I have noticed that as moms, especially homeschooling moms, we put a lot of thought and effort into creating reading lists for our children. We read books about books, we search the internet, and we ask our friends for recommendations. Over the years, I have found that even though I spend a lot of time planning my kid’s reading, I spend very little time planning my own reading goals for the year.
Since one of my 2011 goals is to read one to two books a month, I thought this would be best achieved by creating my own reading list. As you can see from my list below, I don’t have twenty-four books listed. I want to have some flexibility, either to add a book for a bible study, or to be able to read something that is recommended to me throughout the year.
I find reading regularly keeps me mentally sharp throughout my day and also gives me something to talk about with my husband other than who did what to whom during our school day.
What are you reading in 2011? Do you have any great books you would recommend?
Spiritual Books for 2011
- God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God’s Love as the Gift of Himself
- The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child’s Heart for Eternity
- Grace-Based Parenting
- Discipline: The Glad Surrender
- Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
- Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
- Heaven at Home: Establishing and Enjoying a Peaceful Home
- Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ
Other Reading for 2011
- SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life
- All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space!
- Heaven at Home: Establishing and Enjoying a Peaceful Home
- Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ
- Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
- Six Pixels of Separation: Everyone Is Connected. Connect Your Business to Everyone.
- How to Wash a Cat (Cats and Curios Mystery)
- The Complete Tightwad Gazette
- CookWise: The Hows & Whys of Successful Cooking, The Secrets of Cooking Revealed
I cannot say enough about Crazy Love. I’m glad I read it when I did. After I read it, I sent it to my husband in Afghanistan. He’s read it three times in the last six months. We even bought some extra copies to give away.
We’ve both started reading his second book now – The Forgotten God. It is as convicting as Crazy Love.
Have fun reading! I’m looking forward to the day I can get back to reading. My personal reading is done in stolen moments. Some books can take me months to finish. My husband and I are meeting in Kuwait next week. I keep thinking of dozens of books I want to pack for that trip, but am forcing myself to keep it down to a manageable number.
Hallee
Hallee,
Thanks for the Crazy Love recommendation. It was recommended to me on FB, and after I read the reviews I knew I wanted to read it. I’ll let you know what I think when I am finished! Have a safe trip to Kuwait. I”m sure you’ll have lots of time to read on the plane… but remember to try and sleep too!
Toni
I just finished Crazy Love yesterday. It is a wonderful, life changing book!
“Teaching to Change Lives” by Howard Hendricks
“Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald Whitney
“Sacred Influence” by Gary Thomas
I knew you would have some great suggestions Ashley!
I really enjoyed The Forgotten God by Francis Chan as well.
Grace-Based Parenting is a good read, but another good one along the same lines is Families Where Grace is in Place by VanVonderen.
The Prodigal God by Tim Keller is another one that was huge for me in 2010.
If you want a book just to read for fun, I’ve found that the books by Wanda E Brunstetter about the Amish are wonderful, heartwarming books. I just finished the Indiana Cousins series (3 books) and they were wonderful. Another plus, they include a recipe at the end of the book.
Everyday Talk by Jay Younts
Gospel-Centred Family by Tim Chester
Treasures of Encouragement by Sharon Betters
When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper
Some of my favorites from last year.
What were some of your favorites from last year?
I was thinking of reading the Piper book… and my favorites from last year, sadly I’d have to look at my bookshelf. I didn’t do much reading from Sept to Dec (other than my bible) so I’ll have to get back with you on this one, lol!
Francine Rivers newest books, “Her Mothers Hope” and “Her Daughters Dream” are great!! I love all of her books, but I especially enjoyed these.
You won’t be the same after reading Radical–just to warn you! Of course, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day is life-changing, too, but on a much smaller scale…
You will LOVE “The Mission of Motherhood”! I highly recommend ANYTHING written by Sally Clarkson and her husband, Clay! Sounds like a very ambitious reading list! Good Luck! Erin
Will you review these for us? I want to know what you think of some of them…
Sure, I’ll be happy to post my opinions on the books when I’m finished.
I concur with the assessment of Radical. It has changed how I think about everything!
I’m reading Susan Boyle’s book, “The Woman I Was Meant To Be”. She’s an inspiration to so many people!
Loved the book Crazy Love and plan on reading it again. You have a awesome list! Thanks for joining in the Hip Homeschool Hop!