Favorite Books of 2012

December 31, 2012 By

I love books. I love to read. I love to be inspired. Many people ask me when I find time to read. I find time to read extensively on vacation once a year, on Sunday afternoons after a long nap, for a short 30 minute block in the afternoon, and {if I can stay awake!} before bed. If it is a devotional type book, then I find time for that during my morning quiet time {along with the Bible}. Does that help? Reading is my passion, so I find time to do it, the same as people who love photography, baking, or decorating. You find the time. Same with me. I make time to read, because I just love it!

Here are my favorite books I read in 2012, in random order:

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

Excellent, Biblical perspective on marriage, how to view it, yourself, and your spouse all in the light of the Gospel.

What Alice Forgot

I just read this last week, and I have to say, I loved it. Alice hits her head and wakes up thinking she is at the beginning of her marriage and parenting, only to realize she is 39 with three kids! Be forewarned, there is some language and some inappropriate talk.

Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit

I almost didn’t read this, I thought I knew all about the Holy Spirit and his role in my life. And, frankly, I thought it was going to be another heady book that would be full of knowledge, but short of real life application. I was wrong. One of the most impactful books I have read to date, Francis Chan {and the power of the Holy Spirit!} turned my life upside down through this book!

The Power of Words and the Wonder of God

Easily my favorite read of the year, authors like Sinclair Ferguson, John Piper, and Paul David Tripp exhort and encourage us to use our words for the glory of God. My journal is filled with quotes from this book!

Satisfy My Thirsty Soul: For I Am Desperate for Your Presence

Refreshing, inspiring, soul stirring, and life-changing.

Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption

I want to be like Katie when I grow up. I love this book, and I love Katie’s story. I think this story inspires in all of us that desire to live a life of meaning and significance. Although some in the mission community might criticize some of Katie’s practices, I wish more people would boldly jump in with both feet like Katie does, instead of sitting around talking about “best practices.”

Anything: The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul

2nd favorite of the year, Jennie Allen is honest, open, and real about her struggles and about her prayer that changed everything. This book changed me.

The Pursuit of God

I read this book for the first time when I was 12, and have loved it ever since. Classic and deep, I love Tozer’s style of writing and his deep understanding of the heart of God.

Hannah Coulter

Simple, deeply touching story about farm life in the US. It is just so profound in it’s simplicity.

Dancing with My Father: How God Leads Us into a Life of Grace and Joy

Sally and I are cut from the same cloth, so that is why I identify with so much of what she writes in her books. This book, encouraging us to live a life of joy and trust in our Father stirs me down to my toes!!


Because He Loves Me

The subtitle says it all, How the Gospel Tranforms Your Life.  Yes, yes it does.

The Blue Castle

A light-hearted fun read from the author of Anne of Green Gables, I laughed with the heroine of the story and plain ol’ enjoyed this book.

A Tale of Two Cities

How had I never read this before now? It took some time to get into it, but by the end I was hooked. Beautiful story.

Read for the Heart: Whole Books for WholeHearted Families

A book about books? Yes please! Sarah Clarkson does a great job of inspiring your mother heart to desire to give your children the best in literature, and then she gives you a wonderful list of amazing books!

Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Some would say this book is depressing, but I found Tess and her scruples and her sad life completely enthralling. Others might disagree, and that is ok!

Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary

Excellent. Simple. Profound.

Let. It. Go.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith

I didn’t think I was a controller. I really didn’t. I am not a Type A personality, so I figured this book wouldn’t really apply to me. Oh, how wrong I was. This book challenged me, encouraged me, and gave me a swift kick in the behind.

Keep a Quiet Heart

I have loved anything by Elisabeth Elliot since I was a girl. This book has been my companion this year, speaking truth to my heart in a simple and deep way.

The Dig for Kids: Luke Vol. 1

The beauty of this book is it’s simplicity of use. I enjoy learning about the Gospel of Luke and so do my kids!

A Thirty-Day Walk with God in the Psalms

Still working through this book, I am really enjoying digging into the Psalms through the use of this tool.

So these are my favorites from this year….what are yours? Do tell!

*I used affiliate links for the books in this post, in the hopes that I might earn enough to buy more books!*

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58 Comments

  • Joy

    just testing to make sure it is working! :)

    • Mandy

      Great list, I read many of the ones from your list last year and look forward to these new ones. Ones I would recommend are radical by David Platt and Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Both great and convicting reads, that make you do some definite soul searching.

      • Joy

        Mandy, those two books are some of the most challenging I have ever read. I actually re-read them both recently, and was challenged all over again. Thank you for sharing.

  • Alicia Williams

    Only read, Tess, I read it when I was in high school. I didn’t think it was to depressing lol but yeah it’s pretty sad.

