“You’ll be the same person you were last year except for the books you read and the people you meet.”
Books have had a profound impact upon me since I first began reading many years ago. They’ve helped to shape the way I think and the way I live. They stimulate me intellectually; they challenge me to improve as a person; and they teach me new concepts and ideas.
I set a goal at the beginning of 2009 to read 50 books over the course of the year. I didn’t quite reach that goal, in fact, I only ended up reading 26 books in total. However, aiming high motivated me to find the time to read more than I likely would have had I not set that goal in the first place.
In 2010, I’ve committed to attempt to read 4 books per month–a book which encourages me spiritually, a practical book (on homemaking or homeschooling), a business-related book, and another book of my choice.
I’ll be joining in with FishMama’s Bookin’ It Challenge and posting an monthly update with the books I’ve read and a short review on each of them. This is not only for my own personal accountability, but I hope it also serves to inspire you to consider making time in your life to read. You just might be surprised at how much you learn and change as a result of reading!
Here’s my list of books I’m hoping to read this next year:
(Please note: My list is rather audacious and I don’t necessarily think I’ll actually find the time to read all of these in 2010, but I’m at least going to try! My husband and I are also reading through the Bible in a year using The MacArthur Daily Bible.)
January
Bootcamp for Lousy Housekeepers
Flipping the Switch…: Unleash the Power of Personal Accountability Using the QBQ!
Still Growing: An Autobiography
Treasuring God in Our Traditions
What He Must Be: …If He Wants to Marry My Daughter
First Things First: The Rules of Being a Warner
March
America’s Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money
Six Pixels of Separation: Everyone Is Connected. Connect Your Business to Everyone.
April
Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
May
Put More Cash in Your Pocket: Turn What You Know into Dough
Womanly Dominion: More Than A Gentle and Quiet Spirit
Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson
June
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t
The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half
Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment
Beloved Bride: The Letters of Stonewall Jackson to His Wife
For the Family’s Sake: The Value of Home in Everyone’s Life
July
Frugillionaire: 500 Fabulous Ways to Live Richly and Save a Fortune
In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms
Creating an Intimate Marriage: Rekindle Romance Through Affection, Warmth and Encouragement
August
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Michael Phelps: The Untold Story of a Champion
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
Professionalizing Motherhood: Encouraging, Educating, and Equipping Mothers At Home
September
The Financially Confident Woman
October
Living Rich for Less: Create the Lifestyle You Want by Giving, Saving, and Spending Smart
Created for Work: Practical Insights for Young Men
Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life
November
The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play
Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love to Thee
A Mother’s Heart: A Look at Values, Vision, and Character for the Christian Mother
December
Living Simply: Choosing Less in a World of More
My biggest problem when it comes to reading books is actually finishing them. I’m really good at starting books–and often have 4 to 6 started at once!–but I’m much less disciplined about finishing them.
I’m going to aim to only start and finish each month’s designated books during the specified month. If I finish them all early, I’m giving myself license to read whatever–but not until I’ve finished that month’s books. Yes, I’m really working on following through with things I’ve set out to do this year. 🙂
Photo credit: Yves