To All The Books I Read This Year: An Annual 2020 Reading Round-Up
At the start of 2020, I set a book goal of reading 30 books. It was my first time setting a book goal ever, and with the help of starting my trusty #bookstagram, I hit my goal of not just 30 books, but 31! (With poor counting of the books I read.) Starting my #bookstagram at the start of quarantine motivated me to read more and inspired me to check out genres and books that I would never thought of reading. And because of the new account, I have a growing list of the books I want to read.
To be honest, I originally didn’t want to write this post. I thought that 31 books was not enough compared to the “real” #bookstagrammers who read 50+ books. But then I thought—no! It doesn’t matter if you read two or 200 books. Just picking up a book alone this year is good enough—especially after this rollercoaster of a year. Reading is fun and you don’t have to reach a certain goal to say that you’re a reader.
*These are in no particular order.
Disclaimer: I am a bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase any one of these books by clicking on the link included, I may include a small commission at no cost to you.
TWEET CUTE BY EMMA LORD
This was an absolute delight, and as a result, I baked the most delicious, mouthwatering monster cake. Yes, a monster cake. (It’s a part of the plot line, I promise.)
Official synopsis: “A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.”
Pepper and Jack go head to head in a Twitter war, only they don’t know that they’re going against each other. Pepper’s family’s fast-food chain is booming (Big League Burger) with help to Pepper, who runs the business’s Twitter account. Enter Jack, when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe from his family’s small deli, they engage in an all-out Twitter war. But as they duke it out in the Twitter-sphere, they start to form real feelings in real life. What can happen then??
MEG & JO by virginia kantra
Official synopsis: “The timeless classic Little Women inspired this heartwarming modern tale of four sisters from NYT bestselling author Virginia Kantra. The March sisters—reliable Meg, independent Jo, stylish Amy, and shy Beth—have grown up to pursue their separate dreams.”
I liked this book! Especially after reading Little Women and watching the 2019 remake, this book was an absolute delight to read at the start of quarantine in 2020. The ending was not a let down, but I do wish the entire book (or the sequel if it happens) does focus more on Beth and Amy. It talked about them a little bit throughout the book, and where they ended up, but I want to know more about their lives! Especially Beth. Read if you loved Little Women!
Reputation by sara shephard
Official synopsis: “Aldrich University is rocked to its core when a hacker dumps 40,000 emails—the entire faculty, staff, students, alums—onto an easily searchable database. Rumors and affairs immediately leak, but things turn explosive when Kit Manning’s handsome husband, Dr. Greg Stasser, is found murdered. Kit’s sister, Willa, returns for the funeral, setting foot in a hometown she fled fifteen years ago, after a night she wishes she could forget. As an investigative reporter, Willa knows something isn’t right about the night Greg was killed, and she’s determined to find the truth. What she doesn’t spect is that everyone has something to hide. And with a killer on the loose, Willa and Kit must figure out who killed Greg before someone else is murdered.”
This book kept me on the edge of my seat and gripping the pages. I just had to know the ending, but there were so many twists and turns to it. Read if you like YA mystery, twists and turns, and secrets unbidden in an upper class society. Read if you liked “The Lying Game” (the ABC Family/Freeform version that was only on air for two seasons) or “Pretty Little Liars.”
RULES OF CIVILITY BY AMOR TOWLES
Official synopsis: “On the last night of 1937, twenty-five-year-old Katey Kontent is in a second-rate Greenwich Village jazz bar when Tinker Grey, a handsome banker, happens to sit down at the neighboring table. This chance encounter and its startling consequences propel Katey on a year-long journey into the upper echelons of New York society—where she will have little to rely upon other than a bracing wit and her own brand of cool nerve.”
So, technically I didn’t finish this book. And that’s OK! (I still hit my book goal.) I’ve heard great reviews about this book, and it came recommended to me after reading “Park Avenue Summer,” which I adored. But I just couldn’t get into this one. The characters to me weren’t realistic to me and the story kept jumping all over the place. Read if you enjoy watching old movies and Audrey Hepburn.
LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by celeste ng
Official synopsis: “From the bestselling author of Everything I Never Told You, a riveting novel that traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood--and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster.”
