Best Books of the Decade!

[@Yesica1993]

I love that you included the baby. That's real life! If you're going to wait till things are perfect/kids are quiet, you'd never get anything done, right? It's always a joy to see your kids. They are adorable.

[@ericag8778]

So so so happy you’re back! I love how passionately you talk about books! I have added allll of your recommendations to my to read list!!! Thank you and Happy New Year! 🎊

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Ah thank you!! Happy New year!

[@rhondanelson1976]

Thanks Katie-love this video. This moved some books I already own onto my TBR pile. I finally read Peace Like a River last month & oh my word, I loved it!! Those characters break your heart into pieces.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Oh my goodness, I'm SO GLAD you read Peace Like a River and even more glad you loved it!! It's my favorite thing to hear. :)

[@ReadinginSpurts]

I listened to Bread and Wine on audiobook this year and it was one of my favorite reads of the year. It made me laugh and cry. It also made me want to go on more than all’s just so I could listen. It is truly a gem that I will be going back to. Happy New Year!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

A few people have mentioned to me that the audiobook is wonderful!!

[@matthewchatman7989]

I'm trying to get my own book channel off the ground and I just came to try to find someone giving a review of The Indifferent Stars above which I just finished. I ended up sticking around for the full video. Thanks for sharing your list. I've owned Station Eleven for a long while now (bought from a used store) but haven't actually read it yet. Need to fix that. But I did read This Tender Land several months ago...instant classic? Such a great book. Great video!

[@hannahheartsbooks6]

Katie, you make me want to read every book you’ve ever read because you speak so eloquently and passionately about the books you love.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Well, shucks, Hannah! Thanks!

[@Tinahgirl83]

You nearly brought me to tears talking about Maud and Anne. House of Dreams broke my heart because she wanted so badly to be happy and to find peace, and her life was one blow after another. Yet somehow, she managed to always get back on her feet, and brought so much love and light to this world. I’ve recently begun her Emily series, and I feel that Emily is who I am while Anne is what I wish I could be. Both are wonderful but no one looks at the world the way Anne does.

[@ThatBronxgirl7]

Okay! I haven't even watched this yet and I'm so excited to see you back. You're a busy, busy woman. Thank you for taking the time out of your incredible wife, mother, daughter, friend filled day!! Love you to bits. Have a blessed and prosperous 2020!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Well this is the SWEEEEEETEST comment!!!!!!! I'm so glad to be back!

[@amypink1111]

I just found your channel as I was looking for people's best books for the last 10 years. I am so happy to have listened to your review/thoughts on these books. I have read and agree with your favorites in many instances and have added the others to my TBR list! Thanks for sharing! amy

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Amy Pinkelman oh yay!! I love hearing that we have similar taste!!

[@YourTrueShelf]

Well done for filming & baby-caring simultaneously!! Mine are 2 & 5, so I know the challenges of filming whilst they're home 🙂 I've read 2 from the list - Unbroken (absolutely incredible) & Nevermoor (very much enjoyed). Lovely to see a mix of fiction, non-fiction & middle grade. Great watch 🙂

[@rachelk.6488]

This is such a fantastic idea! I love thinking of books this way. It helps showcase some reads that are easily lost otherwise. Also, Hi Marigold! 😍

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

It was a really fun exercise! And I did truly love every one of these books!

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

Love seeing you back on BookTube! And I'm loving all these recommendations. Just added quite a few to my tbr.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Yay!! I'm so glad to be back. :)

[@anitahayne8621]

I am so happy you are back on KZbin. What a happy 2020 surprise!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

YAY!!

[@hannahwilliams8517]

I’m obsessed with your sweater and also, this video was super fun!!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I knooooow!! This sweater is the COSIEST! I'd live in it always if i could.

[@laneykheyde]

I am so happy you are back!! love how you summarize books and your love of books! Thank you for an awesome video

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Oh thank you so much!

[@BooksAndJams]

No surprise to me that I loved all of the ones I've read from this list...and there's only 4 that I haven't read! I really need to find House of Dreams. This Tender Land is on my shelves and will be read this year. Same with Wednesday Wars. I probably won't pick up the one about the Donner party. No thanks on that one! haha. Great idea for a video! I always love how you describe books!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Yeah...the donner party book might be the section of our venn diagram that doesn't intersect! haha!

[@starian72]

Omgggg The Indifferent Stars Above sounds right up my alley and my library doesn't have it so I just bought it with a giftcard! Thanks for the recommendation! Station Eleven is one of my all time favorite books and so is the Great Alone!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

It's a GREAT nonfiction book!! I hope you like it!!

[@jbruno871]

I'm so glad you've decided to return to making videos! I've definitely added some more books to my TBR after this one. :)

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Woo!!!

