Reading more.

Last January, I decided that I wanted to read more. I'm mainly neutral to reading, but being a stay at home mom with little ones, I felt like my world was feeling pretty small and my brain was getting in a rut. I decided to try to change that by reading more and adding a news source. (I typically avoided the news because it's depressing and stirs up strife, but I found a news podcast that I like.) 

I set the goal of reading 12 books in a year (one per month), including reading the full Bible chronologically. That may sound like a low goal, but for me this felt like a lofty one. I've never been an avid reader because I was always nervous I'd not get the book finished, and I didn't feel like I had any buffer time to read. In actuality, I realized that I just spent/wasted my buffer time on a Netflix show or scrolling social media (hence my feeling of having my brain in a rut.) To my surprise, I exceeded my goal and read 13 books plus the Bible!

Here's my list:

1) The Bible

• Regardless of your beliefs, I totally think everyone should read the Bible from beginning to end... this was my first time completing it chronologically. Amazing experience. It's a commitment definitely, but worth more than you'll ever imagine.
• I got this beautiful single column, ESV journal Bible for Christmas last year. It was a different feeling reading through an unmarked, brand-new Bible. (My other Bibles are written all over from years of use.) It's a heavy Bible, but I love the single column feature along with the lines for notes.
• This is the daily plan I used.
• Also, a local group, "Dayton Women in the Word" is doing a yearly reading plan too. So if you want accountability, or insight for others, or even just community, look them up on Facebook, Instagram, or at their website here. 

2) The Red Sea Road by Robert J. Morgan

• I HIGHLY recommend this small book to anyone facing an especially challenging time! This was my 2nd time reading it. Seriously, get this book.

3) ‎The Lucky Few by Heather Avis

• This was a super fast and easy read, loved her style of writing, and loved her life story. I've recommended this to friends already.

4) ‎Dear Birthmother by Silver and Speedlin

• If you're thinking about adoption, I recommend this. Very interesting and enlightening to read letters written by birthmothers.

5) ‎The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

• I finished it in two days - neat to see how far they've come. It was a nice, light read.

6) The Unveiled Wife by Jennifer Smith

• This was very interesting, especially if you have a chronic pain or illness, but I felt like it was much too drawn out.

7) The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

• This is not an easy read, but very thought-provoking. I feel like I need to read this one 3 more times to get the full message, ha!

8) Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman

• I don't agree with absolutely everything in this book, but it offered some really good parenting principles and framework.
• I like the chart that is a companion to this. It lists the issue the child is doing (i.e. hitting, complaining, tattling, etc.) and then some helpful verses, questions, and encouragement to address the issues. It's on amazon here.

9) Twenty Things Adoptive Parents Need to Succeed by Sherrie Eldridge

• Written by an adoptee, so it's a helpful resource for sure if you're interested in adoption

10) Gracelaced: Discovering Timeless Truth Through Seasons of the Heart by Ruth Chou Simons

• I love her art, all she stands for, her heart for God. This is a beautiful book, and I gave it to 3 different people for Christmas. I've also purchased several prints of her paintings.
• If you don't follow her (@gracelaced) on Instagram, you should.

11) The Broken Way by Ann Voskamp

• Ann Voskamp's writing is poetic and powerful. She has a gift. Her book, "One Thousand Gifts" is one of my absolute favorite books ever. All that to say, this wasn't my favorite book but I did enjoy the overarching concepts. 

12) The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst

• I liked this one. If you feel over-booked, stressed, or struggle to say no, this is a great choice.

13) Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequest

• I've heard such good stuff about this book, and I really wanted to love it, but I didn't at all. Speaking from a theological perspective, it falls quite short (and incorrect in some portions of it, in my opinion.) I don't recommend this. 

14) Audacious by Beth Moore

• This was good, not super elaborate, but had some great thinking points.

This year, I want to keep the same goal of 12 books. I plan to go through the New Testament slowly and dig a little deeper using commentary, while continuing my BSF and inductive study of Romans. I also want to make sure I read a couple fictional books, since I tend to naturally gravitate to non-fiction. I'd love any recommendations you have!