Two key factors kicked up my reading this year:

1. my kindle unlimited membership
2. regular library trips

As a result, I ended up reading 67 books in 2016, which was significantly more than my goal of 50. This is NOT counting kids’ read-alouds, just my own personal reading.

My favorite genres tend to be historical fiction or modern Southern fiction, and I tend towards books I can relate to in some way, whether through character, storyline, or location. I also enjoy an occasional memoir, stories of people from different cultures, and I’m a complete sucker for pretty much anything about dogs or horses. Non-fiction never tops my list, but it’s always in the mix.

My general philosophy on books is if it’s not at least a 3-star (out of 5) rating, it’s not worth my time to finish — so any unfinished books won’t go on my list. That means, for the most part, if I read it, I recommend it. I’ve included direct links to some of my favorites of the year. Books may contain profanity or adult topics (because life does) so please use your own discretion.

~ My 2016 reading list ~

Historical fiction:

• Sandcastle Girls – Chris Bohjalian
• The Aviator’s Wife – Melanie Benjamin
• Daughters of the Dragon – William Andrews
• The Whiskey Sea – Ann Howard Creel
• Dreams of Joy – Lisa See
• Winter Garden – Kristen Hannah
• Toward the Sea of Freedom – Sarah Lark
• The Crimson Cord – Jill Eileen smith (Biblical)
• Cooking for Picasso – Camille Aubray
• Liz and Nellie – Shonna Slayton
• She Who Remembers – Linda Lay Shuler
• Voice of the Eagle – Linda Lay Shuler
• The Outlaws of Sherwood – Robin McKinley
• The House by the Lake – Ella Carey
• While the World Was Still Asleep – Petra Durst-Benning
• Dunaway’s Crossing – Nancy Brandon (Southern/Historical)
• The Midwife’s Revolt – Jodi Daynard
• Our Own Country – Jodi Daynard
• The Paris Wife – Paula McLain
• Daughter of Jerusalem – Joan Wolf (Biblical)
• One Thousand White Women – Jim Fergus
• Yellow Crocus – Laila Ibrahim
• Moloka’i – Alan Brennert

Southern fiction:

• The Promise Kitchen – Peggy Lampman
• Folly Beach – Dorothea Benton Frank
• A Long Time Gone – Karen White
• Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil – John Berendt
  (this one’s non-fiction but doesn’t read that way)
• Reading the Sweet Oak – Jan Stites
• Doing it Over – Catherine Bybee
• The Ladies’ Room – Carolyn Brown
• The Quaker Cafe – Brenda Bevan Remmes
• Home to Cedar Branch – Brenda Bevan Remmes

Contemporary (non-Southern) fiction:

• Acts of Contrition – Jennifer Handford
• Take Me With You – Catherine Hyde Ryan
• Always Happy Hour (short stories) – Mary Miller
• The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency – Alexander McCall Smith
• Summer People – Elin Hilderbrand
• The Husband’s Secret – Liane Moriarty
• The One-in-a-million Boy – Monica Wood
• The Hidden Light of Flowers – Jennifer Handford
• A House for Happy Mothers – Amulya Malladi
• Crooked Little Lies – Barbara Taylor Sissel
• Where We Belong – Catherine Ryan Hyde (dog story!)
• The Perfect Son – Barbara Claypole White
• What Was Mine – Helen Klein Ross
• Greyhound – Steffan Piper
• A Prayer for Owen Meany – John Irving
• The Language of Sparrows – Rachel Phifer
• The Art of Racing in the Rain – Garth Stein (dog story!)
• The Language of Hoofbeats – Catherine Ryan Hyde
• Bricking It – Nick Spalding
• The Likeness – Tana French (suspense)
• The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry – Gabrielle Zevin
• Broken Grace – E.C. Diskin
• The Art Forger – B.A. Shapiro
• Life and Other Near Death Experiences – Camille Pagan
• Trail of Broken Wings – Sejal Badani
• Still Alice – Lisa Genova
• Never Change – Elizabeth Berg

Non-fiction/Memoir

• ROAR – Stacy Sims (women’s fitness)
• Teaching from Rest – Sarah Mackenzie (homeschooling)
• Confessions of an Unlikely Runner (memoir) – Dana Ayers
• Bandersnatch – Erika Morrison (faith)
• For the Love – Jennifer Hatmaker (faith)
• Out of Sorts – Sarah Bessey (faith)
• Left to Tell – Immaculée Ilibagiza (memoir)

There are too many here to write reviews for each, but I share at least a star-rating and usually a short review on Goodreads. You can find my full 2016 list with book descriptions here.

I don’t have specific 2017 reading goals yet, but I always have a running list of to-read books. I’d like read a few classics this year as well. If you’d like some direction for your reading goals, take a look at Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Reading Challenge.

Happy reading!

Jamie

Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »