Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

The Books of 2018 (so far)

June 20, 2018 by Kristin 16 Comments

Well, happy summer! Let’s talk about books.

(I know, you want to hear stories about our Guatemala trip. And you will hear plenty more about our wonderful week. But I haven’t had time to get the stories out of my head and journal yet, thanks to a pile of mail, loads of laundry, and the need to be in the pool during these hot, hot days Kentucky is experiencing.)

I’ve taken a break from a lot of non-fiction books because all the voices were becoming way too noisy. I have enjoyed five memoirs so far this year and a few other non-fiction titles that were more like resources for what I’m walking through in real life. That has freed me up, both in regards to time and what’s in my head, to read more fiction. Twenty fictions books, to be exact. And, y’all, I have read some good ones.

Fiction

  1. “Comfort & Joy” by Kristin Hannah
  2. “Every Last Lie” by Mary Kubica
  3. “The Mailbox” (Sunset Beach #1) by Marybeth Whalen
  4. “The Perfect Stranger” by Megan Miranda
  5. “The Fever” by Megan Abbott
  6. “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
  7. “Weight of Lies” by Emily Carpenter
  8. “Burying the Honeysuckle Girls” by Emily Carpenter
  9. “Picture Perfect” by Jodi Picoult
  10. “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah
  11. “Dead Drift” (Chesapeake Valor #4) by Dani Pettrey
  12. “Tell Me Three Things” by Julie Buxbaum
  13. “Speak Now or Forever  Hold Your Peace” by Becky Monson
  14. “Witness in Hiding” (Secret Service Agents Series) by Lisa Phillips
  15. “The Way Life Should Be” by Christina Baker Kline
  16. “I Am Watching You” by Teresa Driscoll
  17. “The Castaways” by Elin Hilderbrand
  18. “The Light Between the Oceans” by M.L. Stedman
  19. “A Long Time Gone” by Karen White
  20. “All the Breaking Waves” by Kerry Lonsdale

Memoirs

  1. “A Fierce Love: One Woman’s Courageous Journey to Save Her Marriage” by Shauna Shanks
  2. “In Bloom: Trading Restless Insecurity for Abiding Confidence” by Kayla Aimee {Review}
  3. “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” by J.D. Vance {Review}
  4. “Why I Hate Green Beans: And Other Confessions about Relationships, Reality TV, and How We See Ourselves” by Lincee Ray {Review}
  5. “A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging” by Kate Motaung {Review}

Non-fiction

  1. “Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of Under 250” by Karl Vaters {Review}
  2. “The Friendship of Women: The Beauty and Power of God’s Plan for Us” by Dee Brestin

Studies & Resources

  1. “This I Know: Trusting Your Unknown Future to a Known God” by Laura Dingman {Review}
  2. “100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self” by Annie Downs
  3. “Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents” by Russell Barkley

*****

I usually leave starred reviews on Goodreads, if you want a quick reference for what I thought about books. I’ve linked all the titles to Amazon and any reviews I’ve shared on my blog. You can always reach out and talk books with me.

Here’s my 2017 list, if you’re looking for more recommendations. I also keep a list of favorites on Amazon for easy access.

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
 Loading InLinkz ...
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: books, Porch Stories Tagged With: books

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    June 20, 2018 at 6:43 am

    I took note of the repeat authors in your fiction list. I have a serious fiction deficit going on right now!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 20, 2018 at 8:45 am

      I hope you enjoy them too!

      Reply
  2. Joanne Viola says

    June 20, 2018 at 6:58 am

    Hmmm … I think it may be time to read some fiction 🙂 Seriously!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 20, 2018 at 8:43 am

      I do think the next non-fiction I read may be Kristen Welch’s book that you sent me! I’m excited about that one!

      Reply
  3. Barbara Harper says

    June 20, 2018 at 7:44 am

    I have not read any of these! But I have heard of a couple. I tend to read more fiction than nonfiction, too. I can only process so much information and instruction at a time. An overload jumbles everything up. Good fiction is both relaxing and edifying.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 20, 2018 at 8:43 am

      Yes, I agree!

      Reply
  4. Debbie Putman says

    June 20, 2018 at 7:51 am

    Welcome home! I enjoyed The Great Alone.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 20, 2018 at 8:44 am

      Thank you! “The Great Alone” was one of my favorites!

      Reply
  5. SUSAN SHIPE says

    June 20, 2018 at 11:22 am

    I’m a summer fiction reader dweeb. LOVE me some fiction.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 20, 2018 at 2:44 pm

      Well, do you have any suggestions on what else I should read? 🙂

      Reply
  6. Sue Donaldson says

    June 20, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    the fact that you’ve read that many already is astounding with littles and your writing, besides. a great list!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 20, 2018 at 2:45 pm

      My kids love to swim, so I read A LOT at the pool. Then before school was out, I would show up a few minutes early to pick up so I could read a little while the littlest one napped.

