These are five of the best books I’ve read so far this year, and I highly recommend each.

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For the lover of romances:

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

Fun, sweet, romantic, and mysterious with a splash of Christmas to cool off on a hot summer day.

My daughter and I listened to the audiobook version together over a long period of time. The narration was well done and well-suited to the story.

This novel has so much to offer: history, a marriage-of-convenience romance, mystery, faith, humor, Christmas, and a plethora of literary references. All this in an engaging story of a wonderfully original, genuine heroine with bookish tendencies and a reformed hero who is as loyal as he is dashing.

I loved how Grace’s innocence and enthusiasm shined throughout. The mystery was compelling and kept the story moving. A fun romance for Christmas or any time of year.

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For the fan of the classics:

Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep

Captures the Gothic mood perfectly with a nod to the classic, Frankenstein.

Lost in Darkness is my favorite book of the year, so far! Wonderfully written characters, great pacing, and the nods to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein all combined for a moving, romantic, tragic, Gothic -is that enough adjectives? – a darn good book! Michelle Griep is at the top of her game here.

The heroine Amelia Balfour’s brother, Colin, is a noble, tragic “monster,” who becomes a willing victim of the true monster of the tale, a misguided surgeon. Luckily, Graham Lambert, an honorable, kindhearted, and generous surgeon is on hand. And everyone learns a lesson about reliance on God.

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For the young at heart:

The Great Date Experiment by Ashley Mays

A fun, light Young Adult rom-com with lovable characters and a relevant theme for young and old alike.

The Great Date Experiment is the most un-put-downable book I’ve read in a long time! Smart, hilarious, real, and positive – I can’t wait for my teenage daughter to read this one.

Minor characters are interesting and Callie and Egan are adorable. Callie is strong but vulnerable, and I felt every ache of her tender heart while marveling at her capacity to devour large quantities of junk food.

Egan is wonderfully flawed yet attractive in his obvious affection for and devotion to Callie. But what really makes him special is his heartfelt desire to be better.

All those things are great, but the icing on the cake (or maybe the top layer of the cookie bar) is the truth so many of us – teens or not – need to hear. And that’s that we need to be discerning in our use of technology, using it to lift others up and create real relationships, not fall prey to the superficial, sometimes damaging interactions that are so commonplace.

Kudos to Ashley Mays! I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.

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For the thinker:

Things Worth Dying For: Thoughts on a Life Worth Living by Charles J. Chaput

A book to put it all in perspective by a wise and holy shepherd.

I’ve long loved Archbishop Charles Chaput’s writing. His insightful articles never failed to convey unvarnished truth made relevant by Chaput’s ability to incorporate appropriate cultural references.

Things Worth Dying For is a stellar book that does what those articles have done, but on a grander scale. The author draws upon scholars, philosophers, story tellers, historians, theologians, and more to present a cohesive understanding of contemporary American culture – how we got here, where we’re headed, and most importantly, what really matters and why.

Despite drawing on a variety of intellectual sources – Christian and secular – the prose is never arcane or heady. In fact, it’s eminently readable. And re-readable.

If the trajectory of the American experiment and world events have left you lost, confused, discouraged, or frightened, Things Worth Dying For offers a clear examination with a simple, life-changing remedy rooted in Love (e.g., God).

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For the champion of women:

All That It Takes by Nicole Deese

Beautifully written romance that leans towards women’s fiction and is especially timely this summer.

All That It Takes is the boy-meets-girl romance you’d expect, but it’s also a love letter to women who have overcome the fear, isolation, and myriad challenges presented by an unplanned pregnancy and, in particular, those who have loved those women through the experience, bringing hope where it’s most desperately needed.

All That It Takes moves Molly and Silas to the periphery, letting Miles and Val (and Tucker) take center stage. But it’s also a natural follow-up to All That Really Matters that is thematically deeper and maybe even more moving.

Nicole Deese makes writing look easy, and her craft improves with every novel. Readers are treated to a sweet romance with an attractive hero, but it’s the depth of character that moves the reader’s heart. The writing is honest, taking no cheap shortcuts, and obviously is the fruit of the author’s willingness to dig deep spiritually, allowing God to have a hand in her creativity.

All That It Takes deserves to be shared far and wide, where it can touch the hearts of those for whom God intended this story. 

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