20 years ago, as of August 2021, I began writing Sonderbooks! To celebrate, I’m making 20 posts, highlighting some of the best books I reviewed each year I’ve been doing Sonderbooks. It’s taking longer than I anticipated, but I’m up to the 19th post, about my favorites from 2019.

for Grown Ups:

Becoming Mrs. Lewis, by Patti Callahan

A wonderfully detailed novel about Joy Gresham and her life before she fell in love with C. S. Lewis and eventually married him. This novel looks at many of her writings and shows how she may have profoundly influenced his writing Till We Have Faces.

Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik

This magical novel is loosely based on the fairy tale “Rumpelstiltskin,” with a moneylender’s daughter who boasted that she could turn silver into gold and got the attention of the king of the Staryk people.

The Harp of Kings, by Juliet Marillier

The beginning of a new fantasy trilogy by Juliet Marillier! In fact, I’m eagerly awaiting the third volume, which I’ve preordered, coming soon.

Marilla of Green Gables, by Sarah McCoy

A prequel to L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, showing us Marilla’s life was not as commonplace as we might have thought.

Educated, by Tara Westover

The amazing true story of the author’s growing-up years among radical Mormons in the mountains of Idaho and how she managed to get out and get herself educated.

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson

A story of a young lawyer working to bring justice out of a criminal justice system that doesn’t work as well for poor people. The movie is wonderful, but the book follows many more cases than the main one highlighted in the movie.

Becoming, by Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama’s story! Of course I loved it!

Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, by Ingrid Fetell Lee

This book looks at design — and how certain choices in the things around you can bring joy.

The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables, by Catherine Reid

I got to go to Prince Edward Island in 2019! And this book was a perfect memento of the island I will never forget.

The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe, by Richard Rohr

Strongly based in Scripture, Jesuit priest Richard Rohr makes the case that the Christ principle is eternal and universal, while Jesus was the human embodiment of that principle. He goes deeper than I can explain in a few sentences, but this is a beautiful and revolutionary book which I’m saving to read over repeatedly. It also started me on daily emails from Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation.

Raising Hell: Christianity’s Most Controversial Doctrine Put Under Fire, by Julie Ferwerda

Notably, this is the first book on Universalism I’ve read that was written by a woman. And it’s a good one, with the Scriptural evidence and argument explained well, along with her process of study and how she came to the conclusion – from the Bible – that God will save everyone.

That All Shall Be Saved: Heaven, Hell & Universal Salvation, by David Bentley Hart

Another book on Universalism, but this one is more academic, written by a theologian and a philosopher, making a brilliant and hard-to-refute case.

Creation and the Cross, by Elizabeth A. Johnson

I especially appreciated that this book takes on the Satisfaction Theory of the Atonement proposed by Anselm in medieval times and refutes it — helping me dispose of any uneasiness I had not believing what I was taught from childhood — as well as presenting some beautiful and affirming theology that includes all of creation.

For Teens

Damsel, by Elana K. Arnold

A convention-breaking fantasy tale about a damsel who is told she was saved from a dragon — and ends up deciding to save herself. I also found a new favorite female audiobook narrator, Elizabeth Knowelden.

Stepsister, by Jennifer Donnelly

A story from the perspective of one of Cinderella’s stepsisters — as she learns she does not have to cut off pieces of herself to make her way in the world.

They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, and Steven Scott, art by Harmony Becker

A moving and all-too-timely graphic novel memoir about when George Takei’s family was imprisoned in the internment camps during World War II, even though they were U. S. citizens.

Shout: The True Story of a Survivor Who Refused to Be Silenced, by Laurie Halse Anderson

A memoir in verse about the author’s own experiences with sexual abuse as a teen, and how she learned to make her voice be heard.

Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir, by Nikki Grimes

Another memoir in verse about a difficult childhood. This one is also about rising above and finding joy and light.

For Children

We’re Not From Here, by Geoff Rodkey

A wonderful tale of a family of refugees from earth’s Mars colony who must take refuge on an alien planet that doesn’t want them. Lan’s family is representing all earthlings, and if they don’t win over the hostile aliens of Choom, all their shipmates will die. Believe it or not, this story is told with lots of humor.

