In case some of you are in need of a book recommendation for someone on your Christmas list, I’m publishing this year’s edition of books to read a little early. 

Somehow I’ve managed to read more than ever this year, and the following books are my absolute favorites out of a long list of really good books! 

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1. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr — You may have heard of this World War II novel, but I can assure you, all the praise was well deserved. (It won a Pulitzer Prize and was a New York Times Bestseller for some time.) The writing is so good. It’s one of the rare books that I actually think I may read again.
2. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas — This is hands-down my favorite biography I’ve ever read. Though it’s a thick read of over 500 pages, it read like a novel. Bonhoeffer was a German theologian and pastor during World War II who conspired to kill Hitler. Again, I may actually reread this book.
3. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls — Before I even realized this was being made into a movie, I finally picked it up from my pile of library sales books. It’s a haunting memoir, but amazingly void of self-pity. 
4. The Magic of Motherhood: The Good Stuff, the Hard Stuff, and Everything in Between by Ashlee Gadd (and the people at Coffee + Crumbs- one of my favorite blogs!) —  This is the perfect gift for moms of young children. It’s filled with essays on motherhood that will make you laugh and cry and not feel so alone in the chaos. 
5. Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis by Stephan Bauman, Matthew Soerens, and Dr. Issam Smear — This is an absolute must read if you’re looking to have a factual understanding of the refugee crisis, and I personally think we all need actual facts. It’s written by the president and US director of World Relief and a counselor who specializes in trauma of refugees. I really hope you take the time to read this book.
6. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah — Just like the other World War II novel, I couldn’t put this one down. It’s a beautifully written book exploring several nuanced character’s capacity to fight tyranny and evil.
7. Daring to Hope: Finding God’s Goodness in the Broken and Beautiful by Katie Davis Majors — Her most recent memoir is an amazing testament to the radical life she’s living (in Uganda with 13 adopted children and a home constantly filled with sick people in need of care) and to the faithfulness of God in the face of death and despair. This is truly an inspiring book! 

As a bonus: Part of the reason I’ve read so much this year is because Ryan has been reading more, too. He basically can’t get enough of Paul Doiron’s series. Set in Maine, these books follow Mike Bowditch, a game warden, as he solves local crimes. Get hooked on the first one, The Poacher’s Son. 

What has been your favorite book you’ve read this year?