As I shared in January, I’m changing the way I’m approaching my reading goals in 2014. Instead of picking books for the whole year, I’m just choosing books a month at a time.
Here’s my list for February:
12 Books I Plan to Read in February
- Undaunted
- The 21-Day Financial Fast
- The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages
- Restless: Because You Were Made for More
- Hands Free Mama
- Women Living Well
- I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t)
- Eat Move Sleep
- Fire By Night
- Samson
- On Every Side
- Sarah’s Key
I also am reading through the Bible using the plan in my Blessing Journal and reading one devotional from Jesus Today every day.
5 Books I Plan to Read Aloud to My Kids
What books are you planning to read in February? Leave a comment and let us know — and then you can come back at the end of February to tell us what you ended up reading and what you thought of the books you read!
Sarah’s Key is a wonderful book! You will love it!
I hadn’t heard of the book called Samson until I saw it on your site as a book you wanted to read in January. Got it at the library last week and couldn’t make it through. There were just too many graphic descriptions of what went on in the concentration camp. And then when I got about half way through the book, there were multiple pictures that everyone has probably seen. Don’t misunderstand me…I think what went on in the concentration camps was beyond horrible. I’m the type of person who imagines me in situations like that…how would I feel, what would I do…this happens all the time when I see something sad on the evening news. I just can’t read those kinds of things because it hurts too much and I tend to get emotionally involved. Maybe you will be able to read the entire book, however, if someone had warned me, I don’t think I would have picked up the book.
Thanks so much for the word of warning on that book. I appreciate it.
wondered if anyone knows of a list of questions one would consider for discussion as a book club?
do you speed read? i still dont get how you find the time. it would seem like you must always literally have a book in your hand.
Wow! I love to read but cannot find the time! I’m really inspired by your list and your list for the kids!!! How do you fit in your reading schedule?
Here’s a post on how I fit reading into my schedule: https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/01/qa-fit-reading-daily-schedule.html
The Life with Lily books are fantastic. My kids really enjoyed each one of them. They are great for boys and girls so do not be afraid to read them to boys…just because of the book titles. Highly recommend these books.
UNDAUNTED is fabulous. Christine Caine is passionate women, changing the world with everything she’s got!! Sound similar, Crystal?
I started it over the weekend and I am pretty sure it’s going to mess with me in a very good way. Was already telling my husband all about it when I was just a few pages into it!
Great list! My daughter loves the “Lily” books as well. Here’s what I’m reading this month (your book is first on the list! Whoo hoo!) http://womenwithintention.com/february-reading-list/
Aw, thank you so very much!
Fire By Night is part of one of my favorite series! I hope you enjoy it too! I managed to get back to a good rate of reading in January, which I was thankful for and read about 34 books in January. http://www.pinterest.com/mattie89/books-read-in-2014/
You may have talked about this and I missed it…. but how do you manage to read that many books in a month? Any suggestions? I can’t seem to get through one book a month!!! Well done and enjoy… 🙂
Here’s how I’m currently fitting reading into my schedule:
https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/01/qa-fit-reading-daily-schedule.html
I know Sarah Young is very popular, but I wanted to just humbly add a caution. I know in one of her books she writes in first person as God. If anything, I find it very prideful to utilize that style. One paragraph into her book, I was shocked felt very strongly against it. Then I flipped to the front and she said she said she was inspired by God to write this. I just think no matter how great our content might be we should be careful not to be putting words into God’s mouth.
Thanks for sharing your cautions. I appreciate it!
I have read most of Eat Move Sleep and really like it. I got a free copy while at a conference that the author spoke at. He was a great speaker.
I really want to read Hands Free Mama but our library doesn’t have it and it’s not in the budget at the moment. I’m excited to see what you think of it! =]
I plan on finishing Clutterfree with Kids, reading Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, and starting Praying for Boys.
So long,insecurity – Beth moore
I plan on reading books on personal development as well as about personal finance. I need to read books that reminds me that there many things to be thankful for than by worrying.
Would you share how you break down your reading goal for each day ? Do you read in the morning or in the evening? I am so inspired that your goal is 12 books. Would love to know how you manage it.
Thank you.
How are you able to read 12 books in one month?????? I would be happy to finish one in a month! Love your list. I’ve purchased the first series by Karen kingsbury but haven’t started it yet.
Here’s how I’m currently fitting reading into my schedule:
https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/01/qa-fit-reading-daily-schedule.html
Your list sounds like books I’d like to read too! The girls pictured on the Lily book are my friend from high school’s girls 🙂 I want to read that series!
I want to know how you find the time to read so much. do you get up early, stay up late, or do it during the day? I am homeschooling 8 kids and I feel so overloaded. I want to read more, I love to read. I barely get Bible reading in right now. What do you suggest?
