Recommendations from What I Read in 2017

Here are my favorite books from this year, divided by genre:

FICTION

1.       The High Divide, by Lin Enger

Absorbing family mystery and adventure set in 1886 Minnesota. Delves into what life after the Indian Wars truly meant for a whole family. Themes of journey, fatherhood, trust, manhood, brothers, immigrants, abandonment, violence, racism, buffalo conservation, small towns, guilt, forgiveness and faith. Highly recommend. Especially for fans of Gilead, Lonesome Dove, or Peace Like a River. 

2.       The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Mysterious, captivating, interconnected and dark. The perfect book to read on a flight to Spain. I wish I could go to Barcelona and see everything in person. Couldn't stop thinking about it until it was done!
Themes of longing, fatherhood, evil, passion, and how written stories connect us. The translation from Spanish felt masterful to me. Some moments reminded me of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The cultural and reading experience of this book was wonderful. It swept over me like a wave. Warning: it’s magical realism, aka, really weird.

3.       Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger

Story about a boy and his family as they fight danger, befriend strangers, and survive winter in an airstream trailer while looking for a lost family member.

So good it hurts. I had read it before but needed to remember why I loved it so much. (Swede is the best character since Harper Lee’s Scout.) It aches with longing and faith and adventure and asthma.  Just breathe, Beki. 

4.       Crossing to Safety, by Wallace Stegner

I'm so glad I finally read this book! I knew it was a story of four friends. I didn't expect it to be exciting... but the sailing chapter? The camping chapter? The Italy chapter? All were exciting to me! The character development is SUPERB. The story has drive and setting and detail. It goes deep into people's motives and ambitions and the limitations put on them by their suffering. I really liked how attached they were and how much they ultimately loved each other. My favorite is Sally. If you like Louise Penny or Wendell Berry or Annie Dillard - you should try this.

5.       Breathing Lessons, By Anne Tyler

This book is about Maggie and Ira but it's also about a million other things. I loved it and I was uncomfortable with how real it feels, like looking too long in a magnifying mirror. I laughed unexpectedly about every 12 minutes. But overall there is a theme of sadness and the longing for connection. Definitely one of my best reads this year.
"Leroy's expression was cocky and triumphant. Maggie resisted the urge to reach down and cup the complicated small bones of her knee." P. 194

NONFICTION

1.       The Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown

So much to learn about the 1930s. So much to ache about after you learn it. So much to admire. So incredibly astonishing that they did it. Ahhhhhhh. My heart hurts. 

2.       Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, by Eric Metaxas

Although it took me a LONG time, I'm thankful for this book. It means a lot to me and I'm still figuring out all the reasons why. His book Life Together changed my life in 2004 so I loved seeing his origin story to the concept of communal living. That's one reason. Seeing WW2 from the perspective of a Christian German was FASCINATING.... Ethical impossibilities and church struggles galore! That's a second and third reason. I LOVED hearing about his trip to America where he was disturbed by how black people were treated, and also made connections between church authenticity and suffering. The stories about him and his French friend traveling America together were awesome, because it was right after WW1 and they were supposed to be enemies. I'm going to stop listing highlights but feel like I could go on and on. This book was good for my brain and my heart. I feel encouraged to worship Jesus and love others because of Bonhoeffer's example. 

3.       Lab Girl, by Hope Jahren

One word: VOICE. Hope Jahren has one.
The science details can drag on for me, but her passion for plants and science is very cool and sometimes sad. Her descriptions of growing up in rural MN in the first chapters are my FAVORITE. The tone of the rest of the book is quirky and lovable. 

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

1.       Praise Her in the Gates: The Calling of Christian Motherhood, by Nancy Wilson

Took me some time to get over the cover (and title). But the book itself was packed with unique, practical tips, that I needed. How and why a mother could show respect to her son! Why a clean soul should be reflected in a clean house. How and why a mother should encourage her daughter to be domestic AND educated. Challenging and helpful. Strongly distilled advice for a Christian mom. Fascinating. 

