the summer when I went on a huge reading binge. A quick read and page turner.

Another summer read for me, but this one was harder to get through. I don't remember tons about it but dragging my feet to get through it.

Summer read, easy and interesting.

This was a short read, but so crazy interesting. About a lady who is clearly on the spectrum but her life working at a convenience store is mind blowing interesting.

This was my book club pick for this year. A little mystery-ish. I loved the read, though a little wordier then I like my books, it was a page turner none-the-less.

This was a book club read. A true story, which was interesting to read historically, it was a bit of a slow read overall for me. I learned a lot about libraries though!

Another book club read. I enjoyed the way it was written by going through each of the 7 Husbands on a timeline. With a twist at the end.

Book club book strikes again. Another quick read with an interesting plot. Parts were hard to relate too, but were eye opening to say the least. Loved the Alaska setting to it.

Summer read here, that had a mystery like feel to it. Great read, great characters and plot.

This was the 1st read of the new parenting book club that was recently formed. Though the concept here was pretty basic and hammered in over the whole book, I would completely recommend it. It came at the perfect time when Shane was transitioning into middle school and that transition was quite a struggle.

A nice book on steps to take to make yourself or the family to improve about the overwhelming part that technology takes in our lives.

In December I read silly cheesy Christmas books. This was one of those. I didn't get to as many as I did last year though.

Fun little read for the holidays. This author does a great job painting the scenery of where her books take place. Beautiful unique spots that make you want to desperately visit them in real life.

Another Christmas book with a cute happy ending plot line. That's what you want when you read Christmas books!

This was part of a small group at our church, which I sadly didn't get to be a part of very much because of scheduling, but the book was a nice read. Some helpful tips on relationships of all types.

A summer read that was heavier and hard to get through. An interesting read overall.

Completely creepy and hard to read as a parent. Fantastic book though.

I heard amazing things about this book, but it didn't hit home for me. I loved the introduction to it but outside of that I didn't like how it was written.

Another Christmas tale. Sweet with a perfect little ending.

I haven't read anything by this author either though I know she has a full line of books. This was a book club read. It was odd. The jumping between to time periods wasn't my favorite. I liked one time period better then the other. Glad when it was over.

This was also a book club book pick. I can't remember for the life of me if I read this book in my younger years in school. I did remember aspects of it when I read it this go around, but not enough to recall the whole thing. Clearly there is a reason this is a much loved classic. 

Recommended by a friend, it took a few attempts for me to get into it, but as soon as I did, I couldn't put it down. 

A funny read. I don't remember what I read about or took any bits of wisdom from it, but it was a fun read.

This was one of favorite authors this year. I was excited to bring her into my Christmas reads. The characters were the same from a previous book I had read of hers. I love where they live. It had some sad parts to it but came together for a nice little happy ending.

Another summer read here. I don't remember much about this book. Sadly, sometimes they just go in one ear and out the other. All I know is I liked it.

Guess what folks!? Another summer read. Interesting plot line. Loved the characters.

This was kinda like watching a car crash. I wanted to keep reading but overall I didn't like the characters (they weren't likable on purpose). Summer read. My goal was to read over the summer and that I did.

My 1st time reading this author and I knew I wanted to read more by her. I love how she describes the settings.

Not my favorite read of the year, but worth the time I put into it.

So much fun with this story. If you have ever enjoyed watching anything on Food Network, this book is for you.

I was on a bit of a mystery kick this year. This was another fun summer read.

There were a few books that I tried to read this year, but just couldn't make it all the way through.

This also was a book club pick that didn't work for me. The plot and the writing just couldn't make me get past the 1st chapter.

I love Mr. Rogers and I wanted to love this book. I skimmed through the 1st and last part of it, but it was so dry. Wordy and over detailed.

Learning about the Enneagram was a huge part of the end of 2019 for me. This was a great beginners book and I learned a lot about myself and a few other family members. It's been really helpful information.

This was one of those books you I picked up from the library just because I wanted an easy fun read. This was certainly that.


Here is my list from 2018. 

My list from 2015. 

Books of 2018

Back in 2015 I set a goal to read 12 books in 12 months. I really wanted to pick back up the hobby and habit of reading. That set me rolling on my reading and ever since I haven't stopped. I've since joined a book club that also keeps my book list flowing. Here are the reads that I accomplished during 2018. 

Swimming Lessons By Claire Fuller: An interesting story line. A page turner overall. 

Long Way Home By Saroo Brierley: This book was turned into the movie Lion. I didn't see the movie, but I actually think for once the movie might be better then the book in this case. This true story was quite compelling, but the writing isn't as compelling. The emotions don't quite catch as much as I think the movie does. 

Beartown By Fredirck Backman: I enjoyed the middle of this book, but really didn't like the beginning and the end of it. It touched on some interesting topics about what living in a small town is like and politics of what that could be like. 

Sourdough By Robin Sloan: I adored this corky book! It certainly makes you dream of sourdough, so much that this GF gal had to get her own gf sourdough starter! Sadly, the starter is still sitting in it's package waiting for attention. The ending was a bit off, but overall a very fun read.

The Painter of Signs By R.K. Narayan: The cool thing about being in a book club is that I read books that I wouldn't normally pick up. This book fits in that category for sure! I would say it fits in the classic genre. It read like a classic to me, but was an interesting story about relationships and the Indian culture. 

Today Will Be Different By Maria Semple: I loved this book! I really enjoyed the transformation of the character. 

Lilac Girls By Martha Hall Kelly: I would normally tell you that war stories aren't my thing, but this book changed my opinion on that. Such amazing insight into the world of WWII. I remember being in Montana, visiting a friend, the very 1st week of summer break and staying up late reading this. A page turner, one that I couldn't put down. Very rich in history. 

Born a Crime By Trevor Noah: This might have been my least favorite book of the year. A true story, that had some interesting bits to it, but overall I just didn't enjoy the read. 

This Is How It Always Is By Laurie Frankel: I LOVED this book! A very interesting tale (though based on some real life aspects as well as locations in the Seattle area) about transgender. A young boy and his families choices as he becomes a girl. 

The Woman in the Window By A.J. Finn: A thriller that was an easy read with a handful of shocking turns. An enjoyable easy read that will have you shaking your head. 

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine By Gail Honeyman: A sweet love story. Another book that I really loved. 

The Alice Network By Kate Quinn: It took me 3 tries to get into this book. Another WWI story that I just didn't think I could do. I kept at it and finally got to the point that I couldn't put it down. It ended up being the slowest, longest book that I almost didn't like this year, but in the end really enjoyed the read and am glad that I stuck with it. 

Dashing Through The Snow By Debbie Macomber: I decided in December to embrace my love to cheesy Christmas stories. A friend lead me in the direction of this author and ended up blowing through a handful of her stories like they were candy. Which they really are, but they are perfect for some easy light hearted Christmas season reading. 

Twelve Days of Christmas By Debbie Macomber: More Christmas candy.

Merry and Bright By Debbie Macomber: And more Christmas candy. 

Christmas on Candy Lane By Sheila Roberts: This book started the Christmas book trend this year. I like this new Christmas book tradition I started this year. 

The Giver By Lois Lowry: I stumbled into this series at the beginning of the year. I had never heard of it and was surprised to learn that it's a common book read in middle school these days. I ended up reading the whole series which includes: Gathering Blue, Messenger and Son. I liked the 1st book the best and found that the last book didn't quite wrap it up for me as I would have liked. A really interesting series about communities. 


That puts me at a total of 20 books for 2018. I think there may have been a few others that I may have forgotten. My goal is to keep better track in 2019.