Top Seven Books of 2019

For as tempting as it always is to inundate you with dozens of books to read, I have found that book guides that I enjoy reading are short and sweet.

2019 was a great year in so many ways, including literarily… Huh, I didn’t realize that was a word.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy these recommendations. It was hard to pick just seven, so perhaps I’ll be back with more books soon! Enjoy!

The Only Plane in the Sky

Wow. I’m still so speechless by this entire book. We all remember where we were on 9/11. I was in second period study hall at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school. Being a pre-Internet, sheltered Ohio girl, I totally did not understand the gravity of it. The Only Plane in the Sky should be required reading for every American. It’s mind-boggling to me that are currently kids in college were babies when 9/11 happened and I believe it’s our patriotic duty to keep the memory of all those who were lost (and through what means they died) alive. The Only Plane in the Sky tells the story of 9/11 in a compelling way that is both heart-wrenching and made me deeply proud to be American.

No Surrender

Sticking with the theme of American Patriotism, this book is incredible. In short, a guy discovers his dad’s World War II diaries after his death and learns that not only was he a POW after the Battle of the Bulge, but also was heroic in saving thousands of American lives abroad. It’s a MUST read. World War II veterans unfortunately won’t be around much longer, and this books is immensely helpful in remembering one very important man’s story.

Them: Why We Hate Each Other and How to Heal

If you’re anything like me, you’re more than a little frustrated with our extreme lack of unity in this country. Senator Ben Sasse explains how we’ve become so polarized and gives some quite practical tips on how we can make this all better. If you don’t know Ben Sasse, you’re missing out. He’s a conservative Republican “never-Trump-er” and a very, very interesting guy. I heard him speak at a conference last summer and devoured both of his books (pssst- if I may add another title, his other book The Vanishing American Adult is also fantastic).

The Mistress at the Ritz

Switching to a more fiction-ish genre, Mistress at the Ritz was FANTASTIC. This is a true-ish story of a couple who was living at the Ritz in Paris during World War II. They entertained Nazis on the surface but were also involved in the Resistance. It’s fantastic and had me thinking for weeks afterword.

Girl, Stop Apologizing

At the risk of sounding like every other ambitious millennial out there, Rachel Hollis’ sequel book to Girl, Wash Your Face was, dare I say, better than her first. If you’re a goal-getter, this is the book for you. Honestly, I probably would have skipped blogging today had I not read this. It’s fantastic.

The Matriarch

Sigh, Former First Lady, the late Barbara Bush is to me the embodiment of what it means to be a lady. She was the first lady of my childhood and I think the whole country shed a tear when she passed away. This is a biography of her, and it’s well worth the read. In December 2018, I stood on Capitol Hill in freezing weather for six hours to pay respects to President George H.W. Bush. To say that I have a deep respect for the Bush family would be an understatement.

Where the Crawdads Sing

Last but certainly not least, I thought I should include a true novel, Where the Crawdads Sing. I loved this book. It’s a great story about a misunderstood “swamp girl” living in the American south and making her way in the world somewhat alone. There’s certainly a mystery component, but I don’t want to give away too much.Trust me when I say, it’s well worth the read.

What were YOUR favorite books of 2019? Please write them in the comments below.

Happy Thursday!