[@happilyeveresch5648]

I’m so glad you are posting again! I have missed hearing you talk about books. This Tender Land and House of Dreams and Echo are all on my TBR! I liked the Nightingale, but it was only a high 3 star read for me. I thought maybe Hannah wasn’t an author for me, but I may give The Great Alone a try. Happy New Year!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Oooh Mary, I think you'll like all three of those books! And give The Great Alone a try...I'd be curious what you think?

[@barbarachmura2695]

Your baby is adorable!!! Loved the idea of the favorites of the decade. I read many of them and enjoyed your take.

[@jocelynkelley7788]

Welcome Back!!!! I've missed your videos!! Can't wait to read along with you in 2020!!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I'm so glad to be back!!

[@SnoopyGal7]

So delighted you’re back! Your new little one is adorable. ♥️ Stunned Crawdads didn’t make the cut! 😮

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I know! I LOVED Crawdads so much! But I read a lot of amazing books last year and something had to go. 🙈

[@girlygirlbookworm]

This is such a good idea! I like how you took a book from each year even if you didn't read it in that year. When filming meets Mom life haha. I think Sydney just loves being on camera because she only really fusses to be held when I'm filming.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Oh my gosh I know. Whenever I sit down to film chaos ensues!

[@CricutWithHanin]

You make every book sound marvelous. For me I tried to get into Bear Town but couldn’t, after watching your videos I might give it another try.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Well thanks!! It could be that Beartown just wasn’t for you! But let me know if you try it again and it strikes you differently! :)

[@wanderingreader6941]

Lovely to see you on here Katie! Thanks for some great recommendations and the gorgeously articulated reviews. Hope to see more of you soon! Happy New Year xxx

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Oh thank you Lindsi! I'm so so happy to be back!!

[@MameysMedley]

Hi Katie. I LOVED Unbroken as well. I saw the movie but it didn't give the book justice in my opinion. The Great Alone was one of my favs in 2018 too. I also liked it better than Nightingale. I just ordered This Tender Land which I have heard really good things about so I am excited to read that. Baby Marigold is adorable. Happy New Year!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I never saw the movie because I knew it wouldn't do the book justice. I hope you LOVE This Tender Land! :)

[@callmeaftercoffee]

The *multitasking*! 😂😂😂🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 So many of the middle grade books sound so good! Also meeting Fredrik Backman was definitely one of the coolest book related things I did this year. And he's such a sweet human!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I am so jelly that you met Fredrik Backman!

[@RaineyDayReads]

I loved this video and I’m basically writing down all the books you mentioned that I haven’t read yet.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

LOVE THAT!!!

[@cristinamunar]

I got teary-eyed listening to you! It reminded me so much more of why I adore Anne of Green Gables and grateful for L.M. Montgomery for bringing Anne's ray of sunshine all throughout my adulthood. It is also my fave book of all time!

[@krissyn.3366]

Fantastic video! It would take me forever to figure out a top 10 of the decade, but many on this list may make the cut! This just reminds me how many of your book recommendations I've read. Happy New Year! 🎉💗📚📖

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

It would probably be an entirely different list - and way harder to do - if it were my FAVORITE books that I've read in th last decade no matter when they were written!

[@AGirlandaBook]

I love that you have found a new favorite book! It's such an amazing feeling ❤️

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Thanks dear one. (STILL NEED TO GET BACK TO YOU I'M THE WORST)

[@catreadsbooks]

Happy New Year!! 2020 is going to be a fantastic year!! You are making me want to pick up Station Eleven and Echo.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Oh they're both so wonderful!!!

[@BosomFemme]

Katie, I am so glad Nevermoor and House of Dreams appeared in your video. Kindreds as always!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Always and forever!

[@Georgesmomsu]

What a fantastic idea! My favorite middle grade book is The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor. I’ve added over half of these to my list.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I've never heard of The Truth As Told by Mason Buttle!! Will be looking up!!

[@veronikabecickova5538]

Happy New Year...✨❤️ Great video.

[@bookishfairygodmother]

Great idea!! I LOVED Unbroken!!

[@bookishfairygodmother]

Ong that’s the best description of Station Eleven. So glad you’re making videos again!!!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Unbroken is an INCREDIBLE story!! I read it aloud with my husband and I'll never forget that experience!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

@@bookishfairygodmother Also, I'm so glad to be back! I've missed it.

[@cdf228]

#babybreak seriously my favorite part. So glad to see you taking some time to do something for yourself at this time. Please never second guess yourself about your videos including your kids. If someone doesn’t care to deal with it, they can go else where...I myself have a one year old and I appreciate your representation on KZbin.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Oh my goodness, THANK YOU!! I'm so glad that including my kids doesn't turn most people off. But, the vocal minority is hard for this conflict avoider....eeee!

[@kellymurphy6445]

I just finished This Tender Land and absolutely adored it as well!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Oh my goodness. It was probably my favorite book of the year!

