One of my favorite parts of a new year is thinking about what books I want to read in the year ahead. From the anticipation of new releases coming from my favorite authors to finding books that fill categories for the Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge, I look forward to discovering great new stories. I also like to incorporate books that reflect my one word for the year.
I’ve planned ahead for quite a few books. I’m still leaving space on my TBR list, because new book ideas always pop up, but I’ve made lists for some important titles I want to make sure I get to.
Books That Mean Something to Me This Year
My one word for 2020 is rhythm. It’s time to find our new rhythms in our new lives. It’s time to embrace seasons and patterns and life on a small farm. I’ve found several good books about establishing a life rhythm:
Roots and Sky by Christie Purifoy
I saved this book when I bought it, knowing my family would be making a transition in the near future. Last month, when we moved into the house we built, I finally started it. It’s perfect for our transition.
The Crosswick Journals by Madeline L’Engle
A Wrinkle in Time shaped my childhood. It’s still one of my favorite books. I realized a couple of years ago that I’ve barely scratched the surface of what L’Engle wrote. I’ve heard so much about this series from her and can’t wait to read it!
Most Anticipated Fiction of 2020
Several of my favorite authors have new books coming in 2020, and I can’t wait to read them!
- The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck (February)
- The Solid Grounds Coffee Company by Carla Laureano (February)
- Kings Falling by Ronnie Kendig (March)
- The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel (April)
- Of Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay (May)
- Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner (May)
- Not Christian fiction, but The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Susanne Collins – There may be a Hunger Games battle at our house over who gets their hands on this book first! My boys and I are all die hard fans, and we’ve waited far too long for another book in this franchise. (May)
- The Haunting of Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright (September)
For the Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge
I haven’t chosen all my books yet, but I’ve picked a few, and I’ve actually already marked two categories off my list:
- A book published the decade you were born: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown (published in the 1970’s)
- A debut novel: Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate (I already finished this one.)
- A book outside your (genre) comfort zone: House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (I finished this one for an online book club.)
- A reread: I’m leaning toward either Little Women or Jane Eyre. But I’m all honesty, I may read both.
- A classic you didn’t read in high school: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. This is the only Austen book I haven’t read yet.
- Three books by the same author: I’m catching up on everything Rachel Hauck has ever written, so I’m sure I’ll read at least three by her this year. So far I’ve finished The Writing Desk.
Other Books on My List This Year
- The Chronicles of Narnia – I plan on listening to the audiobooks of these. I haven’t read the entire series since high school, more than twenty years ago.
- The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy – This series is a favorite of my youngest son, and it’s the one that pulled him into reading. I’ve promised him I’ll mark it off my TBR list soon.
If you want to follow more of what I’m reading this year, you can find me on Goodreads. I at least give a star rating to every book I read and frequently do a full review. I also post a lot about books on Instagram.
What are you looking forward to reading in 2020?
Amanda Holland 