      Reply
  7. Lisa notes says

    June 21, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    The Nightingale and The Light Between the Oceans are two novels that I have read recently too and really enjoyed. I agree that non-fiction books can get noisy at times! Looking forward to hearing about Guatemala.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 21, 2018 at 9:27 pm

      Those were two of my favorites this year! So good! Thanks for being here, Lisa!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Creativity With Art, Food, Writing... #LMMLinkup - Words, Photos and Art says:
    June 20, 2018 at 11:27 am

    […] linking up with: #InspireMeMonday, #Grace&Truth, #TrekkingThru, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory, #porchstories, […]

    Reply
  2. Catching up with fiction friends says:
    July 3, 2018 at 6:01 am

    […] Street Team. These opinions are my own. If you’re looking for other book recommendations, see The Books of 2018 (so far) or visit the list of my favorites on […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • 3 Ways to Boost Our Kids’ Confidence
  • Songs of Hope
  • Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.
  • Looking for fun, longing for Eden
  • How to make celebrations fun

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

Happy, happy 70th birthday to my wonderful mother- Happy, happy 70th birthday to my wonderful mother-in-law. We all are especially happy to celebrate her life this year after her recent quadruple bypass heart surgery and recovery. 🎉 #weekending #TeamTaylor #birthdaygirl
A new book by a favorite author is always a welcom A new book by a favorite author is always a welcomed thing, and @kristinhannahauthor didn’t disappoint. Plus it was my @bookofthemonth pick. 

#TheFourWinds is set during some sad years with the Dust Bowl, migration to California, and the Great Depression. Yet this is a story of hope and belonging. Hope kept a mom and her two kids going, despite circumstances that destroyed. Hope led to this mom finding her voice, recognizing her worth, and discovering love that lasts.

Follow #KHTreads for more book talk. #recommendedreads #fiction #amreading #bookstagram #historicalfiction #bookofthemonth
Seven weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery, Seven weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery, my mother-in-law moved home today. We were happy to care for her and we are thrilled she’s doing so well. 

I knew she was faithful and strong before, but watching her recovery from open heart surgery convinced me even more of her steadfastness and courage.

#TeamTaylor #livingfaithfully #reallife #choosingJOY
After three weeks, they’ve returned to school! H After three weeks, they’ve returned to school! Here’s to hope on a Monday morning for whatever comes our way. #momlife #reallife #choosingJOY #siblinglove
Often I don’t want the weekend to end or the sea Often I don’t want the weekend to end or the season to change, but I’m looking forward to Monday after three weeks of quarantine and sickness then snow. I’m looking forward to the snow melting away and eager for spring to bloom.

I’m grateful for health and family and home and a fresh start. A walk through the melting snow with the sun shining and temperatures in the 50s was a sweet spot today. So was gathering with friends we hadn’t seen in too long after church.

Just a few days ago I felt defeated and weary. Now I’m feeling ready and hopeful. Transitions can be rough, but ultimately I’m thankful for new mercies and new seasons.

#weekending #reallife #socialdistancing #countryliving #bettertogether #winterweather #springiscoming #choosingJOY #girlmeetschange #livingfaithfully
We’re sad tonight was the last #MurrayState home We’re sad tonight was the last #MurrayState home basketball game of the season, but we are thankful we had some live winter entertainment. Of course, games looked and sounded different than usual, but the season isn’t over and we’ll be rooting for our blue & gold. 💛 #WeAreRacers #RacerNation #collegebasketball #TeamTaylor #weekending #socialdistancing #thirdchild
We all benefitted from getting outside today. Hone We all benefitted from getting outside today. Honestly, I was so bundled up I got a little warm because somehow I now live where 30 degrees (that feels like 21) is a heat wave. These three help me remember to loosen up and enjoy the moment. ❄️ 

#momlife #snowday #countryliving #socialdistancing #choosingJOY #reallife #winterweather #kentuckyweather
I'm glad I was able to contribute to "Songs of Hop I'm glad I was able to contribute to "Songs of Hope (Vol. 2)", which was compiled by fellow writers @kerilynnsnyder & @sarah_e_frazer. This devotional spends 31 days in the Psalms. 

I share about Psalm 68 and how God built a sanctuary for me at our house in the country and how I want to share that with others. I end the devotional with these questions and a prayer:

"Songs of Hope" offers encouraging truth to bring hope to your weary soul. The devotional is a digital product so you receive the PDF immediately and can read it on any device.  There's a #linkinbio to buy this devotional and more info #ontheblog. #bloggerlife #authorlife #amreading #psalms #psalm68 #bettertogether #hope #KHTreads
I ended 2020 saying it had been a weird year, but, I ended 2020 saying it had been a weird year, but, truthfully, the first six weeks of 2021 have been weird too. Weird seems like a weak word, but I can’t think of another. These past six weeks haven’t been bad, have included plenty of great moments, and shifted so many things in our house. Through it all, my best friend Jaclyn and I haven’t gotten to hang out much.

I’m thankful Greg picked up her and her girls in his four-wheel drive truck yesterday after his short day at the office. We bundled up for some time outside, the kids had legit snow cones, we combined food to make dinner, and various people played various games. Jaclyn and her girls went back to their house this morning, but we are all thankful for old friends & new memories.

#bettertogether #winterweather #reallife #countryliving #snowday #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorite Places & Projects

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.