[@sharonlarson5331]

I'm happy you are enjoying This Tender Land. It is lyrical, yet I felt the older person recounting the story was expressing his feelings as a child. If you get a chance, read Kent's other book--Ordinary Grace which also features a young narrator. Your baby is adorable.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I've always loved when narrators are telling the stories of their past with the wisdom of their present self - so that worked for me. But I can totally understand why it wouldn't work for everyone! :)

[@sharonlarson5331]

@@LifeBetweenWords1 I didn't express myself very well. I really enjoyed the young narrator's voice. I've loved all of Ken'ts books and look forward to each one. If you ever get the chance to hear him speak do so.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Sharon Larson oh I’m so sorry I misinterpreted your comment!! I actually went to a book event right after This Tender Land came out and heard him talk and I LOVED it!! I really hope I can hear him again!

[@readinglife965]

I feel the same heartfelt love and adoration for Echo and The Girl Who Drank the Moon! All the hearts!

[@breannawilliamson9787]

OregAWN? OreGUN! Lol. I live there. Thanks for these recommendations! I feel the way about To Kill A Mockingbird, Little Women and Anne Of Green Gables as well, that you felt about Anne.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Blame my Wisconsin accent! There’s an OreGAHN Wisconsin, so that’s how we pronounce it here, even though we all know the state pronounces it OreGUN. Unless I’m specifically thinking about it, it’ll come out the wrong way. Sorry! 🙈 I also love To Kill a Mockingbird and Little Women! Rereading LW right now, in fact! It may be my favorite read-through yet!

[@breannawilliamson9787]

Life Between Words Don’t apologize! Lol.

[@Yesica1993]

I love bald babies. So adorable! She actually has more than my friend's daughter did. I swear that child was smooth as an egg until she was two! We were started to get worried. But she's fine now, LOL!

[@emily-katec2165]

I've added Station Eleven and Echo to my TBR!

[@chelseaandrews200]

All my babies are bald too! I love their little bald heads ❤

[@Yesica1993]

Aren't they adorable? I love the little egg-heads, LOL!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Haha YES!! Bald babies unite!

[@HarrietRosie13]

Bread and Wine sounds amazing, I definitely want to pick that up!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I should probably have clarified that it is faith based, which I appreciated, but may not be for everybody! However, it's certainly NOT preachy and the writing about food and friendship is accessible for everyone and is so lovely!

[@Yesica1993]

I've heard about both, "Station Eleven" and "Nevermoor" forever and still haven't read gotten to them. I need to fix that! I had not even heard of "Echo." Great recs! Darn, first day of the year and I already feel behind on my reading. :)

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Echo is GREAT!! Add it to your list for sure!!

[@chelseaandrews200]

The author of Unbroken also wrote Seabiscuit which was also fantastic!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I still need to read Seabiscuit!

[@tiffaliffa1892]

Where do you hear about or find books you want to read ? Also have you read breakfast with Buddha? Also do you have a goodreads? Xoxox ❤

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I haven’t read Breakfast with Buddha! Is it good? A lot of the books I discover come from recommendations I get either on KZbin or Instagram! You can find my goodreads profile linked in the description box of this video. Or you can search for me - life between words. :)

[@tiffaliffa1892]

There are 3 parts. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Buddha. It is pretty good so far. Might want to look it up and see what you think. And okay I added you !!!! 😊

[@NadaOQ96]

YAY for middlegrade books! There's nothing quite like them! I've yet to read one that I don't absolutely ADORE

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Middle Grade lit is SO SPECIAL!!

[@rachellyn5897]

omg I haven't read any of these books lol, I have a bunch more to add to my TBR.

[@juliamarie7073]

Ahh! Someone who agrees with me that The Great Alone is better than The Nightingale!!! I COMPLETELY agree with you!!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I think we might be in the minority! BUT we're right! haha!

[@juliamarie7073]

@@LifeBetweenWords1 We are!

[@Yesica1993]

I still haven't read "Anne of Green Gables." Don't shun me! I think in my mind I have it confused with, "The Secret Garden", which I didn't like for some reason. But that was a zillion years ago. I probably would like both if I gave them another shot. Now, if I could only finish "War and Remembrance." Yegads, I still have about 600 pages to go. I hate bringing old books into the new year. But I just could not get it done by yesterday. Stupid real life has been kicking my backside the last few years. Last year I only read 9 books. Horrible!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I will definitely not shun anyone who hasn't read Anne! I just think that you SHOULD read it sometime in your life!

[@Yesica1993]

@@LifeBetweenWords1 Maybe this will be the year!

[@AlwaysBooked]

I didn't love the Nightingale either-- Great Alone is definitely better!

[@Noreenlee1]

Although I enjoyed most of the book, Echo, the end felt rushed. It certainly didn't live up to the excellence of the first section.

[@anishamahanty2034]

Well I guess station eleven will help me at this time.