It’s a new year, and a new series of recommended book lists for 2021!

This year, instead of rinsing and repeating the old “recommend five random books” idea, I’ve decided to create book recommendations by theme.

Starting with January’s theme: Epistolary novels! Also known as, novels that are written as letters from one character to another.

Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer

“How dreadful…to be caught up in a game and have no idea of the rules.” — Sorcery and Cecilia

Sorcery and Cecilia was the first epistolary novel I ever read. Well, the first epistolary novel I ever read that I enjoyed. (Frankenstein doesn’t count…

Someone once said that books are like water in the Grand Canyon:

You may not always remember every detail of every book you read, but they leave their mark in your life.

That is all well and good, as sayings go, but being the stubborn writer that I am, I prefer to remember more of what I read and learn by being intentional about writing it down.

Hence the Annual Book List.

For the past few years, I’ve been keeping track of the books I read each year, just to keep track of my reading history. …

In an unstable world, one of the most important skills to learn is HOW to learn — to learn well, and quickly. That is why this year, most of my top nonfiction book recommendations have to do with learning.

But learning isn’t all. Books can also be a relaxation, an escape when life gets too stressful. And an encouraging reminder that what you see isn’t all there is.

Anyway, without further ado: Here are my Top Picks for nonfiction and fiction books in 2020 ~

Nonfiction

1. The Talent Code & The Little Book of Talent by Daniel Coyle

The Talent Code and The Little Book of Talent are two separate books. But because…

So, 2020 has been…interesting, to say the least. We’ve had global pandemics, violent protests, controversial elections, economic disasters, and more.

But we’ve also had quiet angels among us, who have selflessly helped their neighbors, tended the sick, kept on living and caring and being a light to their communities.

That’s why, to mimic this mix of dark and light, depression and inspiration, I have a hodgepodge of recommendations for you, to see off this challenging year.

From a book that is all about books that screwed up the world, to a book about changing your life using a well-known but…

Pumpkin pies (and lattes), Adoption Month, Thanksgiving, National Novel Writing Month…there are so many reasons to be thankful for November :)

And here’s another: If you’re looking for some interesting books to gift your book-loving friend for Christmas (you know, the one who almost always has his/her nose in a book and never ventures out of the house…oh, that’s you? Shh, I won’t tell!) this might be a good place to start.

(All except for #2, I don’t recommend that one unless “your friend” has a morbid bent)

In this month’s Book List, I have for you:

• A children’s book…

It’s the scary month, October! And what with bug zapping and all the hoopla going on, I must admit I haven’t prioritized expanding my nonfiction mental library.

So we’re going to try something a little new this time. With National Novel Writing Month just around the corner, this month’s book list will feature fiction more heavily than nonfiction, as usual.

In this month’s recommendations:

• A book that was a classic before it was even published
• The true story of a prodigal son…and his prodigal mother
• A slightly lesser-known work by, arguably, the greatest female author in history
• And more

Let’s…

Looking for books to stretch your mind and tear at your heartstrings?

You’ve come to the right place!

This month’s book recommendations strike at both heart and mind, logic and emotion. If you read them thoughtfully, you’ll be a different person afterward.

Some of September’s selections include:

• How the Great Creative People of History became masters of their crafts
• A biography of a little-known man whose life story inspired the writing of a world-changing novel
• The story of an unspeakable family tragedy and the grieving family’s even more mind-boggling reaction

Let’s get into the book recs!