One of the things that I like to do every year is to write a book list of books I’d like to read in the coming year. I love to read, but I don’t always do it as much as I want to. Making a list helps to motivate me to finish a book when I can see what else I want to read, and it also gives me a starting place when I’m finished with a book, to decide what I want to read next.
Some people make a list with specific books to read during specific months, but I find that kind of list doesn’t work for me. I’d rather make a general list of books I’m interested in and that way I can read what sounds the most interesting to me, and if other books come up that I’d like to read, I don’t have to try to “fit” them into the schedule.
My 2012 Reading List
Marriage and Family
• The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller — this book was recommended by my good friend as the best marriage book she’s read. That’s enough for me to want to read it, plus I really like Timothy Keller.
• Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care by Alan Greene, M.D. — I figure I should read this book for this pregnancy and baby – I think it’s kinda a classic green living book, but I’ve never read it.
• Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka — I started this book and it was so, so good, but I had it from the library and I just couldn’t get all the way through it before it was due back. I think I need to just go ahead and buy it because I’m pretty sure I have two highly spirited children (and maybe a third on the way? God help us!), so I’m sure I’ll need to be referring to it over, and over, and over, and over!
Faith
• Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie Davis — I read Katie’s blog (only when I’m okay with crying, because it seems to happen every time I read it), and love her stories and the wisdom in her words. I’m looking forward to reading more about her story.
• Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life by Emily P. Freeman — I’ve heard good things about this book – from Simple Mom, and elsewhere, and it sounds just like the kind of book I need to read.
• Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan — I’ve been meaning to read this book for at least a year now, maybe longer. I’m studying Acts and The Letters of Paul this year in BSF and this seems like a really good book to go along with that study.
Productivity and Business
• Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy — I’m a terrible procrastinator, and one of my goals for this year is better time management, hoping this will help me with that!
• 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam – Again, see above — there’s a time management theme here.
• The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawaski — My hubby has been doing a TON of reading on business and start-ups as he is planning to launch an online business this year, and I asked him what one book he would recommend for me to read, from all that he has read, and this is what he said – so, I’m going to take his word for it!
Personal Picks
• Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Mooore — I’ve heard so many good things about this book from so many different people. It was on my list (at least the list in my mind) to read last year, but I didn’t get to it, so hopefully putting it on my actual list this year will help me to remember to read it!
• The Hunger Games Trilogy — by Suzanne Collins — My sister told me that I need to read these before the first movie comes out in March – I better get going!
So, that’s my Reading List for 2012, I’m sure I will add more books along the way, I’m looking forward to doing lots of reading this year! (In my abundant spare time! ha!)
Also, if you’re looking for some inspiration for green living type of books (most of which I didn’t include here), you can check out my post from right before Christmas on 12 Green Living Books for Your 2012 Reading List over on Simple Organic.
What have you read lately, or plan to read, that I should add to my list? I want to hear your recommendations!
Top photo by o5com
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Hmmm, I will have to check out Raising Baby Green and Raising the Spirited Child.
I want to get through some of Michael Pollan’s books this year!
I just started Serve God, Save the Planet. I’m not sure if you’ve already read it as it’s been out for years it appears, but it’s the absolute perfect reminder for why I started this journey and yet have allowed myself to forget so much of why I did. I am hopeful this book helps get me back to a place of improved consistency again. I also ordered Green Like God, but it hasn’t arrived yet. If you’re interested into “green” in terms of chemical exposures, etc—Sandra Steingraber is an amazing author, although some of what she shares is hard to read & know at times. She just came out with a new book though about raising her kids: Raising Elijah.
I have read Serve God, Save the Planet, and it is a great book! It was actually the first book that I read that really started me on this journey toward green and natural living and better stewardship of creation! I am a few chapters into Green Like God and it is good stuff, but I’m having a hard time sticking with the book – I need to dive back into and just finish it.
Thanks for the recommendation of the author, it’s hard to find that balance between wanting to know all of the crap that we are exposed to on a regular basis, and feeling better off just being ignorant, isn’t it? I’ll definitely have to look into her books.
~Emily
I’m reading Kisses from Katie right now and enjoying it. And I loved The Hunger Games Trilogy! Great list you have!
Forgotten God sounds great; I have been looking for something on that subject.
I recently read The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, an excellent novel.
Thanks for the suggestion of a novel ‘Becca – I like reading novels but never which ones are really worth reading.
Same Kind of Different as Me is a wonderful book. One of the best books I have ever read. You will enjoy it!