Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

The Books of 2019

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I love book lists, so I wanted to share mine before 2019 was finished.

Here’s the general recap: I intentionally read more fiction this year. That meant 41 fiction novels compared to the 29 I read each of the last two years. I read 12 non-fiction books, which is a few less than last year. I also included some family books we read together or my kids read and reviewed.

What did your reading year look like?

Fiction

  1. “The Forgotten Hours” by Katrin Schumann
  2. “The Secret Mother” by Shalini Boland
  3. “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Christa Allen
  4. “The Secret Orphan” by Glynis Peters
  5. “Good As Gone” by Amy Gentry
  6. “When We Were Worthy” by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
  7. “He Said / She Said” by Erin Kelly
  8. “Say You’re Sorry” (Morgan Dane #1) by Melinda Leigh
  9. “Her Last Goodbye” (Morgan Dane #2) by Melinda Leigh
  10. “Bones Don’t Lie” (Morgan Dane #3) by Melinda Leigh
  11. “Those Who Save Us” by Jenna Blum
  12. “After Anna” by Lisa Scottoline
  13. “What I’ve Done” (Morgan Dane #4) by Melinda Leigh
  14. “Secrets Never Die” (Morgan Dane #5) by Melinda Leigh
  15. “The Orphan Daughter” by Cari Noga
  16. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
  17. “Only Ever Her” by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
  18. “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover
  19. “The Stormchasers” by Jenna Blum
  20. “We Were the Lucky Ones”  by Georgia Hunter
  21. “High Water” by Lynn Hightower
  22. “How to Walk Away” by Katherine Center
  23. “Happiness for Beginners” by Katherine Center
  24. “Slammed” by Colleen Hoover
  25. “Point of Retreat” (Slammed Series #2) by Colleen Hoover
  26. “Blue Smoke” by Nora Roberts
  27. “The Sometimes Sisters” by Carolyn Brown
  28. “Without Merit” by Colleen Hoover
  29. “Ugly Love” by Colleen Hoover
  30. “All Your Perfects” by Colleen Hoover
  31. “Verity” by Colleen Hoover
  32. “Someone Knows” by Lisa Scottoline
  33. “November 9” by Colleen Hoover
  34. “All the Little Lights” by Jamie McGuire
  35. “Never Have I Ever” by Joshilyn Jackson
  36. “Everyone is Beautiful” by Katherine Center
  37. “Things You Save in a Fire” by Katherine Center
  38. “Evvie Drake Starts Over” by Linda Holmes
  39. “Belong to Me” by Marisa de los Santos
  40. “Regretting You” by Colleen Hoover
  41. “The Upside of Falling Down” by Rebekah Crane

Memoirs

  1. “Rock Needs River: A Memoir About a Very Open Adoption” by Vanessa McGrady
  2. “It’s A Love Story: From Happily to Ever After” by Lincee Ray {Review}
  3. “The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You” by Lisa-Jo Baker {Review}

Non-fiction

  1. “The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth” by Christopher Heuertz
  2. “Letters to the Church” by Francis Chan {Book / Study / Videos}
  3. “If God Is For Us: The Everlasting Truth of Our Great Salvation” by Trillia Newbell {Review}
  4. “Joyful Surrender” by Elisabeth Elliot {Review}
  5. “Back Roads of Belonging: Unexpected Paths to Your Places and Your People” by Kristen Strong {Review}
  6. “A Grief Observed” by C.S. Lewis
  7. “Finding God’s Life for My Will: His Presence is the Plan” by Mike Donehey {Review}
  8. “Anger: Calming Your Heart (31-Day Devotionals for Life)” by Robert D. Jones
  9. “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World” by John Mark Comer

Family books

  1. “The Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions: 52 Activities Yours Kids Will Never Forget” by Tim Shoemaker {Review}
  2. “The Hammer of Hope” by Katie Jo Hook {Review}
  3. “The Case of the Missing Person” by Kathleen Guire {Review}
  4. “Britfield & The Lost Crown” by C.R. Stewart {Review}

*****

I keep lists of recommended reads on Amazon and I offered some tips on how to read more here. Plus I often talk books on Facebook and Instagram, so be sure to follow along there. Here are lists from 2018 and 2017. Of course, I’d love to hear what you’re reading because I could always use additions for my to-read list.

The Hammer of Hope

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“The Hammer of Hope” by Katie Jo Hook is a beautiful book filled with truth. This children’s book starts with the biblical story of Noah building the ark, continues to Joseph working as a carpenter and raising a special son, and ends with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Each story is woven together with the hammer being an important tool.

Like the hammer, our lives are a tool God uses to build our trust in His plan and give hope to others around us.

I was honored to endorse this book: “In ‘The Hammer of Hope,’ Katie Hook shares the gospel message in a way kids will understand. Her rhythmic words mimic the subtle beat of a simple hammer building faithfulness and hope in people’s lives. I could see this book becoming a family’s favorite read-a-long story.”

