I used to set New Year’s Resolutions every year. Likea recurring nightmare, “lose weight” always topped the list. But after 20-something-ish
years and three children…well, let’s just say I crossed it off the list as if
to say “never mind.”
But I do like knowing I’ve accomplished something during a year, and something
had to replace it as a resolution.
had to replace it as a resolution.
So when my kids grew out of board books, I decided
to broaden my literary horizons beyond Cuddles
the Cow and Good Night Moon. You
know, grown-up books. The kind with pages that tear and words that don’t rhyme.
So, a few years ago I resolved “to read more books.”
to broaden my literary horizons beyond Cuddles
the Cow and Good Night Moon. You
know, grown-up books. The kind with pages that tear and words that don’t rhyme.
So, a few years ago I resolved “to read more books.”
Apparently there’s something to that admonition to
make measurable, specific resolutions, because that year came and went, and I
had no idea if I’d read more books.
make measurable, specific resolutions, because that year came and went, and I
had no idea if I’d read more books.
Not to be deterred (after all, “loose weight”
had a 20 year list tenure!), I put it on the list again the next year.
had a 20 year list tenure!), I put it on the list again the next year.
Maybe
I should make it “measurable” this year, I thought. So I
modified the resolution: “Read one book each month.” At the end of the year I
knew I’d read some books, but I had no idea how many.
I should make it “measurable” this year, I thought. So I
modified the resolution: “Read one book each month.” At the end of the year I
knew I’d read some books, but I had no idea how many.
Last year I finally got smart and resolved to “Keep
track of the books I read.” And while I did not “lose weight,” I DID keep track
of the books I read!!
track of the books I read.” And while I did not “lose weight,” I DID keep track
of the books I read!!
So here, in the order I read them, with my favorites
in bold, are the books I read in 2013:
in bold, are the books I read in 2013:
Who
Do You Think You Are?, Mark Driscoll
Do You Think You Are?, Mark Driscoll
Permission
Marketing, Seth Godin
Marketing, Seth Godin
Same
Kind of Different as Me,
Ron Hall & Denver Moore
Kind of Different as Me,
Ron Hall & Denver Moore
Five
Conversations to Have with Your Son, Vickey Courtney
Conversations to Have with Your Son, Vickey Courtney
The
Prodigal God,
Tim Keller
Prodigal God,
Tim Keller
Lineage
of Grace: Ruth, Francine Rivers
of Grace: Ruth, Francine Rivers
Sticky
Faith, Powell & Clark
Faith, Powell & Clark
A
Window to the World, Susan Meissner
Window to the World, Susan Meissner
The
Meaning of Marriage, Tim Keller
Meaning of Marriage, Tim Keller
Truck:
A love story, Michael Perry
A love story, Michael Perry
Christ
in the Chaos, Kim Crandall
in the Chaos, Kim Crandall
Cleaning
House, Kay Wills Wyme
House, Kay Wills Wyme
A
Million Little Ways,
Emily P. Freeman
Million Little Ways,
Emily P. Freeman
The
Weathering Grace of God,
Ken Gire
Weathering Grace of God,
Ken Gire
The
Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp
Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp
The
Lost Letters of Pergamum, Bruce W. Longenecker and Ben Witherington
Lost Letters of Pergamum, Bruce W. Longenecker and Ben Witherington
*****
Bolstered by success,
I resolved again this January to “Keep track of books I read.” Thankfully, my mid-quarter-ish
assessment reveals I’m on track.
I resolved again this January to “Keep track of books I read.” Thankfully, my mid-quarter-ish
assessment reveals I’m on track.
Here is my partial
list for 2014 along with my two-cent review:
list for 2014 along with my two-cent review:
Son of Laughter, Fredrick Beuchner
(A strange read for me. Life in the Old
Testament was not very tidy.)
Testament was not very tidy.)
Die Empty, Todd Henry
(Awesome title. Kind of self-help-y, but many ideas
for making the most of your life and time.)
for making the most of your life and time.)
Desiring God, John Piper
(Not an easy read for me, but an awesome paradigm shift
for Christians! So glad I read it.)
for Christians! So glad I read it.)
So here’s to two
consecutive years of keeping a resolution.
consecutive years of keeping a resolution.
What are you reading? Any suggestions for my list?
Good for you! My book resolution is to not start any new books until I've finished the ones I've started. I'm down 2 of 5 so far but I may have cheated just a smidge with a very easy to read new book (only 3 chapters and then I set it aside). This resolution does not include books I've bought but not even cracked.
*The Ragamuffin Gospel is one I would suggest for your list.
That's a good resolution too, Mindy! I started a few and didn't finish for various reasons. You're not the first to suggest Ragamuffin Gospel. Been meaning to read it for a long time. Thanks for the suggestion!
http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913
This book looks right up your alley.
Thanks for the recommendation MaryChar! I have read excerpts and would love to read the whole book. Hope all is well in the "east" 🙂