This was a book that I stayed up past my bedtime to finish. I could not put this down! Reading the book before I watched the show, I had an idea of who played what character and could easily picture the characters. The two very different families face each other and their secrets and come to understand that following the rules can avert disaster. Highly, highly recommend—especially after witnessing the injustices that came from 2020.
CITY OF GIRLS by elizabeth gilbert
Man, Elizabeth Gilbert is just one of those authors who you have to read.
Official synopsis: “From the # 1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat Pray Love and The Signature of All Things, a delicious novel of glamour, sex, and adventure, about a young woman discovering that you don't have to be a good girl to be a good person.”
I read this in the winter of 2020 and it did not disappoint. Set in the 1940s, it follows 19-year-old Vivian Morris who has just been kicked out of Vasser for “lackluster freshman-year performance.” She is sent to live with her Aunt Peg, who owns a midtown theater called the Lily Playhouse. At the theater, characters and showgirls and a new sexy male actor surround Vivian, who encompasses it all. But decisions that Vivian makes can alter her future—and others as well. The story is told by 89-year-old Vivian in retrospect, writing a letter to someone she knows and loves. City of Girls is a love story like no other.
EVERYBODY ALWAYS BY BOB GOFF
Official synopsis: “What happens when we give away love like we’re made of it? In his entertaining and inspiring follow-up to Love Does, Bob Goff takes readers on a journey into the secret of living without fear, constraint, or worry. In Everybody, Always, Bob shows simple truths like…”
Bob Goff is an incredible speaker, author, helper, and friend. There are so many things that he does that it’s impossible to write in such a short explanation. Highly, highly recommend checking out his book and why not follow him on Instagram and Twitter?
HARRY POTTER (3+4)
I read the third and fourth book of the Harry Potter series. “Prisoner of Azkaban” and “Goblet of Fire” were two that I loved so much for different reasons. The third one has always been my favorite book/movie, but when I reached Goblet of Fire, the fourth one, I just couldn’t get through the book. But I loved it. I loved every word of it. If you’re looking for an easy book goal to get through 2021, highly recommend getting through the HP series! I’m going to read the fifth one (Order of the Phoenix) in 2021.
This will only hurt a little by busy philips
Official synopsis: “There's no stopping Busy Philipps. From the time she was two and "aced out in her nudes" to explore the neighborhood (as her mom famously described her toddler jailbreak), Busy has always been headstrong, defiant, and determined not to miss out on all the fun. These qualities led her to leave Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of nineteen to pursue her passion for acting in Hollywood. But much like her painful and painfully funny teenage years, chasing her dreams wasn't always easy and sometimes hurt more than a little.“
I don’t normally read celebrities’ memoirs, but I picked this one up because Busy just speaks the truth and is relatable, and she’s 100 percent about accepting your body no matter what size. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and divulge the secrets of what it actually means to work in Hollywood as an actress—struggling or not. Read if you love celebrity memoirs, or even if you don’t, it’s sure to be a delight!
THE BOOK OF LONGINGS BY SUE MONK KIDD
Official synopsis: “In her mesmerizing fourth work of fiction, Sue Monk Kidd takes an audacious approach to history and brings her acclaimed narrative gifts to imagine the story of a young woman named Ana. Raised in a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of Galilee, she is rebellious and ambitious, with a brilliant mind and a daring spirit. She engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes narratives about neglected and silenced women. Ana is expected to marry an older widower, a prospect that horrifies her. An encounter with eighteen-year-old Jesus changes everything.”
I was definitely drawn to this previous BOTM pick (I don’t even have BOTM), partly because it was faith-based and about the life of Jesus. Well, the life of Jesus’s wife. Say what? Trust me, it’s definitely worth the read. The book delves into Ana, the woman who marries Jesus. Ana comes from a wealthy Gailean family, but when she meets Jesus, she leaves her family to marry him. Their marriage evolves with love and conflict, and then flees to Alexandria (Egypt). Sue Monk Kidd grounded her book in research and historical accounts that focused on his life on Earth. It’s a fascinating read and it was interesting to read about historical accounts of Jesus’s life on Earth. It connected stories in the Bible to Ana’s life. Read if you are looking to strengthen your relationship with God.
