And now, for my non-fiction reads . . .
Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life – Emily Freeman**
This book was good. I didn’t completely identify with Freeman, but I am a pull-myself-up-from-my-bootstraps type of girl when I’m in-default mode. So I can identify with being a “good girl” and missing God’s grace in my life, or relying on my works instead of God to work through me–even my mistakes.
Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches – Rachel Jackovac***
This was a short little book and could come off a bit preachy at times, but I think it’s just the writer’s style of “telling it like it is” so that didn’t bother me. It was really funny and encouraging. I appreciated that, because I need to laugh more at the mess of mothering than I do.
Reliving the Passion: Meditations on the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Jesus as Recorded in Mark – Walter Wangerin, Jr.**
I read this book for Lent. Sometimes it really spoke to me and sometimes it didn’t. The writer’s style was different and poetic and I went back and forth between liking it and not liking it.
Isobel Kuhn – Lois Hoadley Dick***
This book was on my shelf and I decided to reread it, which was great because I didn’t remember the content at all! Amazing to read missionary stories and once again come away amazed! When you’re a missionary you have to trust God so much MORE for just your daily life. Reading about the faith of these saints always encourages me towards trust.
The Core: Teaching Your Children the Foundations of Classical Education by Leigh A. Bortins**
This year we started Classical Conversations for our kids and we LOVE it. This book was written by the founder of Classical Conversations and outlines the classical approach to all subjects. I had a tough time in the beginning. Lots of statistics and rather dry. Once it moved into the subject areas it was more helpful. I still think The Well-Trained Mind will be my go-to classical education book, but this is good if you’re involved in Classical Conversations or if you want a much shorter over-view (because The Well-Trained Mind is super long and goes by each grade and is more of a very detailed handbook and curriculum guide).
Paris in Love: A Memoir – Eloisa James**
I wanted to like this book more than I did. Parts of it were really interesting, but the main thing is it read like a bunch of Facebook status strung together to make up each chapter. Seriously. Not a fan of a book being organized like that.
Behold the Lamb of God: An Advent Narrative – Russ Ramsey***
My advent readings this year were from this book. It’s kind of like an overview of the whole Bible in 25 days. It was a great way to prepare my heart for Christmas over the advent season.
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy – Eric Metaxas (still reading)
I am still reading this book! I’ve been reading it off and on for over a year. I’m determined to plow through! I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to read it. I got through the first third quite quickly. Metaxes is a great biographer and when I read it I’m really enjoying it. But sometimes I don’t pick it up for a long time. Part of it is a lot of the culture of that dark time periods has so many parallels with today it’s scary! But Bonhoeffer is a fascinating man to study and such an example someone who is absolutely given over to God while interacting in culture and politics in a bold and thoughtful way.
The Luminous Portrait – Elizabeth Messina (still reading)
It seems like every photographer was reading this book this year and I’m enjoying it and reading it slowly. Messina’s portraits are arresting and definitely have their own “voice.” I have found her exposure tips helpful when I was a more light and airy image. Her composition alone is inspiring and worth viewing.
Now to non-fiction…
Bonhoeffer’s biography by Eric M. is STELLAR!! I walked away from that book personally challenged and wanting to be as bold to stand for faith.
I am currently reading “Undaunted: Daring to do what God calls you to do” by Christine Caine. Verdict is still out.
Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz. What a joy of a read! I read this book while in China and it was such a lighthearted release. She had spunk – though we admittedly wouldn’t see eye-to-eye on most things.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. This book was extremely difficult to read due to the intensity, but it was still a well written, researched and purposeful book.
The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Keller. I am grateful for this book in this time of new marriage.
Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleball by R.A. Dickey. Not my normal read but fascinating nonetheless. It’s a great picture of God’s sovereignty and add his recent trade from the Mets and his response to New York fans.
50 People Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Spiritual Giants of the Faith by Wiersbe. This is a great overview of men and women of the Christian faith. I actually use this some mornings for a portion of my devotional. I am someone who is challenged by life lessons and how their lives breath a fresh take on Scripture. It’s a simple read with good book references for further study.
A lot of overlap here. I pretty much felt the same as you about Jankovic’s and Wangerin’s books. I also read Ramsey through Advent, and the Bonhoeffer book is on my list for 2013! I also want to read Freeman’s book but don’t own it and have been seriously considering a self-imposed moratorium on buying books for at least six months. It’s really that ridiculous 🙂
Not sure what my top nonfiction reads were this year – probably Rick Bragg. Have you ever read any of his work? I LOVED his memoir All Over But the Shoutin’ a few years ago – and just this year discovered that he’s written like five more books. Bliss! I read the second (Ava’s Man) and loved it, too, so will probably read one or two more this year. I also really loved Devil in the White City (which you recommended to me).
Your rating system always throws me…I use a five-star system where 3 stars isn’t that great a rating and 2 stars means I didn’t really like it–so I always have to stop and think when I am looking at how many stars you gave 🙂
@Amanda I read a memoir of Julia Child’s called “My Life in France” that was delightful too. She was a fascinating person. “Unbroken” and “The Meaning of Marriage” are on my list for this year. 🙂
@Amy I’ve never read anything by Rick Bragg, so I’ll add him to my list.
Oops! I see I need to backtrack to get to the start of these posts (and review your star rating too!).
Bonhoeffer is on my ‘to read’ list as well as Wherever I Wind Up. I got that one for my dad for Father’s Day last year after hearing his interview on NPR (extremely well-spoken and humble!) and currently Pete is reading it. He rarely finishes books and takes a really long time with them…so we’ll see when I get to it! 🙂