I had a 2018 goal to read 12 books (I know that doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s a big deal to me!) I’m on book 12 right now (and 13 and 14 and 15 because I just can’t read one book at a time…). But I thought I’d share the love and write a whole post about them!
So, in order of my reading them…
50 Books That Changed the World by Andrew Taylor
As an old English major, I loved this book. I knew lots of the books listed, but got introduced to many new ones that I want to read. If you’re a book nerd (and maybe a history nerd), 50 Books That Changed the World provides a great history of the literature and non-fiction works that have made an impact on western culture.
Sarum by Edward Rutherford
Again, history nerds unite! The main character in this historical fiction is the Stonehenge area in England. The first chapter introduces the reader to the area and a couple prehistoric families. With each chapter, the reader is taken through time, introduced to more descendants of previous characters, and watches as the ever-changing cast responds to historical events. A really cool read for getting a quick history of an area.
The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
I am a huge Gretchen Rubin fan. I first bought her book The Happiness Project a couple years ago and fell in love with it. Then I started listening to her podcast Happier and have been a subscriber since, and I purchased The Four Tendencies not long after it was published. Gretchen Rubin has a framework that looks at one aspect of everyone’s personality. Her tendency framework divides everyone into one of four categories based on how they respond to inner and outer expectations. She has a free online quiz you can take to see what tendency you belong to and then you can read the book (or take her new online course) to see how to strategically get yourself and others to follow through on expectations. I’m an obliger, which means I’ll readily meet outer expectations, but struggle to meet inner expectations. If you know your tendency, let me know!
The Mediator and Ninth Key by Meg Cabot
These were re-re-re-re-reads for me. Meg Cabot writes great books for pre-teens and teenagers. This particular series is about a girl who moves with her mom to California to live with her new step-family. Twist: she can see and talk to ghosts, including the one living in her new bedroom. Cabot’s characters are all sass-factor and sarcasm, which I love. This is a great read for when you just want an easy afternoon.
The Yoga Sutra
I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around yoga, its spiritual practice, and its use in the western fitness industry, so this was my first step to doing some research. Yes, it was a translated version.
Meet the Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Willard Thames
I won this book this past summer in a giveaway by Canadian financial blogger Jessica Moorhouse! It was a very interesting read. The author decided she wanted to live a life she was in control of, so she saved and invested and lived frugally (like, learned to cut her own hair, never went out to eat or do anything,bought second-hand everything) until she and her husband were able to move onto a relatively self-sustainable acreage near a small town and live off their investments and her blog income.
The Chemist by Stephanie Meyers
I know Stephanie Meyers is a polarizing author, but whenever someone gives me a book of hers to read and I start reading it, I just can’t put it down! Maybe I’m a hopeless romantic. Except this book isn’t nearly as much about romance and more about action and espionage. It’s a story about old employees of secret government agencies trying to escape their pasts so they can live happily ever after. Throw in some biological torture tactics and you have a solid read!
Mr. Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange
I had to read this book for a class I took on Pride and Prejudice and all it’s spin-offs and sequels and what-have-you. This particular book is the Pride and Prejudice story told from Darcy’s point of view. Another nice and easy read.
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan.
Oh. My. God. This book was so INTERESTING! In the good way! Talk about culture shock! It was so cool to experience a whole new world through this book. And never mind the fact that it wasn’t just about the new setting, but also the characters because I cried on behalf of the main female character two times in this book. Next, I gotta go see this movie! And then go read the sequels! Yes, sequels.
Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
I would call this book artistic. Nina George paints wonderful pictures with her words. And it’s an ode to book lovers! The main character owns a bookshop on a boat in Paris! It’s about love and grief and being human and it’s just delightful.
The Secret Library by Oliver Tearle
So, I’m not finished this one yet. It’s a book that lists all the cool,interesting, nifty pieces of literature throughout history that didn’t quite make the school reading lists but deserve honourable mentions. Think Gulliver’s Travels or the book that was considered to be the first ever gothic novel or Jane Austen’s first novel Cassandra. Another one for the English and history nerds.
What are some books you read this year that need to be shared? What should I put on my reading list for 2019?
Merry Christmas!
Heather
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