2017 Reading Challenge: What I Read in December

It’s hard to believe that 2017 closes in only a few hours. Before it does, I want to give a final report on my 2017 Reading Challenge.

I set the goal to read 104 books by the end of this year, and by now I’ve read all that I’m going to read for 2017. The final count is in …

2017 Reading Challenge Breakdown & Favorites

Goal: 104 books
Books Read: 74
Number of Books Short of My Goal: 30

It truly is amazing to me that I read 74 books. I cannot be more thankful for this challenge. It stretched in me so many wonderful ways that really have nothing to do with reading books.

I’ll write a bit more about what I learned from my year of reading later, but for now, I want to share the highlights of the year and what I read in December.

This post contains affiliate links. See my full disclosure here.

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: Wonder, by R. J. Palcia,  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: Every Good Endeavor, by Timothy Keller,  Praying the Bible, by Donald Whitney & Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss* (This is my all time favorite book!)

What I Read in December:

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio – This was a family read-aloud, and it was truly wonderful. We listened to the majority of it on Audible during our 30 hours in the car over the Christmas holiday. It was my favorite read-aloud of the year. I loved how it communicated the thoughts and feelings of children while also navigating the challenges of being different. It presented many opportunities for discussion within our family – talking about what makes a good friend, how we should treat others that don’t look like us, what happens to us when we die, and so much more. This is a must read book.

Every Good Endeavor, by Timothy Keller – This might be my favorite non-fiction book of the year. I’m only sad that I hadn’t read it sooner. This is a thoughtful and insightful book on the subject of work and calling. It was refreshing, challenging, and such an eye-opener for me. Whether you work outside the home, work at home, or stay at home. It doesn’t matter. You will gain new insight into the purpose of work and how it can be used for God’s glory.

The Whole Christ, by Sinclair Ferguson – My husband and I listened to this book on Christian Audio together while in the car for 30 hours (sensing a theme?). This book revisits the Marrow Controversy – an eighteenth-century debate related to the proper relationship between God’s grace and our works. This book explains how our understanding of the relationship between law and gospel determines our approach to evangelism, our pursuit of sanctification, and even our understanding of God himself. In a world that teeters between legalism and antimonianism, this is a must read book. I need to re-read it in order to fully grasp all Sinclair Ferguson shared.

Bartholomew’s Passage, by Arnold Ytreeide – This was our advent reading for this year. The boys (4 & 6 years old) absolutely loved it. Sam used the word, “intense,” when explaining why he chose it as his favorite book of the entire year. The story follows a young boy, Bartholomew, through the tyranny of Roman soldiers separating his family, to his enslavement and escape, along with his adventures to discovering the Messiah has been born. It doesn’t shy from hard topics, and you will need to know your children well before taking on a book of this nature, but we welcomed the difficult topics and it was perfect for my boys. We plan to read Jotham’s Journey next year.

The Forgotten Spurgeon, by Iain Murray – I’ve had this book on my shelf to read for several years. It’s interesting to me how God allows us to read books at just the right time. I wouldn’t have appreciated this book when I first bought it, but I picked it up this time when I was ready to receive what it had to offer. This isn’t a fluffy book to read in passing, but it is a book that sheds a lot of light on church history as we neared the turn of the 20th century. Spurgeon’s ministry endured three great controversies, and those controversies have had lasting impact on our Christian culture today. This book whet my appetite for church history and for Charles Spurgeon’s ministry.

* 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: Read-Aloud with Your Kids: The Moffats, by Elanor Estes
• 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: How to Study the Bible by Dwight L. Moody*
  
• 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: What Happens When Women Pray by Evelyn Christenson*
  
• 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: Wonder, by R.J. Palacio**
• A book about church history: A book for advent: Bartholomew’s Passage, by Arnold Ytreeide**
• 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: Hiding from My Kids in My Prayer Closet, by Jessica Kastner
• A book about prayer: Praying the Bible, by Donald Whitney*
• A book of poetry: Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson*
  
• A book with a one-word title: Matilda, by Ronald Dahl**
• A book by Sinclair Ferguson: The Whole Christ, by Sinclair Ferguson*
• A novel by an author you have never read before: Whose Body?, by Dorothy L. Sayers* 
  
• 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: Intercessory Prayer by Charles H. Spurgeon*
  
• A book published by Crossway: None Like Him, by Jen Wilkin*
  
• 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: Mercy Watson to the Rescue, by Katie DiCamillo**
• A book targeted at the other gender: Great Books for Boys, by Kathleen Odean*
  
• A book about Christian living: Spiritual Disciplines, by Donald S. Whitney*
  
• 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: Women’s Ministry in the Local Church, by J. Ligon Duncan and Susan Hunt
  
• 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: Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer, by Priscilla Shirer*
• A book about productivity or time management: Getting Things Done by David Allen
  
• A book of your choice: Tolstoy and the Purple Chair, by Nina Sankovitch
  
• A book about spiritual disciplines:
• A book about parenting: Love the Journey, by Marcia Somerville
• A book about Christian living: The Pastor’s Wife by Gloria Furman
• A book by Iain Murray: The Forgotten Spurgeon, by Iain Murray*
• A book about business: Every Good Endeavor, by Timothy Keller*
• A book about theology: The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller
  
• 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: Share Jesus Without Fear, by William Fay* 
  
• 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: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling**
  
• A book about history:
• A book about the Bible:
• A book recommended by a friend: 100 Cupboards, by N.D. Wilson
• 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: Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community, by Brett McCracken
• 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:

Other posts you might be interested in:

• 15 Ways to Make More Time to Read
• An Intentional By Grace Recommended Reading List
• 5 Tips for Reading Aloud with Your Children
• 7 Books Every Christian Woman Should Read
• All the posts from my reading archives

What about you? How did you do with your reading goals this year?

This post contains my affiliate links. See my full disclosure policy here.