Today I share my favorite books I read in 2018. Every year around this time, I comb through my notes and lists of books read in the past 12 months and recommend some great reads, either for your own personal edification or as a Christmas gift for a loved one. I love seeing book lists from others and usually find a few books to add to my reading list. I hope this post encourages you to do the same.
To help me track books read in any given year, I keep a list of books in an Evernote file (i.e., Books Read 2018, Books Read 2017, etc). I type out the name of the book, the author, and the format of reading (hard copy, audiobook, or Kindle). I jot a few notes for each finished book to help remind me what I liked or didn’t like about a book. And, I keep a running list of books I want to read in the future. I just started dabbling in Goodreads this year and I like what I see so far!
Like years past, these books are not necessarily written or published in 2018. Rather, these books make my list if I read it in 2018. Simple enough. And, for the second year in a row, I got the infamous Kristen Kedersha to share a few of her favorites (check out Kristen’s Korner below).
A couple of thoughts before I dive in to sharing my list.
- I love reading. It’s my #1 favorite hobby and there’s no close second place. Reading relaxes, challenges, and encourages me. It gets me through workouts and gives me reasons to get up early and stay up late. All that to say, I get a little geeked out with this post every year.
- I know your time is limited. When I put together a list like this, I hope it helps you cut through all the noise out there. There are somewhere between 600,000 and 1,000,000 books published every year in the USA alone (Whaaaaaaaaaat??!?!!?). This short list is an accumulation of one man’s favorites—just one person’s humble opinion. Part of the reason I put this list together is to be helpful and to give some recommendations.
- I’ve gained a much greater appreciation for writers this year. I’ve learned to appreciate good writing (thank you writers like Jackie Hill Perry and Leif Enger). After writing Ready or Knot I have a much greater understanding of the beauty of good writing of something engaging and helpful.
Like last year, instead of ranking these in order, I’ve awarded each of these favorite books a superlative to help describe why it lands on my list.
My Favorite Books I Read in 2018
The Most Convicting Book I Read This Year. I read Eric Geiger’s book How to Ruin Your Life: And Starting Over When You Do at exactly the right time. I picked-up this book the same week I saw a friend make decisions that began to ruin his life. The warnings Geiger provides through looking at the life of King David challenged me to walk more closely with the Lord, my wife and family, and friends. At the same time, also through looking at the life of David, Geiger provides hope in the darkness. You can read my review here.
My Co-Favorite Marriage Book I Read This Year. If you’ve tracked along with me on this blog for any period of time, you know how much I appreciate the ministry of Ryan and Selena Frederick of Fierce Marriage. Check out their book, podcast (I listen weekly), and website. We read this book with our Foundation Group, and I really appreciated the way they “marry” the combination of being both hopeful and helpful in their writing. You can read my review here.
My Co-Favorite Marriage Book I Read This Year. Friends, Partners, and Lovers: What It Takes to Make Your Marriage Work, by Kevin A Thompson. I wrote a review of this book in October, and the book helped spark a question I’ve asked many couples recently. How can you best grow in loving your spouse—by being a better friend, partner, or lover? Great examples and very practical in his approach to marriage and helping couples.
My Favorite “Based on a True Story” Book I Read This Year. This was such a page turner! Like The Nightingale (my favorite read from 2016), Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan tells the story of a forgotten hero from the war against the Nazis. The book tells the heroic story of a young man named Pino Lella and how he repeatedly risks his life for the benefit (and life) of others. I read books like this on the Kindle, so you may want to check it out, especially since it’s only $5.99 on Kindle!
My Favorite Memoir I Read in 2018 (and my #1 Favorite Book I Read This Year). I’ve seen many rave about it online and a close friend highly recommended it to me, but I had no idea how much I would love the book Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been, by Jackie Hill Perry. Through telling her story of finding wholeness in Christ, with outstanding writing and deep authenticity, Jackie tells about a Good God who loves us more than we can imagine. She communicates the gospel and a theology of who God is through the raw telling of her own story. Read the book and for an extra bonus, listen to her read it. She is a writer and artist with a powerful voice and even more powerful story.
My Favorite Book to Recommend to Others. Repping for my friend and co-laborer Jonathan Pokulda here! Kristen and I bought and gave away more copies of this book then any other book I’ve ever read. Welcome to Adulting: Navigating Faith, Friendship, Finances, and the Future, is an incredible guide for any millennial (and now Gen Z) who becomes an adult. Through scripture, authentic stories, and his own journey, JP provides necessary counsel for any man or woman entering into adulthood. See my review here.