Pie in the Sky, by Remy Lai

A heart-warming immigrant tale — this time to Australia — has the older brother trying to adjust to missing his dad — by baking through his dad’s cookbook of fancy cakes. Doing this while keeping an eye on his little brother and keeping his mother in the dark is challenging.

Free Lunch, by Rex Ogle

A true story of being poor in middle school and all the ways that grinds you down — but told with humor and grace.

Best Friends, by Shannon Hale, artwork by LeUyen Pham

A graphic novel memoir about the challenges of finding friends in sixth grade.

Nine Months: Before a Baby Is Born, by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Jason Chin

A wonderful nonfiction picture book showing how a baby grows in the womb, with just enough detail for a slightly older sibling to read and appreciate.

How Many? A Different Kind of Counting Book, by Christopher Danielson

Such a delightful open-ended book about real world math for preschoolers. It shows kids photos of things to count — but lets the reader decide what should be counted.

Can You Hear the Trees Talking? Discovering the Hidden Life of the Forest, by Peter Wohlleben

This book convinced me to finally read the author’s book for adults, The Hidden Life of Trees. But honestly, the children’s book communicated the main chunks of information in a fascinating and memorable way, with photographs.

Truman, by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

A sweet picture book about a loving and persistent turtle.

Maybe Tomorrow, by Charlotte Agell, illustrated by Ana Ramírez González

A lovely picture book that shows how friends can make your burdens lighter.

And there are more on the 2019 Sonderbooks Stand-outs page! Since this was so recent, it was hard to narrow them down, but if you missed any of these, now’s your chance!

As of August 2021, I’ve been writing Sonderbooks for 20 years! It began as an email newsletter, quickly became a website, and eventually added a blog. To celebrate, I’m doing 20 posts looking back at the past years of Sonderbooks and the wonderful books I read for the first time.

Now I’m looking at 2018 Sonderbooks Stand-outs. 2018 was the amazing year I read more books than any other in my life, because I was on the 2019 John Newbery Medal Selection Committee! So not only did I get to read amazing books, I got to reread the best of them more than once, and so many have a special place in my heart. I will try to restrain myself from going on too long, and only mention the ones I really hope my friends get a chance to read.

For Children

I have to start with our Newbery books!

Newbery Medal Winner:

Merci Suárez Changes Gears, by Meg Medina

Sixth-grader Merci is navigating middle school on scholarship at a private school while also facing pressures from her big family taking her for granted and treating her like a kid, while her beloved grandfather is beginning to act strange.

Newbery Honor Winners:

The Book of Boy, by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

This one-of-a-kind book set in medieval times tells of a kid named Boy who has a hunchback and is shunned by others, but gets pulled into a quest with a pilgrim who wants to collect relics of St. Peter. The trip involves surprising revelations and liberating redemption.

The Night Diary, by Veera Hiranandani

Set in Pakistan during the Partition, Nisha and her family must move to India to live with other Hindus, even though her mother had been Muslim. She writes to her dead mother in her diary during the journey, exploring questions of conflict between religions and the peaceful teachings of Gandhi – and the good and the bad they encounter in their travels.

Other Favorites

The Flight of Swans, by Sarah McGuire

A wonderful retelling of the fairy tale where a princess must save her six brothers, turned into swans by the witch who enchanted their father. To save them, she must not speak for six years and must knit them shirts out of nettles.

The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle, by Leslie Connor

Mason Buttle is the biggest kid in seventh grade, and he’s got dyslexia and a disorder that makes him sweat profusely, so he’s not very popular, but he’s got a big heart. In this book, he begins a friendship with one of the smallest kids in seventh grade, and as they explore together, we learn about what happened to Mason’s previous best friend and why so many in town won’t speak to Mason any more. Mason is one of my favorite characters ever in children’s literature.

Snow Lane, by Josie Angelini

A book about a family almost as big as the one I grew up in! I knew the author had to be from a big family herself, because she gets the dynamics exactly right. But mostly, you’ll root for Annie Bianchi, the youngest of nine, and a good listener, a good sister, and a good friend.

