Book List for 2013

My 2013 Book List is quite extensive, in fact it would be a miracle if I read every book on it (there are over 100 books on my list :). So I have narrowed down my list to the top 25 books that I am most excited to read this year. Here they are...

Motherhood/Parenting



Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp- I'm super excited to read this one as part of our Titus 2 Woman's Book club at church. Unfortunately this one isn't scheduled for this fall, I may have to read it before then!


Desperate by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae- Sally Clarkson is my absolute favorite author/mentor when it comes to motherhood, and I enjoy Sarah Mae's blog and other ebooks she has written.



Hope for the Weary Mom by Brook McGlothlin and Stacey Thacker- I was able to get this a free Kindle download last year and have been looking forward to reading it since.
 

Brooke McGlothlin (Author)

› Visit Amazon's Brooke McGlothlin Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

Are you an author? Learn about Author Central

Mindsets for Moms by Jamie Martin
Her other book Steady Days was a favorite read last year as it helped me establish a routine and purpose for my days. I'm excited to read this one too.
Marriage



The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller- I have heard a lot of good things about this book, so I am eager to read it for myself.



Helper by Design by Elyse Fitzpatrick- I have enjoyed her two books that I have read so far.



The Husband Project: 21 Days of Loving Your Man- on Purpose and With a Plan by Kathi Lipp- always looking for more ways to be intentional in showing Brett love and respect.

Biographies



Running for My Life: One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games by Lopez Lomong



In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham- I have wanted to read this for SO LONG. Last year I was thrilled when it was Kindle freebie on day. This couple was from a small down outside of Kansas City, so there story was all over the news locally when she finally returned home.

Learning at Home



The Well- Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had by Susan Wise Bauer- I have been interested in learning more about classical education, and was recommended this book as a starting point.

Food Choices, Health and Well being



French Kids Eat Everything: How Our Family Moved to France, Cured Picky Eating, Banned Snacking, and Discovered 10 Simple Rules for Raising Happy, Healthy Eaters by Karen Le Billon- I have heard a lot about this book so I'm excited to read it.



The Unhealthy Truth: One Mother's Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America's Food Supply and What Every Family Can do to Protect Itself by Robyn O'Brien - I'm pretty sure this book is going to confirm why I'm trying to eliminate processed foods and sugar from our diet.



Forks Over Knives: The Plant Based Way to Health by Gene Stone

Spiritual Growth



7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker- the aspiring minimalist in me is intrigued by this read.



Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss



Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss



Feeding Your Soul: A Quiet Time Handbook by Jean Fleming- I really enjoyed her book A Mother's Heart.



Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions- by Lysa Terkeurst- I might be prone to becoming unglued when things don't work out the way I plan them to ;)

Fiction



What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty- A lot of people have or are reading this, so I though why not?



Kindred Spirits by Sara Strohmeyer- This book has also been on my radar for a while. It's about a group of women who met as PTA moms and have stayed close friends throughout the years. My mom has a close group of friends (5 women) that met as PTA moms back when my brother was in first grade. They met together once a month for dinner.



The Help by Kathyrn Stockett- I have wanted to read this for a LONG time.



The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton



The House at Riverton by Kate Morton- I have heard a lot of really good things about Kate Morton and these two books were recommended readings of her work.

Random Non-Fiction



Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can's Stop Talking by Susan Cain- Doesn't the title make your smile?



The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney



Happier at Home By Gretchen Rubin- I read The Happiness Project last year and am looking forward to reading this too.

 

Read more...

Turn Off the TV, Open a Book

I have been reading a lot this year. As of today, I have completed more than 50 books! Most books I have posted on my Pinterest page, a few short "how-to" e-books I didn't bother posting. I  have really made it a priority to read, mostly during Silas' nap times or in the evenings while Brett is watching baseball. Outside of favorite shows recorded on the DVR, I have almost completely stopped watching TV. I admit that during the Olympics, the TV was on most of the day, but it was the Olympics so I gave myself grace :) I also have made it a habit to read during commercials if Brett and I are watching something on live TV that I'm interested in.

I realized how much the TV was on during the day, mainly as background noise, and it really started to bother me. I don't want Silas to become a TV watcher outside of approved shows or movies. Plus I have become more aware of the advertising. This summer I have been trying to simplify our lives by removing clutter, simplifying toys, trying to eliminate processed foods, and removing sugar from our diets, all of these things commercials directly counter act.

