Top 5 Books from 2019 (and First 5 for 2020)

I may not always read the latest books, but you can bet I will always be reading. Some books come and go, while others tend to work their way into our own stories. (Don’t you love that about books?!?)

Looking back at 2019, five titles surfaced to the top of my list, and I’m glad to share them with you here. I promise I won’t give away any details, but I do hope you’ll find one or two that will weave their way into your narrative this year.

At the end, I also include brief list of books I’m starting in 2020. Happy reading!

Top 5

1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Genre: Nonfiction/Creativity

What I Loved: Writing—like any form of art or creativity—is a unique beast. One that often leaves me feeling isolated in my experience. (Why doesn’t the blank page talk back??) But what Elizabeth Gilbert does in Big Magic is normalize the creative experience and give us permission to lean in. It’s a call to pay attention and let go of what’s holding us back.

2. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Genre: Biography

What I Loved: This book will forever haunt me in the best of ways. Ten Boom’s raw suffering juxtaposed against the deep joy she discovered offers hope beyond our understanding. While not a new book, The Hiding Place is an essential one—for all of us figuring out how to be human in a world often marked by hurt.

3. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Genre: Fiction

What I Loved: Holy storytelling! This book captivated me from the first chapter, drawing me into the world of the “Marsh Girl.” Where the Crawdads Sing is among the first books I now recommend for good fiction, not only for how Owens kept me turning pages, but what her masterful narrative taught me about painting worlds with our words.

4. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered by Lysa TerKeurst

Genre: Nonfiction

What I Loved: Written during the “messy middle” of deep loss and grief, Lysa tells her tale of brokenness with so much vulnerability and grace. I think I underlined 80 percent of the book, because her experience resonated so much with my own. I heard myself saying “YES!” time and time as I read. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way is a bestseller for a reason, and if you haven’t picked it up, I hope you do.

5. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan

Genre: Memoir

What I Loved: Not for one second do I want to give away the premise of this book. But if you have not read it, add it to your list right now. Go ahead—I’ll wait. Cahalan’s story is incredibly moving and impeccably written. Brain on Fire is everything a memoir should be, and you will not want to put it down.

First 5 for 2020

I’m working my way through my bookshelves this year, adding a select few new titles here are there. (Ben tells me I have a book-buying problem. I don’t get it.) But here’s how I’m kicking off the year.

Special note: #3 From Lost to Found is written by my dear friend Nicole Zasowski. Nicole is an licensed marriage and family therapist and a soulful writer whose wisdom runs deep. The book debuts on January 28, and I encourage you to buy it now.

For updates on my 2020 reading journey, find me on Instagram, Facebook, or Goodreads.

feature image: Ed Robertson via unsplash

Note: This post contains affiliate links through Amazon’s Associates Program. If you click and buy, I receive a small commission. Just so you know.

More Articles You Might Like: