Before 2013 slips too far away, I want to look back over some of my favorite books from the year. As a college student, I don’t have much “free reading time” left over after reading all my textbooks – and you can be certain those did not make this list.

But I have been able to carve out half an hour here and there and somehow, I finished many books throughout the year. It shouldn’t surprise me, because some of my earliest memories are with my nose in a book, but I never thought I’d be able to keep that up while in college!

So you have no excuse.

Kidding, but not kidding.

Books are the transporting vehicles to worlds we can only visit in our imaginations. You must make time because you never know what you’re missing.

Check out this list, grab a few titles for your Must Read in 2014 List (you have one, don’t you? please. have one.) and let me know what you read and loved this past year!

Next Monday I’ll share my Must Read in 2014 List with you, but for now – these are, in random order, some of my favorite reads in 2013.

 

Want to look back later? Hover over the picture and pin it!
1. A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet: Southern Stories of Faith, Family, and Fifteen Pounds of Bacon :: Sophie Hudson :: I just can not tell you how much I love Sophie’s writing. It kills me that we live in the same town and I’ve never met her. I like to believe I’m truly southern…and this book made me feel at home.

2. Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn :: Melanie Shankle :: I wrote a review already, so you can get all my thoughts over there. But I really loved this book.

3. Called To Write, Biblical Truths For Authors and Bloggers :: K.M. Logan & C.M. Logan :: First off, this book is FREE right now so go grab it! Second, I don’t think I turned a page without highlighting or bookmarking something. I love this book.
4. Bossypants :: Tina Fey :: I laughed. I thought. I laughed some more. I had never read anything like this before – but I really did enjoy it.
5. A Lineage of Grace: Five Stories of Unlikely Women Who Changed Eternity :: Francine Rivers :: This book helped continue a passion for story and made me fall more in love with the women of the Bible.
6. You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be :: Holley Gerth :: I don’t think there’s a person on earth who could dislike Holley Gerth. She breathes encouragement, and this book is no exception.
7. Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes :: Shauna Niequist :: I had never really thought about it before, how a meal is so much more than simply a meal. It’s gathering around the table, but why? This book opened my eyes the question and the answers. I wrote about what I learned here.
8. Let Hope in: 4 Choices That Will Change Your Life Forever :: Pete Wilson :: I wrote a review already, so you can read all my thoughts over there. I think this book is important, though. We have to let hope into the dark places.
9. More Than a Carpenter :: Josh D. McDowell :: While working at SLU this summer, Josh McDowell came and spoke to the students. Afterwards I just had to buy this book, and I’m so glad I did, though it’s not something I would typically pick up in a bookstore. If you wonder about Jesus, have questions, or want to know how to be prepared for questions, this is a great read.
10. The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas :: Ann Voskamp :: I will read this book year after year after year. It is underlined and bookmarked and starred. I began not understanding what Advent was, I slowed, I watched, I read, I worshipped, and I closed the final pages with a respect and love for this season.

Other (great) books I read:

Divergent and Insurgent :: Veronica Roth :: Okay, let’s be honest. I would love to put these two in the top 10…but until I read the third book, I just can’t. Because I’m on pins and needles and have heard the ending isn’t good. So I’m waiting until then. BUT these two are wonderful and I’m anxiously trying to get my hands on the third book!

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living :: Tsh Oxenreider :: It’s simple and beautiful and encouraging. Go read it.

So Long, Insecurity Teen Edition :: Beth Moore :: A good choice for teens! I wrote a review here.

There are many I began in 2013 and am still in the middle of (finals kind of took over). This list isn’t exhaustive, as I’m 100% sure I’m leaving out some of my favorites that I’ve kept in Birmingham so I’ll have them with me next semester. But these right here, they’re some of my favorites.

What did you read and love in 2013? There’s still plenty of time for me to add it to my 2014 list!

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