In 2013, I set very lofty reading goals. And I started out the year really strong and but then fizzled out as the months wore on.
I love to read. I can’t not read. But I decided that choosing 48 books to read at the beginning of the year was too restrictive for me.
You see, that list hung over my head the whole year. As I got further and further behind on my reading goals, I felt frustrated and guilty.
This is ridiculous, I know, considering no one was making me read those 48 books… after all, I was the one who had set the goal. But I still felt a sense of guilt over it. And every time I’d read something not on the list, I’d remember that it wasn’t on the list and that I really should be reading THE LIST.
{Just being honest here. Yes, I’m quite a crazy mess sometimes! :)}
So this year? I’m changing things up and trying a different approach. I still set a big goal to read 150 books & ebooks in 2014, but I’m not going to plan out 48 books to read throughout the year.
Instead, I’m going to take it on a month-by-month basis. At the beginning of the month, I’ll share my list of 12 books I plan to read that month and at the end of the month, I’ll share which books I read and a short recap of them.
This way, I’m still being intentional about reading, but I’m not planning so far out in advance and can pick my list based upon topics I’m really interested in that month or based upon new books I’ve recently discovered that I really want to dive into. And I can also make the list longer or shorter depending upon what I know my schedule might be like that month.
So here’s my list for January:
12 Books I Plan to Read in January
- His Word in my Heart
- Undaunted
- You Were Made for a God-Sized Dream
- Life After Art
- I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t)
- Fit For Faith
- Eat Move Sleep
- Sell Your Book Like Wildfire
- 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.
4 Books I Plan to Read Aloud to My Kids
What books are you planning to read in January? Leave a comment and let us know — and then you can come back at the end of January to tell us what you ended up reading and what you thought of the books you read!
Coming tomorrow: My Top 10 Favorite Reads from 2013
Are you aware of someplace online to keep track of books read?
A lot of people use GoodReads to to keep track of not only what they’ve read, but what they want to read in the future. Check it out: https://www.goodreads.com
Thank you I tried but it is way more than I need. Cant figure out some of the process and find no Q & A etc. Just need a place to list so I dont forget where my list is!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing! I love reading other people’s reading lists! 🙂
I typically set a “__Books I plan to read in 20__” list at the beginning of the year, and allow my list to evolved throughout the year.
I just posted 14 Books I plan to read in 2014: http://www.kerenthrelfall.com/2014/01/08/14-books-i-want-to-read-in-2014-and-5-books-to-reread/, with the goal to read ~100 books this year
1. A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Create (Emily Freeman)
2. One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhaustible World (Tullian Tchvidjian)
3. Long Walk to Freedom (Nelson Mandela)
4. Crazy Busy :A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem (Kevin DeYoung)
5. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock (Matthew Quick)
6. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (Anne Lamott)
7. The Pilgrim’s Regress (C.S. Lewis)
8. The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them
(Elaine Aron)
9. How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character (Paul Tough)
10. The Namesake: A Novel (Jhumpa Lahiri)
11. Better Late Than Early: A New Approach to Your Child’s Education (Raymond S. Moore, Dennis R. Moore, Dorothy N. Moore)
12. Salt: A World History (Mark Kurlansky)
13. Not in My Neighborhood: How Bigotry Shaped a Great American City (Antero Pietila)
14. Raised by the Church: Growing up in New York City’s Catholic Orphanages (Edward Rohs, Judith Estrine)
I’ve found 100 to be my threshold for this season of life (work from home, 3 kids 5 and under, no hired help/family support network nearby), but we will see. I love reading, too, and wish I’d made more time for it in previous years of my life.
I love your new plan for, well, making a plan. Last year I assigned months to the books I wanted to read. Um, no thank you! It really messed with me. Like you, I’d pick up a book that wasn’t on THE list or in THE RIGHT month; then I’d feel so guilty. Or I just wouldn’t read because my next book didn’t interest me. Good grief. So this year, I’m just making a list of books I want to read. We’ll go from there! 🙂
This may be a crazy question but can people share ebooks like from their kindle?
Just wanted to tell you that Sarah’s Key is an amazing read. Definitely one of my favorites.
Last year was my first year doing a Book Reading Challenge. I ended up reading 56 books. This year my goal is 60. I, too, found that I continually drifted away from which books I was supposed to be reading each month and quickly gave up on that original list. For 2014, I categorized all of the books into Fiction, Non-Fiction, Christian, Classics, and (Auto)Biography. Here is the list of books I would like to read for my Book Reading Challenge in 2014:
http://brendaweatherly.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/2014-book-reading-challenge/
Sarah ‘ key is one of my favorite books of all time. It is intense but wonderful.