Nowhere Boy, by Katherine Marsh

The parallel story of an American kid living temporarily in Belgium and the refugee boy who hides in the American family’s basement.

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster, by Jonathan Auxier

A chimney sweep girl in Victorian London is on her own — until danger activates the gift of a golem, who grows into a size to protect her.

The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge, by M. T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin

A story told from multiple perspectives, with words and pictures, of an ambassador from the elves to the goblins who thinks he’s making peace but doesn’t know he’s carrying a bomb. His goblin host wants to be hospitable, but misunderstandings and missteps abound.

The Mad Wolf’s Daughter, by Diane Magras

Set in medieval times, the youngest in the family sets out to save her father and brothers, in the company of someone left behind by the lord’s soldiers.

The Eleventh Trade, by Alyssa Hollingsworth

A heart-warming story about a kid who’s come to America from Afghanistan with his grandfather. After his grandfather’s rebab is stolen from him, he tries to figure out how to get it back, by making progressively better trades. What I love about this trading-up story is that each person making a trade gets a good deal, and the effort helps Sami makes friends along the way.

The Parker Inheritance, by Varian Johnson

Two modern-day kids work on a treasure-hunt puzzle that leads to clues about the history of the town during the Civil Rights era. That story is revealed in alternating chapters.

Front Desk, by Kelly Yang

A kid handles the front desk at the motel her immigrant parents manage. She hears stories from the long-term residents of the motel and decides to use her pen to fight injustice.

Children’s Nonfiction

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science, by Joyce Sidman

This is the story of a 17th century woman who changed how the world looked at insects. Maria Merian was both a scientist and an artist, and many of the pictures in this gorgeous book are from Maria Merian’s own art.

The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler, by John Hendrix

This book is almost a graphic novel, but not quite. We’ve got the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the resistance against Hitler told with charts and pictures making everything memorable and clear.

Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor, by Temple Grandin with Betsy Lerner

Temple Grandin tells kids how she became an inventor and explains how patents work, while also providing multiple projects kids can create themselves, with clear warnings as to which ones require sharp objects or power tools.

Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented, by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Steven Salerno

This picture book tells about Lizzie Magie, the person who actually invented the game of Monopoly.

Hey, Kiddo! How I Lost My Mother, Found my Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction, by Jarrett Krosoczka

A graphic novel memoir about a kid growing up in a family with challenges, but a lot of love.

Picture Books

Dreamers, by Yuyi Morales

The author tells of her arrival in America, not understanding the language, feeling lost — and how she discovered picture books in the public library and began to feel at home.

The Stuff of Stars, by Marian Dane Bauer, illustrated by Ekua Holmes

This book is a gorgeous work of art, all about how things came into existence, beginning with the Big Bang and progressing to particular details like caterpillars and lions and You. The paintings are glorious and the text sings.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, by Ryan T. Higgins

A delightfully silly book about a young T-rex who needs to learn to behave properly when she starts Kindergarten.

Thank You, Omu!, by Oge Mora

A contemporary story with a folk tale feel about a grandmotherly lady who makes a big fat pot of thick red stew and shares with all who are enticed by the smell. Her reward at the end shows everyone’s appreciation.

We Are Brothers, by Yves Nadon, illustrated by Jean Claverie

A little brother wants to be like his big brother and dive off the big rock this year. The pictures perfectly capture the range of emotions.

Julián Is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love

After seeing three tall, beautiful ladies dressed as mermaids, Julián wants to dress that way himself — with happy results.

For Teens

West, by Edith Pattou

This is a sequel to the author’s wonderful book East, a retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon.” In this book, the Troll Queen wants revenge on the happy couple — and the human race.

Blood Water Paint, by Joy McCullough

This is a verse novel about the distinguished artist Artemisia Gentileschi when she was seventeen years old in 1611 in Rome. It’s also a novel about rape and a woman standing up to those in power. And she paints the stories of other strong women.