2.       The Scars that have Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in Suffering, by Vaneetha Rendall Risner

Clear and concise truth for the dark times in life. I love how honest she is. She doesn't sugar-coat anything. She talks about the day when she realized that she couldn't get up a sidewalk without asking a stranger for help (because of her degenerative disease) and she is honest about how mad she felt to lose that ability. YET she has iron-clad hope in Christ. Deeply beautiful.
"Our faith is not a facade we erect to convince ourselves and others that pain doesn't hurt-- it is an oak tree that can withstand the storms of doubt and pain in our lives and grow stronger through them." Page 36

3.       Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, by Timothy Keller

"Adoration and thanksgiving - God centeredness - comes first, because it heals the heart of its self-centeredness." Page 114
Also loved the metaphor on p168 about prayer and a neglected inheritance. "You were actually rich but had been living poor."
Lots to learn here! 

4.       Calm my Anxious Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment, by Linda Dillow

There is a lot of good stuff in here. Chapter six about greed and wealth was huge for me. I read it just as we were remodeling our kitchen and it helped me set my heart on God and be content in a messy process. 

5.       Unsuper Mommy: Release expectations, embrace imperfection, and connect to God’s superpower, by Maggie Combs

Motherhood can be so overwhelming. Questions about HOW to manage the logistics of mom life and WHO I am as a mom are constant for me. I have struggled with unrealistic expectations about motherhood and disappointment in myself and my baby. Instead of staying stuck in that yuck, Maggie shows the path through the mess into the peace of Jesus: we are imperfect and need to rest in God's perfection. Maggie's message of freedom and hope is clear and precious. Her words have been so helpful to me! The chapters about Free Time and Purpose in Life are my absolute favorite.
Maggie offers scripture and encouragement to both a brand-new mom and a seasoned mom. Her words are wise and Christ-centered. I loved this book and will revisit it soon. 

YOUNG ADULT

1.       The Lunar Chronicles (Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Winter), by Marissa Meyer

Creative, suspenseful and the plot components are so unique and familiar at the same time.  I couldn’t read these fast enough.  Easier than watching tv.  Not deep, but fun.  Technology and career

2.       A Study in Charlotte, by Brittany Cavallaro

Smart and fun sherlock spin-off with teenagers in New England. My kind of summer pool read! 

3.       When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead

Great YA blend of friendship, family, city life (latchkey perspective was interesting), with a mysterious twist of plot. Really enjoyed the audiobook. Didn't see the sci-fi element coming but liked it. Glad I've read A Wrinkle in Time because of how the plots wind together. 

4.       Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo

Sweet and sorrowful story of healing and friendship. Kate DiCamillo is amazing. 

5.       Wonder, by R.J. Palacio

I gave it 5 stars on goodreads - it was that good.  The changing perspectives was what made this book sing for me.  I really liked Auggie and his world, as hard as it was to live in it. Made me feel like a 5th grader again! There were a couple parts that felt too easy in family relationships, but I get that the author is holding up an idea of family and caring parents and I can support that.

READING WITH GWEN

1.       The Children of Noisy Village, by Astrid Lindgren

I read this with Gwen (6yo) and it was pure fun! It's about a girl, Lisa, who lives in a little farming village in Sweden. She has many adventures with her friends. I liked learning about the Swedish holiday celebrations. Seeing them through Lisa's eyes was sweet and Gwen could totally relate. I laughed so hard at the chapter about "helping people." 

2.       Homer Price, by Robert McCloskey

Small town stories with tons of humor and heart. I really loved reading this to Gwen. As soon as it ended she said, "I wanna read it again! Can we read it again?" First time I've gotten that reaction. :) My favorite part was probably the story about the giant balls of string. So much laughter. The chortling kind. 

3.       Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Gwen and I loved learning about the world of Laura and Mary… getting her first doll, playing catch with a pig stomach, smoking meat, etc.

4.       Mr. Popper’s Penguins, by Richard and Florence Atwater

Curious how this book was written by a married couple. The writing isn't my favorite, but the ideas are funny. Gwen and I enjoyed it. Tobogganing down the stairs at every chance, these aptly named penguins made me laugh. Mr. Popper is very strange. 

Comprehensive book list, of what I read in 2017, coming soon!