Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Works-For-Me Wednesday: 12 Books In 12 Months

I used to be a really good reader - I practically ate books! Once I had my son, that all changed. I felt that I didn't have time to read. And then somewhere along the way, I lost the ability to focus on a book long enough to get through it without having to read several parts over. Chapters of the Bible, short devotionals, magazine articles, and blog posts have been my main reading. I can count on one hand the number of actual books that I have read from beginning to end in the past year!

I need to discipline myself to get back into reading. I just need to "practice" and to set aside the time to read and I'll be able to get back into it. My friend Charlotte posted that she was going to do 12 books in 12 months. I really like that idea and feel that it's very doable. I think it's an idea that could really work for me so I decided to do it too. I wanted to use 4 books that would help me in my Christian walk, 4 books that would help me in my homemaker skills, and 4 books just for literary entertainment. I also decided that all 12 books HAD to be books already sitting around in my house! Here's what I came up with:


  • Passionate Housewives Desperate For God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald - I have already started reading this one and do think it has some excellent advice in it. I hope to finish by the end of this month.
  • Cooking Essentials from The Cooking Club of America, along with Christmas From The Heart of the Home by Susan Branch and Holiday Snacks & Appetizers and Other Christmas Fun - I combined these 3 since one wouldn't equal a full regular book. The Cooking Essentials book has lots of great info on spices, equipment, and techniques which will help me in the kitchen and the other 2 will give me good ideas to start planning Christmas foods and gifts.
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - Just wanted to read my favorite book again. I haven't read it in years.
  • The Attributes of God by Arthur W. Pink - A book I probably should have read before now. Hubby highly recommended it.
  • The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman - I expect that all my organizing problems will be solved as soon as I read this book - LOL! Well at least I can get some good ideas to implement. :)
  • A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - I've never actually read this book, so figured this would be a good time!
  • The Church In History by B.K. Kuiper - This is more of a textbook, but it will help me to understand the timeline of when everything took place.
  • Designing Your Home On A Budget by Emilie Barnes and Yoli Brogger - I hope this will give me some more ideas of how I can make my home comfortable and cozy.
  • Night of the Grizzlies by Jack Olsen - OK - you're thinking, "What???" I know. It baffles my husband also. It's the true story of a grizzly attack that happened in 1967 in Glacier National Park. I am rather fascinated by grizzlies and the fact that people don't always seem to understand how ferocious they are - and this took place in my home state which interests me too.
  • Knowing God by J.I. Packer - Another good book that I really should have read long before now and it's on my son's school's Junior High reading list. Might be nice if I actually read it before him!
  • Speed Cleaning 101 by Laura Dellutri - I hope to pick up a couple of good tips or be reminded of things I've forgotten.
  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - A literary treat for me! I love this story!
I may change out some of the books as I go, but that's my list for now. And I may add in books if I'm doing well - LOL! We'll see!

Do you read a lot? Is there a certain time of day that works best for you? Do you think this idea would work for you?

For more Works-For-Me Wednesdays ideas, stop by We Are THAT Family!

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

12 comments:

  1. This is a great idea, to list out 12 books you want to read in the next 12 months. I read a lot but tend to be not very intentional about my reading; I just show up at the library and leave with an armload of books, then wonder why all the books on my shelves at home don't get read ;) I've been inspired by some of the book reading challenges people have blogged about. So I also wrote down a few books I had lying around the house that I really wanted to finish. Maybe there's something about fall that signals it's time to "nest" and to get a little reading done! Good luck getting through your list :)

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  2. This is a good idea for people who have difficulty making the time to read.

    Each summer since I was in high school I make it a goal to read 50 books. I had a teacher challenge me and say I couldn't do it. I can proudly say I have done it every single summer except for one (the summer I gave birth to my son).

    Reading is so important. In our family we like to do DEAR several times a week (DROP EVERYTHING AND READ). We all grab something, kids and grownups and hang out in a cozy spot at home and read.

    :)

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  3. That sounds like a wonderful idea my friend. Mind if I steal this idea for my post tomorrow? I think some of my follower friends might find it beneficial as well.
    Big I love to read but sleep comes to quickly after size hugs to you!!!

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  4. Hi there, my name is Lisa too. <3 I have been the EXACT same way! I used to read like crazy but that all changed after kids. I loved reading your book list! Great idea.

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  5. Our pastor a number of years ago (when my husband was the associate pastor) told my husband that he makes a point to read one chapter a day. That has stuck with us both. It's pretty manageable to read a chapter - or at least a chunk of a chapter, if the chapters are very long - nearly every day. We keep our books on our headboard (it has a shelf) and read them at bedtime.

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  6. what a GREAT idea! I have been struggling with reading lately too. I enjoy it when I do it...but lately it seems like I use my reading time reading blogs. What a great goal to set...I think I'm going to join you!

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  7. Great idea! Like you, after I got busy with being a mom, my reading dropped off to magazines, short Bible readings, and blog posts. :) Lately I've been reading more and loving it. I schedule a break in the afternoons, and that's when I read.

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  8. That sounds like such a cool challenge. You picked some great books!

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  9. I don't read a lot but I wish I did. That is a good plan you have there! Good luck with that:-)

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  10. Your list is great! That was a smart thing to only choose books you had in the house. Now I need to get busy reading...

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