What the Night Sings, by Vesper Stamper

This is a powerful illustrated novel about learning to live again after a multitude of losses during World War II.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay, by Adib Khoram

A wonderfully honest book about an American teen visiting family in Iran and dealing with feeling like an outsider, making friends, feeling like he’s disappointing his father, and having depression.

Pride, by Ibi Zoboi

Pride and Prejudice set among Black families in Brooklyn. Lots of fun!

Truly Devious, by Maureen Johnson

The start of a mystery trilogy with a decades-old kidnapping combined with modern-day dead bodies in a private school in the mountains.

For Grown-Ups

The Woman in Cabin 10 and The Death of Mrs. Westaway, by Ruth Ware

Thrillers! I listened to these on my commute as a nice contrast to the children’s books I was spending so much of my time with.

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion and Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship, by Gregory Boyle

Gregory Boyle is a Jesuit priest who has a thriving ministry with gang members in Los Angeles. Lives are transformed, because he sees them as wonderful people who have much to teach him. His love and compassion shines through in these books.

Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News, by Brian Zahnd

Another book helping to transform my ideas of what Jesus’ death meant for the world — and giving wonderful, loving, joyful ideas.

Heaven’s Doors: Wider Than You Ever Believed!, by George W. Sarris

This book clearly explains the biblical support for universalism and how it fits with what we know about our loving God.

The Face of Water: A Translator on Beauty and Meaning in the Bible, by Sarah Ruden

A linguist shows us some beautiful things about the text of the Bible that have been lost in translation.

Transforming: The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians, by Austen Hartke

Biblical support for welcoming and affirming transgender Christians.

And I have to finish with this one because I still talk about it:

Experimenting with Babies: 50 Amazing Science Projects You Can Perform on Your Kid, by Shaun Gallagher

The author gives a list of 150 serious psychological studies that have been done on babies to learn about their cognitive development — and how you can repeat them at home and learn about your own baby. I would have loved this as a big sister!

So — those are some highlights from my most amazing reading year ever! Be sure to check the rest of the list of my 2018 Sonderbooks Stand-outs!

As of this month, I’ve been writing Sonderbooks for 20 years!

To celebrate, I’m going through my Sonderbooks Stand-outs posts from each year and highlighting my favorite books.

Today we’ll cover 2017 Sonderbooks Stand-outs. A quick glance tells me this is going to take a while! Is this because I still remember them or simply because I read many great books that year? I’m not sure, but here are some I can’t resist mentioning:

For Grown-Ups

While Beauty Slept, by Elizabeth Blackwell

A retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, told by a servant in the castle, who saw all the events take place.

Angels in My Hair: The True Story of a Modern-Day Irish Mystic, by Lorna Byrne

All her life, Lorna Byrne has been able to see angels and talk with them. She tells her story, and what angels would like to say to us. A lovely message.

Flames of Love, by Heath Bradley

A strong scriptural defense of Universalism, the teaching that all will (eventually) be saved.

A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel, by Bradley Jersak

Here’s a beautiful book on theology, going deeper into why Christ came and what he told us about God with his life, death, and resurrection. He blasts the notion that God can’t look on sin, because Jesus looked at sinners, saw them, and loved them.

Accidental Saints, by Nadia Bolz-Weber

I’ve come to love Nadia Bolz-Weber’s writing. She helps you see the image of God in even the most fallible human folks, and she helps you see how much God loves and cares for all of his messy people.

A Beautiful, Terrible Thing: A Memoir of Marriage and Betrayal, by Jen Waite

A gripping account of the author’s own marriage — which ended up being to a psychopath.

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah

Hilarious and challenging at the same time, Trevor Noah tells about growing up mixed-race in South Africa under Apartheid. The audiobook is extra good with the author telling the stories.

Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, by Margot Shetterly

The true story of black women excelling in mathematics that I wish I’d known about back in my college days when I knew few other female math students.

For Teens

Landscape with Invisible Hand, by M. T. Anderson

Brilliant, pointed social commentary (again!) by M. T. Anderson. This book takes place after aliens have come to earth and offered us their advanced technology. The trouble is — only those who afford it can use it. The humans who can’t afford it are basically left to starve. Teenage Adam has found an innovative way around the problem, but he’s running into problems.