Coming by from FB after liking you via the new SITS FB group. Chat soon!
Thank you for your lists! I always enjoy seeing what other people are reading. I am the same as another reader – did not enjoy Sarah’s Key! I appreciated the history, but not the story. At any rate, I thought I would use this to ask a question. We have recently moved overseas, and I am having a hard time with books. There is a little small library in the town where we live, with a small selection in English. We intentionally bought our girls Kindle’s before we left knowing the library situation here (they are all avid readers!) I am getting lists of free Kindle downloads from multiple daily e-mails, but honestly, there is a reason some of those are free! The other issue is that a lot of them are not for kids (my girls are 10 and 8). We can still check out items from our stateside library, but the selection of Kindle books available from the library is not that large. Any suggestions on getting e-books especially for kids? I have downloaded some classics, but they are not ready for full versions of a lot of them. Just thought some other readers might have some suggestions!
I am a book junkie and I love to hear about what other women are reading or plan to read. I wrote a post about my favorites in 2013, but I also included a short list for 2014 at the bottom. 🙂
My Favorite Book of 2013 and the Books I Want To Read in 2014
I am finishing Pride and Prejudice. Also on my shelf:
Reign of Error
Forks Over Knives
The Hobbit
The Organic Manifesto
When Godly People Do Ungodly Things
In a Sunburned Country
Scaffolding the Academic Success of Adolescent English Language Learners.
I LOVED Sarah’s Key. I read it a few years ago for a book club. Heartbreaking and beautiful.
I know “tomorrow” isn’t officially over yet, but I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss your top 10 fav reads of 2013! Are you going to add a link to this post? Thanks!
I love reading and wish I could get through that many! But one a month works for me and my schedule. I have Ministry of Motherhood, Desperate, Growing Up Duggar, Goodbye to Survival Mode and so many more on my list. Thanks for sharing there are some great ones on yours!
Ok so I don’t recall the last time I read a book cover to cover that wasn’t cardboard… So I set a goal to read 12 books this year! I am starting with Say Goodbye to Suvival Mode! I also want to complete the Love Dare and Confessions of a Scary Mommy.
After That I am open to suggestions, I am new to the Catholic Church so I would like to do 1 or 2 on that!
I just finished Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman. Great read if you want to challenged in your Christian walk. Some old favorites I’d recommend are The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom and Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. On my next up list is Heaven by Randy Alcorn and Undaunted by Christine Caine. We’ll see after that. I am pretty busy .
Right now, I’m partially through Let. It. Go. by Karen Ehman, Am I Messing Up My Kids? by Lysa TerKeurst, and a couple more. My “to read” list is pretty long & includes some Beth Moore books. 🙂
Wow girl! I just wrote about my list from last year, doing 52 and it about did me in! That is ambitious. It sure was fun to read so much
I have a long list of books I want to read, but I know that I won’t read them all. I knew if I didn’t make a list I wouldn’t remember I even had them. Here is my list http://123busybees.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-2014-book-list.html
A Promise Of Hope by Amy Clipston
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Almost Amish: One Women’s Quest For A Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life by Nancy Seeth
When The Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The Secret Life Of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
LOVE.LOVE.LOVE the book Undaunted…..It is so powerful!! I hope you like it to!
I don’t keep a list of books I want to read for each month, but I have the Goodreads app on my phone (which I LOVE) where I keep track of the books I want to read. Then, when I’m at the library ready to get more books, I refer to my “to-read” section and check-out what they have available that I’m wanting to read. All that to say, this month I’m finishing up the Return to Red River series by Lauraine Snelling and The Snow Child (for my book club) for sure.
This morning I put 8 books on hold at the library that aren’t available for pick-up yet. I’m looking forward to moving some books off of my want to read list to my finished reading list.
When I do that they all come in at once and of course it’s always during a busy time when I don’t have as much time to read!
I’ve had the same problem! Lofty reading goals are great, but not if they’re stifling. This year, I’m joining the Motherhood & Jane Austen Book Club, so I’m reading Jane Austen’s six novels.
After that, I’ve decided I want to read a comedy (stand-up comedians’ work or a funny memoir) every month, because this girl needs a little more levity in her life. I’m already a third of the way through The Tao of Martha by Jen Lancaster; it’s not for those who can’t handle a little profanity, but it’s hysterical anyway.
