I’m not a big shopper. No matter what size I am, I am somehow never proportioned correctly for any clothes I ever try on. And while in theory I understand the draw of cute shoes, when it comes down to it, I don’t really get the need for more than a couple of pairs. Practical pairs, at that. {I know – you can hardly get over how fun I am.}
And don’t even talk to me about grocery shopping.
But what I do love shopping for is BOOKS. My first job was shelving books at the public library. That meant, in exchange for my minimum wage labor, my mad alphabetizing skills, and my sometimes attempt to QUIT TALKING, I had the opportunity to wander up and down the rows of books for hours at a time, pulling out the ones I wanted to check out and take home that day. It was the best.
I still love walking through the stacks of a library or bookstore, but most of my browsing these days is done digitally. I couldn’t even begin to count how many hours of sleep I’ve lost not reading an actual book (though those hours are innumerable), but browsing through the recommended titles on my Kindle or clicking on review after review on Goodreads.
Big surprise that Goodreads is one of my favorite places on the internet, right? Books and lists? Does it GET any better? However, this obsession of mine comes at a price – and that is the overwhelming feeling that I will never have enough time to read all the books I want! I have said, more than once and not completely joking, that people need to stop writing books. Seriously. All of you book-writing people, stop it. Let us CATCH UP, will you?
{Of course, this is completely hypocritical of me, given my own book project. But let’s just ignore that for now, shall we?}
The only way to deal with this world of SO MANY BOOKS is {obviously} to make a reading list. Personally, because my list is so long and always growing, I also have to make a reading plan. But that’s another post for another time. For now, I’m going to share my list of books to read in 2015. Of course, this is a living document. I’ll add to the list throughout the year (and never get around to some of these, I’m sure), but this is the list I’m starting with.
Nonfiction & Christian Living
- The Beauty of Grace: Stories of God’s Love from Today’s Most Popular Writers by Dawn Camp: This book is a compilation of blog posts and beautiful photography, and I’m grateful to have one of my articles included.
- Fringe Hours: Making Time for You by Jessica Turner: I’m hearing lots of talk about how practical and smart this book is, and I can’t wait to get my copy.
- You’re Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to be Perfect by Holley Gerth: Obviously this is right up my alley, and I love pretty much everything Holley writes, so this is a no-brainer!
- Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World by Emily Freeman: Emily always makes me think about how I look at the world and how I live my life, and I know this book will be no different.
- Interrupted: When Jesus Wrecks Your Comfortable Christianity by Jen Hatmaker: The revised and updated version of this book was on sale a while back, so it’s sitting on my Kindle waiting patiently.
- Let. It. Go. (How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith) by Karen Ehman: I’ve also had this one for a while and have heard good things about it. As a definite bossypants and control freak, I think this book will be good for me.
- Why Your Weirdness is Wonderful: Embrace Your Quirks and Live Your Strengths by Laurie Wallin: I’ll share more about this one soon, but how could I resist a book that agrees we should stay weird?
- Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, as You Are by Shauna Niequist: I love everything Shauna writes, and I am certain this will fall into that category as well.
- Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin: I always have big plans for changing the way I live, but putting them into practice is more difficult. I’m hoping this book about habits will be as hands-on practical as The Happiness Project.
- Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown: A friend loaned me this book months ago, and it’s just been collecting dust next to my bed. I’m looking forward to finally reading it this year.
- Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace by Anne Lamott: I got a copy of this book when I bought a ticket for a book signing. Sadly, I wasn’t able to go to the book signing (SAD PANDA FACE), but I still have the book (and the bookstore clerk’s promise that, “Anne will probably come back soon!”).
- My sweet friend Kristen Strong is also releasing a book this fall. The subject is change, and just as soon as I have more information, I’ll come back and add it here!
Memoirs
- Yes Please by Amy Poehler: I don’t know if this will be as funny as her best friend Tina Fey’s book, but I sure hope so.
- Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris: Well, just look at it. This unusual memoir is bound to having me laughing out loud, right? (I’ll let you know.)
- Home Is Where My People Are: The Roads That Lead Us to Where We Belong by Sophie Hudson: Sophie’s first book made me laugh and cry and READ IT ALL in one afternoon. I feel confident this one will do the very same things.
- Nobody’s Cuter Than You: A Memoir About the Beauty of Friendship by Melanie Shankle: Ditto.
- The Antelope in the Living Room: The Real Story of Two People Sharing One Life by Melanie Shankle: Somehow, I forgot to read this last year, even though I loved Melanie’s first book (on parenting). I plan to rectify this situation immediately!
Whew! That’s already a huge list, and I haven’t even told you the novels I’m looking forward to reading. Come back tomorrow for that list! Until then, I want to know what YOU’RE reading.
What’s on YOUR 2015 reading list?
This post includes affiliate links. Image from CCAC North Library on Flickr’s Creative Commons.
I LOVED Interrupted and Fringe Hours was excellent. Holley’s new book and Savor are on my list (that only exists in my mind) too. Antelope in the Living Room was great, although I loved Sparkly Green Earrings even more. Her new book (on friendship) is bound to be so great. Let. It. Go. was good for me. In fact, I should probably read it again … but who has time for that with all these great books coming out?! :)
Right? TOO MANY BOOKS!!! :)
I’m reading Living Courageously by Joyce Meyer. It’s really challenging me to do it (the things that I know God is calling me to) afraid. It’s great book.
That’s awesome, Chavos! Sounds like the right book at the right time!
So many good books! Thanks for sharing!
I think you’ll really like Fringe Hours! Definitely prioritize Daring Greatly. Such a life-changing book.
I’m looking forward to both. But YES, I am way behind on my Brene Brown reading!
I feel the same way, everyone needs to stop writing so that I can catch up! Ha! I have 20 or so books in “save for later” cart on amazon. When I have time and money, I order another! Thanks for the suggestions! I will add them to my list!!