Thick As Thieves, by Megan Whalen Turner

The much-awaited fifth book in the Queen’s Thief series. This one follows the adventures of Kamet, Nahuseresh’s most important slave, as he tries to escape the Mede empire with the help of an Attolian.

Scythe, by Neal Shusterman

The beginning of an amazing trilogy. Mankind has defeated death. We’re overseen by a wise and powerful artificial intelligence that’s so much beyond the Cloud, it’s called the Thunderhead. But the earth will become overpopulated if people live forever, and we didn’t want to entrust that to a machine. So a brotherhood of Scythes was chosen to select and Reap people periodically. Two teens are chosen to join this brotherhood, at the same time that a new, disturbing faction is developing.

Strange the Dreamer, by Laini Taylor

The first half of a mesmerizing duology about a lost city and magical children and meeting someone in a lucid dream.

For Children

The Empty Grave, by Jonathan Stroud

The culmination of the Lockwood & Co. series — fighting ghosts in London and those who caused the problem in the first place.

Princess Cora and the Crocodile, by Laura Amy Schlitz

A sweet beginning reader about a princess who lets a crocodile take her place while she runs out and plays.

The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart, by Stephanie Burgis

A dragon gets discovers chocolate and gets tricked and turned into a human. But she still has her love of chocolate!

Real Friends: A True Story About Cool Kids and Crybabies, by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

A graphic novel memoir about growing up, going to school, and all the intricacies of making friends.

March, Book Three, by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell

This multiple-award-winning graphic novel is the culmination of the story of the Civil Rights Movement, as witnessed by John Lewis.

Your Presidential Fantasy Dream Team, by Daniel O’Brien, illustrations by Winston Rowntree

This very silly book teaches lots of interesting facts about the presidents by taking the approach of preparing for an alien invasion. If aliens attacked, and you got to pick a team of past presidents to help you defeat them, who would you pick? A silly approach to their strengths and weaknesses. Only dead presidents were included, though, so there was no modern-day commentary.

The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet, by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

This picture book gives us a modern fable about refusing to bow when powerful forces try to silence us.

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, by Drew Daywalt, pictures by Adam Rex

A very silly picture book telling us how the popular game got started. This one begs to be read aloud in your best announcer voice. Too much fun!

And be sure to check the 2017 Sonderbooks Stand-outs page for more wonderful books to catch if you haven’t seen them yet.

20 years ago this month, I began writing Sonderbooks!

To celebrate, I’m looking back at each wonderful year of reading and reminiscing about some extra-special favorites.

Today I’m looking at the 2016 Sonderbooks Stand-outs.

For Grown-Ups

Ancillary Justice, Ancillary Sword, and Ancillary Mercy, by Anne Leckie

This amazing award-winning science fiction series follows a person who was once a sentient ship. As a ship, they had been able to experience the world through many ancillary bodies, and the ship was destroyed when one ancillary was away from the ship. Now they live on, with all the knowledge and experience of the ship.

Den of Wolves, by Juliet Marillier

The third and final book in Juliet Marillier’s wonderful Blackthorn & Grim trilogy.

Champagne for the Soul: Rediscovering God’s Gift of Joy, by Mike Mason

This is my favorite book ever for going through in a church small group. He’s got ninety short meditations on joy and helps you look for joy in your daily life, a wonderful habit to start.

Soar Above: How to Use the Most Profound Part of Your Brain Under Any Kind of Stress, by Steven Stosny

Steven Stosny’s books are great at helping you rise above difficulties. This one doesn’t talk about a specific situation such as marital difficulties, so can apply to anyone who wants a happier and more meaningful life.

Camino Divina: Walking the Divine Way, A Book of Moving Meditations with Likely & Unlikely Saints, by Gina Mammano

Gina was my good friend from college, and she passed away a few years ago from colon cancer. Before she did, she wrote this beautiful book of walking meditations. Each chapter highlights a different poet or author and gives you lines to mull over as you walk with the words.