My Favorite Book on Productivity and How to Focus on What Matters. Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day was a really helpful and fun read! I liked the way the authors, Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, each gave their recommendations on how to do work that matters. The book was very visually pleasing with drawings and charts to help illustrate their points. While I don’t agree with everything in the book, I walked away with a great collection of ideas to implement in my job and life to help me get the right stuff done at home and work.
My Favorite Leadership Book I Read in 2018. I’m so glad I read High Impact Teams: Where Healthy Meets High Performance by Lance Witt. I read his first book Replenish a few years ago, and thought there was no way his next book would live up. Well I was wrong! A cool feature of this book is that the chapters are short (5-6 pages). I read through a chapter every day along with my bible reading and journaling. He provided great wisdom on how to be a better leader and how to set the right culture for your team.
The Book I’m Glad I Finally Read. I stopped counting the number of times I’d heard I needed to read Peace Like a River by Leif Enger a long time ago. Great characters and dialogue and incredible writing. I’m glad I finally listened to all the recommendations. This was the book I thought about when I wasn’t reading and couldn’t wait to finish to see how it all ended.
Kristen’s Korner
And now, back for round 2 in 2018, Kristen Kedersha!
My Favorite (and Only) Daily Devotional Book I Read in 2018. New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul David Tripp. I appreciated Tripp’s thought-provoking, authentic, daily insight into his own challenges and the centrality of the gospel in our lives. The devotionals are brief but pack a punch!
My Favorite Parenting Read in 2018. Are My Kids on Track?: The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach, by Sissy Goff, David Thomas, & Melissa Trevathan. This is the only book I’ve ever seen that addresses different types of milestones (emotional, social, and spiritual) and the stumbling blocks many children and parents face in their efforts to reach those milestones. Great practical suggestions and each chapter is divided into boys and girls.
The Book that Most Challenged my Perspective on Daily Living. Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better, by Brant Hansen. We read this book with our community group this year. Hanson encourages the reader to give up their ‘right’ to be angry/offended and to instead choose joy and gratitude. Brant is a radio guy, so he has a great narrator voice if you’re into Audiobooks.
Honorable Mention:
- One-in-a-Million Boy, by Monica Woods (Fiction) – Heartfelt story of a young boy, his dad, and a 100-year old lady. No description will do this sweet book any justice.
- The Captain Class, by Sam Walker – Combined sports, leadership, and many references to the greatest power forward to play in the NBA, Tim Duncan. Win Win Win.
- The Loyalist Team, by Linda Adams et al – This book was written for the workplace but it had so many implications for marriage and friendships. Read my review here.
- Your Best Year Ever, by MIchael Hyatt – I like Hyatt’s approach to setting goals and having your best year. He puts his online class in book form – a much more cost effective way to have your best year ever.
- If You Only Knew, by Jamie Ivey – Very authentic memoire—her transparency is so refreshing! Read my review here.
- 30 Days to Understanding the Bible, by Max Anders – A class re-released in 2018 – loved his approach to providing an overview of the Bible and the story of God. Check out my review here.
- I’d Rather Be Reading, by Anne Bogel – Great read for my fellow book nerds out there! See my review here.
And last… A few I’m planning on reading in 2019!
- Endurance, by Alfred Lansing – The story of Ernest Shackleton and the crew he led to Antarctica. I just started this one – loving it so far.
- Atomic Habits, by James Clear – Another one I just started. Love his approach to habits so far – don’t set goals, but rather change your systems and habits.
- In His Image, by Jen Wilkin – Jen is a great writer and teacher of God’s Word. In this book she shares 10 ways God calls us to reflect His character.
- On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books, by Karen Swallow Prior – She is a great writer and I’ve seen many like-minded folks recommend this new one.
- And of course… this one. I can’t wait to get this bad boy in my hands and I’m excited to get it in your hands as well! Ready Or Knot? coming at you on February 5, 2019!
- And so many others! #ReadingNerd
Book Giveaways
I have several of these books to give away. If you leave your name and your favorite book you read in 2018 below or on the corresponding posts on Facebook or Instagram, I’ll enter your name into a drawing for the following books (5 different winners!). Plus, I’ll giveaway a copy of my book, Ready or Knot? when it comes out on February 5th.
- Fierce Marriage
- Best Year Ever
- Welcome to Adulting
- Friends, Partners, and Lovers
- The Tech-Wise Family (from last year’s list)
- Ready or Knot?
Last, a link to my 2017, 2016, and 2015 lists. Enjoy!
Note to readers: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means I get a very small kickback on any purchases you make through these links (at no extra cost to you). I need some way to recoup a small percentage of the money I spend on this blog every year and any purchases you make help keep this writing ministry going.