THE HATING GAME BY SALLY THORNE
This one was hard to get through for me; I have to admit, I did not get through this one but I am still adding it to my list because I got through a big chunk of it. I kept trying to relate to the characters, and normally I like the enemies-to-lovers trope, but for some reason, it just seemed too … cliche for me. Maybe you’ll like it! I’ve heard rave reviews about this one, so I’m sure it will be a delight for anyone interested in the rom-com genre.
ONE TO WATCH BY KATE STAYMAN-LONDON
Whew, this one was AMAZING. (Had to put that in all caps because it was truly, truly inspiring and phenomenal.) Fans of the Bachelorette and Bachelor will absolutely devour this book. It follows plus-size fashion blogger Bea Schumacher who seems to have everything—including a broken heart. But then, she writes a blog post after watching the hit show, Main Squeeze (Think The Bachelor), exposing their lack of plus size (and mid size) inclusivity. The post goes viral. Before she knows it, she’s asked to be the lead on the next season of Main Squeeze. Scantilating delights ensue, sparks fly, and of course, drama unfolds as the men in the house compete for Bea’s heart. I definitely loved it because it featured a stylish, plus-size fashion icon as the main character who also struggles with love, loving herself, and allowing others to love her. The men were also interesting to read about—standout characters like Luc and Brian. This is an absolute must-read and it will instantly make you want to download Bumble.
THE WEDDING DATE BY JASMINE GUILLORY
Jasmine Guillory is one of my absolute favorite authors. If anyone is looking for a fun, light and steamy romance read, this series is your next book to pick up. Jasmine Guillory writes with such flair and incorporates not only fun and witty banter but important topics into the such delightful yet impactful characters conversations. “The Wedding Date” is the first in the series of five, and centers on Alexa and Drew who meet in an elevator on the eve of Drew’s ex’s wedding, in which he happens to be the best man in. They fall in sync with each other and as Alexa lives in San Francisco and Drew in LA, they both still maintain a “dating” relationship … until feelings get in the way! Again, read if you are looking for a fun, light, steamy romance read.
THE PROPOSAL BY JASMINE GUILLORY
Official short synopsis: “The New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Date serves up a novel about what happens when a public proposal doesn't turn into a happy ending, thanks to a woman who knows exactly how to make one on her own... When someone asks you to spend your life with him, it shouldn't come as a surprise--or happen in front of 45,000 people.”
This was my favorite out of this series, and not because there is a baseball on the cover. Freelance writer Nikole escapes a quick proposal from her six-month actor boyfriend, and runs into the arms of Carlos (Drew from the Wedding Date’s best friend). They begin an “easy” relationship, but again, deep feelings get in the way and neither know how to communicate that they want something more. Definitely worth reading! Again, read if you love Jasmine Guillory’s novels and you just finished “The Wedding Date” and “The Wedding Party” (book two of the series).
PARTY OF TWO BY JASMINE GUILLORY
Another Jasmine Guillory novel? Of course! This one was my second favorite in the book series. This is book five and it released last year (2020). Olivia just moved to LA and is opening her own law firm with her partner/best friend, Ellie. (Olivia is the sister of Alexa from “The Wedding Date.”) Olivia meets Max in a hotel bar and hits it off right away. Olivia soon finds out that Max is her senator, and doesn’t want anything to do with dating right now—especially in politics or the public eye. But he sends her a cake, and who can resist a chocolate cake? The book is filled with witty banter, important conversations, a fun romance, and of course, fluffy desserts. Olivia starts to fall for Max, who is quick at jumping into love, while Olivia is not. The ending shouldn’t have shocked me, but I definitely had heart eyes as I closed the book. Again, read if you love Jasmine Guillory novels!