I want to always have a Christian living book in the mix, but I’m not assigning any numbers/plans so that I can take my time as needed. I have a whole backlog of titles floating around my house, so there’s no lack of material. Stormie O’Martian’s Power of a Praying Parent is first on the list. {I also have about 10 pages left of Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, though I’ll be rereading it slowly as soon as I finish!}
After that, anything else is gravy! I feel really good about my reading plan this year, and I’m hoping the relaxed approach will help me enjoy and get more out of my reading.
I have 4 thyroid books checked out from the library I want to finish up. Also will read “Kindred Hearts” by Debra Evans (on nurturing the bond between mother and daughter). Also will try to get through as much of the John book by Sproul on Kindle as I can.
I was just like you a few years ago. I picked out some books I wanted to read for the year, but I never got past the first couple of books on the list. I felt like a complete failure because I didn’t complete my list. I did this for 2 years in a row until I came to my senses and decided that I would just decide how many I would read during the year and not what books. This is what I did this past year and it worked so well for me. I plan on doing that again this year.
So for this month, I am going to be reading Organized Simplicity by Tish Oxeneider.
This sounds like a very good plan to me! Love a good book pile 🙂
I don’t plan much beyond my next book or two, because my interests are always changing and I get new recommendations or Kindle deals – like lately I’ve been delving into social justice (just finished Barefoot Church) and discipleship. Currently in the middle of Daring Greatly and You Lost Me, with Death by Living and Raising Kids for True Greatness to probably follow. I keep a “to-read” list on Goodreads and I keep a wish list on Amazon so I can snag books I’m interested in when the Kindle versions go on sale!
These look interesting!
I have read Sarah’s Key – it’s a powerful book. Thanks to you I started keeping track of what I read. I read 38 books in 2013. I like different genres from biographies to mysteries to fiction. One of the books I want to read this year is Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. After seeing the movie Lincoln, I’ve been wanting to read it. I picked it up at a used bookstore when I was in my hometown in MD over the holidays.
This is my list of books I hope to read in 2014.
Balancing It All by Candace Cameron Bure
Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine
Scream Free Parenting by Hal Edward Runkel
Unglued by Lisa TerKeurst
Made to Crave by Lisa TerKeurst
Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend
Raising a Daughter after God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Reshaping It All by Candace Cameron Bure
No Brand Is an Island by Robert D
The In-Between by Jeff Goins
I did not set an “in stone” reading goal, because I don’t want to live in guilt over a measly book list. haha. I did set goals in other areas though. This year, I only allowed myself to set goals in the personal growth, health, and finance categories, because I tend to get discouraged when I get behind on something and throw ALL my goals out the window. I’m not very rational. 😛
Crystal, which part of your day’s schedule do you fit in personal reading?
Oh, I LOVE your list! I’m hoping to read Balancing It All sometime soon, too!
{And I’m going to answer your question in a post, because a lot of people asked that on Facebook, too!}
I figure if Candace can find a way to balance her career, her family, and her household (even when she could just hire it all out), then I can too, right? 🙂 I’m also on pins and needles to read your book. Aaron and I are both SO ready to start living outside of survival.
I look forward to hearing your answer in your upcoming post. 🙂
First, I love how you are one of those people who always stretch my thinking: 150 books!! wow! Second, I found myself similarly frustrated with my book list for 2013 but I took a different approach to setting my reading goal for this year. I did still pick a list of books to read for the year, and used one of your free printables to plan when I would read them. However, I am very flexible in recognizing I may move them around and/or drop some if they are not what I need/expected when I start them. I just shared my post today. http://skipperclan.com/2014/01/02/36-books-2014/
For anyone seeking a book that will make you want to grow closer in your own marriage, I recommend “The wedding” by N Sparks! It follows up to the movie “The Notebook” and I’m asking my husband to read it this year too! Loved it.
I have a list on GoodReads that keeps getting longer & longer plus books on my Kindle that I keep buying PLUS every month our local library has a book discussion group which I go to. THEN I will buy books that look interesting at local resale stores or garage sales. Yes, I am addicted to books! Other than the book discussion, I will usually just pick up something to read what strikes my fancy at the moment. I want to do a plug here as my sister-in-law just published her first book. It is called “The Soul of the Rose” by Ruth Trippy. It is historical Christian Fiction. I am a tough critic but I loved it.
Crystal I’m glad you posted this, because I’ve always thought there must be something wrong with me that my book choices are totally spur of the moment!