Your Turn:
- What did you read this year you recommend to others? What should I read?
- As you think about books and reading, what makes a book stand out to you?
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Cate Miller
The Sun Does Shine- heart wrenching but full of forgiveness. Awesome book. True story.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Cate! Will definitely check that one out – sounds good!
Rodney Howell
Thank you Scott for this great list! But…now all my free time in 2019 is spoken for.
Favorite book of 2018: finally read The Gospel of the Kingdom by George Elton Ladd – from 1959 but heard many times how life-changing it was, and it did not disappoint!
Honorable mention: Devil in the White City – true story of the architects of the Chicago World’s Fair paralleled with a serial murderer in the city. Unbelievable and fascinating history from a time in our nation’s history that I knew little about.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Rodney! Sorry not sorry about taking your free time away! Thanks for sharing the recommendations. Devil in the White City sounds good!
Brett Billman
I just bought Atomic Habits as well! Looking forward to reading it. Maybe we can compare notes 🙂
My favorite book I read this year was Embracing Obscurity by Anonymous. Really enjoyed it
Scott Kedersha
I just got that book as well! Have heard too many people I respect recommend it – time to check it out. And yes, let’s compare notes on Atomic Habits!
Mary Eickman
After my oldest son (Travis-32) died unexpectedly on July 27th, I have been drawn to authors who have written about their journey of grief and how God’s grace sustained them. I would recommend Therefore I have Hope by Cameron Cole written after the death of his 3 year old son and also A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser. (Not completely finished yet). They both help me to see God does not waste the dark times in our life and that truly I can have joy in the midst of deep sadness. Thanks for listing your faves. I envy your disciplines (habits) to devour books. I pray that I start new ones and read more, starting with God’s word.
Scott Kedersha
Hi Mary – I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your son Travis this year. I know this Christmas will be tough for your family. I am praying now for you and your family. Thanks for the recommendations of those books – I hope others who are walking through grief will take note of these recommendations. My good friend Mark recommended A Grace Disguised after the passing of my step-dad last year.
And I applaud you for your desire to start reading in the right place—with God’s Word.
Lauren Roberson
I love Beneath the Scarlet Sky! So good. This year I loved Necessary Lies (Diane chamberlain), No one ever asked (Katie ganshert) and small great things (Jodi picoult)- that may have been in 2017 🙂
My favorite are booms that really engage, aka I read them in a few days because I eschew other responsibilities! But also ones that dive deeply into issues I don’t know much about, or don’t have a lot of experience in. Loved your list. Thank you for sharing!
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Lauren! Appreciate you sharing those books/your faves from this year!
Ronia Dubbaneh
“There There” by Tommy Orange – it’s fictional and not faith-based, but the writing is INCREDIBLE and it opened my eyes to so much of the modern Native American plight I was so detached from and unaware of.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Ronia! I love hearing about books with good writing!
Megan Grelle
I recommend God and Money (by Cortines and Baumer) – will rock any generosity plan you may have in place already. The Whole Brain Child (by Siegel) is very practical when it comes to describing how to communicate with kiddos when emotions take the drivers seat.
Both stood out to me because I either was able to implement some of the information learned or had those “I hadn’t thought of that” moments.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Megan! I appreciate your recommendations!
Veronica Netzer
I read the Chemist by Stephanie Meyer (she’s come a LONG way since Twilight!) most recently and it was a fun/weird page turner about a woman who formerly worked as a “information retriever” for the government, and is now considered a laiability. Totally fiction but so fascinating. I’m currently listening to Beautiful Boy, a memoir written by the father of a meth addict and next up is Educated, a memoir written by a woman raised without formal education (until college) by fundamental Mormon parents—have heard AMAZING things about this one.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, V! Have heard Beautiful Boy and Educated are so good. They’re both on my list for sure. Thanks!
Samuel E. Fubara
Francis A. Schaeffer–How Then Should We Live?
Scott Kedersha
Classic! Thanks, Sam.
Brian Marr
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. If you love dogs, you will love this book. Thanks for sharing your list.
Scott Kedersha
What if I don’t like dogs? Then what? I have heard good things about this book.
Shera O'Neal
Your list last year encouraged me to get on the reading train this year, and it has been awesome! I think my favorite book this year has been Parenting by Paul David Tripp…it’s definitely been the one I’ve recommended and highlighted and gone back to the most! 🙂 . Thanks for getting my list started for next year…Gay Girl, Good Guy was on it, but now it’s at the top (and I may start before to add to this years list..ha)!
