The Big Ol’ Book Roundup, Vol. 2
Last year, I resolved to read a book every two weeks, and as I documented my progress on Instagram under the hashtag #carissareads, I surpassed my goal with 29 books. This year, I did my best to continue the trend of logging my books and I’m ringing in the new year with 39 new books swimming around in my brain.
In taking inventory of the books I read this year, I’m happy to see a few more women and people of color than I read in 2017, as well as more books I would honestly recommend. As you’ll see, I still love memoirs, American literature, and stories of faith communities. But I also branched out a little into sci-fi and fantasy this year.
I wrote in more detail about the books I read in separate posts in January, February, March, April, May, June-July, and August-December.
Once again, I’ve compiled them here for quick ‘n easy recommendations for your new year.
For a peek into the best of classic (mostly American) literature…
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
For a book that will stir your desire for racial reconciliation and social justice…
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
For a trip to the world of science fiction…
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
The Martian by Andy Weir
Artemis by Andy Weir
For a story with characters so endearing and special you’ll be cheering for them…
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson
For a memoir that will shift your perspective…
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Educated by Tara Westover
The Polygamist’s Daughter by Anna LeBaron
What I Talk About when I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
For a renewed vision of community and faith…
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller
Everybody Always by Bob Goff
Jesus, Bread, and Chocolate by John J. Thompson
The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin
Remember God: How to Ruthlessly Believe in an Incredibly Kind God by Annie F. Downs
For a fun and endearing just-because read…
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes
Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
Am I there Yet? by Mari Andrew
How to Be a Perfect Christian by The Babylon Bee
For a novel with excellent storytelling…
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Paper Towns by John Green
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Shameless Plug: For a book that’s grammatically flawless because I copy edited it (and that will teach you a lot about Mormonism)…
Sharing the Good News with Mormons with editors Eric Johnson & Sean McDowell
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Thanks for listening to me prattle on about books all year. Stay tuned – my goal is to continue reading more and more this coming year. I received an almost-comical number of books as Christmas gifts, and I’m excited to dive in.
What books would you recommend for 2019?
