From This Side of Thirty: Top Ten Books 2014

You’d think this would be a category scheduled as “book ends” to the year… like in January to kick off the new year with a list of books you should add to your to-do list(better yet, to-read list)…or in December to characterize my assessment for the past 365 days of evaluating the printed text. I like to keep things fresh and unpredictable here on the blog so you’re getting it this last, lovely day of September!

10. The Best of Me – Nicholas Sparks

I purchased the book knowing I wanted to see the movie when it comes out next month. I read this in 4 days. That implies that I postponed all household and family matters until after I finished the book, but you’ll be happy to know that I was on a weekend business trip with Ole Jus. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, ranch managers have business trips too…and yes it was a fancy dinner…in a barn…a very fancy barn.

9. A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet – Sophie Hudson/Boo Mama

This was a fabulous read and I believe every woman can relate to the southern family she depicts so tenderly. If you cannot relate, I’m certain Sophie wouldn’t mind you living your sweet-southern-family fantasy though hers. I read Sophie’s blog occasionally, but I always listen to the podcast she does with Melanie Shankle(See numbers 1 & 2)

8. One Call Away – Brenda Warner

I bought this book at a Women of Faith conference a few years back and I think it could be on my “top books of all time” list until I am more into books more relevant to the retiree. I can’t stay away from a good memoir, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Brenda had some really rough times she went through, and points out the grace and mercy of God in all those moments…and she is now married to Kurt Warner for Pete’s sake!

7. The Husband’s Secret – Liane Moriarty

I think I read half way through the book in one sitting because I couldn’t wait to know “the secret”. I read a review that said, “The book ended a little too tidy to be realistic.” And I agree.

6. What Alice Forgot – Liane Moriarty

This was actually entertaining AND thought provoking. What would it be like to wake up from a little accident at the gym thinking you are 29, but actually you are 39? It just goes to show how much life can change over the period of a few years. If only we could be concussed into realizing we have made some changes that weren’t for the better…

5. The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels – Ree Drummond

I have to admit this may be one of my favorites because I can so closely relate to the story…a city girl falling hard and fast for a pioneer of a cattle wrangler man who would never want to be refer to as “a pioneer of a cattle wrangler man”.

4. Heaven is for Real – Todd Burpo & Proof of Heaven – Dr. Eben Alexander

It seems God purposed some individuals to get a glimpse of his eternal kingdom so that they can write awesome books for me to read and put on this list. Seriously though, I find it so interesting that there are people who have experienced visits to heaven under all types of different circumstances, but seem to have many similarities in the accounts of their journey. One of these books documents a visit to heaven from a young boy’s perspective, whereas the other story comes from a neurosurgeon who experienced what he thought was impossible.

3. Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn

I’m not actually finished with this book, but if it weren’t for those household chores and family responsibilities I wouldn’t have put it down. I’m a bit concerned it may take a weird sci-fi approach as the mystery unfolds, but I have high hopes for the book so far.

2. Sparkly Green Earrings – Melanie Shankle

You know I’m a sucker for a good memoir. This is a light hearted read and I laughed out loud. There were even parts of the book when I made Ole Jus listen to me read to see if he would laugh…most often a letdown.