So over on Pinterest I posted the many, many novels I'd like to read in 2013. It's massive but not un-doable based on what I read last year. The key (for me) to getting this many books read is NOT WATCHING TV. Really, how many old episodes of Law and Order does one woman need to watch? How many times do I need to see detectives track down a killer on ID Channel?
I will, however, keep watching Castle. So other than that hour of viewing a week, I need to be in my bed reading fastidiously in the evenings before I fall asleep.
But that's not what this post is about.
I thought I'd post about the nonfiction books I hope to read in the coming year, books that have captured my attention because they speak to some need or desire in my life that I think they will assist with. Because isn't that what we read nonfiction for? To become better people? More productive people?
So, here goes. I already wrote about my one word for this year (LOVE). With that in mind, I've been on the lookout for books that will lend themselves to that theme for this year.
One is Love Does by Bob Goff. What was my tipoff? Well, the title of course. If I want to live a life of love, then I need to act in love. This book, I suspect, will help with that.
The other is Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick
Another one is Etched Upon My Heart by Jill Kelly, a book that was sent to me unsolicited. When I saw that the first chapter was titled, "Love" I knew I was meant to read it. Serendipity!
I'm sure I'll find others along these same lines.
Other books I hope to read:
My One Word by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen (I just finished this one but I wanted to count it. I can tell you that it's worth the read. I wrote about it last week if you want to scroll down and learn more about it.)
Back of the House: The Secret of Life of a Restaurant by Scott Haas (I have an idea for a novel that would involve a restuarant, so this is research.)
Life After Art: What You Forgot About Life and Faith Since You Left The Art Room by Matt Appling
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
The books below are all to help me run She Reads more effectively:
What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam
What The Most Successful People Do On The Weekends by Laura Vanderkam
Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, Actions by Guy Kawasaki
The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
These books are for the mom in me:
Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma
Train Like A Mother by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea
The Element by Ken Robinson (A friend recommended this as a wonderful book for helping your kids find and tap into their passions. With teens in the house, that really spoke to me. I've met too many adults who have no idea what their passions are or how to pursue them.)
You might notice I don't have many spiritual self-help type books listed. That's because I've really shied away from those because of a couple of reasons. Mostly I'm just convinced that if we want to grow spiritually, we should read the Bible. I am so grateful for Community Bible Study allowing me the opportunity to do that weekly in a group of women I've grown to love. And I love that they don't allow any other books/authors to be mentioned. It's refreshing after years of being immersed in a culture that seemed to, more and more, follow people and their words more than Jesus and His. My daily Bible study will always come before any of these books. All this other stuff is just gravy meant to help me be more successful in parenting and business.
I also have a long list of writing books I'd love to read this year that I didn't dare include here, lest I completely overwhelm you all. It's a sickness I freely admit to having.
So what's on your list of books you'd like to read this year? Books to make you a better mom, wife, business person, writer, etc? Got any "can't miss" recommendations? Leave a comment and let me know!
6 comments:
I started to listen to the introvert book with my husband a few months ago, but it just didn't lend itself to a couple's read, so I am going to start over with that one and see what I think. I am also hoping to read Summer World (because I love nature), Freakonomics and The Tipping Point. If other non fiction titles pop their heads up along the way, I will read them too! Good luck with your nonfiction reads this year, Marybeth!
I took out "I couldn't love you more" by Jillian Medoff from the library. I found it on your list of fiction reads and looked very interesting just thought I might give you a heads up as I didn't make it to chapter two as it is full of curse words and quite crude.... putting it mildly:) Can't say how the whole thing is but that summarized chapter one!!!
Nicole, I haven't read I Couldn't Love You More and I'm sorry that you found it in poor taste. I don't mind language in books all that much. I'd say always check out any book I recommend to see if it suits your standards. Happy reading!
I have a huge list of books - fiction and non-fiction - for this year. My non-fiction choices are aimed at making me a better mom and just improving my outlook in general. For example, I've already read "A Simple Act of Gratitude". I have on my ever expanding bookshelf - "Desperate", "The Joy of Less", "Cleaning House", "The Gift of an Ordinary Day", "Magical Journey", and many, many more! I've started a reading journal based on one of your earlier posts and I can see that it has already helped me re-establish the priority of reading in my life. As a mom, it's far too easy to fall into the role of caretaker to the point of not taking care of ourselves. Whether it's exercise, sleep or just spending a few minutes relaxing with a good book. Thanks!
Thanx Marybeth. I wasn't sure I should comment and I didn't want you to think I was criticizing your book choice. I just wanted to give you a heads up just in case you didn't want to bother since you have so many on your list:) It wasn't just curse words....trust me!!! That is just chapter one tho.....the rest of the book might be great.haha I knew you hadn't read it and it was just on your list.
Marybeth--I have a goal of reading at least 25 non-fiction books this year. My favorite so far is "10-10-10; 10 Minutes, 10 Months, 10 Years--A Life-Transforming idea" by Suzy Welch. It's about looking ahead short- medium- and long-term when making decisions.
THANKS for your list--I've added several to my "look for" list.
I also agree with you so much about "spiritual" books--I decided about a year ago to study just the Bible (my study Bible) to see "what it's all about". It's so easy to be misled and with a little study the Bible is NOT hard to understand (well, some parts are but not as a whole, especially with a study Bible). I think it's important for Christians to truly know "what the Bible says" so we can (gently) dispute mis-truths or mis-conceptions and present people with what it truly does say.
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