2020 was the Year of Reading for me. At times there was not much else that I could do. In those times I read 14 of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Those books were perfect for when I didn’t have much mental energy. I am going to share the best books of 2020.

I have read almost 200 books this year. That was not my plan but reading became the thing I could do. So here are 10 books I enjoyed this year. I am not going to pick categories but just give you 10 books that I enjoyed this year.

• Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of Charles H. Spurgeon by Ray Rhodes Jr. – I admit I know Charles Spurgeon. I remember as a teen having a copy of Morning by Morning. I enjoyed this book learning about Susie his wife. I didn’t realise her physical challenges. I was impressed with her dedication to getting resources to those that were poor and needed resources.
• The Fountains of Silence by Ruth Sepetys – This is a novel set in Madrid in 1957. This was during the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. I enjoyed because I really didn’t know much about this time personally did not know much about and a well-written novel and help to learn about that.
• Thrush Green by Miss Read – I read three books by Miss Read. These are just easy to read and just enjoyable. I think I would like to find more of these books.
• For the Body: Recovering a Theology of Gender, Sexuality, and the Human Body by Timothy C. Tennent – I found this book easy to read but filled with so much truth and written for the challenges we face today.
• 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff – I am not sure how I missed this great book for so many years. In 1949 Helene Hanff begins writing to Marks & Co in search of rare editions of books she could not find in New York. For that beginning comes years of correspondence with the bookseller but also his wife and others in the office.
• Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams – While the author has the background to write a truly academic book on this topic, he wanted to make this readable for both Christians and those seeking. I found this book easy to read but filled with information that helps you to know that we can trust the gospels.
• Write Better: A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and Spirituality by Andrew T. Le Peau – This is a book about writing. I first read it on Netgalley and knew it was a book that I wanted on my shelf. It is a book about writing. The author is a Christian and adds bits about writing as a ministry. It is a book that I think I will read and refer to again.
• The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe – by Angela Kelly – This was interesting to get a bit of a back stage view of the Queen and her wardrobe. It also tells of the relationship between the author and the Queen. The attention to detail is incredible. The planning and design of her wardrobe through the years is interesting.
• Disability in Mission: The Church’s Hidden Treasure by David C. Deuel – I read this just to get some information on this topic for a book I am writing. I have to say that it encouraged me and also challenged me. This was a collection of stories of individuals with disability involved in missions. In these stories you are able to see how the disability was an asset to the ministry.
• Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop – I included this is one of the books I recommend on lament. This is the book that I needed this year to help me to understand lament and then begin to learn to lament. This book encouraged me to dig deeper into this topic.