2017 Reading Challenge: July Update

At the beginning of this year I set a lofty reading goal to read 104 books by the end of this year. And not just any 104 books, but a variety of books from several different categories.

After much deliberation, I decided to complete Tim Challies’ 2017 Reading Challenge, going for The Obsessed Reader Award, and crowning myself utterly insane.

I mean, three little kids.

Enough said.

Setting this challenge for myself has really pushed me. As of right now, I’m falling behind, but I will keep trudging forward because it’s worth it.

It’s worth it because the challenge has revealed how often I revert to mindless scrolling on my phone! So, I’m hunkering down again this month to see if I can catch up.

By the way, you can read more about the challenge and how I’m managing it all here.

2017 Reading Challenge Breakdown & Favorites

Goal: 104 books
Current Books Read: 51
Number of Books to Go: 53

Best Books Read So Far (best books determined by inability to put it down):

Adult Fiction: The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom, America’s First Daughter, by Stephanie Dray, and Lilac Girls, by Martha Hall Kelly
Child Fiction: Peter Nimble and the Fantastic Eyes, by Jonathan Auxier & The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum (read by Anne Hathaway which was totally amazing!)
Non-Fiction: Praying the Bible, by Donald Whitney & Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss* (This is my all time favorite book!)

What I Read in July:

This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel – I found this one through Modern Mrs. Darcy. It was an INTERESTING read because it addressed the transgender culture we live in. It’s fiction, but I think it’s worth a read if you’re looking for perspective. I’m putting this one in the category “a book from a theological viewpoint I disagree with” though.
Running on Empty by Barbara Bancroft – Great book for women in ministry of any sort, especially pastoral ministry or a teachig ministry. It’s just good to know we aren’t alone!
Every Wild Heart by Meg Donohue – This was a page turner – a mystery and horses. It was like teenage me came back to life a little. 😉
Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim’s Progress – This was a read-aloud with my kids. The language was hard to read and use different voices because I kept mixing up the characters, but it was truly riveting for the boys!

2017 Reading Challenge Complete Log

There are more books I’d recommend reading, so I’ve used asterisks to help denote which ones. I also share if I’ve found a deal on Kindle along with any “heads up” you might need before diving in.

* Books I recommend reading
** Books I recommend reading aloud with your kids

The Light Reader

A biography: The Boy Born Dead, by David Ring*
A classic novel: Jack and Jill, by Louisa May Alcott* (FREE on Kindle)
A book about history: A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Parker**
A book targeted at your gender: Own Your Life: Living with Deep Intention, Bold Faith, and Generous Love, by Sally Clarkson*
A book about theology: Delighting in God, by A. W. Tozer*
A book with at least 400 pages: America’s First Daughter, by Stephanie Dray*
A book your pastor recommends:
A book about Christian living: Life Creative: Inspiration for Today’s Renaissance Mom, by Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart*
A book more than 100 years old:
A book published in 2017: Different: The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid and the Mom Who Loved Him, by Sally Clarkson and Nathan Clarkson*
A book for children or teens: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum** (FREE on Kindle + add the Audible narration by Anne Hathaway because it is SO GOOD!)
A book of your choice: The Trumpet of the Swan, by E.B. White**
A book about a current issue: Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made the Gospel Revolutionary, by J.D. Greear*

The Avid Reader

A book written by a Puritan: Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim’s Progress**
A book by or about a missionary:
A book about Christian living: Side-by-Side: Walking in Wisdom and Love, by Edward T. Welch*
A commentary on a book of the Bible:
A book about the Reformation:
A book about theology:
A book recommended by a family member: Lilac Girls, by Martha Hall Kelly*
A book with a great cover: The Muse, by Jessie Burton* (Heads up: There are a couple of “romantic” scenes. I skipped them when I came to them, and I didn’t feel like I missed a thing.)
A book on the current New York Times List of bestsellers:
A book about church history:
A book of 100 pages or less: Mummies in the Morning, by Mary Pope Osborne
A book of your choice: The Pleasures of Reading in the Age of Distraction, by Alan Jacobs
A book that won a prize: On the Banks of Plum Creek, by Laura Ingalls Wilder** (so far this is my favorite of the Little House Series)

