Welcome to the first edition of my book list for the upcoming year!
My friend Jen gave me the idea that she got from Money Saving Mom to read 12 books in 2012. As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve lost that beautiful relationship with reading books that I used to cherish so much. I read blogs, news articles, and all kinds of random factoids online all of the time, but there is just something about holding a book in my hand without any distractions that I miss.
This year, it’s my hope to read more than 12 books, but I’m keeping my goal set to one book per month. Some of the ones I’ve chosen are kind of heavy, and one of them is probably going to take me an entire year to read, so I’m doing my best to not set myself up for failure. I’ve also decided to go with six non-fiction and six fiction. Here’s my list, but I would love recommendations!
Here are my non-fiction book choices:
1. Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic I’m so excited to give this book a read! I’ve heard nothing but good things from several moms of young children. It’s written by a mother of young children.
2. Getting the Gospel Right: A Balanced View of Calvinism and Arminianism by C. Gordon Olson Yeah, here’s my far-from-light reading for the year. I’ve heard it’s something every believer should having in his/her library. I’ve also heard that it’s NOT an easy read from everybody I know that’s read it…or should I say owns it. I only know one person who’s finished it. However, it discusses an issue that causes such division amongst believers, and I look forward to using it as a resource in compiling my own statement of faith.
3. Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. Honestly, I’ve put off reading this one because I know it’s going to imply I might need to stop doing, and I really prefer “doing.”
4. Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It’s highly possible that I’m one of 5 people who frequents a Christian bookstore and has not read this book.
5. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I’ve always wanted to give this book a try, so now’s my chance.
6. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I do believe that I am the only blogger who has not yet read this book. I greatly enjoy Ann’s blog, and from what I’ve read in other bloggers’ posts about the book or that were inspired by the book, I am really looking forward to reading this one!
My Fiction List. So here’s the deal. I’m really weird in my view and preferences for fiction books. I hate reading anything that does not have a happy ending. I read mostly nonfiction, so when I snuggle up with a fiction book, I want a break from thinking so that I can just escape the reality of this world for a while. I really enjoy a good mystery book! I also like some chick-flick type books, but lots of them just drive me bananas, and I stop reading. I prefer Christian fiction because so many other books are just trashy, but I get annoyed when Christian fiction books get too “preachy.”
Having said all of that, I would love to hear any of your recommendations for fiction books that may possibly fit into those parameters. I chose the follow six books by hitting up my friend Ashley’s blog where she reviews books. Thanks, Ashley for giving me a starting point!
7. Pieces of Silver by Maureen Lang
8. Love on the Line by Deanne Gist
9. House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson
10. Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon
11. Stars Collide by Janice Thompson
12. Water’s Edge by Robert Whitlow
What are you reading? Or what do you think I should read? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Great list! I’ve read Mere Christianity, Loving the Little Years and One Thousand Gifts. You’ll love them all and chapter 8 of ‘Book 3’ of Mere Christianity on pride has been one of the most memorable and challenging and eye-opening chapters of a book I have ever read in my life! Crazy Love is on my list for this year too. I would love to hear your thoughts on the Calvinism/Arminianism book. My mind is made up on that issue, but I always love hearing people’s thoughts who try to bring balance to the issue. Maybe I could borrow it if you make it through? 🙂
Hey Desiré! You’re more than welcome to borrow the book when I’m done. I also know where I stand on the issue, but I would just like to see what someone who’s dedicated so much of his life to researching and laying it all out there has to say. It’s come highly recommended by people I really respect, so I’m going to plow through it and hopefully be ready to give a more coherent-sounding answer as to why I believe what I do.
You’ve picked some great books!! 😀 And, no, you’re not the only blogger who hasn’t read Ann’s book… I’ve had it sitting on my desk for months and have yet to crack the cover.
I am in the middle of Love on the Line right now, and it’s great!!! Hard for me to put down at night…but I need to so i can be up early and prepare for the day before my little guy awakes (also one of my goals).:)
Awesome! I’m excited to read it! And I’m working on the goal of getting up, too.
For fiction I agree with your standards and so I thought I’d share “Redeeming Love” (a retelling of the story of Hosea)by Francine Rivers. I have now read all her books. (Her Mothers Hope and Her Daughters Dream were my two most recent reads…) she has a wonderful insight into fictional history. Her books on the women of the Bible and the Sons of Judah were beautiful.
Redeeming Love is my absolute favorite book of all time! I also love all of Francine Rivers’ books. Thanks for sharing!