I know 2019 is already here, but I wanted to share some of the books I read last year. I read close to 50, but here are ten of the books I really enjoyed or were the most memorable. I wasn’t much of a reader until my late 20’s. I mostly read nonfiction and rarely branched out. Lately, I’ve been trying a bit of everything and read quite a few novels last year. I’ve branched out into self-help as well. With those books, I take the gems that resonate with me and leave the rest.
In 2018, there were a few that stood out to me and I found lessons that I could actually apply in real life. Since I am talking about self-help, I’ll start with those in no particular order.
Self Help
The 5 Second Rule
Listening to this book was like having Mel Robbins sitting right here talking. It was relatable and practical. The 5 second rule is a great strategy to help you stay motivated and last year, there were a lot of times where I put it into practice. Especially surrounding my morning routine. If you haven’t heard it, you should check it out and maybe you’ll find it helpful.
Kick Ass With Mel Robbins
This Audible original consists of several coaching sessions with Mel Robbins. This was interesting because Mel is more confrontational than most coaches I’ve heard of, but she made a lot of valid points with these particular clients. There were a variety of topics discussed and overall, it was an interesting listen.
Light is the New Black
Throughout this book, there were many thought provoking questions posed. This gave me lots of journal prompts to work through. There was some awesome quotes and affirmations that I really like. I enjoyed answering some of the questions in this book and it helped me to realize that I needed to get back to writing and journaling.
Attached
This book is written by Amir Levine and Rachel S. F. Heller. I’m cheating a bit. I read this book towards the end of 2017, but I am including it on this list because I found it insightful. I thought I had one attachment style, but after answering the questions in the book, my results were much different than I expected. It made a lot of sense to me. This knowledge will definitely help in the future. It was an eye opening read.
Nonfiction
When the Air Hits Your Brain
This was a well written account of one doctors experience being a Nero surgeon. His stories about his patients and colleagues were real and and at times filled with a lot of emotion. I cried during chapter 10. The story about the baby just got me. There were instances of sadness and death, but there were medical miracles too. I enjoyed this book.
The Sound of Gravel
This book was more shocking and disturbing than enjoyable. I love documentaries and and reading stories about people’s lives. At times that includes a lot of sadness and shocking and scary things. A lot of negative stuff that happens in this world is preventable. Especially when it comes to children. This book was proof of that. Spoiler alert! The author does find a better life, but it was a long hard road.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I learned from the Cat
I love these Chicken Soup books when it comes to stories about pets. I’ve read Chicken Soup for the Cat Lovers Soul and Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul. There were amazing stories in all three of these books. Some were sad enough to make me cry and others made me laugh out loud. It’s amazing how pets can comfort, rescue, create bonds, play and help heal us. If you are an animal lover, I’d definitely recommend this series of books.
Fiction
The Perfect Mother
This book was a thriller with a few twists. A group of mothers meet up for play dates and one of the babies disappears. Some of the mothers come together to try to solve the case which takes you in a few different directions.
Little Fires Everywhere
A Chinese mother places her baby up for adoption and a white family is in. the process of adopting her. It becomes a controversial issue in the small town where the book takes place. The focus is on one family. An unusual woman and her daughter are new in town and they have a major impact on the whole family. This story has lots of layers and deals with a wide variety of issues both within a family and in the wider community.
The Memory Watcher
A young mother puts her child up for adoption. It seems that the perfect family has adopted her, but there are issues that get uncovered throughout the book. The characters were complex and no one was who they seemed to be. It was a fast read and the ending felt like the author could continue the story if she wanted to. If you like suspense or family drama, you’d probably enjoy reading this book.
This year, I hope to read many more books and by next year, I will have created another list. I just started reading My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward.” What are you reading right now? What have you read that you’ve loved? Tell me in the comments and happy reading.
Thanks for the suggestions, I haven’t read any of these and am looking for new books for this years reading challenge!
You’re welcome. I’m glad you found something that interests you.
