My Top Picks of 2018

I read a LOT of books in 2018 (around 300, according to Goodreads). It was hard to narrow down my list of favorites for the year, but here goes. If you've read any of them, leave me a comment and let me know which book and what you thought of it.

These are my top five fiction and nonfiction picks (in no particular order):

Fiction

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Nonfiction

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"The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World" by Alli Worthington

About the book...

How would your life be different if you were just a bit happier every day for a year? What would you do to enjoy life just a little more day by day? Take your first step toward increased happiness with The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World by Alli Worthington.

You do your best to live life well—you work hard to be present in the moment, take care of the people in your life, knock it out of the park at work and home. And yet somehow, you still have days (perhaps more than you'd like to admit) where you're simultaneously stressed and bored, and you wonder if you even know how to be happy. Is happiness a worthy goal? Does happiness matter to God, or does He only care about holier things?

Alli Worthington gets it. As a wife, mother of five boys, author, speaker, and entrepreneur, she knows a thing or two about being busy, stressed, and happy in the midst of a crazy world! Over the years, she's seen how happiness gets a bad rap in Christian circles, and now she is standing up to shout the good news from the roof (or the internet, as the case may be): You are allowed to be happy! Yes, you! You can be happy right now!

Get rid of the common Christian misconception that happiness is somehow not holy, and grasp God’s intention for His children—that happiness and holiness can coexist for a beautiful life.

Join Alli for The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World and find the roots of your happiest life yet! With 100 inspirational devotions, beautiful art, and journaling pages throughout, this gorgeous devotional offers practical ways to make your life happier day by day.

Don’t miss the great big beautiful adventure God has for you right in your own life. Let this be The Year of Living Happy!

My review...

I love reading devotional books, and I’m happy (no pun intended) to add this one to my collection. The book is a collection of Worthington’s “favorite and most helpful insights, research, and truths.” It’s designed to help the reader find happiness, because God wants us to be happy.

The book is a nice size, and the cover is inviting. The devotions are short, making them easy to fit into your busy schedule. Scripture verse are mentioned in each one, as well. The author’s personal stories blend with the verse to give the reader something to ponder. Each devotion contains a box at the end for journaling/reflection.

Worthington’s latest is divided into twelve parts, and some of the sections are: Choosing Happiness, Finding Your Happy Thought, Happy In A Crazy World, A happy Heart Is Good Medicine, and Building a Happy Life. There are one hundred devotions in all. An attached bookmark is also included, which is always a helpful addition to a book. This would make a wonderful gift, as well.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from BookLook Bloggers, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

About the author...

Alli Worthington is the author of Fierce Faith and Breaking Busy, she's a speaker, and a business coach. Her goal is to help women live the life they were created to live.

Alli is a sought after coach and consultant who has helped individuals, small business owners, and Fortune 500 companies be more successful.

Alli's no-nonsense, guilt-free take on motherhood, parenting, and balance has lead to appearances on The Today Show and Good Morning America.

She lives outside Nashville with her husband, Mark, their five sons, and the only golden retriever who refuses to retrieve.

All spends way too much time on Instagram at @AlliWorthington, and you can find out all about her at AlliWorthington.com

"Fierce Faith" by Alli Worthington

My review...

This is the first book I’ve read by Worthington, but if this book is any indication, it won’t be my last! I’ve struggled with fear, worry, and anxiety for as long as I can remember. Logically, I know I can take it all to God in prayer and then let it go. However, the application is not always easy for me. And this is exactly what Worthington tackles in Fierce Faith.

Each chapter addresses a different fear, so there is likely something relatable for everyone:

• Fear of Rejection
• Fear for Our Children
• Fear of Failure
• Fear of Betrayal
• Fear of Missing Out
• Fear of the Future
• Fear of Not Being Enough
• Fear that We Are on Our Own

Worthington uses lists all over the place, which made list maker very happy! The lists are designed to help the reader create their own battle plan for when they’re under attack and headed toward the “Bad Bs”: busy, blame, bury, binge, and brood.

While this book is geared toward women, there are lessons and wisdom in this book which are relevant to anyone. The tips are practical, and the author encourages the reader all through the book with personal stories and tips for when the enemy attacks. She strives to empower the reader to replace the enemy’s lies with God’s truths. I have highlights and notes all over the place, and I know I’ll go back and reference them on more than one occasion.

Some of my favorite quotes (reminders) are:

• “Fear is a liar.”
• “Our thoughts give life or steal joy.”
• “Don’t let the fear of tomorrow steal your life today.”
• “If God, maker of all heaven and earth, has complete confidence in us, who are we to doubt ourselves?”
• “Your worries won’t change your what-ifs, but prayer will.”
• “God’s presence doesn’t mean you are fearless; it means you can fear less.”
• “Failure is the rich soil in which our faith grows.”

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the HC BookLook Bloggers program, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

About the author...

Alli Worthington is the author of Fierce Faith and Breaking Busy, she's a speaker, and a business coach. Her goal is to help women live the life they were created to live.

Alli is a sought after coach and consultant who has helped individuals, small business owners, and Fortune 500 companies be more successful.

Alli's no-nonsense, guilt-free take on motherhood, parenting, and balance has lead to appearances on The Today Show and Good Morning America.

She lives outside Nashville with her husband, Mark, their five sons, and the only golden retriever who refuses to retrieve.

All spends way too much time on Instagram at @AlliWorthington, and you can find out all about her at AlliWorthington.com