I get most of my titles from bloggers I read, or from last-minute library picks. It’s rarely intentional. But that’s ok, I still get a ton of reading in. 🙂
I set my reading goal at a book a week this year. I however cannot make a reading list. I am very much a mood reader. Meaning I have to be in the mood to read it. I always get at least 3 or 4 books from the library or other sources to read for the week, and then I might read a chapter of of all of them before I settle into one of them and just keep reading until the end.
I was able to get “On Every Side” from bookswap! Love Karen Kingsbury and I have not read that title yet. Only problem with her books is once I start I can’t stop. My kids see her name on the front cover and go “oh great sandwiches for diner tonight mom is reading that Karen lady again”.
Here is my list for 2014. I read one yesterday. 🙂
I will also read several not on my list. I never know what will strike my fancy…
http://katietevis.com/24-books-i-want-to-read-in-2014/books-i-want-to-read-in-2014/
http://katietevis.com/24-books-i-want-to-read-in-2014
Aw i love this topic! in 2013 i didn’t have specific reading lists but I did have a goal of trying to read 50 books, well with a active life, a full time job and being a mom I fell short by i think 20 books lol,but.,…it was my best year yet and so my reading goal for this year is just trying to out do last years reading numbers. 🙂
My book for January is Wonder by RJ Palacio.
This is geared toward youth but my daughter read it and loved it so I wanted to see what she loved about it.
So far it is a great book. Lots of lessons attached.
I also plan on reading a daily devotion from Jesus calling everyday this month.
I made a list of my Top 10 books for 2014.
http://magnifyhisname.com/2013/12/24/top-10-books-for-2014/
Since I read several books at the same time, one of those will always be included until they are done.
This does not include my Bible reading, devotional books or the many other books I will read this year.
I just needed a smaller, more doable and honestly more challenging list. It is easy for me to read good Christian fiction and lots of other great books, but more discipline is required for a few on my Top 10 for 2014.
When I said I needed a more challenging list, I meant that I needed to challenge myself to get through some books that I have wanted to read but never make a priority.
I get too easily distracted by the long list of other books I want to read.
Our children have enjoyed the Bob and Arty series of books. So it was neat to see one on your list for the children.
I love books. Problem is, I buy them and never read them. I spend down time watching tv. My goal is 25 books for 2014. That’s probably 24 more than I read last year. I’m in school and I’m an attorney, so I do a lot of required reading and don’t enjoy fun reading as much as I used to. I’m going to try to alternate between fiction and nonfiction, or what I’d call “fun” and “self-help.” I just finished Due Date by Nancy Wood, freebie on Amazon awhile back. Pretty good suspense novel. I started it a few days ago, but it’s counting as my first completed book in 2014! Good luck to everyone!
I don’t look that far ahead. I kind of just read whatever strikes my fancy at the moment. I’m currently reading Deadline by Randy Alcorn and The Help is next on my list. I do want to re-read the Love Comes Softly series at some point this year. I’ve read them all probably 10 times in my life, but I have to re-visit them from time to time, like visiting an old friend! 🙂
My reading goals for January are to finish several books I’ve started:
1. Getting Rid of It:The Step-by-step Guide to Eliminating Clutter in Your Life, by Betsy & Warren Talbot
2. How to Declutter Your Home and Your Life:Minimalist Concepts to Help You Start Organizing Your Life, by Martha Siclair
3. Jew in the Pew, by Jenny Berg Chandler
4. Live More with Less,The Gift of Minimalism: Simplify, Declutter, and Get Organized, by Karen Alexander & Teresa Baker
Also to read
1. Women of Courage, 31 Daily Bible Readings by Jennifer Carter
2. Weeky Torah portions
3. Gospel of John
4. 7-Day Prayer Warrior Experience
5. 21 Days to a More Discplined Life, by some gal who blogs :o)
6. At least one thing just for fun
Thanks so much for sharing your feelings and your new reading plan. I had exactly the same feelings the last year while I ignored my book list when other books captured my interest. It seems like such a simple idea to read what is most interesting, but because I already had a “list” I felt like I should stick with it. Thanks for the reality check! Reading should be fun, and I need to remember that I’m actually lucky to have the problem of having too many books to read – I’m so fortunate to be literate and have access to more books than I could ever read in a lifetime!! 🙂
Ha! I just embarked on a 30 Days of Reading to My Kids series. For the next 30 days, I’ll be reading to the children. Phew. 🙂
For myself, I’m going to be doing a study of Blog for Profit without Selling Your Soul. That, and the Catholic Mother’s Companion to Pregnancy.
