2016 Books
For my fellow readers out there, I thought it’d be fun to share both my full reading list from this year as well as my top recommendations.
I don’t know if I can find the words to describe how grateful I am for books. Books are both my escape & my anchor in life. In many ways, books have been my compass. A look into another world. A source of empathy, help, and hope. They always have been but especially this past year.
2016 has been the hardest year of my life. Between pushing myself to write everyday, learning what it means to be a wife, and navigating through life with anxiety & depression - it’s been a wild last few months, to say the least.
I'm currently building my "to read" list for 2017 and would love to hear your suggestions for what should be added. Please leave a comment or shoot me a tweet!
2016 Favorites
Nonfiction
War of Art
I think this was my second or third time re-reading through this little book. Though tiny, it's jam-packed with some butt-kicking inspiration to get you through any creative block.
The Artist's Way
I took the first few months of the year to work through the first section of this beast. To this day, I still use Julia Cameron's morning pages routine.
How To Be Here
This was one of those reads that came into my life just at the right time. Not always a huge Rob Bell fan, but these words were really helpful when I was feeling "stuck" in life earlier this year.
Reasons To Stay Alive
My top recommendation for people who are trying to understand anxiety & depression. Full of insight into what it feels like to experience these symptoms first-hand and overflowing with hope.
Love Warrior
Read the whole thing on a 4 hour flight. Told in an incredible narrative format, it's a bold, true story that gave me empathy for those struggling with addictions & abuse.
Fiction
Where'd You Go Bernadette?
My favorite "fun" read of the year! A family mystery drama written by a former writer on Arrested Development & Ellen, Maria Semple. I went to her book signing in Nashville a few weeks ago & totally geeked out.
The Book Of Unknown Americans
Beautiful story about two immigrant families in Delaware. Full of strength, young love, heartbreak, and friendship.
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald
I'm obsessed with the Fitzgeralds. I even wrote my research paper in college on how Zelda Fitzgerald's mental illnesses affected her husband's work, ha! Though I'm sure it's not all historically accurate, this is a really fun read; especially if you're like me and fascinated with all things 1920's.
Commonwealth
Written by Anne Patchett, an amazing author & owner of our local bookstore, Parnassus. It's my first book by her & now I'm ready to dive into all things Patchett!
All 2016 Books
The Right to Write - Julia Cameron
Gather Together In My Name - Maya Angelou
Small Victories - Anne Lamott
On Writing - Eudora Welty
Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert
Committed - Elizabeth Gilbert
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald - Therese Anne Fowler
War of Art - Steven Pressfield
The Artist’s Way - Julia Cameron
Where’d You Go, Bernadette? - Maria Semple
The Zimzum of Love - Rob Bell
Garden City - John Mark Comer
The Book of the Unknown Americans - Cristina Henríquez
One More Thing - BJ Novak
If You Feel Too Much - Jamie Tworkowski
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Mindy Kaling
Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald
How To Be Here - Rob Bell
Reasons To Stay Alive - Matt Haig
Commonwealth - Ann Patchett
Infinite Home - Kathleen Alcott
Love Warrior - Glennon Doyle Melton
Cold Tangerines - Shauna Niequist
The Wisdom of The Enneagram - Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson
The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective - Richard Rohr
Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now - Maya Angelou
Counting Descent - Clint Smith
Chasing Utopia - Nikki Giovanni
The Writing Life - Annie Dillard
