Instead of waiting until the end of the year to talk about my favorite books I’ve read this year, I thought I’d go a head start and talk about them now.

In the first half of the year, I read 107 books (I know…I have no idea why I’m not quite sure why I’ve read so many more this year).  These are my favorites (in order).  To fit the unwritten theme of this year, 4 of these are non-fiction.  For fairness, it only includes books that were new to me.

Click the links to read more of my review.

10. The City and the City by China Miéville

This is an “existential thriller”…but really it’s the tale of two cities (quite unlike A Tale of Two Cities, in case you were wondering).  It’s about a murder investigation that leads the investigator from one city to another…that shares the same physical location but is utterly distinct.  It comes off a little weird at first, but it’s very interesting.

9. Get Married by Candice Watters

This book changed how I viewed my own singleness…something that always needs redefining (my view of it…though I’d also settle for a change from singleness, too).

8. Green Like God by Jonathan Merritt

This is the perspective that Christians need on creation care…it’s not just for leftists and liberals.

7. In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham

A memoir sharing that when things are bad (and they’re really bad: a year-long kidnapping by terrorists), it is still possible to trust in God.  He remains faithful, even if things don’t work out as we would have orchestrated.

6. How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

I loved this young adult novel.  It made me laugh, and it made me cry, really cry (but not in the Lurlene McDaniels kind of way).  You’d have to read it to understand it.

5. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

I don’t know why I haven’t talked about this one before, but it’s SO good.  Technically a children’s novel (probably because it’s short and has a child protagonist) but an adult would enjoy it more.  Nostalgic and touching.

4. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

No surprise for many of you who have already read it.  But I didn’t until this year.  Definitely deserves its classic standing.

3. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde

I was wanting to read this one for months before it (finally!) came out. And now I’m waiting in as much anticipation for the sequel.  Jasper Fforde has an “interesting” take on writing that is unmatched, and his style is a welcomed and unique twist on the crazy-popular dystopian genre.  If you like things a little off kilter and/or dystopian books, check this one out, for sure.

2.  The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I think most of you know why this book is on my list.  If you don’t, you need to read it.  I haven’t heard of anyone who has read it and not loved it.  If its length puts you off, try the audio book.  It’s well done (I’m actually listening to it right now…I broke my “wait a year before a re-read” for this book).

1. Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt