Since the 1997 release of her debut album, Three Chords and the Truth, country music star Sara Evans has won a Billboard Award, an American Country Music Award, and a Country Music Association Award. But, as she tells it in her memoir, Born to Fly, all that success almost didn't happen. She's had to deal with a bittersweet childhood, an almost-fatal car crash when she was young that left her with shattered bones and PTSD, plus an acrimonious divorce, and years of struggling to get her music played on radio.
But Evans isn't one to wallow; Born to Fly is a moving, even humorous, testament to the power of Evans' faith—and the power of her music—to get her through the hard times. Both have brought her happiness, and even helped her find love again when she least expected it. And she's happy to share her tips for making space for faith and joy in your life, even in the bad times. Reading was part of that process last year. Read on for Sara's favorite reads of 2020.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
I love East of Eden—it’s such a classic tale of drama and the good ole days. And how choosing the wrong person can ruin your life.
Rush by Lisa Patton
Rush is a fun novel with a lot of life lessons shown in two very different perspectives—and situations in life—that blend together.
Turning the Tables: From Housewife to Inmate and Back Again by Teresa Giudice
I started watching The Real Housewives of New Jersey during the pandemic and then decided to read Turning the Tables by Teresa Giudice and it is a fun inside look at her life.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
I read Little Fires Everywhere years ago before they adapted it for TV and absolutely loved it. I decided to re-read it again after watching Reese Witherspoon and Kerri Washington blow me away on the TV adaptation.
Author photo by Lowfield