It’s New Year’s Eve! It’s crazy to think another year has gone by, but it is upon us. This time last year I took the plunge and decided that in 2013 I was going to join the blogging community & I’m so glad I did 🙂 You guys are awesome & I am so thankful for this little space!
Last year I made my Book List of 2012 to share all the books I had read over the course of the year, and I decided I wanted this to be a yearly tradition! If you haven’t already, you should check out my page, read it., that contains all things literary. Lists, reviews, and bookshelves of what I’m currently reading.
After finding GoodReads.com I’ve been able to be a LOT more organized in what books I have and haven’t read, as well as keeping a running list of what books I want to read. While it hasn’t helped me to find the time to read all the books I want to, it at least helps to keep them in order : ) This year, I’ve split up the books below that I’ve read into categories to go through. Maybe you’ll find one that you’ll want to dive into!
Just For Fun
The Casual Vacancy: A great read for the beach. Despite it’s length, it was a very fast read. I loved that it was raw and real. I did feel a bit like she was trying to prove she is more than a children’s author, but overall, a very good read.
The Happiness Project: Some great words of encouragement here. Interesting view of happiness and lots of studies used as well. I learned a good deal from this little book and honestly I didn’t think I would. I highly encourage the daily does of happiness to your inbox, and I’m excited to use this towards my goals for 2014.
Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls: David Sedaris never fails. Fantastic is you’re not afraid of literally laughing out loud at some of the most ridiculous stories you have ever heard.
Spiritual Growth
Confronting the Controversies; The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus; Christianity’s Family Tree; Christianity & World Religions: In terms of learning and growing in your faith, you can’t go wrong with Adam Hamilton. Each of these books also has an accompanying video series that is great to use in a small group bible study or Sunday school class. Adam always does a wonderful job bringing light to the scriptures in context and showing the historical relevance to terminology and audience as well. All very interesting studies to understand not onlywhat we believe as Christians, but to understand our brothers and sisters in the faith, and in the world, as we yearn to seek after the face of our King.
Evolving In Monkey Town: Probably one of the most influential books I have read when it comes to my faith. Heartfelt honesty makes this book not only intriguing and thought provoking, but relatable and poignant. Be sure to read my review.
Soul Detox: This is another book that has an accompanying video series (though a bit cheesy). Not overly simplistic, but great reminders in a very clever way of packaging the vices we all tend to deal with in our faith and in our everyday lives. Worth a read. Be sure to read my review.
Wife After God: This devotion was not my favorite, not because it wasn’t good, just because it wasn’t for me. Be sure to read my review to unpack more of what I mean.
More Than Words: While I am not the target audience for this devotion, it was very encouraging to read and honestly had some great points for leaders as well as the youth it is intended for. For more insight, be sure to read my review.
Whispers of Hope: Fantastic devotional to add organization and intentionality to your prayer life. Seriously a must read for growth and encouragement. Read my review for more details.
Jesus Feminist: After seeing that RHE wrote the forward, I knew this would be equally as pivotal in my journey of questions, faith, and understanding. A unique view of Jesus, the church, and what it means to step into womanhood as Christ proclaimed it. Make sure to read my review, you won’t be disappointed.
Simply Christian: Prompted by a friend to read this, and I am forever grateful that I did. Dubbed this generation’s Mere Christianity for a reason, this book does well to tackle the foundation of the faith in a new way that is profound, simple, and challenging. Listen to one of his sermons as well for the full effect of the awesomeness that is his accent, but by all means, read his work. Brilliant.
A Year of Biblical Womanhood: Rachel Held Evans is by far one of my new favorite authors. Genuine, honest, and down right hilarious. A very intriguing view of what is means to be a woman and a follower of Christ. A true MUST read.
Next up:
Simply Jesus – NT Wright
The Divergent Series – Veronica Roth
The Cuckoo’s Calling – Robert Galbrith
One Thousand Gifts – Ann Voskamp
And the Mountains Echoed – Khaled Hosseini
Sellevision & A Wolf at the Table – Augusten Burroughs
and hopefully many more!
Simply Jesus – NT Wright
The Divergent Series – Veronica Roth
The Cuckoo’s Calling – Robert Galbrith
One Thousand Gifts – Ann Voskamp
And the Mountains Echoed – Khaled Hosseini
Sellevision & A Wolf at the Table – Augusten Burroughs
and hopefully many more!
Magazines & Journals
JABA & The Behavior Analyst: two great tools for staying in touch with the literature in my field.
Real Simple: my subscription is very cheap & there are always great recipes & some interesting finds!
This past year I did the GoodReads 2013 Reading Challenge & I met my goal of 15 (I started late!) but this year I will be joining in on the #emptyshelf challenge & I am so excited to participate. Read more here and then come join in!
This past year I did the GoodReads 2013 Reading Challenge & I met my goal of 15 (I started late!) but this year I will be joining in on the #emptyshelf challenge & I am so excited to participate. Read more here and then come join in!
What have you read this year? What’s next on your list? I always love suggestions!!
