Healthy You
It’s no secret that I LOVE to read. It’s a passion that started in childhood, and I don’t see it ever waning. I don’t get to read as often as I did in my childhood and pre-mommy days, but when I do get to dig into a good book, I can help but sharing them with you!
I just started this board–based on my memory (so it might be missing a few books), but you can now follow my Books Read in 2014 (and beyond) board on Pinterest as well as my Books! Books! Books! board, where I pin books I want to read and all other books posts!
Without further ado, check out the best books I read in 2014!
10. iBloom in Business: Equipping You to Build a Successful Business While Living A Life You Love
In 2014, I really dug into turning this blog into a business (and worked with my business partners to grow Ultimate-Bundles as well). I loved reading iBloom in Business early in the year. It was a super motivating and practical read written by Kelly Thorne Gore, a coach for Christian women in business.
9. The Family-First Creative
I discovered Jennifer Fulwiler’s blog through this eBook that she used as a bonus for when she launched her memoir!
As I embark on writing a memoir this year about how we made it through the Recession, I am definitely going back to this book! I really appreciated her take on following your dreams while keeping your family top priority.
Unfortunately, The Family-First Creative is not currently for sale, although if you are super interested in it, I would email the author and beg her to sell it to you. It’s just that good!
8. The Measure of Success
Well, it looks like my favorite reads from 2014 are starting to take on a theme here!
At the beginning of 2014, it was becoming more and more apparent that as this blog and Ultimate-Bundles grew, I was becoming more of a work-at-home mom than a stay-at-home mom.
This is something I have honestly struggled with. Reading The Measure of Success really helped. It’s co-written by two Christian women who address the idea of working women in an objective, biblical and intellectually stimulating fashion. I loved it.
7. Say Goodbye to Survival Mode
In 2014, I admitted that I had been living in survival mode for quite some time (I think I might still be in it!). It was the perfect timing for my friend Crystal’s book, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, to release.
No matter if you are a stay-at-home mom, working mom, work-at-home mom or not even a mom at all, this book is for anyone who has ever felt stuck in the survival mode trap. There is hope for a way out! (I need to re-read this one!)
6. Trim Healthy Mama: A Common Sense Guide to Satisfy Your Cravings and Energize Your Life
Although I had had Trim Healthy Mama for almost two years, I had never made it past the diet section of this book. Oh.my.goodness, the chapters on hormones are probably the best in the entire book! I am kicking myself for not reading them earlier!
This diet works. It is not as easy as some people make it out to be, though. I followed it strictly in the month of October and lost 10 pounds (and felt great!). Too bad I gained it all back! I hope to go back on this diet again this month.
5. Tables in the Wilderness: A Memoir of God Found, Lost and Found Again
In his debut as an author, I ended many a chapter of Tables in the Wilderness with: “Man! Preston Yancey can WRITE!”
I don’t think it’s uncommon for those who grow up in the church to grapple with their faith during their college years and beyond (I know I did.), and I loved Preston’s transparency about his crisis of belief.
Parts of the book took me back to my college years, but by the end of it I could see Preston’s wisdom beyond his years, and it gave me a fresh hunger for God.
4. The Nazi Officer’s Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocaust
Memoirs have become my favorite genre–especially those that read like novels. The Nazi Officer’s Wife had me captivated from page 1. I could hardly put it down!
I have always been intrigued by the World War II era–even having nightmares of being in a concentration camp myself during the times I studied the Holocaust in school.
The author of this book, Edith Hahn Beer, was actually a Jewish woman who survived the Holocaust by hiding that and taking on someone else’s identity. In the process, she married a Nazi officer.
Her unique perspective on the War and love and loss during that time period is riveting, to say the least.
3. Loving The Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches
I am soooo glad I finally read Loving The Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches a few weeks ago! It’s really one I wish I had read five to six years ago, when my girls were younger. But at 2, 4 and 6, we are definitely still in the trenches, and I learned a lot and was inspired and challenged by this book.
I recommend any mama of littles read it, and it would make an excellent gift for an expecting mother.
2.You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book! I read You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream around the time I signed with my literary agent, and it was as if God was whispering to me through this book (and His Word and some friends) that He has placed a big dream in my heart for a reason.
I cannot speak highly enough of this encouraging read. This was the first book I read by Holly Gerth, and I hope to read more soon.
1. Atlas Girl: Finding Home in the Last Place I Thought to Look 
Atlas Girl has earned the number 1 spot in the best books read in 2014 because not only was it my favorite read from 2014, but it is one of the best books I have ever read. I could not put this memoir down!
Love, loss, family, friendship, God: This book touches it all. It made me want to be a better wife, daughter, mother. It evoked both laughter and tears.
Read it. You won’t regret it.
I’m linking today’s post up with Modern Mrs. Darcy. Check out her post for a link up of other favorite reads from around the blogosphere!
Melody Maynard
(1) “Becoming Myself – Embracing God’s Dream of You” by Stasi Eldredge was one of the best reads ever! It was so much more than a self-improvement book to me, since I read it when my papaw was in ICU. It was truly a godsend. My papaw accepted Jesus into his heart several weeks before he passed away. I smiled thinking that he could finally start becoming who God intended him to be.
(2) “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield, I’m actually still in the process of reading this book. As long as we keep in mind that true success has to come through God, this book is full of great practical help to achieve your goals. From the miniscule to the giant. . . I loved this book as well.
Seriously thinking about taking some of your list and pasting it onto my 2015 reading list. Especially “The Measure of Success”. With myself in college right now, and my husband working,it’s hard to tell what our future is going to look like. I might need to deal with some of those issues ahead of time.
Erin
Thanks for sharing these reads, Melody! Yes, I would totally read that book if I were in your shoes!!
Sarah
Great suggestions! I really enjoyed Loving the Little Years, and I’ve had my eyes on Tables in the Wilderness this year. Check out Treasuring Christ When Your Hands are Full – one of my favorites from the year!
Erin
Thanks for the book suggestion, Sarah! I’m in the process of making my 2015 reading list! Happy New Year!
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
Thanks for some new titles to add to my to-read list!
I have another suggestion for you too! If you liked Loving the Little Years, you should check out Rachel Jankovic’s second book, Fit to Burst. It’s just as wonderful. I’ve read them both multiple times.
Erin
Oh I would LOVE to read that one too! I’m adding it to my 2015 to-read list!! Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
Jill@JillsHomeRemedies
I love to read as well! I did a lot of reading on vaccines in 2014. This year I hope to read through Hinds Feet in High Places by Hannah Hurnard (for the second time). I also plan to read after Max Lucado and Andy Andrews in 2015. I am very intrigued by some of your suggestions! I’ll have to look them up! Thanks!
Erin
I would love to read some of your suggestions! So nice to know other bookworms!!! Happy New Year!
emily wierenga
tears. thank you. truly. xoxo
Erin
I meant every word. One of the best books I’ve ever read! Can’t wait to read more from you, Emily! Happy New Year!
Sarah
“Atlas Girl” would be one of mine too. I think “I Still Believe” by Jeremy Camp was my favourite book read in 2014. Others would be “What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days” (Holley Gerth), and the 10th anniversary edition of Don Piper’s “90 Minutes in Heaven”.
Erin
Oh thanks so much for sharing these reads, Sarah! I didn’t even realize Jeremy Camp had a book out! I LOVED my first read by Holly Gerth, and I hope to add some more of hers this year! 90 Minutes in Heaven sounds great. My grandmother just passed a few days ago, and Heaven is definitely on my mind. Thanks for sharing!