How To Bake Pi: An Edible Exploration of the Mathematics of Mathematics, by Eugenia Cheng

Here’s a general interest book about the mathematics of Category Theory, using recipes as examples.

Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science – and the World, by Rachel Swaby

This book has short, readable biographies of 52 important women in science who are not household names but should be.

For Teens

The Passion of Dolssa, by Julie Berry

A beautiful novel about a medieval mystic and miracle-worker being hunted by Inquisitors.

23 Minutes, by Vivian Vande Velde

A girl has the ability to rewind time precisely 23 minutes. When she’s witness to a bank robbery and someone dies, she keeps trying to do something to change those 23 minutes and make everyone survive. This turns out to be more difficult that she thinks at first.

My Lady Jane, by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

A playful novelization of the life of Lady Jane Grey — with magic. Instead of Protestants and Catholics, we’ve got shapeshifters and non-magic users. Things also don’t end up as tragically for the people involved, so it’s a nice feel-good tale.

For Children

The War That Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

An incredibly moving tale about an abused girl with a clubfoot who gets evacuated during World War II and finds a surprising new family.

The Creeping Shadow, by Jonathan Stroud

Book Four of Lockwood & Co., the series where ghosts roam an alternate-reality London, and the agency run by kids starts tracking down why this happened.

Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, by John David Anderson

A heartwarming story about three sixth-grade boys who devise a plan to ditch school and do something special for their teacher in the hospital. Then every part of their plan begins to go wrong.

Pax, by Sara Pennypacker

The story of a fox and his boy, separated by circumstance, trying to find one another again, in a landscape scarred by war.

A Hungry Lion, Or: A Dwindling Assortment of Animals, by Lucy Ruth Cummins

The title of this picture book makes me laugh every time I see it. There is some eating in this book. There are also some surprises. Delightfully silly.

Grumpy Pants, by Clare Messer

A wonderful solution to toddler grumpiness — blame it on your underpants and wash your grumpiness away.

Nanette’s Baguette, by Mo Willems

One of my favorite books to read aloud! A Mo Willems tongue twister about a little frog who — accidentally — eats the baguette she was entrusted to buy.

If you’ve missed any of these books, I recommend making up for lost time! And there are more on the 2016 Sonderbooks Stand-out page!

This month I’m celebrating 20 years of writing Sonderbooks!

I decided to borrow from another blog celebrating ten years and do 20 posts, each highlighting stand-outs from a year of reading. Today, I’ll look at books I read in 2015 and still remember fondly. And as I look at the page, I see some really good ones.

For Grown-Ups

Dreamer’s Pool and Tower of Thorns, by Juliet Marillier

The beginning of a wonderful new fantasy series by Juliet Marillier, with some in-depth looks at healing from abuse.

The Martian, by Andy Weir

An amazingly realistic book about an astronaut left behind on Mars and how he survives.

The Coincidence of Chocolate Cake, by Amy E. Reichert

A delightful romance where the couple truly knows and values one another.

The Thrilling Adventures of Babbage: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Computer, by Sydney Padua

A graphic novel about Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage actually building the Analytical Engine and programming it.

The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins

A psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns. It’s all about what a girl sees from the train.

Hope and Other Luxuries: A Mother’s Life with a Daughter’s Anorexia, by Clare B. Dunkle

An author tells what it’s like to try to help her daughter in a struggle with anorexia.

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, by Jenny Lawson

Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess, has the gift of making you laugh uproariously at indeed horrible things, such as mental illness and medical insurance fiascos.

Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church, by Rachel Held Evans

A lovely book about why people are disillusioned with church, but especially about what the church should look like to truly represent Christ to the world.

Deeper Dating: How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy, by Ken Page

A lovely book about dating that takes the approach of finding and appreciating your own core strengths and the things that give you joy rather than trying to change yourself. I’m going to enjoy rereading this now that I’m finally dating someone.

