BEST BOOKS OF 2016

​I devour books like chocolate. I love them and all of the potential pressed between their pages. I got three new books for Christmas and cannot wait to dive in. My kids all got new books, too, and I’m eyeing them like a hawk, chomping at the bit to read their new books (as soon as they’ve read them, of course). But before I immerse myself in new adventures, I want to reflect on some of my favorite reads of 2016. I’ve gotten to the point where there are just too many books I want to read to waste my time reading ones that aren’t doing it for me. As a result I put down over a dozen books after getting fifty or so pages in this year. But because I put down those books, I was able to enjoy these great books below (plus many more). Here are a few of my favs from 2016 in no order at all. If you’re bookish too, I’d love to connect on Goodreads and we can share all the books we read together. 

My favorite books of 2016

​Fiction: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Sigh. This book took me to France, which always makes my heart pound and my soul swirl. But All the Light is so much more, it is one of those books that lingers, that comes back to you time and time again. It is a book I won’t forget, but instead will fall into the realm of my all-time favorite books. Doerr’s novel is the gorgeous intertwining of the stories of a blind French girl and a German orphan boy during World War II. Doerr is an articulate, bright and exquisite storyteller zooming in with careful descriptions, creating tension and developing a multi-layered plot. I read it at the beginning of the year, and months later many scenes still resonate in my mind. I loved All the Light so deeply, I also read Doerr’s memoir, Four Seasons in Rome, this year and have another one of his novels sitting in my “to read” stack.
 
Young Adult: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Nelson’s I’ll Give You the Sun made my Best Books of 2015 list. I’m always slightly hesitant to read a second book by an author I love…will it measure up? I never had a moment to consider being disappointed by The Sky is Everywhere, because it immediately sucked me in, grabbed my insides and swept me into the story of two sisters, loss, love and self-discovery. I might have held my breath from the first sentence until I finished the last page of this sensory overload of color and emotions. Nelson writes so explosively raw. Her integration of music and art into story are exquisite. Her character development is purely authentic. I’m already chomping for the release of her next book.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child gave me my Potter fix

​Potter: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
If the New York Times could create a new category for their best-seller lists, because of the popularity of Harry Potter, then I figure I can also create a category around this beloved series. It wasn’t necessarily that The Cursed Child was Rowling’s best (it wasn’t), it was just that I missed Harry, Ron and Hermione so much. I longed to hear more about them and Hogwarts and the Whomping Willow. Once I got into the screenplay format of Cursed I was once again immersed in the Wizarding World. A lovely fix for my imagination.
 
Nonfiction: Unashamed by Christine Caine
My husband bought me Unashamed after we attended the Catalyst Conference where Caine was one of the speakers. I loved her straight forward, no nonsense declarations of her past, how she’s handled her insecurities, and how she reminds readers that God loves us and is waiting to change everything for good. Her writing is candid and natural, friendly, not preachy. Every time I picked up Unashamed it was like listening to a motivational, spiritual talk encouraging me to let go and let God take the reins of my life and steer me to amazing opportunities. Christine seemed to be jumping off the pages, nodding her head, taking my hand, saying, "Yes, this is available to you.” The voice of her book was so genuine. This is the first book I've read of Caine’s, but it won't be my last.

Amy Parker's, Austin Kleon's, and Christine Caine's words impacted me this year

​How to: How to Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
A must have for any creative. Austin Kleon’s stick figures, simple bullet points and fun square formatted handbook is packed with ideas on how to spark your creativity. One of my sweet writer friends bought it for me, and in turn, I bought a handful of copies for some special creative people in my life. If you don't follow him on Instagram, yet, start. His whimsy will get your creative juices flowing.
 
For Kids: Faith, Hope, Love Devotional by Amy Parker
Although written for the younger set, this devotional is an excellent catalyst for my ten-year old and I to interact and discuss who he sees God to be and how he sees Him working in his life. Each day has a Bible verse about faith, hope, or love, a paragraph or two describing what those words mean, how they apply to a kid today, and a couple of questions to make kids (and grown-ups) think with room to write and draw. Where else could my son tell me the things that amaze him about God are “hearts, nerves, veins and the brain…I mean that He made all of those things and made them work like that.” Hard to argue. It is all pretty stinking amazing. As my son and I go through this book together, I’m learning more about him and about God. Great conversation and idea starter for you and the young ones in your life.
 
Enough of my opinions. Your turn. I want to hear what your favorite books in 2016 were? I want to add them to my list.