Every year I look over my list of books I want to read on Amazon and Pinterest as well as those that I haven’t yet read on my bookshelf to compile a hopeful reading list for the upcoming year. Last year I shared my top 10 list, many of which turned out to be AMAZING books, but this year I’ve decided to try something a little different. Instead of just reading any type of book on my wish list (which usually consists of Christian non-fiction and time management books), I am going to strive to read DIFFERENT TYPES of books this year as a means to expand my topic knowledge and better understand those around me.
You interested in joining me? Choose the different types of books you’d like to read and see what amazing finds you discover in each of those categories. Here are the 24 categories I am going to strive to read from this year.
Disclaimer: I have not read any of these books as of yet so please don’t judge my list or character based on the books mentioned here. These books come highly recommended to me and are my hopeful reads for this year, not necessarily books I will in turn recommend to others. 🙂
24 Books to Read Challenge
1. Autobiography.
My Choice: In a Sun-Scorched Land by Ebenback This book was actually written by my pastor’s sister, and our church is considering it for a book night party. My understanding is that this book is both poignant and emotionally weighing as Jennifer shares a very real view of what it is like to be a missionary. No–sometimes it is not all dreamy and amazing. Sometimes it is just downright hard and raw.
2. Parenting
My Choice: 5 Love Languages of Children by Chapman. My husband and I recently recognized what our love languages are, and it has definitely helped us understand each other in the process. My hope is that the 5 Love Languages of Children helps us extend that understanding to our girls also.
3. Marriage
My Choice: Wife After God by Jennifer Smith. Yes, I am sad to say I never got around to reading this book last year. What excites me most about this book is that it is intended to bring you closer to both God and your husband.
4. A New York Times Best Seller
My Choice: Orphan Train by Kline. I’m going to be honest. I am really not a New York Times Best Seller type of reader, but I have a fascination with the Orphan Train which is why this book caught my eye. So, here I am going to take the plunge. Hopefully I will not be disappointed.
5. Home Organization
My Choice: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Kondo. I saw lot of bloggers write about this book in 2015 which caused me to stop and take notice. While I have read many an organization books, this one boasts lasting results. We shall see….
6. Time Management
My Choice: The Four-Hour Work Week by Ferriss. This is one of those books that I often hear well-known business men and women recommend for success, and I’ve just never read it. It’s all about eliminating 50% of your workload to make more time and money. Sounds like a plan to me!
7. Going to Be a Movie in 2016
My Choice: Me Before You by Moyes. I admit it. My husband and I have only been to a handful of movies since we have had kids. That said, when we do have the chance to see a movie, we make sure it is a good one that is worth both the time and money we spend to see it. This year I am going to take a pro-active approach and try to read a book or two that is being turned into a movie ahead of time. This story sounds both life-changing and captivating as one character learns that true love can sometimes involve heart-breaking sacrifices for the sake of another.
8. Business
My Choice: Launch by Walker. One thing I know I don’t do well as a blogger is launch product. I like creating it, but promoting it is…well…a challenge for me to say the least. My hope is that this top selling book will definitely help me with that as I launch 3 new products in 2016!
9. Social Media
My Choice: The Art of Social Media by Kawasaki. Whether we like it or not, social media is here to stay and if you don’t keep up with the latest trends you will invariably be left behind in the blogging and business world. Since I don’t have all the time in the world to devote to social media, I’m all about learning how to get the best bang for my time, and that is what this book is supposed to helps its readers do.
10. Money Management
My Choice: The Richest Man in Babylon by Classon. This is another one of those classic books that I often hear recommended by top business men and women. Although written in the 1920s, this book is still a top seller today for its simple financial advice told through a fictional Babylonian story.
11. Homeschooling
My Choice: Homeschool Experiment by Hawkins. I have never heard of a fictional homeschooling story which is probably what makes this books all the more enticing. I’ll be honest–I’m kind of tired of reading all the how-to homeschool books at the moment. However, having a book that can relate and provide me some light-hearted laughs? I’m in!
