Must-Read Books from 2018

I’m always looking for must-read books. I’m also picky about who I will accept a recommendation from and often want to know why they liked the book that they did. I’ve read so many recommendations that didn’t turn out that it’s made me a little cynical. Still, I somehow manage to pick up plenty of duds each year. Here are seven that were far from a waste of time. (And here is my favorites from 2022!)

(Plus, check out our book lists and freebies — this list is huge and has something for everyone! Plus, we love each one of these!)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Don’t watch the movie. If you have watched the movie, read the book anyway. The movie will trick you into thinking that this book has a Hollywood ending, but nothing could be further from the truth. My favorite thing about this book was how unique the story ended. (Hack – take note of who is writing the letters. It was a bit confusing at first, but it makes a HUGE difference in “getting” the storyline.

How and When to Tell your Kids About Sex

I think every mom I’ve talked to struggles with this question. Protecting our children and giving them proper information is a heavy responsibility. I haven’t read many books on this topic, but now I’m not sure that I will need to. This book gave my husband and I so many things to talk about, and plan for ahead of time.

I think I’ll need to re-read it again in 5 years to reanalyze where we are at for that stage of life. The authors have written a children’s companion books that go with it. In reading those books to your kids it helps make easier to talk about things that could potentially be extremely awkward. (Read through them on your own at first. Preparing for whats coming yourself is really important)

Murder on the Orient Express

This book is a classic for a reason. I read “Then There Were None” two years ago and LOVED it. Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries have stood the test of time for a reason. The way she weaves a story is genius. I know once I start I won’t put it down willingly, until it’s done.

I’m not sure why I haven’t binge read all of Agatha Christie’s books. I think I’m holding myself back to savor each experience. We’ve also loved the ABC Murders on Amazon that is based on her books. A lot of the TV shows and movies based on her books change who the murder is in order to keep it fresh. So feel free to read a book that goes with a movie you’ve already seen. You might be surprised.

The Road Back to You

Y’all know I’m a sucker for a good personality test. I love them because I feel like it makes it easier to address personality weakness and mature into the person that I want to be. This book was a super easy/fast read but gave a good outline of Enneagram types.

According to the introduction whichever type’s descriptions make you feel just a little bad, is probably you. It works like a magnifying glass to expose areas that we all try pretty hard to hide. You can read my longer review one that book here.

Jesus Outside the Lines – Scott Sauls

I’m doing these reviews based on what I read first, but this was my favorite book of 2018. I have a lot of friends that love Brene Brown’s books, but after reading both her and Scott Sauls, this one won. I love as a Christian the way that he grounds living vulnerably in Christian faith. While his audience might be narrower I felt like this one more richly applied truth to my own heart.

His heroes of faith list near the beginning never fails to give me goosebumps when I tell people about it. I really hope that in my own heart I can cultivate an appreciation for the entire body of Christ, not just the people who look like me, act like I think they should, and believe exactly the way I have learned to see the Bible.

Jane Eyre

Okay, also a classic. I missed most of the classics in high school and have been challenging myself to go back and read some of the most highly recommended ones. Frankenstein also should be on this list, because I loved it, but I thought too many classic books might not feel creditable, and could be too repetitive of other book lists.

Jane Eyre made it to the list because she was nothing like what I was expecting. I typically HATE romances and have never been able to appreciate Jane Austin (I know several people who will immediately shut the tabs on this book list). The subtlely joyful ending in place of a sappy happily ever after was perfect in my estimation. I also adored the language and descriptive passages in the novel.

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up

This was a chapter I read to Keaton and I can’t stop recommending it. This one made it to the list over “My Father’s Dragon”, because 90% of the moms I tell about it haven’t heard of it before.

I’ve found cowboy stories can be quite hard to find, and this one is so funny and endearing that Keaton and I read it in just a couple days. We also loved it so much that we would Facetime my niece and nephew to read it to them, because they love all things west and cowboy. I’m guessing this could be a byproduct of living in Oklahoma.

Before you go you may want to check out my favorite books that encourage Christian women or read my review for Sally Clarkson’s “Different.”