In previous years, I’ve picked a long list and big stack of books I want to read that year. I’ve found that I struggle to stick with that list because I always find so many other books I want to read and that initial list makes me feel kind of guilty that I’m not following through.
Instead of trying that approach again, I’m experimenting with something different in 2022: I’m going to set monthly reading goals. At the beginning of the month, I’ll pick a stack of books I want to read that month and I’ll focus on reading those books throughout the month.
This way, I can make room for the many new or new-to-me titles I discover throughout the year. Plus, I can pick fewer books to read on the months that I know there is a lot going on.
My Book List for January
Here is my book list for January and why I chose each title. (Note: Inclusion on this list does not mean I am recommending or endorsing the book as I haven’t read it yet! So read at your own discretion and look for my weekly book review post to hear my honest thoughts on each title!)
Rest, Girl
This is a book by Jami Amerine that has the subtitle of “A journey from Exhausted and Stressed to Entirely Blessed.” I’ve enjoyed Jami’s books in the past and thought this would be a great read to kick off the year!
Fighting Forward
I appreciated Hannah Brencher’s book, Come Matter Here, and have had this book on my shelf waiting to be read for a number of months.
Beneath a Scarlet Sky
So many of you have highly recommended this book and it’s high time I finally read it. I wanted to pick a really good fiction book to start the year off with!
The Flirtation Experiment
It’s be awhile since I’ve read a marriage-related book and this looked like a good one! We celebrate 19 years of marriage in January and I can always use a refresher and encouragement!
They Call Me Mama
This title was suggested by Katie Reid and I’m excited to read it. From what I understand, it’s about a family who said yes to stepping out in faith and opening up their home to a number of children who needed a family. Also, I think that any mom who is raising 14 kids probably has a lot of wisdom to share!
Bloom
A friend encouraged me to read this book as it’s the story of a mom who gives birth to a baby with Down syndrome and her honest first year of processing this unexpected news — grieving, learning, and finding joy in it. I’m halfway through it and have thought a lot about Baby D’s mom and what it must have been like for her to find out her son had Down syndrome after he was born. It’s given me a lot more empathy and compassion for her and many other moms who have walked and are walking a similar road.
The Story of You
I’ve really benefited from Ian Cron’s other books so was very interested in reading this one. I’m a few chapters in and learning a lot… though I have some disagreements with some things, too. (What’s new??!)
Win the Day
I love so many of Mark Batterson’s books and have gleaned a lot from them, so I’m looking forward to many takeaways from this book!
The Woman They Could Not Silence
This book was chosen by Sharon Says So on instagram for her recent book club. I wasn’t part of the book club, but the title intrigued me. I’ve read a few chapters so far and am not sure what to think, but I’m anxious to read the rest!
Every day after lunch, I read aloud to Kierstyn and Baby D before their nap time. We read a few picture books and review our ABC Memory verses and then read 5-10 pages from a chapter book plus one chapter from The Jesus Storybook Bible.
This month, we’re reading Dancing Through the Snow — a book that someone gave me thinking we might enjoy it because it’s about foster care. I’m curious to see what I think of it.
Audiobooks I Plan to Listen To
I love to listen to fiction audiobooks while I’m cooking, cleaning, or driving. I get all of mine for free on Hoopla or Libby. This month, I am planning to listen to The Way it Should Be and The Paris Library — both that came highly recommended from some of you!
How do you select the books on your to-read list? I’ve picked some winners and some not so great reads as well as quitting some books before the first chapter is done because of language or simply not catching my interest.
It’s a combination of recommendations of others, reading Amazon reviews, and previous experience with the author.
The high five habit by Mel Robbins, Good Eggs by Rebecca Hardiman, An American Marriage by Tayari Jones and Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert Macfarlane are on my January list.
Hi Crystal, Have you read The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger? My daughter bought it for me for Chanuka. I’m reading it now and it is life-changing. I think you would love it.
I started the audiobook but didn’t get it finished before I had to return it! I hope to finish it this year!
This reading list looks amazing and I love the intentionality to work through and read a few different books at the same time. How do you make time for reading in your day?
I usually read for 15-20 minutes every morning on the treadmill, I listen to audiobooks throughout the day as I’m cooking/cleaning, and I try to fit in other little 5-10 minute reading breaks as I’m able to throughout the day. It’s something I love and benefit from so much, so I try to find creative ways to make it happen!
Oh my goodness- I was curious of your book list and the title Bloom stuck out to me! And then when I read your description I was kind of blown away! I am also a mom of a child with down syndrome. My son is now 25- he was not diagnosed until 6 weeks old- I think I might need to read this one! Thank you for sharing!
Oh! I’m sure there were a lot of emotions involved in finding out the diagnosis at 6 weeks!
Emotions and fear- but Our family has been Blessed beyond measure- always celebrate babies with Down Syndrome- they are a gift.
I highly recommend The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Wray Gregoire! She is the author of To Love Honor and Vacuum and runs her blog by the same name. It is based on a survey of over 20,000 women and deals with harmful teachings on sex and marriage that have been put out over the years. It was my favorite read from 2021!
Thank you! I’ve heard good things about that book!
The Flirtation Experiment sounds very interesting! Since you read so widely, can I recommend my debut novel? It’s pretty different from anything in the Christian Fiction world, so I’d be interested to know what you think! It’s called After She Falls, and it’s available pretty much anywhere! The best deal is $11 at Baker Book House!
You are more than welcome to have your publisher send me a review copy! No promises as I literally have 300 review copies on my shelf right now (!!), but I’d love to take a look at it! And congratulations!!
I am so excited and full of anticipation to read Brene Brown’s new book Atlas of the Heart.
I have read every book by this amazing shame and vulnerability researcher, she has a beautiful way of sharing her research data and explains with stories from her life.
I suppose, I am a collector of her books. I just love everything this amazing woman writes.
If you haven’t read Brené’s works you are missing out on something incredible.
Her works have deeply impacted my life!
I absolutely agree!
I am planning on getting the book “Bloom” and reading it. My son has down syndrome and we did not know it until he was born. He just turned 23 years old and he has brought so much joy to our lives. However, I do remember grieving the “What ifs” But God had another plan and I am very thankful to be his mom.
I hope it encourages you! I thought some of it was unnecessary fluff writing that didn’t really do a lot to add to the book, but there were some really insightful parts, too!
I recommend any book by Louise Erdrich. I have read many of her books over the years, but just finished reading “The Night Watchman” which won a Pulitzer Prize. She is Chippewa on her mother’s side and all her books discuss in some ways the Native American experience. They are all excellent.
Thank you for the recommendation!
I agree that The Night Watchman is an excellent book! I read it last year, and it gives you a view into Native American families in the world at that time and their relationships with outsiders.