About this book

“The Hammer of Hope” is a 40-page paperback book published by Morgan James Kids (September 2019). It’s aimed for kids 6 to 12 years old, but my younger daughter (who turns 4 this week) loves the rhythmic words and beautiful pictures. As a mom, I love resources that prompt questions about Jesus like this story does. It’s available on Amazon, Katie’s website, and other bookstores.

About the author

Katie Jo Hook and I attended the same college – go, Murray State – but I got to know her when she and her husband lived a couple of apartment buildings down from Greg and me during our first year of marriage in Lexington, Kentucky. At Murray State, she double majored in elementary education and special education. She grew up a preacher’s kid and lived in a ministry where she saw the grace of Jesus Christ change lives. After teaching special education and having three children, God is continuing to use her life to tell people about Jesus. She lives in southern Illinois. Learn more about her and her projects on her website.

About the illustrator

Nathan Corbit is an artist native to southern Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree in art education at Southern Illinois University and his master’s degree from the University of Nebraska. He lives in a small community with his wife and three children. Along with making art, he also teaches.

*****

I received a free, advanced copy of this book as a gift for endorsing it. But I really love it and my kids actually read it.

Seasons of belonging

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Even in my favorite season, I’ve hit some bumps. I’m enough of an extrovert that I’ve always created the community I crave. But, honestly, I haven’t had the energy to invest in relationships, so this summer has been filled with my few closest friends and whoever invited me into their life.

Kristen Strong’s encouragement and guidance in “Back Roads to Belonging: Unexpected Paths to Finding Your Place and Your People” helped me find my place in my own season of letting roots sink in more deeply while learning new things, processing how sorrow and hope can co-exist, and finding renewed perspective in belonging right where I am. She’s spurred me on to seek God’s beauty and adventure right in front of me. While doing so, God filled my soul when I feel empty and reminded me of his promises for me and my place with Him.

One of the gifts this summer was a Bible study my friend Megan hosted. Honestly, I shy away from regular commitments in the summer, but I knew when she asked me about it in the spring that I wanted to go. I didn’t anticipate backing off from some of my usual invitations to others. I didn’t realize sorrow could lead to feelings of not belonging. I didn’t know at the time I would need for someone to welcome me in. (Plus I’ve learned a lot from studying Hebrews.)

This summer has definitely been a season of growing down, letting roots sink in more deeply while learning new things about myself and my family. My tendency is to make plans and invite people over and fill the wide-open spaces. But this summer I drew the circle a little smaller and found fresh perspective in belonging right where I am.

“The specifics of how we relax in this growing down season aren’t important. Using the time and not wasting it is. This is not the time to fret about growing up or out to be seen in our belonging place. This is the season to be known by growing down, to build a stronger sense of belonging that is rooted in Christ, in whom our closeness overshadows our place here on earth.”

– Kristen Strong in “Back Roads to Belonging”

Kristen’s words in that paragraph and her whole book came when I needed them most. I preordered “Back Roads to Belonging” long before this season and then I received a copy for being on the launch team. It’s one of those books that literally feels good to hold and figuratively feels good for your soul.

I actually gave my early copy away to my friend Becky who moved at the end of July because she’s been important to my belonging — to this season, to this community, and to Christ. (I also gave her a copy of the mix I made for myself because I needed to hear truths of about how sorrow & hope could mingle together. Here’s that playlist, if you’re interested.)

My friendship with Becky surprised me in the sweetest ways this summer because I didn’t see all our conversations and time around tables coming. But God knew. He knew I needed her wisdom and authenticity. He knew she needed to belong in a different way too. He knew things we haven’t even learned yet because that’s how he provides and sustains us in our eternal belonging.

I’m grateful for my own back roads, Kristen’s words, and the belonging that happens here. As my kids head back to school and we fall into a different routine, I’ve still got belonging on my mind. So here’s to saying yes to others, welcoming others in even when it looks different than expected, and believing hospitality matters because it helps heal.

So, in Kristen’s words: “When you believe you’re in a season of wandering around a barren belonging landscape, may you know you don’t wander purposelessly. God is aware of every bump and bend, and Jesus walks with you through every setback and delay. May you never stop participating in your own life, even through the mystery — because God is moving for you in your life. May you remember Jesus was brought outside so you could be brought inside forever.”

About the author & book

Kristen Strong, author of “Girl Meets Change,” writes as a friend offering meaningful encouragement for each season of life so you can see it with more hope and less worry. She and her U.S. Air Force veteran husband, David, have three children. Together this military family zigzagged across the country (and one ocean) several times before settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can find her at her website, DaySpring’s (in)courage, and on Instagram.

“Back Roads to Belonging” is a 208-page paperback published by Revell (Aug. 6, 2019).

Giveaway

And I’m sharing a copy of this book with one of you. Thanks for being here and sharing pieces of your story. Use the Rafflecopter below for various entries. I’ll randomly choose a winner Tuesday, Aug. 13.

a Rafflecopter giveaway