Outstanding Reads of 2019

It's the very last day of 2019 and time to share TEN outstanding books I read this year. Okay... maybe there's actually eleven here, but the first two go together. 😉 Not all were published this year, but I read them all in 2019. They are in order according to when I read them. I couldn't pick a favorite.

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Sons of Blackbird Mountain and Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof. I read these back-to-back with my local book club and we all loved them! Read my review of Daughters of Northern Shores.

The Memory House by Rachel Hauck. This book reintroduced me to Rachel Hauck's work after a hiatus from it.  Read my review here.

The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep. Ms. Griep's finest book so far, in my opinion. Read my review here.

The King's Mercy by Lori Benton. My book club leader introduced me to Lori Benton's Pathfinders series early in the year. I jumped at the opportunity to read The King's Mercy. Read my review here.










Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette. I waited so long for Malachi and Rivkah's story and it did not disappoint! Read my review here.

The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings. This book made me ugly-cry... more than once. But, the message inside was so worth it! Read my review.











The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels. This novel was filled with bookish goodness and I loved it. Read my review here.









How to Survive a Shipwreck: Help is on the Way and Love is Already Here by Jonathan Martin. I didn't agree with everything in the book, but it met me where I was at a tremendously difficult time in my life.

Strong, Brave, Loved by Holley Gerth. Another devotional that met me where I was and spoke truth into my mind and heart. Read my review.

Love You, Truly by Susan L. Tuttle. I wasn't even sure I wanted to read this book, but I'm so glad I did! Read my review.

First Line Fridays: The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels

Happy Friday!

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today I'm sharing the first lines from The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels:

"Mostly people only die once. But my father is not most people. He is a monster."

Have you read this book? I adored this novel! Read my review here.

What are you reading this weekend?

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!


About the Book:

Robin Windsor has spent much of her life under an assumed name to avoid association with her infamous parents. She thought she'd finally found sanctuary running her used bookstore in quiet River City, Michigan. But when she receives an eerily familiar book in the mail on the morning of her father's scheduled execution, Robin is thrown back to the summer she met Peter Flynt, the perfect boy who ruined everything. Why would Peter be making contact now? And why does she have a sinking feeling that she's about to be exposed all over again?

With evocative prose that recalls the classic novels we love, Erin Bartels pens a story that shows that words--the ones we say, the ones we read, and the ones we write--have more power than we imagine.

August Reads and Expected September Reading

My August 2019 Reads:

Today I'm sharing a bit about what I've been reading and what I hope to read. In August, I finished:

1. Play to Their Strengths by Analyn and Brandon Miller. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


4. Protecting Your Child From Predators by Beth Robinson and Latayne C. Scott - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. Shame Off You by Denise Pass. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson.. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. The Rescue by Tanya Eavenson. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come soon.


8. Confident Moms, Confident Daughters by Maria Furlough. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come soon.

My favorite book this month was...... The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels! Check out my review here. I'm pretty sure it will end up in my top ten favorite reads for 2019!

Expected September 2019 Reads:

In September, I expect to read:

1. One Final Breath by Lynn H. Blackburn - A new-to-me author!

2. Shadows of Ladenbrook Manor by Melanie Dobson - This is my local book club's selection for September.

3. One More River to Cross by Jane Kirkpatrick - I've heard how great Jane Kirkpatrick's books are, and I'm looking forward to reading one for myself.

4. Woe Is I by Patricia T O'Connor - Yeah, still working on this one....

5. Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson. - I have both of Abigail Wilson's books sitting on my TBR stack, but I think I'll start with her newest release.

6. The Devotional Poetry of Donne, Herbert, and Milton by Leland Ryken. - I started this last month. It's a short book, but it's a slow read as I never make it through more than two or three poems per day.

7. Tate by Susan May Warren. - I've fallen behind on the Susie May's Montana Marshall's series and I need to catch up ASAP from all the good buzz I hear about it.

8. How to Survive a Shipwreck by Jonathan Martin. - Currently reading!

 What will you read this month?

Book Review: The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels

About the Book:

Robin Windsor has spent much of her life under an assumed name to avoid association with her infamous parents. She thought she'd finally found sanctuary running her used bookstore in quiet River City, Michigan. But when she receives an eerily familiar book in the mail on the morning of her father's scheduled execution, Robin is thrown back to the summer she met Peter Flynt, the perfect boy who ruined everything. Why would Peter be making contact now? And why does she have a sinking feeling that she's about to be exposed all over again?

With evocative prose that recalls the classic novels we love, Erin Bartels pens a story that shows that words--the ones we say, the ones we read, and the ones we write--have more power than we imagine.


My Thoughts:

The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels is a bibliophile’s dream. A brilliantly written novel with numerous references to literary classics, it celebrates novels and poetry of old while exploring the power that words have in our lives whether they are spoken, read, or written.

Dual timelines in The Words Between Us created a captivating storyline. The novel held my attention from beginning to end with its unfolding mystery, intense personal struggles, and romantic tension. At times, each chapter felt like a mini-cliffhanger and I struggled to put the novel down! I would have loved a few more chapters or an epilogue to tie up the minor loose ends of the story, but the ending still satisfied.

As far as content, The Words Between Us has threads of Christianity and its values. Honesty, forgiveness, and a search for truth are embedded within the story. There is a supporting character whose actions (drinking and partying) may or may not offend more conservative readers. I wasn’t bothered by her, just giving a warning.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels and recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction that mixes romance, difficult issues, and fascination with books. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.