Last year I did something that I’ve never done before, unless you count all those college years of textbooks {and even then – highly unlikely}. I cracked the spine on numerous non-fiction books.
Maybe you’re an avid reader, but for me – that was a big deal. While I love to read, typically fiction is what carries me away, and non-fiction … well, that just lulls me to sleep. {Feel free to snicker – I won’t stop you}.
But in 2013, I set a goal to read at least one book a month that would input a little more into my tired brain than just a mental escape. My full list is here, and I managed to finish the list by the skin of my teeth {i.e. an 8 hour car ride round trip}. One of them, Good and Angry, is one that I am going to read again, and slowly with my hubby, because it had some great suggestions and helps for parenting.
Overall, there wasn’t one book that was necessarily a favorite, because each one targeted something that I specifically needed to hear at the point and time that I was reading it. Grace in parenting. Paring down on the excess in life {physical and otherwise}. Relishing each moment and realizing the importance of our words and actions. All twelve were fabulous books and ones that will remain on my bookshelf to read again.
My Twelve Books to Read in 2014
Based on recommendations from friends and some of you, as well as picking a few books from authors I read last year, here’s the list of 12 non-fiction books that are in my 2014 reading basket.
- Victim of Grace by Robin Jones Gunn {finished 12/10}
- Start by Jon Acuff {finished 11/10}
- Loving Our Kids on Purpose by Danny Silk {finished 5/10}
- The Core {Classical Education} by Leigh Bortins {finished 12/26}
- 10 Gifts of Wisdom by Sally Clarkson {finished 1/10}
- Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware
- Six Ways to Keep the Good in Your Boy by Dannah Gresh {finished 11/15}
- Building the Christian Family You Never Had by Mary E. DeMuth {finished 10/21}
- Praying for Boys by Brooke McGlothlin (finished 3/23)
- Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt {finished 10/10}
- Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker {finished 6/15}
- 24/6 by Matthew Sleeth {finished 3/28}
- Bonus book – One Thousand Gifts by Anne Voskamp {finished 2/8}
Added:
- Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine {finished 2/19}
- Rhinestone Jesus by Kristen Welch {finished 5/29} – LOVED it!!!
- Smart Money, Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey {finished 8/2}
- Finding Spiritual Whitespace by Bonnie Gray {finished 8/15}
- Parenting with Love and Logic by Cline and Fay {finished 11/15}
- Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman {finished 10/5}
- The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp {finished 12/22}
This year I also want to keep track of all the books that I’m reading, including read-alouds and the fiction ones that I manage to cram in at bedtime each night, so I started a Pinterest Reading Board to look back on at the end of the year. Looking back and having a visual can make such a difference.
What books are you planning to read this year, either as a family or on your own? Have you read an absolutely wonderful book this year that you would recommend to others? Leave a comment and let us know!