Did God Kill Jesus? Searching for Love in History’s Most Famous Execution, by Tony Jones

This is the book that showed me that the way I’ve been taught since childhood to look at Jesus’ death isn’t even the majority view in the church. The book lays out different historical views along with scriptural support for each one.

For Teens

Rook, by Sharon Cameron

Another science fiction retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel! As far as I’m concerned, there can never be enough.

The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim and Prairie Fire, by E. K. Johnston

Dragons, dragon slayers, and bards in modern day Canada. Plus a beautiful portrayal of friendship.

For Children

The Hollow Boy, by Jonathan Stroud

The adventures of Lockwood & Co, an ghost-hunting agency run by children, continue in alternate-reality England — with ghosts.

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer, by Kelly Jones

A girl’s family inherits a farm and they’re learning to run it — when she discovers they own chickens with magical powers. Good silly fun.

Really Big Numbers, by Richard Evan Schwartz

Mind-bending ideas about the biggest numbers you can possibly imagine — and how to go even bigger.

Madame Martine, by Sarah S. Brannen

A picture book about a woman who lives in Paris and never visits the Eiffel Tower — until a little dog intervenes. This book made me decide to go out and visit tourist sites in Washington, DC, close to where I live. (This was a good plan until the pandemic hit.)

Troll and the Oliver, by Adam Stower

This is one of my favorite books to read for storytime. I try to make them jump when Troll comes out. Don’t worry — it’s got a happy ending.

Meet the Dullards, by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

The parents in the Dullard family try to protect their kids from excitement, but there’s a rebel in their midst. Good silly fun.

Be sure to check out the other 2015 Sonderbooks Stand-outs! If you missed any of these, better late than never!

As of this month, I’ve been writing Sonderbooks for 20 years!

To celebrate, I’ve been writing posts highlighting some favorites from each year of reading.

This has taken longer than I anticipated. I thought I’d be able to focus on just a few outstanding books from each year — but there are just too many good ones. It’s also making me a little crazy that I can’t get away with spending the next couple years rereading! These are some outstanding books! If you missed them, let me encourage you to take another look.

Today I’m going to look at outstanding books from 2013. I thought I’d whip off a post, and then I looked at what wonderful books I read that year, and this may take a little extra time.

For Grown-ups

The Golem and the Jinni, by Helene Wecker

As it happens, I was recently thinking about this book because a sequel finally came out, The Hidden Palace. The books feel like rich historical novels, but they are about magical creatures living among humans and making lives for themselves in New York City of the past.

Living and Loving After Betrayal: How to Heal from Emotional Abuse, Deceit, Infidelity, and Chronic Resentment, by Steven Stosny

I wish this book had been written when I was in the thick of it, but I still found this book so helpful for healing and restoring my heart.

Runaway Husbands: The Abandoned Wife’s Guide to Recovery and Renewal, by Vikki Stark

And I wish I’d known about this one sooner, but again, even reading it years after my husband left helped me make sense of that time.

For Teens

Across a Star-Swept Sea, by Diana Peterfreund

Another amazing science-fiction retelling by Diana Peterfreund, this time a retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Orczy, an old favorite of mine, with genders swapped.

Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell

A love story between two teens with very different backgrounds, paralleling Romeo & Juliet, but not ending as tragically.

Dark Triumph, by Robin LaFevers

The second amazing novel set in medieval Brittany about assassin nuns, daughters of the god of death.

Every Day, by David Levithan

This is the story of a kid named “A.” Every day, A wakes up in the body of a different kid. They will be somewhere near the last body they inhabited and they will be roughly the same age. A borrows other people’s lives for a day at a time. So what happens when A falls in love?

For Children

The Screaming Staircase, by Jonathan Stroud

This is the first of the amazing and wonderful Lockwood & Co. series. The series is set in alternate-reality London, where for years ghosts have become a problem. These ghosts kill you if they touch you — but only children can see them. Lucy Carlyle joins the only agency run by children themselves, headed by Anthony Lockwood. After accidentally burning down a building, they take on an especially dangerous case to try to keep their agency from ruin.