I use GoodReads to track the books I want to read, that I’m currently reading, and that I have read (along with ratings). It’s very helpful for me. I create shelves each year so I can see at a glance how many books I’ve read myself, to my older son, and to my younger son.
Like you, I love to read and I will read just about anything. I am a middle school English teacher and I have always enjoyed my subject area because it allows me the opportunity to read to and with my students. My kiddos have challenged me to read books that I may otherwise have moved past because they weren’t adult enough. Thankfully, I love a good challenge and have been able to keep up with a lot of the popular teen fiction that’s out there today.
I wish you the very best in your reading adventures. Please post the books that you enjoyed most so that I may have time to take a look at them. I saw that you have Sarah’s Key in your first set – I read this a few years ago and loved it. I probably enjoy historical fiction more than any other forms of fiction. I hope you enjoy the story and the history behind it.
I’m planning to do a recap post at the end of each month telling which books I read and a mini review of each of them. Thanks for your kind encouragement!
You and I are a lot alike. I chose 12 books that I was going to read in 2013 and, like you, every time I read a book not on “the list” I felt guilty. I hope your new system works better. I read Samson and reviewed it (http://readmeorbust.com/2013/11/14/samson-a-savior-will-rise/). If you are interested please feel free to read it. It’s a great book but a very tough topic to read about.
You are soooo good! Look forward to hearing the synopsis and / or reviews of your January book list! My goals are much simpler…to get through 12 books this year..would be great! I try to mix some fiction into the rotation but mainly I’m busy reading books that help me work smarter, work in new direction, or explain changes in Real Estate and how that affects my clients …or I am reading about Dyslexia…to find time to read to escape, rather than read to learn takes careful planning ..(plus a few extra hours in the day would help)!! So hope I can find 12 fiction and/or biographies for 2014…. In addition to my career/self improvement and dyslexia books!
My college friends have a once-a-year book club for our annual get-together, and a couple of years ago we read Sarah’s Key and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society as companion pieces. I’m in a minority as I really didn’t like Sarah’s Key, although most of my girlfriends did, as do the commenters here. (We all loved Potato Peel Pie Society.) I like your blog and enjoy reading about your reading 🙂
I really enjoyed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society!
I want to finish The Safe Child Book and Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret – which is fast becoming a favorite of mine!!
Here’s what I plan to read in 2014! http://www.shelivesfree.com/2013/12/book-list-for-2014.html
I used to read a lot, but have gotten away from it since I’ve been married. I started reading Seasons of Reflection (the Bible in 265 days) in november, but reading it at night, I put it off too much and missed a bunch of days. I’m planning on continuing this book, but doing my reading in the morning with my breakfast instead of trying to do it at night. I’ve also made it a goal to read fifteen books this year. That sounds pathetic compared to your goals, but I think that’s 14 more than I read last year, so I think it’s a good goal. lol.
I admire how you can read so many books and maintain your website and blog! 🙂
You are going to LOVE Sarah’s key! It is a great book. I also love to read. It is my most favorite hobby. Where do you find books to read? I use ereader girl and friend recommendations. I was wondering where do you find yours.
Count me among the number inspired by your reading lists! 🙂 I decided to pin all my books in 2013 and ended up with 73 books completed.
I am currently part way through A Chance to Die by Elizabeth Elliott and Am I Messing up My Kids by Lysa Terkheurst.
I don’t have my final list completed yet. I downloaded so many free books onto my Kindle last year that I want to start working my way through. I’ve also got a list on Goodreads to get to.
So many books, so little time. 😉
73 books is FANTASTIC! Way to go!
You are going to LOVE Sarah’s key! Great book. I also love to read, I read pretty much anything. Where do you find books to read? Meaning how or where do you choose the books to read?
I answered that very question awhile back here: https://moneysavingmom.com/2011/09/qa-how-do-you-choose-what-books-you-read.html
Thanks!
Right now I am reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue. I love to read and am looking forward to finishing at least 2 books (if not more!) a month this year.
LOVE Crazy Love — so life-impacting for me!
I have four books on my January reading list: The Vegetable Gardener’s Container Bible, Composting Inside and Out, Praying for Boys and Wife After God. Might also add a piece of fiction.
Sarah’s Key was also made into a movie. I saw the movie (it is in French with English subtitles) before I realized there was book. I plan on reading it this year as well! I love your book selections. Some of them may be ones I will read, too. I am a book maniac. If I do not have a current book going, I feel lost. 🙂
On Every Side by Karen Kingsbury is a great book. Start with that one. 🙂
Love your list. I recently picked up 6 books from the library, we’ll see if I can complete them all this month. One of them is Daring Greatly by Brene Brown.