Scott Kedersha
Saw you guys tonight at the concert, Shera! Parenting – such a good book and kick in the tail! And yes – go get Gay Girl, Good God – my love for the Lord has grown as a result of reading that book.
Scott Sengbush
Jackie Hill Perry released your favorite book of the year and my favorite album of the year:”Crescendo” its one of the best christian hip hop albums ever written. Period. I have her book in my amazon with list. My favorite book that I read this year was Tactics by Greg Kokul. Great practical teaching on sharing your faith. Favorite fiction book was Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Scott! I need to check out Crescendo – I’m sure it’s fantastic. Thanks for the tip.
Lauren Little
Boy by Roald Dahl. Close second: his follow-up autobiography, Going Solo. Favorite childhood author lived an extraordinary life, and has a knack for making the ordinary things exciting. A sneak peek into the childhood of this children’s book author.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Lauren! One of my boys has read all his books – I know they’re so good!
Jessica Turner
Everybody, Always by Bob Goff is the best book that I read this year. It challenged me to love everyone, no matter what. It also challenged me to not be offended so easily.
Scott Kedersha
Argh! I started it and want to finish it. I heard him speak earlier this year – love him!
Chris O'Neal
Scott, thanks for sharing this list! I read Wilkin’s “In His Image” when it first debuted and she has the incredible quality of every great teacher: to drive us deeper into the Word to see for ourselves. I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy what she does to show us 10 of God’s transcendent qualities that just left me amazed. Read it with a buddy, she’s got a great set of questions to discuss after unpacking each attribute.
Much love brother!
Chris
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Chris! Have you read her other book – None Like Him? I just got that one as well. She’s a fantastic teacher of the Word.
Andrea
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret along with Thoughts that Make Your Heart Sing (Sally Lloyd Jones) top my list this year.
Thanks SO much for sharing y’all reading lists every year!
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Andrea! Yes to anything by Sally Lloyd Jones – so good!
Joey Espinosa
Thanks for your list. I’ve added 1 to my Amazon cart, and 2 others to my wish list. (PS — “New Morning Mercies” was my only devotional this year, and one of the few that I’ve done in a long time. Highly recommend it, too!)
Best Non-Fiction: “What Grieving People Wish You Knew” & “Love Thy Body”
Best Fiction: “Princess Bride” [seriously, so much better than the movie], “Dragon Teeth” (Michael Crichton), and “Refugee”.
Scott Kedersha
Joey – have you read As You Wish? If you liked the Princess Bride, then you need to read – better yet – listen to As You Wish. It’s a fun listen. Thanks for all your recommendations! I’ve seen Love Thy Body on several lists this year.
Erica Kimball
Love this list. Thanks for compiling Scott and Kristin. I have a kids book –Sidney and Norman (a tale of two pigs) by Phil Vischer that has been my favorite. I’ve read it multiple times this year! It is a refreshing read!
Scott Kedersha
Yes! I’d read (and watch) anything by Phil Vischer – he’s so good!
Nicolas Ochoa
Scott,
Love this blog post every year! It gives me some ideas for the next year. I read The Captain Class too and thought the same thing about Timmy! So fun to hear a deeper dive into his leadership within the book. It was good, but it was not my favorite! By far, “Cherish” by Gary Thomas was the most impactful and helpful as I pray through how I can love my bride the best and truly cherish her. I read it twice! A close second would be “Kingdom Calling” by Amy Sherman. An incredible book that redefined my thoughts around vocational stewardship and how we interweave the Foretaste of the Kingdom to Come into our vocation today. It was an amazing read and would highly recommend it! My third book would be “Finish” by Jon Acuff. I loved his tangible thoughts around finishing goals and he is hilarious!
Also, I started Paul David Trip’s “Come, Let Us Adore Him” and I’m LOVING it! Such an incredible way to redeem this busy Holiday Season and get my eyes focused back on Christ. Lastly, I have “Endurance” on Audible so I think I’ll join you and start giving it a listen 🙂
Take Care & Merry Christmas!
Nic
Scott Kedersha
Love your list, Nic! Thank you for sharing these. We’re doing a newly married event on Feb 21 on work, so I will check out Kingdom Calling – that’s a well-timed recommendation for me.
Cherish was #1 for me last year – i’m due for a re-read!
Carter Smith
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Covey
Scott Kedersha
So good – classic with so much gold in it!
Terry Lind Shamblin
Favorite so far is A Lasting Promise and Hannah Coulter ❤️
Scott Kedersha
YES to Lasting Promise! And I need to get some Wendall Berry in my library for next year – I consistently hear great things about so many of his books.
