What I Read in 2016

I (Lesley Anne) didn't read nearly as much as I normally do in 2016, and there's one tiny good reason for that. ;) It's been interesting to learn through the exhaustion of pregnancy and caring for a newborn just how much reading is still really important to me. While going through major life changes, words have become even more nourishing to my soul than ever. I've found that it helps a ton to make time for reading everyday, even if it's just a few pages (or a few paragraphs!) a day. And I want to continue that practice in to 2017. Tomorrow I'll be talking about the books on my reading list for this year, but today I'm taking a quick look back at the books I read in 2016! 

Non-Fiction

1. The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst - This is a favorite of many women I know, but it didn't quite work for me. This was my first time listening to non-fiction on audio, and I think I would have had a much better experience reading this in print. I got a few positive takeaways and liked Lysa's tips on decision-making, but I was disappointed that overall this book had more fluff than substance.

2. Counter Culture by David Platt - We read this book together with our small group, and it was excellent. Definitely challenges your comfortable Christianity, and I especially liked the call to action and specific ways to pray at the end of each chapter.

3. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Judy Torgas - While I was pregnant, I researched and tried to learn as much as I could about breastfeeding, since I knew it was going to be overwhelming once Gabe was born. While I learned a good deal from this book, I honestly think I retained what I learned in our in-person class at the hospital more since I'm more of a visual learner. And like most baby books, I didn't agree 100% with everything said, so you have to take some things (such as the author's stance on circumcision, childbirth, etc.) with a grain of salt. This book is still a great resource, though, and I have it in a basket next to the rocker in Gabe's nursery for quick reference whenever a question comes up.   

Fiction

4. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - This book finished out the last of Jane Austen's novels for me, and I'm so glad I've read them all now! Out of all the Austen novels, this was the one I was the least familiar with going in to the book. But Henry Tilney quickly became one of my all-time favorite characters--I adored his wit and charm. And I loved the satirical angle Austen took on the gothic section of the novel. Talking about this makes me even more excited about an Austen event I'm attending later this month (more on that later)!

5. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - This was one of our book club picks last year, and while I enjoyed the story itself, the meaning behind everything flat out annoyed me. This book is written in a short story format, and is a fable about finding your destiny--or your "personal legend," as Coelho puts it. The emphasis is placed on following your heart and how the whole universe will work together to help you find your purpose, and as a follower of Christ, that philosophy falls flat for me. One positive is that the audio version of this, read by Jeremy Irons, is excellent!

6. The One by Kiera Cass - This series is a total mess, but it's a mess that had me coming back for more nonetheless. I just had to know what happened between America and Maxon! The drama and the cheesiness were still to be found in plenty, but it was nothing I didn't expect. Such a fun, quick read!

7. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen - This was the first book I read after having Gabe, and of course it was a Sarah Addison Allen novel. Her books are like comfort food to me, and this one was no exception. I loved getting to know the Waverley sisters I've heard so much about in her other novels! And I need Claire Waverley to cater a dinner party at my house pronto.

8. The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen - This book was enchanting and had so many magical realism elements that I loved. Full of family secrets, love lost and found, delicious food, and a small southern town that I would move to in a heartbeat - this book just solidified why Sarah Addison Allen is on my all-time favorite authors list!

9. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas - I just cannot tell y'all how much I love Sarah J. Maas and her books. She is the queen of world-building and of creating the most unique, dynamic characters. While this book was more character-driven than the first book, and at 640 pages probably could have used some editing, I loved it all the same. And y'all--THAT ENDING. Book 3 can't get here fast enough! (A word of warning though--this book has some very adult content that you might want to skip over).    

10. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling - With the movie coming out, I knew I wanted to read the book behind it all first. My expectations were pretty low for this short read, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. The beginning definitely read like a textbook, but the notes from Harry and Ron and the references to muggles sprinkled throughout made me fall in love with the wizarding world all over again!   

What books did you read in 2016? I'd love to hear about some of your favorites!