LOVED Daring Greatly! It was life-impacting for me.
That looks like a great list! I am still working on mine. I love to read but have been horribly unfocused the past year or two. I have read His Word in My Heart and it’s a wonderful book. Reminds me to read it again. Also I watched the movie Sarah’s Key and I forgot that there was a book. I don’t read a lot of fiction but I get very sucked in and don’t want to stop until it’s over 🙂
I would love to read 12 books in a year, let alone in 1 month! Please share with us how you manage to do this. Thank you so much for your posts!
What a neat idea you have for keeping track of books you’d like to read. Just this evening, I was brainstorming ways to efficiently accomplish that task. Thanks for sharing!
I enjoy your book lists. I think that monthly lists work better so you can add newly published books as you go. 🙂
I’m working my way through John Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. It’s very convicting!
That’s a good one.
I find it super cool that a book I suggested (His Word In My Heart)is at the top of your pile! Of course I don’t know that I’m he only one who told you about the book, but that’s beside the point. Lol! I really hope you enjoy it. It’s definitely a book I plan to reread this year. I love your blog and I’m so inspired by you. Thanks for all your hard work. I really am a fan:)
I love how you are structuring your to-read list this year. I am like you and found myself getting frustrated as the year went on and I wasn’t reading books that I had written down in January. Instead I was reading great books that I just discovered. I have a huge list of books that I want to read, so this month I am definitely going to prioritize Simplify by Joshua Becker (this is my mantra for the year), Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and Intentional Blogger.
Yay!! I have been waiting to see what you are going to read. I’m making my list tonight and I always use yours as a starting point. I have a long list but think my must read is going to be Anything by Jennie Allen. Also on the list (so far): Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas, Generosity Ladder by Nelson Searcy, Undaunted by Christine Caine, Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick, What Happens when Women say yes to God by Lysa Terkhurst. Thank you for all you do!
I loved Sarah’s Key! I am a reader, too, mostly fiction. I usually only read non-fiction when I need to know more about a topic (like last year when my son decided to be a vegetarian ) or when a friend tells me it is a must-read (like 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess). I usually set a number goal, and a non-specific goal of “more non-fiction” and “more good/classic fiction” because I lean toward fun quick read series. Whenever I read a good review in a blog or get a recommendation from a friend, I immediately put it on my request list at the library, and just read it when it comes in. I also learned the value of sometimes abandoning a book from Modern Mrs. Darcy (Anne Bogel). This has helped with my guilt over not liking a book that someone told me was an awesome book.
I started out today with reading the Bible through in 2014, using a plan on the YouVersion app. I also started Karen Kingsbury’s newest book…Fifteen Minutes. And thanks to you, i downloaded the free Beth Moore books yesterday on my Kindle, so I plan to start one of those too!
I’m looking forward to hearing more about the books that you’re planning to read to your kids since my youngest two are around the same age as Silas.
I wrote quite an extensive book list for 2014, but I’m flexible. If I find something else to read that’s not on the list, I’m fine with it.
Thanks to sharing how many books you read a year, I set the ambitious goal (for me) of reading 24 books in 2013 and accomplished that goal. This year my goal is 52 books for the year.
Here’s my list:
http://www.momsplans.com/2013/12/2014-reading-list/
I started a notebook of books I want to read. I broke them into catagories such as spiritual, parenting, marriage, productivity/organization/home, and other. When I hear a book that sounds interesting I write it on the list. This way I have a good list to pull from. Also if I try to get books through the library I can’t predict when they’d be available, some have long waits. For me I felt that trying to plan out my reading would be to restrictive and lead to failure. This way if I feel more inclined to fiction I can read one of those or more spiritual etc. At least having an extensive list has helped. And I do know the first two books I’ll be reading in January. The first one is Daring Greatly. My couselor recommended it months back and gave it to me to read. And ironically, months later you read it and shared about it. And the second one will be Choosing Gratitude.
Oh dear, I just made a list of books to read this year! Lol 🙂
I’m just like you…I have this list of books that I want to read, but when I finish a book, I skip over my list and start reading another book that I may have found in the library or heard about online. Then I feel guilty for not having read the books on my list!
Anyways, this month, I’m planning to read Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson, Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson and The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister. I’m also working my way through an audiobook of 7 by Jen Hatmaker when I’m driving.