2019 Reading List Recommendations

This is just a start to what I hope to read in 2019, but with any New Year, I just love a list.  Here is a quick list of books that looked interesting or that I just finished that I thought some of you might want to pick up as well this year.

Becoming by Michelle Obama 

I was hesitant to pick this one up because I don’t normally enjoy biographies and autobiographies.  Sometimes the details can get tedious and it is hard for one person to hold my attention for 300 pages.  I am so glad I picked this one up though because I really did enjoy it much more than I thought I would.  It does tell the entire story of Michelle Obama’s life but it is really interesting and very well written.   I definitely recommend picking this one up.

One Day in December by Josie Silver

This was my end of December book choice and it was a sweet story that offered a perfect escape to the dreariness outside.  This is for sure one to curl up on the couch with and it is not only a sweet love story but I really loved the strong female friendships too.  I can pretty much guarantee this one will be made into a movie.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean. 

This one is next on my list to read after I finish the audiobook I have queued up and the book on my nightstand. 😉 I hadn’t heard of this book until it was selected as one of Reese Witherspoon’s book club pics and I always seem to enjoy her selections. This is the story of a 1986 fire at the Los Angeles public library that burned over 4000 books.  The author researches the fire and discusses the importance of libraries in our history….  I know it doesn’t sound super compelling but I am going to take a chance on this one and see.

Watching You by Lisa Jewell 

This is a great one for those that like thrillers or suspense novels.  This one is about a charming neighborhood in England where no one is as they seem.  If you enjoy books like Gone Girl and Girl on the Train, this is one to pick up.  I just added it to my library list and can’t wait to read it.

Women and Money by Suze Orman 

Not exactly a page tuner in front of a fire but it is the New Year and tons of people have finances on their mind.  I listened to Suze Orman on the Oprah podcast recently and realized there are some big issues I really need to address in 2019.  I need to go back over all of our benefits again to be sure we are maxing out 401ks and Roth IRAs and I am so ashamed to admit we really don’t have a decent will in place.  I am sure I am not the only one so listen to that podcast- Suze covers a ton of things- and if you have little loose ends here and there you might also pick up this book and get a handle on your financial life.

The Wartime Sisters by Lynda Cohen Loigman 

It wouldn’t be a booklist for me if there wasn’t a WWII historical novel of some sort included right?  I am very predictable!  This one looks really interesting although it won’t be released until January 22nd.  This is the story of two sisters that find themselves living very different lives in an Armory factory in Brooklyn and delves into the complicated relationships between sisters.

Maid by Stephanie Land 

This isn’t a book I would normally pick up.  I saw this one featured here and there and thought- meh.  I don’t want to read about America’s working poor.  Thank you, Next.  But this book is just everywhere now- all sorts of recommended lists, Book of the Month Club, most anticipated books of 2019 and on and on.  So alright already… it must be pretty good.  Maid the story of a young mother trying to raise a child in adverse circumstances, living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to keep things together.  I was concerned this story might be depressing but many reviews say it is full of hope and appreciation for the little things.

Verity by Colleen Hoover 

I don’t like to be scared and I don’t normally pick up thrillers but there have been so many compelling ones in the last few years, I am finding myself inching toward them more and more.  This novel sounds fascinating, it is the story of a ghost writer hired to complete the books of a very successful author that experienced an injury. As she goes through the notes and pages, she discovers a secret autobiography filled with shocking admissions and details that she has to decide if she wants to keep.

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff 

I loved her prior book, The Orphan’s Tale, so I can’t wait for this one to be released January 29th.  The Lost Girls of Paris is about a young American woman that stumbled upon a suitcase in Grand Central Station filled with photos of what she later discovers were female spies deployed from London during WWII. This novel is based on true events and should be a really fascinating look into the heroism and ingenuity of women.

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

After all that heavy stuff, I wanted to end on something lighter.  I adore Sophie Kinsella.  I read every one of her books as they are always quirky and fun and light- classic chic lit – you probably remember the Shopaholic series?  This one is released on Feb 5th and is the story of a woman that is always fixing things for others and finally learns to take control of her own life. I can’t wait for this one to be released- I just bet I finish it in a weekend.

And!  I actually have a book club with my daughter.  She is 11 and doesn’t enjoy reading for pleasure but we read together almost every single night and she loves it.

Reading aloud is so incredibly beneficial to kids of all ages so I thought I’d share what we have on the nightstand right now:

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom 

I am hoping we finish this one tonight.  It is the story of a Dutch family with incredibly strong faith that find themselves in the middle of the underground during WWII.  The family is finally discovered and sent to a concentration camp.  This is not too graphic for kids but still a serious book that delves very deeply into holding onto faith in the darkest of circumstances.  We have enjoyed this one so far.

The Vanderbeekers of 141 Street by Karina Yan Glaser

After the heaviness of The Hiding Place, this should be a bit lighter and tells the story of a family determined to save their home from  a grumpy old landlord. If you have children that enjoyed the Penderwicks, this would be a great book to pick up.