12. Church Community
My Choice: Simple Church by Rainer. This book has actually been on my bookshelf for awhile now. I’ve seen it on my pastor’s desk and had several church members recommend it to me. I’ve just never set aside the time to actually read it. I must say though that I do like the sound of it–a simple church–no bells and whistles required.
13. Our Country
My Choice: The End of America by Price. This is another area I generally avoid like the plague–politics. That said, have you ever thought what America has to do with the end times? I kind of feel like one reviewer going into this–a bit skeptical. However, I also look forward to seeing what John Price has to say as this is a subject that is often avoided in today’s world.
14. A Classic
My Choice: Utopia by Thomas More. In college one of my favorite movies was Ever After with Drew Barrymore. In it, Drew, aka Cinderella, often quotes Utopia with beloved excitement. As someone who did not read many of the classics until AFTER college, this has been on my to-read list for sometime.
15. Christian Fiction
My Choice: Tilly by Peretti. In high school one of my favorite books was Peretti’s This Present Darkness. Since then I have tried to go back and read other books by Peretti and Tilly is one of the last ones on my list as it tells the story of one women’s travels toward grace and redemption after an abortion.
16. Christian Non-Fiction
My Choice: A Confident Heart by Swope. This book was on my book list last year, but I’m bringing it back to read again as this is something I am constantly struggling with–self-doubt, self-worth, and well just the confidence to be who God wants me to be despite what others think.
17. Christian World-View
My Choice: Out of Mormanism by Robertson. My small group has recently discussed the importance of understanding those around us so as to better reach them for Christ and part of that is understanding the religions of those around you. This book is about one women’s journey both to and from Mormanism despite all persecution.
18. Health and Fitness
My Choice: Fat Chance by Lustig. One of my goals this year is to get rid of processed sugar in my diet, and if you know me, you know this is a HUGE challenge for me. That said, I can use every bit of help and encouragement I can get, which is why the subtitle of this book, Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease, cause my attention right away.
19. Music
My Choice: Raising Musical Kids by Cutietta. Although I am a musician, sometimes I forget the simple things I should be including in our home just like any other mom and that includes musically. Both my girls already exhibit a love for music in their every day life, and I want to be sure that I am providing them the best environment I can to spur on their musical creativity. I have the book by Patrick Kavanaugh of the same name and definitely recommend it. However, this boasts a slightly different angle so I look forward to comparing these two books side by side for musical advice to not only try out on my children but also share with my students’ parents.
20. Photography
My Choice: Tony Northrup’s DSLR Book. I’m still working on improving my photography skills and am hoping this will help me to make the switch from a point-and-shoot mindset to a DSLR mindset. We shall see. With 12 hours of videos and ever-increasing updates, this book sounds sure to not disappoint.
21. Poetry
My Choice: Love Poems from God translated by Ladinsky. Poetry is like a window to the soul. It’s an art form no other literature can obtain so what better way to communicate with God that through poetry? I definitely look forward to reading this poetry compilation for that very reason.
22. Biography
My Choice: Until We Meet Again by Korenblit and Janger. This biography is actually about a husband and wife in my hometown who survived multiple concentration camps during World War II. This is their story, and how they found each other again. I can’t wait to read it not only because it is a great source of history but also because of the personal connection.
23. Agriculture
My Choice: Leaving the City: 101 Tips for Moving to the Country by Peck. You don’t have to be a country homesteader in order to add this category to your reading list. This category can include everything from container gardening to bee keeping to raising chickens or cows. We just happen to have a dream to live in the country again someday so I figure I better do all I can to be ready when and if that time comes.
24. Travel
My Choice: The Backroads of the Texas Hill Country. Our hope is to take a family trip to San Antonio, Texas this summer or fall. With this guide, maye we will encounter some fun little scenic stops along the way that we won’t soon forget!
These just happen to be the 24 categories that I chose for my reading challenge, but there are several other choices you could include as well like science, art, medical, history, and more.
Create Your Own Reading Challenge
Interested in joining me in reading 24 books from 24 different genres this year? Download this free printable to get you started on your own Reading Challenge for this year!
