If you’re looking for some new ideas, here’s a list of 15 books to read this year, broken up into five different categories.
I’m an avid reader. That being said, the past couple years have been my lowest reading years, and I’m already far behind my reading goal this year. For someone who already has WAY too many books on her to-read list (1,310 on my Goodreads TBR…and that doesn’t include a bunch on my shelves that I’ve purchased but haven’t read yet), that’s scary!
There’s no possible way I’ll ever get to all the books I want to read. The rate I add them to my list is just so much faster than the rate I’m able to read them. But that doesn’t mean I’ll ever stop adding them to my list. I just can’t help it! I get SO excited about books!
Here are the top 15 books i’m looking forward to reading in 2019. I have a feeling this list will change a bit, but we’ll see!
Books I Read as a Kid that I want to Read Again:
I’m planning on reading these out loud to my kids.
- Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. My kids watched the movie with my husband awhile back (which I’ve actually never seen) and my son really liked it. Now I want to read the book with him. I remember loving this book as a young girl!
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This was always a favorite of mine. I think I may have read it twice as a kid. And something tells me my kids will love it too.
- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. Based off of how many times I’ve read this book (eleven, I’m pretty sure), this is probably my favorite book of all time. WWII + friendship + a brave young girl = perfection. I can’t wait to share this one with my kids!
Middle Grade:
- Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin. I took a class from Cindy on writing meaningful middle grade a couple years ago and was so impressed! So to say I’m excited to read this is an understatement. I can’t believe I haven’t gotten to it yet. There’s just too many books out there!
- Squint by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. I loved this husband-wife writing team’s first book (Mustaches for Maddie), so I’m really looking forward to this one. They do a great job with character voice and balancing humor and emotion. My husband also loved this and told me I have to read it, like immediately. So I know it’s going to be good!
- A Monster Like Me by Wendy S. Swore. I saw this one in the bookstore a few weeks ago, and without reading anything but the title and seeing the cover thought, “I need to read that book!” It just seemed like something I would love. A few minutes later, my husband saw it and mentioned that it was the newest book from Shadow Mountain and that I’d probably really like it. He hasn’t read it, but he knew what it was about and that it was right up my alley. So I grabbed it, read the back cover, and bought it!
Young Adult:
- The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee. This has been on my list for awhile now, but I just haven’t gotten to it. The concept seems really cool! And it’s been awhile since I’ve read a fun young adult that wasn’t contemporary romance.
- Extreme Makeover by Dan Wells. This is another book with an intriguing concept that isn’t a contemporary romance YA. I also just love the neon pink, black, and white cover. So…there’s that.
- The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody. The cover is beautiful. The idea seems both heartbreaking and captivating. And I just can’t wait to dig right in!
Adult Fiction:
- Hello Sunshine by Laura Dave. I seriously knew nothing about this book until I saw it sitting in Costco and was drawn to it. I’m trying to read more adult fiction–something I’ve rarely done much of–and this one seemed cute and clean. So into my cart it went!
- On Little Wings by Regina Sirois. I’ve heard great things about this one for awhile now, and then I heard Regina keynote at a conference back in September. She has the cutest personality and a way with words and I knew her writing would be beautiful. I can’t wait to finally dive into this one.
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty: I know I’m SUPER behind the game on this one, but it’s been on my list for too long. It’s about time I check it off that list!
Nonfiction:
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. This one has been on my list for so long and this is going to be the year I finally read it! I love learning all about habits and productivity, so I can’t believe I haven’t dug into this one yet.
- Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this book. And I need more simple and more peace in my life.
- Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals by Rachel Hollis. I love following Rachel. She’s an inspiring and motivating human and I enjoyed her first book (Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be), so I can’t wait for some more of her no-holding-back-give-it-to-me-straight truths.
Have you read any of these books? What’s on your 2019 to-read list?
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Britney is a wife and mom with a passion for helping other women see the good inside of them. She loves podcasts, polka dots, and dancing around the kitchen with her family.