My Top Five Spring Reading Picks for 2019!

It's Spring, it's Spring and it actually feels like it!  I know I can only speak for myself but in my part of the country the sun is shining, it's warm, and I am LIVING for it.  This girl does not do snow well and I am so happy to finally see it go!  I have my windows open, my girls are running in and out of the backyard all day (no jackets, no shoes!), and I can now take my reading outside!  Does it actually get any better than that?

I have to be completely honest, I have not been reading as much lately because I have been so busy and with a pregnancy to top things off I am finding it hard to just relax with a book.  BUT I am still reading when I can.  It's just happening a bit slower than normal.  Life has it's seasons too, ya know?

If you have been following me for the last couple years then you will know that if there is one thing that gets me particularly excited about reading it is the changing of the seasons.  I don't know why but there is something so fresh that comes along with it and I love for my reading to reflect the new.

So just like years past here are my top five reading picks for Spring:

1.  Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

I had been thinking of reading this book for a long time and then one day at the bookstore I came across a beautiful illustrated edition and decided that I couldn't pass it up.  I am so glad I finally got around to it!  The story, told in the form of allegory, follows a young woman named Much-Afraid who lives her days in fear.  However, one day the Chief Shepherd whom she is in service of, invites her to the High Places where she will find a new name and a life of freedom.  Once Much-Afraid agrees we follow her along her journey of transformation where she will face many trials and tribulations.  Though much of her journey seems impossible she finds herself able by the presence of her Shepherd.

This allegory outlines the human condition, its ultimate reliance on God, and how He alone turns our sorrows into joy.  I love that this story points to that stark reality but it does it with such tender and grace.  Over and over I found myself moved to tears by its compassionate tone, by the way it addresses the character of God.

Its just so beautiful and a perfect read for anytime of the year but especially Spring because in this book, the old dies away and then all at once the new shoots up in its place.

"She had the feeling that somehow, in the very far-off places, perhaps even in far-off ages, there would be a meaning found to all sorrow and an answer too fair and wonderful to be as yet understood."

- Hannah Gurnard, Hinds' Feet on High Places

2.  Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

I recommended this a few years ago but it is honestly one of my all time favorite books.  It's just one of those books that has just stuck with me and I really hope to re-read it again very soon.  If you don't already know, Anne of Green Gables follows an 11-year-old orphan girl who is learning to navigate life in her new home of Avonlea.  Anne is a girl bursting at the seams with imagination and she just this palpable joy for life, even as a fictional character.  I definitely think she would be a four on the enneagram!  She's not perfect and a little bit dramatic but it all just adds to her charm.  I absolutely loved reading about Anne and all of her adventures but aside from her character L.M. Montgomery did such an amazing job at describing the setting of Avonlea.  This story takes you through all four seasons but you come upon Spring and you will be wanting to pack up your things and move to Canada as soon as possible.

I could go on about this book for days but in the spirit of Anne I will just say:  this book is an absolute a delight, like ice cream on a summer day or a braid full of flowers.  I would suggest reading it underneath a blooming cherry tree or perhaps you could climb to the very top and read it there.  Either way it is simply impossible to imagine that you would ever regret picking it up!

"I had made up my mind that if you didn't come for me to-night I'd go down the track to that big wild cherry-tree at the bend, and climb up into it and stay all night.  I wouldn't be a bit afraid, and it would be lovely to sleep in a wild cherry-tree all white with bloom in the moonshine, don't you think?" 

- L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

3.  My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, and Brodi Ashton

My Plain Jane is part of a companion series called the Lady Janies (You do not have to read the books in order).  The three brilliant authors retell stories of different Janes throughout history and literature.  I fell in love with the first in the series, My Lady Jane and this one was no different.

My Plain Jane takes a behind the scenes look at a classic tale in which you thought you knew so well, Jane Eyre.  The twist involves a hilarious though grand supernatural ghost hunt that will have you laughing out loud.  Its pretty easy for books to make me cry.  Laugh, not so much but this book did that for me!  I also love how the authors turned Charlotte Bronte and the character she created, Jane Eyre into this awesome dynamic duo, so fun!  Its clever and spontaneous and just plain (pun intended) funny!

"For everyone who's ever fallen for the wrong person, even though we agree that Mr. Darcy looks good on paper...and in a wet shirt.  And for England (again).  We're really sorry about what we are about to do to your literature." 

- Cynthia Hand, My Plain Jane 

4.  To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

YA Contemporary is not something I pick up a whole lot.  It's just not a genre that I normally lean towards but this was an exception for me.  To All the Boys I've Loved Before follows a girl named Lara Jean and over the years she has written a love letter to each of the boys she has loved from afar (I think there are five in total).  Writing these letters was simply a way to get her feelings out on paper, they were just meant for her.  So she puts them in a box that remains safely under her bed until one day they accidentally get mailed out.  We get to see Lara Jean deal with the fallout that comes with each letter.

It's definitely your typical oowy gooey YA contemporary so it boarder lines on cheesy but I personally loved it.  It does have the romance but it also focuses on family relations as well, which I thought was a really nice touch.  This is a three book series so you get to follow along for awhile.  I found myself a little sad when it was all over, which for me is a good sign.  Overall I think its a sweet, easy read and perfect for this time of year!

Also, if you have not seen the Netflix adaptation I highly recommend it, it did not disappoint.  I feel like Noah Centineo is totally the new Zac Efron so if that doesn't convince you.....

"My letters are for when I don't want to be in love anymore.  They're for good-bye.  Because after I write my letter, I'm no longer consumed by my all-consuming love...my letters set me free.  Or at least they're supposed to." 

-Jenny Han, To All the Boys I've Loved Before 

5.  Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

If you read my last blog post then you will know how much I love this book.  I read this about two years ago and it fundamentally changed the way that I approach reading and studying scripture.  Jen Wilkin's wisdom through this book has really helped me not only become disciplined in reading my Bible but also has helped me deeply fall in love with it!

If you read one book from this list read this one!  It will challenge you to dig deeper and to think deeper about who God is.

"We must make a study of our God:  what he loves, what he hates, how he speaks and acts.  We cannot imitate God whose features and habits we have never learned.  We must make a study of him if we want to become like him.  We must seek his face." 

Jen Wilkin, Women of the Word 

BONUS.  Pretty City London by Siobhan Ferguson

Okay, I admit I am cheating a little bit here because this book is technically a coffee table book BUT it is so stunning, I had to include it!  If you don't know, London is number ONE on my list of travel destinations.  There is just something about this city that has me wanting to explore every nook and cranny.  I once had a layover at the Heathrow airport but that just didn't do it for me haha!  I remember flying over London and thinking to myself:  "I just can't wait to come back here and actually leave the airport!"

Anyways I have been following the Pretty City London Instagram page for a long time now and have completely fallen in love so when I found out there was a book being published, I freaked.  It was everything I thought it would be.  It's just full of the most beautiful pictures and it's giving me plenty of Spring inspiration and a whole lot of FOMO too haha!  But I am still keeping my hopes up.  One day, London, I'm coming for you!

Maybe sometime soon I will do my top five favorite coffee table books!  That would be fun!

I hope you enjoyed this year's Spring reading list!  Let me know if you have read any of these books, what are your thoughts.  Also, I would love to hear your suggestions as well, comment down below.  Have the best weekend ever!