LITTLE WHITE LIES by JENNIFER LYNN BARNES
I could not put this book down. Literally when I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about this book. This book is very much like Gossip Girl with family secrets and high society, Pretty Little Liars and its secret mysteries waiting to be solved, but Gilmore Girls with the talks of balls and society events and family money (think Emily Gilmore as the family matriarch). 18-year-old Sawyer Taft suddenly meets her estranged grandmother and is thrown into this whole new family she never met—and they’re on the cusp of the big Symphony Ball and yes, Sawyer has to participate. As time goes on, Sawyer tried to solved the mystery of her father’s identity and along the way, makes some interesting friends—or alibis? “Set in the world of debutante balls, grand estates, and rolling green hills, Little White Lies combines a charming setting, a classic fish-out-of-water story, and the sort of layered mystery only author Jennifer Lynn Barnes can pull off.” Read if you LOVE Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars!
MAJESTY bY KATHERINE MCGEE
By far, I think this has to be in my top three favorite books I read in 2020. This was highly anticipated, and I think American Royals, its predecessor, is the only one before it.
Where do I begin? Katherine McGee went to a whole ‘nother level! Majesty was everything I expected and MORE. Started out peaceful and continuing (and starting) storylines, romances, and characters ... and then the last part of the book was BAM—everything happened at once. Same with American Royals, Beatrice is still my absolute favorite character. Maybe it’s cliche saying that, but just LOVE her character and how her storyline went.
Synopsis: After centuries of kings on the throne, Queen Beatrice is the most powerful woman America has ever known. So why does it feel like she’s lost so much? And then Samantha. The spare known as the party princess. But what happens when she meets the party prince? And then Nina. As she distances herself from the royal family (read: her ex, or otherwise known as her best friend’s brother, or more popularly known, the prince), she finds herself in a new relationship? And then there’s Daphne, still trying to climb the royal ladder. Will nothing stop her on the way to Jefferson (read: the crown)?
Other characters make their obvious appearance, like Ethan, beloved prince Jefferson, the Queen Mother Adelaide, evil Robert Standish, and the press. New characters pop up, like old friends and new romantic interests. Overall, this book was a DELIGHT to read and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone!! 🤩👑 Read if you love “The Crown,” watched the royal wedding (all of them), and love keeping up with Harry and Meghan and Will and Kate.
THE ROYAL WE BY JESSICA MORGAN AND HEATHER COCKS
This is a fun story based on the royal romance between Prince William and Kate Middleton. For royal fans, this book is for you. I definitely loved this book. Interesting story: I picked it up a year ago and couldn’t get into it. But then I picked it up again in 2020 and absolutely devoured it. Once you get past the first couple of chapters, it picks up quickly and will have you reaching for your tea kettle and speaking in a British accent. It follows American Bex who studies abroad in England, and rooms with four other flatmates—one of those flatmates being the Prince of Wales. Oops! Hilarities ensue and romance unfolds. With this book, I found myself loving the secondary characters as well! Read if you loved The Crown, American Royals/Majesty, and the Will and Kate romance.
THE HEIR AFFAIR BY HEATHER COCKS AND JESSICA MORGAN
The story focuses back on Bex and Nick, along with Nick’s brother (the “spare”), Freddie. It picks right where we left off at the end of “The Royal We” and every page has something new on it. A page-turner itself, you will not be able to put this down and will have you thinking about intricate character development, storylines, and the many different plot points that all lead up to the main climax and resolution.
A quick synopsis: Bex Porter and Prince Nicholas have just tied the knot—but not without a little scandal, or a big scandal if I must emphasize. Instead of facing it head-on, Nick and Bex run off to Scotland, leaving everything and everyone—including Freddie, left with a big ole mess to make.
Long story short, “The Heir Affair” will have you turning every page excitedly and wanting for more. Read if you loved The Crown, The Royal We, and William and Kate’s love story.
You are the girl for the job by jess connolly
I am not the type to finish non-fiction in one sitting. Usually, I start it and then pick it back up six months later. That’s exactly what I did with “You Are The Girl For the Job” by Jess Connolly. Do you feel stuck in your gifts or talents? Are you in a period where you just feel “stuck” and don’t know how to get out of a rut? This is the book for you. Jess Connolly coaches the everyday girl reading this book towards not just any purpose, but their God-given purpose. “You don’t have to hide, hold back, or wait for permission when God calls you forward.”
