Hey fellow bookworms! I’m super excited to share my ten favorite books that I read this past year. As always, please note that these aren’t necessarily books that came out in 2019, just ones that I encountered and very much enjoyed.

There were a bunch of others that were awesome, too, but didn’t make the top ten. If you want an expanded list, send me a note! I’m happy to share.

Without further ado, here are my favorites:

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden. This is book two in the Winternight trilogy, and I normally wouldn’t do that to you. But hey, this hardly ever happens – book 2 was even better than book 1 (which I also enjoyed)! I savored this book. I love the way I was drawn fully into the faery-tale-like story and the author’s amazing descriptions of magick and myth. I haven’t even read book 3 yet, though it’s on my to-read shelf for this winter. The Girl in the Tower is a delicious treat.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman. A dear friend recommended the TV series The Magicians to me a few years ago, when it first came out. It took me a while to start watching it, but then I was enthralled. Even better, I discovered that it was based on a series of books. I read this first one and it was (of course) even better than the show. Again, it’s part of a trilogy (a theme of this year’s list, apparently). I have the next two lined up to read soon. If you like magic, read this.

Get Clients Now! by C.J. Hayden. One of my biz sisters brought this book to my attention, and it’s changed things for me in a powerful way. The book is a 28-day program for increasing your business, and I confess that I haven’t made it through the full program either time I’ve attempted it so far. Even so, it’s had a huge effect on how I do things in my business. The main thing being that it’s okay to follow up with people who express their interest in what you do. I know, duh. But it’s more than just that. It’s a system. If you run a business where you work with clients, check this one out.

Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series. Yes, another series. I know. But wait – for fantasy fans, this is a must-read. I received the first book, The Way of Kings, unexpectedly, as a prize from having donated to the annual fundraiser that author Patrick Rothfuss runs. The world-building in this series is AMAZING. It’s a truly unique fantasy world, which is actually fairly uncommon. The tale is epic. The characters are fascinating. So good. I’ve read the 3 that are out already and I can’t wait for the next one.

It’s Not Your Money: How to Live Fully From Divine Abundance by Tosha Silver. If you’re looking to upgrade your prosperity, this book will rock your world. It’s helped me look at abundance in a whole new way.

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. This novel is a wild ride. I’m not even sure what genre it is. Kind of a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and magical realism. I think. It’s got that element of dreamlike flow that I love to read. It will immerse you in a strange and captivating world, and spit you out at the end with a slightly new perspective on life.

Becoming by Michelle Obama. Even though many people have given up on the word and think it means you hate men (which I don’t), I still proudly call myself a feminist. First Lady Michelle Obama is one of my heroines, and her book is a delightfully thoughtful journey through her life. She talks about sexism and racism in a way that puts modern life into context and showcases the progress we’ve made, even though we still have a long way to go. She inspires me to continue to be the best version of myself that I can, and brings hope to our collective awakening.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. This is book 1 of the Gentleman Bastards series – yep, I did it again. But it’s such a good read! Like Sanderson, Lynch brings a fresh take to the fantasy genre. You’ll devour it.

War for the Oaks by Emma Bull. This is a contemporary fantasy classic. I’m not sure how I missed it, but I’m glad I read it this year. It has music and faeries and magick and romance and more. I want to write like this.

The Surrender Experiment: My Journey Into Life’s Perfection by Michael Singer. This book was recommended to me by two completely different sources within a week’s time. So I read it. Wow! Given the work I’ve been doing with surrender and going with the flow, the timing was ideal. This is the author’s amazing life story, and he built his entire world on faith and intuition. If you’re interested in spiritual growth, this one will expand your mind.

I have to also note that this year I re-read Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes. I very rarely re-read anything, because there are so many other books to enjoy. But this one was well worth the time. I absorbed it in a completely different way than I did when I first read it, in my early 30s. If you haven’t read it, or if you read it many years ago, I highly recommend it.

Leave a comment and share some of your favorite books that you’ve read lately. All bookworms need more books on their to-read list, right?!