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Every January my kids and I spend time reflecting on the past year and setting goals. We think about what we want to learn, create, and my favorite, what we want to read. Reading goals help us make sure reading and reading for pleasure is a priority. Our best reads of 2019 speak volumes to the things we learned and loved. Home remodeling, growing businesses, magic, art, and stories that gave us hope in humankind were the ones we loved most.

Maybe you’re thinking about making reading a priority in your home this year. Maybe you’re starting a list, looking for a new read-aloud, or gathering titles for lesson plans or library trips.

This post is simply a list. For you. For your kids. For me. Here are the books my family loved in 2019.

Best Reads of 2019

Sophie’s Best Reads (8-9 years old)

The Babysitter’s Club Graphic Novels– The original books are near and dear to my heart. Once upon a time I read them all and had my own babysitters club. Graphic novels have proven to be the perfect way to encourage Sophie to read independently, enjoy reading, and stay up too late with a book in hand (a sign of success in my book).

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate- Sophie started this book when she gave school a try. When she came back to homeschooling it was one of the first things she asked if we could do. She was spot on. This is a beautiful read-aloud!

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau- We read this with our homeschool co-op. I’ve also taught it to middle schoolers. An exciting read-aloud or independent read that is certainly relevant to our times, I’ve never known a kid who didn’t like this book.

Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland- She is not quite at a place to enjoy the books independently. She could but it’s a lot of text. She listens to the audiobooks every night and has recently found the graphic novels, which are more her speed right now.

Clark’s Best Reads (12-13 years old)

He’s a guy of few words and says he liked them because they were good.

The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill- this is on my list!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Genie Magazine– Clark’s magic mentor said this is the best out there. Clark agrees!

The Color of My Words by Lynn Joseph

Mysterious Stranger- a Book of Magic by David Blaine

Kelly (and her trusty reading companion)’s Best Reads-

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert- a fun, easy read. I was sad when it ended.

Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume edited by Jennifer O’Connell- If you’re a Judy Blume fan and/or were born in 70s/80s read this. If you’re a fan of YAL, you’ll love the contributors.

On Being Human by Jennifer Pastiloff- if I could recommend just one, this is it.

Becoming by Michelle Obama- inspiring, fascinating, beautifully told. I listened to this one on audio and I’m glad I did.

Girl Wash Your Face and Girl Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis- if you need a kick in the pants to get going on goals and dreams, Rachel is a good one to turn to.

The Joy of Missing Out by Tonya Dalton- Another good read for goal setting and prioritizing.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman- so good!! Funny and heartfelt. I’ll read it again.

Home Body by Joanna Gaines- if you love her show and style, you’ll love this! Gave me a lot of good ideas! I also get her magazine, Magnolia. It’s great!

Mud Season by Ellen Stimson- I read books like this so I can pretend I’m a farmer or homesteader.

Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan- a really good memoir about finding one’s self

Lost and Found by Jacqueline Sheehan- I normally avoid books with dogs because I don’t enjoy the ugly cry that usually follows when they die. I took a chance on this book and I’m so glad I did. It was one of those good reads that you stay up until 3 am to finish.

There were many other books read or started and abandoned, but these were our best reads of 2019. So looking forward to the words and stories we’ll read in 2020. I’d love to know what books you loved this year so I can maybe add them to our list!