Here’s how I’m currently fitting reading into my schedule:
https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/01/qa-fit-reading-daily-schedule.html
Wow you are doing a lot. Eight kids is a big responsibility and so is focusing on Gods word. His word is more important then any book you read. Don’t put to much emphasis on books just keep striving to please Him first and your kids. Your doing well!
ok i know youve probably answered this question a million times and maybe you can direct me to your link of where but i want specifics. how, when, where do you read. i want like a schedule and what do your kids do while you read. what times do you read. and do you speed read cuz that would answer most of my questions if you do. i would really appreciate some specifics… maybe you can write another post : ).
Here’s how I’m currently fitting reading into my schedule:
https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/01/qa-fit-reading-daily-schedule.html
Sarah’s Key was amazing!! Tear jerker but amazing… There is a movie made that of course doesn’t capture the heart of the movie but its not a bad attempt. Enjoy!
I would like to read Brene Brown and I loved Sarah’s key but read it with a box of Kleenex! I am hoping to finish reading The Good Mother Myth, the Handmaid’s Tale, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and whichever nonfiction Savvy Working Gal picks for her online book club.
My reading list for this month is:
– God Loves Broken People (and those who pretend they’re not) by Sheila Walsh
– Bad Girls of the Bible & What We Can Learn From Them – by Liz Curtis Higgs
– The Daniel Plan – Dr. Daniel G. Amen, Rick Warren, Dr. Mark Hyman
– Hands Free Mama – Rachael Stafford
– The Happy Wives Club – Fawn Weaver
– The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman
Our 15 yr old is taking a co-op homeschool class in American Lit. & Creative Writing, so we’ll be doing a lot of Mark Twain read-alouds (with mom using a *little* poetic license since wee ears are listening).
Just out of curiosity, how many hours a day do you read and what times during the day do you do this?
Here’s how I’m currently fitting reading into my schedule:
https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/01/qa-fit-reading-daily-schedule.html
I just read The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages and found it to be very practical and helpful. Hope you enjoy it as well!
I LOVE the Jungle Doctor Books! I hadn’t thought about pulling those out for my kids yet – but you reminded me that I had a bunch of them. I grew up in Kenya and have to read them with a Kenyan accent.
I read Sarah’s Key (excellent) and Undaunted (very good) last month. I’m almost finished with Fire By Night (very good).
I read Sarah’s Key a few years ago. The conclusions all ruined whatever enjoyment I got had gotten out of the story up to that point. Trying to understand a broader perspective here; what did those of you who read it like about it?
I read Sarah’s Key last month and it was amazing. I can’t imagine reading 12 books in a month. I always strive for two and feel good if I get that done. You go girl!
Crystal, I enjoy reading your posts about your monthly book list. FUN!
I loved reading the book Undaunted last Christmas. I also lead a Bible Study to go with her Undaunted workbook. So Good! I love how Christine Cain uses her own story and then uses the Word of God to reveal to us, the reader, that we need to dare to be more! Dare to be undaunted with help from the Lord! be who God made you to be…and do it undaunted!
Many Blessings!
Johanna 🙂
The literature lover in me is thrilled that you read fiction now. :-). I read a lot of non fiction also but fiction can be so powerful and well, entertaining!
Any suggestions on getting the books I want to read? I’m sure I should budget for it. Make the time for a good library? It’s hard with restless kids. I’ve tried paperback swap but haven’t had much luck. Does anyone take notes/journal with the nonfiction ones? If so, how do you get it from being too much to be useful? Thanks!
Nevermind….
https://moneysavingmom.com/2013/02/8-ways-to-get-books-for-free-or-almost-free.html#comments
I loved Women Living Well and was sorry to get to the end…I wanted to keep reading more 🙂
Right now I’m about halfway through Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson and listening to the audiobook version of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver.
Enjoy your books this month!
I plan to revisit some of my old favorites including: For Love Of Evil by Piers Anthony, Everything I Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten, and Maybe (Maybe Not) by Robert Fulghum. I plan on starting Grimm’s Fairy tales with my children, and finally finishing Getting Things Done.
My 7 year old has read all of the Lily books that have been published so far (I think our library has 4). Anyway, she loves them! She was so excited when the 4th Lily book was on the New Books shelf at the library the other week. It’s so nice to have quality books for girls.
Undaunted is a book that will stir your spirit and resonate in your heart. We read it together at my neighborhood Bible study and I highly recommend it!
Great list! I always love to be inspired with what to read next. Currently I am reading: And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini, You’ll Get Through This by Max Lucado and your book! For my devotional I am reading He Shall Be Called by Robert J. Morgan. It’s a study of 150 names of Jesus. My kids and I are reading Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis out loud together and they are really liking it. Recently I read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and LOVED it. In my top 5 favorite reads. I also recently enjoyed 7 by Jen Hatmaker–challenging in a good way. And my kids just finished Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.
wow crystal! what an incredible list. i’m impressed and amazed and INSPIRED! thank you for all you do to encourage and uplift women in whatever place they find themselves. we are all so similar, after all. blessings to you, your family & your ministry.
