I read a grand total of 43 (one book twice) books in 2016, a vast improvement on 2015. For 2017 I would like to read a minimum of 52.
The below are in order as read, books that made most of an impact (good or bad) are annotated.
- Simply Christian by Tom Wright – a great introductory text with simple explanations.
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – the tagline is “creative living beyond fear”. Yes and yes!
- The Zahir by Paulo Coelho.
- The Pilgramage by Paulo Coelho.
- Longbourn by Jo Baker.
- Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts – this is an “epic” novel. It is very long and meandering. I felt that at least 200 pages could have been cut out. I realise that this book has a lot of fans though so do try it if your tempted.
- Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle – This is a wonderful book, a must read about a Priest who runs a non profit for ex gang members in LA.
- How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran.
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (re-read) fantastic, I love C.S. Lewis.
- Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert – I really enjoyed this as I prepare for my own marriage in 2017.
- The Childhood of Jesus by J.M. Coetzee – profound. This will stay with you long after you read it. Completely unexpected but I really loved it.
- Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho – this is a fantastic book. Read, it, read it!
- Prayer Without Pretending by Rev. Anne Townsend – I am lucky enough to know Anne who preaches at my church. This was a very insightful little book about prayer and making time for it.
- The Day I met Jesus by Mary deMuth and Frank Viola – I absolutely loved this book. I found it so helpful in learning the stories of these women from the Gospels and having them put into perspective.
- Every Day Sexism by Laura Bates – a real eye-opener in terms of statistics, if not in terms of experiences of women. A great movement to get behind.
- The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Fielder – I adored this, a really different way to present and write about mental health, for the better.
- The Drunkard’s Walk by Leonard Mlodinow – I can’t do maths, I don’t like it, this was too hard.
- The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory – I really enjoy her novels, I can’t put them down.
- Work Smarter, Live Better by Cecil Peupion.
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.
- The Wealthy Woman by Mary Waring.
- Lean for Life by Louise Parker – read about this game changer here.
- Being Mortal by Atwul Gwande – really interesting about societies’ view of old age and ageing and death (not as depressing as it sounds).
- According to Yes by Dawn French.
- Finally Feminist by J Stackhouse – alright but not amazing.
- Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequest – I really needed this book and it is probably the book that made most impact on me this year. I would recommend it to anyone (I read this twice).
- Nerd Do Well by Simon Pegg.
- The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking – a great little book, we could all do with some hygge.
- Small Victories by Anne Lamott – a beautiful writer, a collection of essays, some had more impact than others but I really enjoyed this.
- A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers – I found this really helpful in helping me to identify the stories of women in the bible as often these are overlooked. I really enjoyed this.
- Daring Greatly by Brené Brown – a must read.
- Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton – good. Not as good as Carry, On Warrior.
- Rising Strong by Brené Brown.
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling and John Tiffany – I miss Harry and the gang.
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (re read).
- Listening to God by Joyce Hugget.
- Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton (re read).
- Life After Life by Kate Atkinson – AMAZING.
- Still Life by Louise Penny – got into the Inspector Gamache books on the recommendation of Sarah Bessey. Did not think I would enjoy it at first but really got into it. I just finished the second.
- Advent for Everyone by Tom Wright – very good a good programme for Advent.
- A Christmas Tail by Cressida McLaughlin.
- The Problem of Pain by C.S.Lewis – deals with a difficult subject for Christians.