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I really, really love to read and it is one of those things I wish I had more time to do. Reading makes me feel more alive and gets my creative wheels turning. I need reading in my life. We have to schedule our priorities to make them happen, so I’m putting reading on my calendar this year and keeping books near me at all times to fill in the gaps of the day.

I’m also making a plan of what I want to read. I have SO many books on my shelves waiting to be opened and new books are coming out every week. I feel like if I make a plan for this year, I will hopefully stick to it more closely and cross off a whole lot of books on my “to-read” list!

To help me in starting my list of what I’m reading in 2016, I decided to take the 2016 Reading Challenge laid out on by Anne Bogel on her blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, and here’s what I came up with:

What I'm Reading in 2016

a book published this year

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch – Kristen is an honest, godly voice that I respect so much, especially her thoughts on service, marriage, and parenthood. Her first book, Rhinestone Jesus, was beautiful, and I need to read these new words from her about children and parenting. This is a topic our world so desperately needs to address.

a book you can finish in a day

Four: The Transfer by Veronica Roth – When I finished the Divergent series, I meant to read the follow-up novellas telling the story from Four’s perspective, but I just forgot! I know I can tackle at least one of the four novellas in a day.

a book you’ve been meaning to read

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling – It’s true. I’ve never read the Harry Potter books. I’m not really sure why, but I think it’s time.

a book recommended by your local librarian or bookseller

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh – My parents gave me this book for my birthday last year, but I’m including it in this category because I mentioned it to our local librarian and she raved about it! I’ve already started in on this novel and it is fascinating.

a book you should have read in school

Night by Elie Wiesel – When I was looking at lists of books I “should” have read in high school, I thought maybe I had read this one, but after reading more about it, I guess not! I know it is a heavy subject matter, but I do look forward to reading this autobiographical account of the Holocaust because of the history and importance of remembering.

a book chosen for you by your spouse, partner, sibling, child, or BFF

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson – I am giddy to read this series for many reasons, but most of all because my nine-year-old son can’t WAIT for me to read it. It was originally recommended to us by Ellie Holcomb at her concert Big J and I went to together. He devoured all four books in the series and is now just waiting for his mom to catch up!

a book published before you were born

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer – I see this book quoted all over the place and I love every quote I’ve seen shared. And it has been sitting in my Kindle library just waiting to be read, so this is the year!

a book that was banned at some point

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – The Hubby says I need to read it. The end.

a book you previously abandoned

A Meal with Jesus by Tim Chester – I didn’t abandon this book because I didn’t like it. Life just got busy and it was forgotten. I really like what I had read so far, so I’m excited to read the rest! God has put hospitality and service forefront in my heart and mind this year and this book falls right in line with that calling.

a book you own but have never read

Nobody’s Cuter Than You by Melanie Shankle – Melanie’s books always make me laugh out loud and I know this one will be just as humorous! I just love the way she writes, and I’m can’t wait to read her take on friendship.

a book that intimidates you

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen – I know it’s funny I’m intimated by the book upon which one of my favorite movies is based, but I just haven’t been able to tackle it yet! I think it’s my own mental block, but this year I WILL overcome! Actually, this is the first book I’m going to “read” as an audiobook because everyone is raving about listening to books. I’ll let you know how it goes!

a book you’ve already read at least once

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – I read this entire series in the summer between seventh and eighth grade. I’ve been thinking about reading it again as an adult, so I committing to it this year because of this challenge!

 

Are you taking the reading challenge? What is on your list to read this year?