Reading Log for 2018

Again - I mostly post this for my own benefit - but again the books in bold are the books I recommend from what I read this past year.  My goal this year was to read books that were written mostly by people who were not white males (nothing against them, just they've typically written most of what I read and wanted to expand my experience).  I succeeded.  This challenge led me to find out more about life for North Koreans, explore Latino authors, and pick up a couple of books about race.  I actually read all of these as my current travel entertainment has been changed to podcasts.  

1. Historicas Biblicas de Jesus para Ninos (Jesus Storybook Bible) por Sally Lloyd-Jones
If you haven't read the Story Book Bible, I highly recommend it.  It brings the Bible to life (and shouldn't just be for kids!)  Yes, I read the whole thing in Spanish because I gifted it to my godsons and wanted to be able to say I'd read the whole thing first.  

2. Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer
3. Connect the Stars by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague
4. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
5. The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera
6. I am not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez
7. Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
8. My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Sotomayor is on the US Supreme Court.  Her autobiography tells her story of adversity and triumph.  She has had to prove herself worthy for most of her life and has a great perspective as she sits on the bench.  There's very little legal talk - its her life story, and I recommend it.

9. Belong to Me: A Novel by Marisa de los Santos
Seriously, just read it.  Incredible characters and great character development.  You keep wondering how all the stories are going to intersect - and its just beautiful.  Thanks Joanna Crossett for recommending it!

10. The Girl With Seven Names: Escape from North Korea by Hyeonseo Lee
This is an incredible story of perseverance and will help you appreciate all that you have!

11. Booked by Kwame Alexander
12. The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right by Lisa Sharon Harper
13. It's Not the End of the World by Judy Blume
14. Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving
15. Going for Kona by Pamela Fagan Hutchins
16. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
It's a story about a Holocaust Survivor - but its a page turner.  

17. The Giver and the Gift: Principles of Kingdom Fundraising by Peter Greer & David Weekley
18. Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to be Noticed by Sara Hagerty
19. The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks about Race by Jesmyn Ward
20. All the News thats Fit to Tell and How to Tell It by Amy Young
21. Let's Get Lost: A Coming of Age Novel by Adi Alsaid
22. Stars Between the Sun and the Moon by Lucia Jang and Susan McClelland
23. Ashley's War: The Untold Story of Women Soldiers on the Special Ops Battlefield by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
24. The Single's Guide to Thriving by Lina AbuJamra
25. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
26. Scary Close by Donald Miller
27. Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff
It's Bob Goff - so seriously do I need to say more?  Be challenged.  Laugh. Enjoy his adventures.

28. Praying for Your Children by Elmer Towns and David Earley
29. She is Free: Learning the Truth about the Lies The Hold You Captive by Andi Andrew
30. Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World by Max Lucado
31. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
32. Love in a Torn Land by Jean Sasson
33. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
34. Everything Happens for A Reason and Other Lies I've loved by Kate Bowler
A young mom who is diagnosed with stage four cancer honestly talks about how facing death has changed the way she experiences God and well-meaning people.  It's raw and vulnerable and a great help for anyone who has a friend or family member who has cancer.