Read if: you are struggling with your God-given purpose.
THE BROMANCE BOOK CLUB BY lySSA KAY ADAMS
I found myself laughing out loud at this entire book, but also sobbing as well. This came to be an unexpected rom-com for me.
A quick official synopsis: “Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott's marriage is in major league trouble. He's recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it's the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he's let his pride and fear get the better of him. Welcome to the Bromance Book Club.”
Read if you love baseball, books (duh), feminism, and rom-coms! This is a light, fun, steamy romance read.
CLASH OF KINGS BY GEORGE R.R. MARTIN
I am absolutely ecstatic and relieved that I finished this one in 2020. I made it part of my mission to read the GOT book series before I finished the TV series, and while that might not be the case, I’m still glad I finished this one. If you have seen the show, you might know what the book is about.
It follows the Stark family (Winterfell) throughout the Seven Kingdoms and beyond the Wall. My favorite character is either Sansa, Tyrion (not a Stark, but a Lassiter), or Jon Snow.
Will I read the next book, “Storm of Swords,” in 2021? Maybe…you’ll just have to wait and find out.
LIVE BY SADIE ROBERTSON
Sadie is a speaker, preacher, author, entrepreneur/founder of “Live Original,” and podcast host of “Whoa That’s Good” podcast. She points young women back to the feet of Jesus—not to gain Instagram followers or likes, or to gain profit from her personal brand. So, I was actually ecstatic that she had released another book because I loved her other book, “Live Fearless.” I was ready to highlight and underline all over her new book. This book covered everything I was and am struggling with—confidence issues, envy, worrying about the future, comparison, etc. You don’t hear of Christian books covering those kind of topics, especially topics that everyday young people struggle with. I realized that I needed to address these issues I was struggling with. I needed to read someone else’s experiences with these struggles to address my own. “LIVE” incorporates Scripture and applies it to the same everyday struggles that I (and many others) am facing: comparison, confidence issues, self-esteem, envy, speaking up, and yes, depression. Read if: you want to dive deeper in your faith and are struggling with comparison and confidence.
IT ENDS WITH US BY COLLEEN HOOVER
TW: Domestic abuse in relationships, marriage.
This was my first Colleen Hoover novel and I loved every page. I read it in three days, which is an accomplishment lately.
Official synopsis: a workaholic with a too-good-to-be-true romance can’t stop thinking about her first love. Workaholic and business owner Lily feels a spark with stubborn and assertive Rule and immediately hits it off. But as her new relationship develops quickly, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind.
Overall, this book left me gripping my new iPad waiting for the next page. Ryle and Lily’s relationship can be triggering for some and (SPOILER) is borderline abusive. Actually, it is abusive. The book takes a turn for the worse, and then the ending literally made me gasp … like seriously, I gasped.
I would recommend this book! I guess I’d consider it more of a romance than a thriller, considering thrillers and suspense is what Colleen Hoover is typically known for, or at least what I know. Read if you love Colleen Hoover, thriller romance, and want to read something in three days.
DEADLY LITTLE SCANDALS BY JENNIFER LYNN BARNES
The sequel to “Little White Lies,” this one did not disappoint just like its predecessor.
Official quick synopsis: “When her cousin Lily ropes her into pledging a mysterious, elite, and all-female secret society called the White Gloves, Sawyer soon discovers that someone in the group's ranks may have the answers she's looking for. Things are looking up . . . until Sawyer and the White Gloves make a disturbing discovery near the family's summer home -- and uncover a twisted secret, decades in the making.”
This kept me turning the pages for more and also had me laughing and gasping all at the same time. I love Sawyer’s witty sarcastic humor and man oh man, Lillian Taft (the grandmother) joins the club of high society iconic grandmothers Emily Gilmore and Lillian Rose (grandmother in Gossip Girl). Read if you loved Little White Lies, Pretty Little Liars, and Gossip Girl.
