When I graduated college, I started keeping track of the books I'd read in a calendar year. And at the close of each year, I always feel that that list is the best summary of what the year past had held for me—what's been on my mind, what I'm curious about, etc. Here's a taste of some of what 2018 held for me.
For reading together
My friend Hannah and I started a book club this year, which has been an absolute delight. We read five books together, but these were my favorites.
Liturgy of the Ordinary, Tish Warren Harrison
This is How it Always is, Laurie Frankel
Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates
For fun
This year, I developed a wonderful and unexpected aversion to Netflix-ing, so I read a lot of books just for the fun of it.
Crazy Rich Asians (& the sequel, China Rich Girlfriend), Kevin Kwan
The Interestings, Meg Wolitzer
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman
Calypso, David Sedaris
Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi
For the spiritually struggling
More on this later, but 2018 was one of the most spiritually turbulent to date for me. I felt more isolated from spiritual community than I have in years, so I clung to these authors who put words to all of the angst I couldn't yet articulate.
Walking on Water, Madeleine L’Engle
Searching for Sunday, Rachel Held Evans
Leaving Church, Barbara Brown Taylor
Disappointments with God, Phillip Yancey
Still: Notes on a Mid-faith Crisis, Lauren Winner
For new perspectives
This year (well, every year, I suppose), I wanted to read books that expanded my perspective beyond my own experiences and the people I'm around. These were some of the best this year.
The Boy who Harnessed the Wind, William Kamkwamba
We Were Eight Years in Power, Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
It’s what I do, Lynsey Addario
Everything is horrible and wonderful, Stephanie Wittels Wachs