    • Joy

      Yes, sad is right. I honestly don’t know why I enjoyed it so much. Usually I steer away from sad books. :)

  • Katherine

    Thank you for sharing! I love to read too and I have only read a couple of these so now I have a new list of some to try. Thank you.
    Katherine

    godslittlegrace.blogspot.com

    • Joy

      You are welcome. You will have to let me know if you enjoy them. :)

  • http://joyfulmothering.net Christin

    I didn’t read as much as I would’ve liked this year. But in the coming year, I have a stack I’m determined to get through! I’ll be posting that on Wednesday!

    • Joy

      Oh I can’t wait! And by the way {I keep meaning to tell you}, your picture is stunning. It is so *you*, beautiful, inside and out. :)

  • http://twitter.com/SparingChange Meg

    I now have a couple more books to add to my list of books to read in 2013 – THANK YOU! :-) I am reading one now that I really enjoy: God Never Blinks by Regina Brett. I should have it finished today. I highly recommend. They are “50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours” as the book is titled.

    • Joy

      Putting it on my list to check out! Thank you, Meg.

  • Kelly

    Thank you for sharing! Her Mother’s Hope & A Daughter’s Dream by Francine Rivers are two of my favorites!

    • Joy

      I read and really enjoyed both of those this year as well! I have to say I loved Her Mother’s Hope more than the second one. Perhaps the old-fashioned feel was more enticing to me? I don’t know, but thanks for reminding me of those great books! :)

  • Michelle

    Did you have a favorite devotional that you recommend? I’m looking for one to go through as a couple.

    • Heather

      I know I’m not Joy (I’m her little sister), but Moments Together for Couples by Dennis Rainey really good.

      • Joy

        Aw thanks Hess. Michelle, I second Moments Together for Couples. Anything by the Raineys is great.

  • Andrea Birch

    just finished Hannah Coulter and loved it.

    • Joy

      It was Elise that recommended it. She *always* recommends the best books. Can’t go wrong following her advice! :)

  • http://www.wellfedhomestead.com Brenda

    Joy, I LOVE your book lists! Thanks for sharing! I got a leather journal for Christmas from my hubby this year and I’ve put tabs in it w/Genres & have been writing down all of the books I want to read. I just added yours to my list! :) :)

    • Joy

      Oh Brenda, I looovvee journals, especially crisp new ones waiting to be written in. What are some good books you’ve read this year? I would love to hear!

  • Lou Ann

    Such an interesting list! Many of these authors are new to me, so I think I’ll be keeping your mini-summaries on hand, so I can choose future reading wisely. Truly inspirational! Happy New Year!

    • Joy

      I am glad you like it! I love book lists, so creating this one was fun! :)

  • Lauren_onebrightcorner

    I read Tale of Two Cities for the first time this year also, and loved it! “Anything” is on my to-read list, which suddenly got a lot longer!

    • Joy

      How did we miss reading A Tale before now? I don’t know about you, but maybe it is for the best since I am sure I got a lot more out of it as an adult than I would have as a high-schooler. :) Hope you enjoy Anything. The first few chapters are actually not the most well-written, so hang in there, it gets better!

  • Allison

    Thank you for posting this! Because you mentioned the Blue Castle on FB, I tore through that in a few evenings on my Kindle! Loved it!

    • Joy

      Oh I am so glad you liked it. :)

  • Lynnebee

    I love your list of books! We have read alot of the same books this year. My favorite series this year was The Fairlawn Series by Angela Hunt. I love to read a story where I so love the characters, that I wonder if thry are okay after I am done reading the book..hahaha…I even try and help fictional people! The titles were: Doesn’t She Look Natural, She Always Wears Red and She’s In A Better Place. check them out and let me know what you think :-)

    • Joy

      Putting them on the list! Thank you.

  • elizabeth

    Idol Lies by Dee Brestin is a heart-transforming MUST read!

    • Joy

      Thank you. I have not heard of it, so thanks for giving me the heads up. I am going to check it out! :)

  • Michele-Lyn

    Great list! I look forward to checking some of these out this upcoming year!

    • Joy

      Great, I am so glad! :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/ChristinaRFox Christina Fox

    I too loved The Meaning of Marriage! I heard the Keller’s speak about the book this summer, it was amazing. One of my favorites from this year was The Pressure’s Off. I will have to check out some of the others on your list that I’ve never read. Thanks so much for sharing it, I love book lists!

    • Joy

      Wow, hearing Keller speak, that would be wonderful! I have not heard of The Pressure’s Off, but it sounds right up my alley. I am going to check it out! Thank you!