How do you find time to read all these books and your craft projects? I can usually finish 1-2 books per month. I only read before bed and work 40 hours per week outside my home and have a 17-month old…maybe that’s part of it!
I just started Fire by Night yesterday! It’s been on my list for a while so I decided this is the time. Looks like a good list!
Do you ever read Nicolas Sparks books? I always find them to be real page turners.
I saw you have a Lynn Austin book on your list. I just finished book one of The Restoration Chronicles: Return to Me and highly recommend you consider for a future month.
I am currently reading Fingal O’Reilly, Irish Doctor – the latest in Patrick Taylors’ series, The Lincoln Deception, Bargain Fever: How to Shop in a Discounted World. Divergent is next on my list so I can see what all the fuss is about.
“I thought it was just me” is on my list this year, but it’s got a wait list at the library, so it probably won’t be for this month. I’m looking forward to it, though.
And, wow. 12 books for the month! I would love to be able to read that much again. My goal is 12 books for the year. Just wanted to share that in case anyone else was feeling bad or playing the “comparison game” about having much, much smaller reading goals this year. 🙂
I know, I have a goal of 12 for the year, and so far I have not even finishing my first. With 5 kids I homeschool from ages 3-15, my life is just to much, and I can’t take that much time for myself. Plus having to take a part time job has greatly reduced my reading time. When I have time, I have to keep up with my reports, not read for fun. Maybe when the last one learns to read on his own.
Your life is very full… and that’s fantastic that you set a goal of reading 12 books a year! I applaud you!
You have a great reading list for this month! Thanks for sharing.
My reading list at the moment is short:
Goodbye Survival Mode-by you
The People Factor by Van Moody
Smart Change by Art Markman, PHD
The Happiest Life by Hugh Hewitt
The Power of a Half Hour by Tommy Barnett
“I thought it was just me” is a wonderful book! I got it from the library but it’s so good am considering it for purchase. I recommend it to everyone woman I know. The Happiness Project is also good.
I’m adding the 21 day Financial Fast and Secret of Happy Marrigae to my to-read list.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your list! I LOVE Karen Kingsbury books! I just reserved Hands Free Mama, On Every Side and Restless from the library! 🙂
The books I plan to read in February are:
Small Miracles Of The Holocaust,
The Immune System Recovery Plan: A Doctor’s 4-Step Program to Treat Autoimmune Disease,
The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers,
Friendship at the Margins,
Chasing The Dragon: One Woman’s Struggle Against The Darkness of Hong Kong’s Drug Dens,
and continue reading The Count of Monte Cristo to hopefully finish that in March.
Loved a “A Big Year For Lily” such a sweet story. Right now I am reading “what the most successful people do before breakfast” the paperback version which also includes “What most successful people do on the weekend and What most successful people do at work” and I am reading “24/6”. I am finding both to be very good.
I posted my books in my 2/1/14 post. I’d like to put the Brene Brown book on my March list. I am just finishing a Tony Robbins book called Awaken the Giant Within and it’s about habit training. I found it very helpful! I like your mix of business/mind/psychology books – fiction- and inspirational Christian books. Well rounded! I’m putting Sarah’s Key on my March list. I’m reading CS Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe to my kids now! Also, I read them The Wonderful Wizard of Oz back in Oct. and it’s was such a treat! There’s a reason these classics are classics!! Peace, Katie
I am also reading through the daily Bible, and the Jesus Calling devotional. I plan to finish Respectable Sins and Praying God’s Word, and start Restless, as well as a Bible study by Beth Moore on Esther. I started a book club at my house and we will be reading Big Girls Don’t Whine, together (even though I read it last month and just loved it)… I never really thought about planning out my reading per month, but I like this idea. Thanks for sharing!
I just got daring greatly on cd to listen to! So excited!
I recently own a copy of “Say Goodbye to Survival Mode”. I can’t wait to dig in!
I was wondering (maybe I missed you telling) if you buy your books or borrow them? I LOVE books. I love to buy books and keep them forever. This makes my non-reader Husband crazy because I keep wanting more shelves. HA HA!
Here are 8 ways I get books for free (or almost free): https://moneysavingmom.com/2013/02/8-ways-to-get-books-for-free-or-almost-free.html
I plan on reading Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud and I got 5 books from the library for black history month for my toddler. We’re also going to read one psalm a day for February
Undaunted is on my list for this month’s reading too … Sarah’s Key was fabulous! 🙂
Just wanted to tell you that I love when you post about what you are reading for yourself and kids. I love the ideas! Women Living Well is a quick and nice read if you need somewhere to start 🙂