Jessica Campbell
Hi Scott, this year i’ve really enjoyed the book 10 secrets for success and inner peace written by Dr. Wayne Dyer. It is a great reminder that we all have a purpose that unravels with time; encourages us to try things that will re-energize our bodies and minds in order to give back to the people around us such as letting go of the past and being still whilst the world around us is so busy! 🙂
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Jessica!
Tom Dressel
I was challenged by Mission Drift by Peter Greer towards strengthening the foundations of our Every Marriage Matters nonprofit. Also finished the third volume of William Manchester’s The Last Lion biography of Winston Churchill, a great read.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Tom! I’ve heard the Churchill book is fantastic!
Josh Fortney
I read a suppppper simple devotional by Jerrad Lopes called “Stop Behaving” this summer and it was such a great reminder. It was a non hyper-masculine approach to men growing in their role as men. I loved it. It wasn’t all about being a warrior who has to slay and plunder like many men’s devotionals can be. It was practical and helped me in my marriage and parenting.
Scott Kedersha
Awesome – thanks, Josh! That sounds like my kind of devo!
Katherine Bahcall
I read (and I’m still reading) Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin. It’s had an incredible impact on how I approach the Bible, how I read the Bible, and my understanding the Bible. Awesome stuff!!
Thanks for giving us your thoughts on books! I love posts like this and will definitely make a point to read some!
Scott Kedersha
One of my confessions last year is that Women of the Word was on last year’s list for me – so good!
Laura Sharp
I have just started reading Long Days of Small things and it is greatly blessing me and meeting me exactly where I am at! I have an ever busy toddler and a now three month old so each moment I can choose to see God and all He is doing or I can let myself get distracted. Looking forward to finishing it, if I get a chance! Earlier in the year, my favorite read has been Cherish – thanks to you!! What a blessing it has been to our marriage!
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Laura! Glad to see what you’re learning and that you enjoyed Cherish!
Ben Ortiz
Favorite 2018 Read : Letters to the Church by Francis Chan – thought provoking and a great reminder on a gospel centered life
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Ben! I want to read that as well!
Sarah Grace
I really enjoyed going through the Jesus, Continued curriculum by J.D. Greear/Trevin Wax with my small group!
Scott Kedersha
J.D. Is the man – thanks for the suggestion. I like anything by him.
Kelli Mainz
Love this!! I always look to your lists for a good book to read over the holiday! My fav this year was Beneath A Scarlet Sky!! Love historical fiction and so glad I read this!! Seriously looking forward to reading your book in Feb! Love you guys!
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Kelli! I loved that book!
Summer Powell
This is one of my fav posts of yours each year, friend! Grateful for fellow #booknerds like you—and I’m prayerfully anticipating YOUR BOOK!
My fav (which is tough to pick one) was The Accidental Pharisee. It was thought-provoking, convicting, and challenged how I was loving, serving, counseling, & leading others. Good book for a heart examination! 🙌🏼
Scott Kedersha
Ahhhh! I want to read that, Summer! Have heard it’s so good! Excited for your family!
Kimo Thorpe
Scott!
Bless you bro! Thankful for your friendship and your love for people. Got a couple of these added to the list for 2019!
Just finished Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson. Such a good read and similar to Perry, he reads it via Audible. He’s a lawyer by trade and does a great job raising issues that are normally not brought to the light.
Scott Kedersha
Great suggestion – I’ve heard that book is great!
Scott Kedersha
Hey all – thanks for all the great comments and suggestions!! There were 31 comments above, plus 5 more on Insta and FB for a total of 36. I assigned all comments a number from 1-36 and used a random number generator and picked 6 names. The 6 winners (in order) are: Brian M, Sam F, Josh F, Lauren S, Meredith N (From Insta comment), and Katherine B. You will each get an email from me so you can choose your book. Thanks for the comments and suggestions – I love this community!!
Mandy Wilson
Everybody Always by Bob Goff
The Gospel Comes With a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World of Whiteness
Looking back at just a few books I read I can totally see God wants me to love whole heartedly the ones in my life no matter their views or ideas or anything. Build relationships with the people who aren’t easy bc they are made in God’s image just like me. God will use that for so much good!! Thanks for the recommendations!
Scott Kedersha
Great list – thanks for sharing, Mandy! I want to read Everybody Always and Rosaria’s book!
Jenny Fridge
Jenny Fridge and my favorite book this year was Atomic Habits!!
I’d love to win the Welcome to Adulting book for my 2 college kids!
Scott Kedersha
I’ve loved Atomic Habits so far! Winner’s have been picked, but i’d still recommend getting Welcome to Adulting!