IN A HOLIDAZE BY CHRISTINA LAUREN
(For those new to Christina Lauren books, Christina Lauren are two authors!) I picked up this book solely because of the description. I thought the main character was relatable and had a similar personality to me solely based off the description. However, the overall plot line disappointed me. I wanted the ending to be different, the male lead (romantic interest) was uninteresting, and it just seemed … meh. However, it took me halfway through to really get into the book. Maelyn Jones spends the holidays with her family and family’s college friends every year at the same cabin. Her year hasn’t been the greatest and above all, she still hasn’t told her longtime crush, Andrew, son of one of the cabin owners and family friend, that she loves him. On the way back from the cabin to the airport on December 27th, Maelyn wishes “Show me what will make me happy.” After an accident, Maelyn finds herself repeating the Christmas holiday over and over again—until she recognizes what can make her happy.
I let myself enjoy it and get through it, and I generally enjoyed the story. Did I want it to go another way? Yes. Did that matter to the overall enjoyment of the book? No. Overall, I would recommend to a friend who likes Groundhog Day (it gives off similar vibes), rom-coms, and of course, Christmas.
FIX HER UP BY TESSA BAILEY
This one has to be the steamiest romance books I have ever read … like, by far.
Official synopsis: “Georgette Castle's family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven't taken her seriously since. Frankly, she's over it. Georgie loves planning children's birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She's determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World... whatever that means.” Enter Travis Ford. He was MLB’s hottest rookie until his career … ended. When he arrives back in town, he takes notice of his best friend’s little sister, Georgie, who happens to have a massive crush on him and had since childhood. When the pair begin a “fake” relationship so that Travis can land a major career shift, do those fake relationship stories turn into real feelings?
Overall, I put this book down several times throughout the year. But, if you’re looking for a steamy romance read, then I highly recommend this book—and all of Tessa Bailey’s books as well!
UNHONEYMOONERS BY CHRISTINA LAUREN
This was the better Christina Lauren book I read this year. “Unhoneymooners” was just an absolute delight to read and I loved every minute of it. This was the super well-done enemies-to-lovers trope. I actually loved the main character, Olive, and not because we have the same name. Lol. I could relate to her so much (except the twin thing) and I absolutely loved the bickering romance between Olive and Ethan, the main male lead. Olive and Ethan are sent on a honeymoon, their siblings honeymoon, who happened to just get married. (Olive’s twin sister and Ethan’s brother.) What happens when enemies go on a honeymoon in Hawaii together? Um, I’ll let you answer that. I’m a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers story, and the ending definitely surprised me. Read if you’re into the rom-com variety!
STEALING HOME BY SHERRYL WOODS
Recognize “Sweet Magnolias” on Netflix. It’s a book! The Sweet Magnolias (Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen) live in this small, charming town called Serenity—I mean, who wants to move away from a town called that? But this book here is centered on Maddie’s life right after her cheating husband, Bill, left her for a younger woman (the nurse/receptionist at his medical practice). Maddie is hopeless—until her friends step in with an interesting business offer AND then a hot baseball coach (her son’s hot baseball coach) swoops into her life. Honestly, I couldn’t put this book down and hoping I can read the sequel (that centers on Dana Sue and her daughter’s eating disorder) next.
Read if: you watched Sweet Magnolias on Netflix, small towns, and Gilmore Girls.
GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD BY JENNIE ALLEN
Official synopsis: “Are your thoughts holding you captive? I’ll never be good enough. Other people have better lives than I do. God couldn’t really love me. Jennie Allen knows what it’s like to swirl in a spiral of destructive thoughts, but she also knows we don’t have to stay stuck in toxic thinking patterns. In #GetOutofYourHead, Jennie inspires and equips us to transform our emotions, our outlook, and even our circumstances by taking control of our thoughts. Our enemy is determined to get in our heads to make us feel helpless, overwhelmed, and incapable of making a difference for the kingdom of God. But when we submit our minds to Christ, the promises and goodness of God flood our lives in remarkable ways. It starts in your head. And from there, the possibilities are endless.”
It’s no doubt 2020 turned this world upside down. Some might be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and downright exhausted (mentally, physically, spiritually). This book offers relief and practical advice and help for those feeling that way, and not to use the title of the book, to take captive your anxious thoughts. Huh? How do you take a thought captive? Jennie Allen explains it in detail—you’ll just have to read to find out.