At first I thought it would be hard to not have the TV on as background noise. Being home all day, most everyday can sometimes get lonely. But once I turned the TV off, I turned the radio on and have either K-Love, Pandora, or my favorite CDs on in the background. Having quality music in the background has really been uplifting, especially in the first few months of the pregnancy when I was feeling so sick.  With the TV off, and the music on I am much more likely to read instead of being distracted by something probably useless on TV.

Most everything I have read this year had been worthwhile, there have been a few duds along the way. All of the books I have read have been recommended my other bloggers, or books that I have sinned pinned, or are books that I have been wanting to read for a while. I wanted to share a few of my favorite reads so far this year.

The first book is Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn


I can't say that this was an easy read, but it has definitely been the most challenging read of the year. To be honest it was really hard to read for two reasons, the chapters are long, and it is incredibly convicting and powerful. Alcorn pretty much goes against the American dream of saving up lots of money, and buying nice things for yourself. In fact it's quite the opposite. He really challenges the reader to look at money not as "yours" but as God's. I have recommend this book to several family members, and Brett and I have spent a lot of time talking about some of the points I have read.

The second book is The Preacher's Bride by Jodi Hedlund.

It's a fictional story set in the 1600s Puritan England. It is based largely on the life of John Bunyan and his wife and the trials and persecution they endured. It was definitely a page turner, in fact I started it on a Friday and completed in the next Sunday!

The next book that I really enjoyed was Simplicity Parenting by Dr. Kim John Payne

Earlier I talked about trying to simplify our home by removing clutter, and trying to eliminate toys, this book touched on that. It also talks about simplifying our schedules, and as Silas gets older really evaluating the activities that he is involved in. The author's main point is that it shouldn't be about stuff (toys, clothes, gadgets, etc.) or activities, but about the intentional time a family spends together.

The next book is The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

While there were some things that I didn't agree with in this book, mainly the author dabbles in some Eastern religion philosophies, there was a lot I did enjoy. It was a pretty quick read and I did feel "happy" after I read it :)

A final mention is Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman

I could completely relate to this book from the title to the contents. I have always felt like a "good girl." I don't drink, I didn't date or sleep around in high school or college (in fact I married my first date :)). Sometimes though I never felt good enough, pretty enough, smart enough even though I was, and still am a complete people pleaser. I avoid confrontation, I am extremely introverted, I'm socially shy when put in situations where I don't know many of the people. In fact I remember once a really good friend tell me she thought I was a snob when she first met me because I was so quiet. She thought I didn't like her! In fact it's usually the opposite, I enjoy the new people I am meeting, I just can't think of an intelligent thing to say!

In Grace for the Good Girl, the author encourages us to remove the masks we've been hiding behind, the "try harder" life we try to live, and to realize that we are free in Christ and the life that he has given to us.

These are just a few of the books that I have read that I feel like I should pass on and recommend to others. I still have quite a few books left on my reading list this year that I'm excited to read. Hopefully I can still keep up with reading after Baby Girl arrives any week now! I'll keep you posted on anymore praise worthy books :)

Read more...

A love for books

My Papa always said that the best thing you can do for yourself is learn to read. He instilled in me a love of many things: cooking, family and of course, books. Papa had bookcases overflowing with books, and boxes tucked away in the basement packed full. He collected, and read every single one, books of all genres.

Papa passed away this March and yesterday I spent a rainy afternoon going through his book collection. My Granny was very generous to let me take as many as I wanted. I found books that Nick and I had given him for Christmas presents, cookbooks that were almost falling apart, and books on his favorite president, Harry S. Truman. Granny also gave me several old "readers", textbooks dating back to the early 1900's! She said that he wanted his "teacher granddaughter" to have them. I also have books that he had given me for Christmas presents as a child.

I was the child who would rather curl up and read a good book then play outside. I would save my allowance for a trip to Barnes and Noble on the plaza, instead of the toy store. I remember Papa reading aloud to me and taking my cousins and I to the library when we would spend a week at my grandparent's house during the summer. I love Papa and I will miss him very much, but I have many memories of him, and now I have a small part of his book collection.

My love of books is still in demand today. I love to read and get caught up in a good story. I love to encourage my students to read as well. I wish that there was more time during the school day to read aloud or let my students read independently. That is a goal of mine for the next fall. During college and the first few years of teaching, reading took a back seat to to other pursuits and time restraints. Last year I read my first "adult" book for pleasure in over three years. Since then I have rearranged schedule time in my evenings and on weekends to make reading more of a priority. I have already made my book list for this summer, 25 plus and counting! (It may take me more than the summer to read all of those.)

One day I look forward to passing on my love for books and reading to my children and telling them of the legacy, and the impression Papa left.

Read more...