I know, it’s February and I’m just now posting my reading list for this year. But February can be a month when some of those New Year’s resolutions begin to shake and crumble a bit, so if that’s you, maybe this will inspire you to steady on. Or if reading had no part in your 2015 resolutions, maybe I can inspire you to pick up just one of these books this year with me?
I love to read. I always have. But my reading tastes remained pretty fluffy until college. I did slog through The Grapes of Wrath and a few other classics in high school, but I missed a lot of them somehow. And the most sophisticated author I had read for pleasure by the time I started college was John Grisham. So I’ve had a lot of catching up to do. Since college I’ve had a goal to read at least a few classics every year, and it’s also a continuous goal of mine to read more nonfiction. Because I love fiction. Or, I should say, I love good fiction. I let myself be a snob about it.
I’ve never compiled a reading list for the upcoming year, so I thought it would be fun to try for 2015. I didn’t read nearly enough books last year (because it can be tough when you have little ones) so I’m setting a realistic goal: 12 books. One per month on average. I know I’ll exceed it, but I want to make sure I knock some specific books off my list this year, so here goes:
Our church small group just started this book, so I’m already not reading it alone. I’ve never read a book by Keller, a pastor in Manhattan, but quotes and tidbits by him keep seeming to pop up everywhere, so I’m excited to delve into this book on a topic that I crave to know more about.
Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis
I think this one counts as a classic, too, right? I’d eventually like to read all of Lewis’s works. I hadn’t even read the Narnia series when Ben and I got married. Can you believe that? My sweet husband quickly remedied that by buying me a beautiful illustrated all-in-one volume and I devoured it. I can’t wait to read them with my kids. I just started reading Mere Christianity and I am captivated already.
I’m really excited about this classic novel. It’s been on my reading list (and my physical bookshelf) for a long time. This is the year I’m going to tackle it. I haven’t read anything this long since Anna Karenina in 2010. I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy this one even more.
Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology, by R.C. Sproul
I had a hard time deciding between this book and Grudem’s Systematic Theology. But I suspect this one will be a little easier to read outside of a classroom setting, and will give me the introduction I’m looking for while I’m still deciding where to go to grad school (or seminary?).
The Boston Girl, by Anita Diamant
I loved this author’s debut novel—it’s still one of my favorites—and her works since have been pretty good, so I’m looking forward to reading her newest book.
Life Together, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Another Christian classic I’ve never read and am looking forward to reading. It’s been officially on my list ever since Deeply Rooted Magazine published a review of it last year.
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, by John Piper, et. al.
This is a compilation by John Piper and a number of other evangelical writers who have written about this topic in the midst of personal suffering. It’s an issue I have been thinking, wrestling, and searching Scripture about a lot lately.
I always feel a little wary when I pick up a parenting book. Is that bad? I think it’s because I’ve read a lot of poor ones (or poorly written) and few of them have felt applicable to the situations I’ve faced. I’m hopeful about this one, though. My aim is not to raise good, moral kids. It is to raise kids who have been captivated by the love and grace of Jesus, with their actions flowing from that. I’m hoping this book will speak to that.
Boulevard Women, by Lauren Cobb
Cobb was one of my writing professors in college, and my advisor. She is probably the person who has had the single greatest impact on my development as a writer, to date. I cannot wait to read this collection of short stories she wrote. It’s one of those books that you know will be good, really good, before you even begin reading, just because of what you know of the author.
And the Mountains Echoed, by Khaled Hosseini
I loved his first two books. Loved them. I read A Thousand Splendid Suns in one glorious sitting. I’ve heard from many people that this one is disappointing, but I need to see for myself.
Flight Behavior, by Barbara Kingsolver
I think I’ve read all of Kingsolver’s books, except this newest one. Her worldview seems to be different than mine in a number of ways, but she is a talented writer and I look forward to each of her new books. I actually enjoy reading books by authors who approach life differently than I do. It sharpens my mind and even hones my beliefs and opinions, uprooting some and strengthening others.
Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with both Our Hearts and Our Minds, by Jen Wilkin
This makes the list per the recommendation of my new friend, coworker, and fellow blogger, Théa. Her blog, Little Book, Big Story, is an excellent resource, especially if you’re looking for good reads for your kids. And I am looking forward to this book because I have definitely come to realize lately the importance of reading and studying God’s Word for oneself, not just reading devotional books about it, or hearing bits of it from the pulpit on Sunday, or making judgments about it without really reading it or studying it in context. In the spirit of that realization, I’m following the “Bible in a Year” reading plan by She Reads Truth, and I love it. I’m using the app, and it makes following and tracking my reading much more manageable. They offer a lot of shorter reading plans, too. I just wanted to challenge myself to read through the entire Bible this year. I’m only two days behind right now! Ha.
I’d also like to mention two of the books I did read in 2014, that I especially enjoyed and highly recommend. I hope I’ll have many more recommendations after this year.
Forgiving our Fathers and Mothers: Finding Freedom From Hurt and Hate, by Leslie Leyland Fields
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Leslie for several years because of my family’s time living in Kodiak, Alaska. She is wise and kind, and a wonderful writer. She sent me this copy of her newest book last year and it is excellent. Though I was not wounded by my parents, the message of forgiveness Leslie brings in this book is incredible, and invaluable for every person. We forgive, because we have been unfathomably forgiven by God through Christ. That is a reminder we all need.
The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls
This is probably the best memoir I’ve ever read. It reads like a novel, and it’s amazing (and horrifying). Even Ben liked it. I read her other books after reading this one, but this is by far her best.
Please write to me and let me know if you have read, or plan to read, any of these books this year, or if you have any recommendations for my next reading list! Happy page-turning.
Stay At Home Mayhem 
Oh, there are so many good books on your list! Tim Keller is one of my favorites, so you’re in for a treat with him 🙂 Mere Christianity and Women of the Word are excellent, too! And Life Together. And Give Them Grace–that’s one I come back to every few years. I love the authors’ overall philosophy about parenting and need frequent reminding to give grace to my children and to extend it to myself.
I will weigh in on Atlas Shrugged: I was not crazy about it. I know people who love it, though, so I hope you turn out to be one of those 🙂 If you’re interested in lengthy but lovely classics, I highly recommend The Count of Monte Christo–I finished it a few weeks ago and am still savoring its excellence. David Copperfield is another good one.
Best of luck to you in your reading!