Thank you for this list! With so many books out there and little time, I so appreciate getting recommendations!
I have a similar problem. I don’t have much time to look at book summaries either. I find most of my recommendations on Audible. They usually have a recommendations category based on previous purchases and after you finish a book, similar titles pop up in the app. Thanks for commenting.
I haven’t read or heard of any of these. They all seem very interesting and cover a wide range. Thanks for sharing these books.
I find that reading a wider variety of stuff makes it more interesting. I learn a lot too. Thank you for commenting.
I have never heard of any of these books! I love the topics! Thanks for the list! I love to read!
You’re welcome. There are so many books out there. I usually haven’t heard of a lot of books that people recommend. Thank you for your comment.
One of my goals for 2019 is to get back to reading. I loved to read when I was younger and I miss it now. Great list! Thanks for the info!
I didn’t like reading when I was younger, but I love it now. I’m glad you liked the list. Thanks for commenting.
oh man, I don’t think I could have read when the air hits your brain. I am not squeamish about very much but I think the situations would’ve gotten me more than the medical things. I congratulate you on 50 reads. I’d love to know what’s on your TBR list for 2019!
The stories around the medical cases definitely effected me more than the descriptions of medical stuff, but I’m glad I read the book. A tbr list for this year would be a great topic for another entry. I’ve already got a ton on my wish list. Thank you for your comment.
Oooo! I love hearing what books others are reading! I haven’t read any of these books before but “When the Air Hits Your Brain” sounds like a book I would really enjoy. I’m adding it to my Goodreads “want to read” list! Thanks for sharing!
I like to rotate between fiction (sci-fi and fantasy are my favs) and non-fiction. I’m currently reading Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson then next up is “The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister’s Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine” by Lindsey Fitzharris.
I like to read a lot of different things, but I’ve never been able to get into sci-fi. I guess my imagination isn’t that good. 🙂 I’m glad you found an interesting book from the list. I should join Goodreads. Thank you for your comment.
I´m currently reading Shantaram.
Have you read it?
It is as awesome as it is long (936 pgs), since you mentioned you like Biography I think you might like it.
I am an independent author and if you like thrillers I would like to let you know that I’m giving a free PDF copy of my first book to anyone who subscribes to my blog.
I haven’t read that book. Wow, it sounds long, but maybe I’ll check it out. thank you for commenting.
I love learning about new books. I really enjoyed “The 5 Second Rule” and “Little Fires Everyone”. I will have to add the remaining 8 books to my ever growing list of books to read.
My list is ever growing too. For every one book I read, I add a few more. Thank you for your comment.
I haven’t read any here. Your list is solid and the titles are really inviting. I will add them on my January reading list. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’m glad you found something you might like from the list.
I love a good reading list and yours looks right up my street. I Love Mel Robbins and the five second rule is genius. I really loved reading Little Fires Everywhere, and did not want this book to end. I am intrigued by The Perfect Mother, so putting that on my list!
I’m glad you found something that interested you from my list. I had never heard of Mel Robbins before reading The 5 Second Rule, but then I became interested in her other books. She has a new one coming out next month. Thank you for your comment.
Thanks for sharing this list! I’ve not read any of them. I show my read books on my website at the bottom so check it out some time. I just finished Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. It was really good! I am currently reading The Sisters Brothers. Totally different from Eleanor Oliphant. Happy Reading!
I will go check out your list. Thanks for the recommendations.
the Memory Watcher looks intriguing…I would like to read it
I’m glad one of the books interested you. I read another of her books, The Thinnest Air. It wasn’t bad, but I didn’t enjoy it was much as The Memory Watcher. Thanks for commenting.
I’ve heard so many good things about The 5 Second Rule! I really need to just go buy it and read it! Thank you for a wonderful list!
You’re welcome. You should definitely read it or listen to it on Audible. If you don’t have a membership, you can get one book for free to start. Thank you for your comment.
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