  • Mandy

    Ah yes, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. It was the epoch of…
    Thank you Dickens! :)

    As a teacher and reading specialist, I like The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease (not Christian) about how AMAZING a literary foundation can be given to children through reading out loud to them. It’s funny how as an adult now, I find books with new groundbreaking reasearch that confirm something my Mom did with us growing up. :) I have a mother who read aloud to my siblings and I all the way up even to high school and instilled in me a love for books, the reason I teach. :) I remember the hot Philippine afternoons (we were missionaries) where 1-2pm was independent quiet thinking or reading time for the older kids and nap time for the little ones. (We worked up to the full hour gradually of course.)

    Thanks for the book list Joy! :) I just found your site yesterday when my sister-in-law pinned your “20 things I’d tell newly wed or engaged women” post. Thank you. :)

    • Joy

      Oh Mandy, you are speaking my language! :) In our family we have had both read aloud and quiet reading time since they were little. Just the other day my oldest Britton {age 12} came to me with pen and paper and said, “Mom, I think what you did by reading to us all these years has made us into smarter kids and better writers. Can you list for me what books you started with when you first read aloud to me? I want to make a list for when I have kids.” OOOH, that boy won my heart that day! Yep, he melted it right then and there! :)
      I, too, love the Read Aloud Handbook. It was foundational to me as I began my mothering journey. Thank you for sharing.

      • Allison

        How sweet! What an encouragement for a homescholing mama!

      • Christy, The Simple Homemaker

        What a sweetheart!

  • http://www.vanderbiltwife.com vanderbiltwife

    I just Tweeted my 10 favorite books of the year! (@vanderbiltwife on Twitter) Highlights were Speaking of Jesus by Carl Medearis, 7 by Jen Hatmaker, and some fun fiction series by Susan May Warren and Lisa T. Bergren.

    • Joy

      Sounds good. I need to head over to Twitter and see your list! Thank you!

  • http://twitter.com/seamstostreams Amy H. Walker

    Wow. Two of my favorite reads of the year are on your list :) . The Pursuit of God by Tozer, Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis, and my 3rd was One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. There were other partial reads that resonated but these three each in unique ways rocked my 2012. (Esp. the chapter in The Pursuit of God concerning “The Gaze of the Soul.”)

    • Joy

      Yes, yes, and yes. love all of those books. Ann’s book is a keeper, isn’t it?! I need to visit it again this year. And yes, The Gaze of the Soul, I have many quotes in my journal from that chapter. Thank you Amy, for sharing. It sounds like we like the same kind of books!

  • Christina Y.

    One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp was a complete life-changer for me!

    • Joy

      Me too. me too. It was on my favorite list from last year. Thanks for commenting!

  • MissionalMama

    My favorites were Loving the Way Jesus Loves and Lit!
    Thanks for posting your favorites. I love book lists. There are a couple that I added to my list and several that I have either already read or are on my list!
    Happy Reading for 2013!

    • Joy

      Thanks for sharing! Is the 2nd book you wrote about just called Lit? I am curious! :)

      • MissionalMama

        No, it is called “Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books” by Tony Reinke.

        • Joy

          Ah! I will have to add that to my list for 2013! Tony Reinke did a blog post at Desiring God which listed several of his favorite books of 2012, which many of which are now on my 2013 reading list. :)

  • Allison

    Joy, I had a belated book recommendation for you. The Minister’s Wooing by Harriet Beecher Stowe. A book I hope to read with my daughter some day. Such a beautiful character sketch of a godly young woman!

    • Joy

      Wow! I never knew Harriet wrote anything besides Uncle Tom. Thanks for telling me about it!

  • Jamie

    There were so many good reads, I can hardly pick! Although Tony Dungy’s Quiet Strength was really good (even for non sport fans) I’ve heard about kisses from Kate, I’ll have to add it to my list!

    • Joy

      I have not heard of that book Jamie, i will have to check it out! Thank you!

  • Christy, The Simple Homemaker

    Thank you for sharing this. My 14-year-old mission-minded daughter is thoroughly enjoying your recommendation Kisses From Katie. I’ll add some of these to our must-read list as well. Have a great year.

    • Joy

      I am so glad she is loving it. I am always a little nervous to recommend books to others, especially for their kids so I am glad she is liking it. Has she read any of Elisabeth Elliot’s books? I started at about 14 reading those and they greatly inspired me. :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/emily.sophia.79 Emily Sophia

    I have read several of this books (Kisses from Kate, Keep a Quiet Heart, and Forgotten God). All of them were phenomenal and soul-transforming! You have excellent taste in books – and thank you for some suggestions to read in 2013. :)

    Peace,
    EmilySophia.

    • Joy

      You are so welcome.

  • http://twitter.com/AnneBogel Anne Bogel

    Hannah Coulter! Be still my heart. I love Wendell Berry; his books are so rich and sweet and poignant. Have you read Jayber Crow? That’s my very favorite fiction work of his.

    I’ve never read Tess. I should….Maybe in 2013 :)

    • Joy

      I have not read Jayber Crow. I will put it on my list for this year! Thank you.