When I was a little girl, there was nothing I loved more than curling up in a cozy chair with a good book. I would read for hours and hours, reading while I ate, rode in the car, and did just about anything where I had a free hand. I’m not reading as many novels as I used to, but I still love to sit down with my feet up, a cup of coffee in one hand, and a book in another.
Now, I read a lot more memoirs, self-help, and faith based books that make me think and reflect about my life, faith, and lots of other things. This list below is five of the books I read that most challenged me, the books that had me laughing, crying, and coming back to them to read and underline again and again.
My Five Favorite Books Of 2015
1) Bittersweet – Shaunna Niequist
I love Shaunna Niequist’s easy, personal writing style and how openly she writes about marriage, parenting, and all the joys and griefs that come with them. I cried several times reading this book about what it has looked like for her to find joy in the midst of the struggles of marriage, and her words reminded me over and over again that it’s okay for things to be hard.
2) Rising Strong – Brené Brown
Brené Brown is one of my favorite authors because she combines academic research with personal stories and beautiful reflections. She challenges people to explore their shame and vulnerably share about their brokenness so they can move toward healing and hope and encourage other people to do the same. This book about how to recognize and understand our shame stories so we can rise strong in the midst of them was so impactful for me this year!
3) Disappointment With God – Philip Yancey
If I’ve seen one recurring theme with people in our stage of life (20 and 30 somethings), we wrestle a lot with disappointment and unmet expectations about what this season of young adulthood would be like. I wrestled with that a lot in our first two years of marriage and this book challenged how I view God’s role in and heart for my disappointment.
4) Scary Close – Donald Miller
Donald Miller’s books always have me laughing out loud, but this one took it to the next level with some beautiful reflections on what it looks like to bravely let go of our fear and take our relationships to a deeper, more real and honest place.
5) The Nesting Place – Myquillyn Smith
Since we moved into our house in January, I’ve spent a lot of time this year dreaming and decorating our space to make it feel like home. This book was one of the biggest inspirations for me as I went through that process because it reminded me over and over that I can create something beautiful, even if that something isn’t perfect. Reading this book inspired me to take steps to actually create the things I dreamed about for our home and I’m so glad it did!
What are some of your favorite books you read in 2015? I’d love some recommendations as I start building my reading list for 2016!
Those all sound so good! (And since I’m about two weeks from maternity leave I should have some free time coming up to read those!) Have you ever read For the Love by Jen Hatmaker? I’m halfway through it right now, and I have laughed aloud countless times already.
Julie Hood recently posted…the favorites of 2015 // new year’s eve!
I’ve heard so many great things about Brene Brown and she’s on my 2016 must read list! My top book from last year though, would have to be J.S Park’s Mad About God. It was amazing. He’s such a fabulous writer
Lauren Jane recently posted…Daddy’s Baked Eggnog French Toast
I’m going to check out book #2 and #4. Thanks for the brilliant blurbs! 🙂
Aishwarya S recently posted…Numbness. (Monday Moments #32)
I have not heard of The Nesting Place before, but think I would like to read it. I enjoyed your book list!
Trish recently posted…A Preview of 2016 at View from the Birdhouse
Just added Bittersweet to my reading list!
Amberly recently posted…Why You NEED To Make Your Spouse a Priority Every Day
These books so do good! I’m definitely going to have to read some! Thanks for the suggestions!
Thank you for the suggestions! I loved reading your intro to this post because I was the same way! My parents used to laugh at me because I would literally read from the moment I woke up til the moment I went to bed. I loved to brag about how many pages I could read in a day! In a way, I’m feeling sad because I feel like I lost this innocence and sweetness to me. I never do that anymore; it’s usually Netflix! I made it a goal in 2016 to find my love for reading again.
Chelsea recently posted…Read This If You Are Considering Suicide
I love getting lost in a good book and I haven’t read any of these yet but I’m going to add a few to my reading list for 2016!
Emily recently posted…Welcoming 2016
I love Brene Brown. Ever since I did a paper on her vulnerability research, I’ve fallen in love with her. She has so much insight and honesty when it comes to the human condition. Rising Strong is definitely at the top pf my list.
Autumn recently posted…A BIG CHANGE
I haven’t read any of these books, but The Nesting Place sounds amazing!! I love your decor so I may just have to pick that one up for inspiration!!
Taylor recently posted…The Best of Dear Friends 2015
I’ve been dying to read The Nesting Place! Moving into my first apartment with my soon to be hubby in June makes me want to read it even more! This is a great book list! Thanks for sharing this!
Yep … love Brene, Yancey, Myquillin!
Here’s the books that did it for me last year –
http://www.lindastoll.net/2015/12/2015s-shareworthy-reads.html
Linda Stoll recently posted…In Which I Don’t Have a One Word
These books sound great! I loved Girl on the Train and a few of the Jojo Moyes books. I love to read! 🙂
Dana recently posted…A Mom’s Guide to More Affordable Family Travel
Rising Strong sounds so interesting. I love the catch line on the cover.
Angela Tolsma recently posted…Monthly Money Tuesdays
I’ll have to check out some of these.
Thanks for the suggestions.
xoxo, Jenny
Jenny recently posted…December Traffic Report
I’ve heard a lot about Brene Brown, especailly this book of hers! I think I need to go and check her out.
I will have to add these to my to-read list!
Brittany | Southern Soul
Great list; I have added #4 to my ‘to-read’ list, so thanks for the heads up! I also love to read; I think I read more than 50 books last year.
I loved Rising Strong and I will be checking the other 4 out!
All of these sound SO interesting; I definitely would love to get my hands on Bittersweet. I really loved reading Girl on a Train and Big Little Lies last year!
Chelsie recently posted…The 2016 Makeup Spending-Freeze Challenge