The Committed Reader

A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with: This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel*
A book about Christian living: Anywhere Faith: Overcome Fear, Insecurity, and Excuses and Say Yes to God, by Heather C. King*
A book about apologetics:
A book of your choice: Peter Nimble and the Fantastic Eyes, by Jonathan Auxier**
A humorous book: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, by Betty MacDonald** (This one even hooked in my three year old!)
A book based on a true story:
A book about prayer: Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer, by Priscilla Shirer*
A book of poetry: Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson*
A book with a one-word title:
A book by Sinclair Ferguson:
A novel by an author you have never read before: Whose Body?, by Dorothy L. Sayers* ($0.99 on Kindle right now!)
A book about Christian living: Habits of Grace, by David Mathis (If you’re looking for a book on spiritual disciplines, I’d recommend Donald Whitney’s book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life over this one.)
A memoir or autobiography:
A play by William Shakespeare:
A book of your choice: Leonardo da Vinci: Giants of Science, by Kathleen Krull** (Heads up: I skipped the chapter on Leonardo’s romantic proclivities and scandal.)
A book written by an author with initials in their name: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling**
A book by a female author: The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes** (Fantastic book to build empathy!)
A book about theology:
A book published by Crossway:
A self-improvement book:
A graphic novel: Rapunzel’s Revenge, by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale** (My son loves graphic novels. I don’t care for them, but he loved this one and much to my surprise, I did too. I read it after him just to knock this off my list.)
A book you own but have never read:
A book targeted at the other gender: Great Books for Boys, by Kathleen Odean*
A book about Christian living:
A book of your choice: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling**
A book about race or racial issues: The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom*

The Obsessed Reader

A book you have started but never finished:
A book about church history:
A book about holiness or sanctification: Holiness: The Heart God Purifies, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss*
A book about science:
A book used as a seminary text:
A book on the ECPA bestseller list:
A book about productivity or time management:
A book of your choice: Tolstoy and the Purple Chair, by Nina Sankovitch
A book about spiritual disciplines: Praying the Bible, by Donald Whitney*
A book about parenting:
A book about Christian living:
A book by Iain Murray:
A book about business:
A book about theology:
A book about marriage: You and Me Forever, by Francis and Lisa Chan*
A photo essay book:
A book of comics:
A book about the Second World War: The Nazi Officer’s Wife: How One Woman Survived the Jewish Holocaust, by Edith Hahn Beer*
A book by a Puritan:
A book about preaching or public speaking:
A book of your choice: The Shadow of Your Smile, by Mary Higgins Clark*
A book about suffering:
A book about evangelism:
A book by your favorite author:
A book you have read before: Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss* (This is my all time favorite book!)
A Christian novel:
A biography of a Christian: The Apostle: A Life of Paul, by John Pollock*
A book about the natural world:
A novel for young adults: Prince Caspian, by C.S. Lewis**
A novel longer than 400 pages:
A book about history:
A book about the Bible:
A book recommended by a friend:
A book published by P&R Publications:
A book with an ugly cover:
A book by or about a martyr:
A book of your choice: Every Wild Heart by Meg Donohue
A book about Christian living:
A book about church history:
A book about money or finance: More Than Just Making It, by Erin Odom*
A book about leadership: Running on Empty, by Barbara Bancroft
A book by John Piper: Seeing and Savoring Christ, by John Piper*
A book about theology:
A book for children or teens: Waiting for the Magic, by Patricia MacLachlan** (This is cute for kids to read, but I don’t know that I’d read it aloud to the kids.)
A book about sexuality:
A book about writing:
A book about current events: Abortion, by R.C. Sproul* (FREE on Kindle!)
A biography of a world leader:
A book about the church: Life in Community, by Dustin Willis*
A book of your choice: Listening for Lions, by Gloria Whelan**
A book about a hobby: The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had, by Susan Wise Bower*
A book written in a twentieth century:

What about you? Are you doing a reading challenge this year? What are some of the best books you’ve read this year?

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