Jinx, by Sage Blackwood

The magical story of a kid living in the Urwald who’s good at listening — even to trees. He can see the shape and color of other people’s thoughts, and doesn’t realize that’s not something everyone can do.

That’s a Possibility! A Book About What Might Happen, by Bruce Goldstone

This photo-illustrated book explaining probability to children makes my heart happy. Everything is colorfully and clearly explained.

The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdös, by Deborah Heiligman, pictures by LeUyen Pham

A picture book about an eccentric mathematician! What could be better?

Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late, by Laura Overdeck, illustrated by Jim Paillot

This was the year I discovered bedtimemath.org — a wonderful organization that promotes doing math problems with your kids at bedtime. I was delighted someone is promoting this, because I have many happy memories doing this with my own kid at bedtime — he discovered he could prolong bedtime indefinitely with the words, “Just one more math problem, Mommy, please.” Later, they also began promoting Crazy 8s Math Club — they send supplies and program plans to libraries and schools for after-school math clubs. The organization is all about showing kids how much fun is found in math.

Sophie’s Squash, by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf

This picture book caught my heart. Sophie adopts a new best friend, a squash. Unfortunately, her friend isn’t going to stay fresh forever.

Tiny Little Fly, by Michael Rosen, pictures by Kevin Waldron

This has become a story time staple for me. You’ve got a tiny little fly buzzing around big African animals, but they don’t manage to stop him. My, oh my! Tiny little fly!

And there are more! Take a look at all my 2013 Sonderbooks Stand-outs and read about anything that catches your eye — they’re all heartily recommended.

This month, I’m celebrating 20 years of writing Sonderbooks!

My main way of celebrating is more posts! I’m posting about outstanding books I read for the first time each year of Sonderbooks. Today let’s look at Sonderbooks Stand-outs from 2012.

For Grown-Ups

Midnight in Austenland, by Shannon Hale

I love this book so much! It’s a tribute to Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, but as if that weren’t enough, it features a divorced heroine whose husband cheated on her. This heroine has a scene where she tells off her ex — or at least a man who treated her like her ex did — in a thoroughly satisfying and wonderful way.

The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared, by Alice Ozma

Alice’s father read to her every night from a day when she was in third grade until the day she left for college. This book tells that wonderful story.

Victory Over Verbal Abuse: A Healing Guide to Renewing Your Spirit and Reclaiming Your Life, by Patricia Evans

All Patricia Evans’ books are good for learning to recognize verbal abuse. This book is especially good for healing your spirit after you’re out of the situation and feeling much better about yourself.

For Teens

Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein

This book is astonishingly good. It tells a tale of women spying during World War II — told by one who is being held by the Nazis. And it’s a story of friendship. And it’s the kind of story that you will want to read over and over again to catch the details right in front of you that you didn’t realize were significant.

For Darkness Shows the Stars, by Diana Peterfreund

A science fiction retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. So good!

Grave Mercy, by Robin LaFevers

This is the first book of Robin LaFevers’ amazing historical fantasy novels about assassin nuns, the daughters of the god of death.

For Children

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling, by Maryrose Wood

This is the beginning of a delightfully silly historical fiction series about a proper and earnest governess taking care of children raised by wolves.

Summer of the Gypsy Moths, by Sara Pennypacker

This book begins with two 12-year-old girls deciding to hide a dead body. It continues with the consequences of that choice. So good!

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate

Recalling Charlotte’s Web, this Newbery-winning book tells the story of a captive gorilla who decides he must act to save a baby elephant.

How Many Jelly Beans? A Giant Book of Giant Numbers, by Andrea Menotti, illustrated by Yancey Labat

It goes to one million!

Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar, by Masaichiro and Mitsumasa Anno

A picture book that explains factorials!

Penny and Her Song, by Kevin Henkes

The first beginning reader about Penny, and I just love the way she makes up a song and wants to find someone who will listen.

Mom, It’s My First Day of Kindergarten!, by Hyewon Yum

This picture book is fun, because it’s the kid who has to reassure his mom that everything’s going to be okay.

So many good books! The trouble with doing these posts is they make me want to spend the next year rereading books. If you missed these, check them out!