We are 11 days into the new year, and so far I’ve done an excellent job of sharing :) Let me explain below…
Just last week we boxed up the last of our Christmas decor, including our tree and allllll the ornaments. My husband and I received some really nice books as gifts so I thought I would do a post on what’s new on our bookshelf, along with what I plan to read that I already own.
At the end of this post I’m sharing my reading goal for the year. I’ve noticed I like to tell someone about the things that are important to me because hearing myself say them out loud has proven to be a really powerful form of accountability. Can you relate?
Zack received a book for Christmas that I’m eager to read (The Creative Habit), and he’s reading one of MY books received (a compilation of A.W. Tozer). Reading is a really important self-care activity, which I’ve written about here & here. I appreciate the quiet it brings. Motherhood has done a mighty work on my mind, my life, my faith. Not only am I mothering differently now than I was nearly eight years ago, but I am a very different woman compared to just five years ago. Reading has been an important part of this transformation, because I have leaned into the resources available to me.
I also like to keep track of the books I read each year in the back of my journal. It’s a nice way to document the space I made just for me. Below is a list of books I hope to read this year.
- Searching For Certainty by Shelly Miller
- Gospel Identity by World Harvest Mission
- Placed for a Purpose by Chris and Elizabeth McKinney
- Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn
- Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
- Awaking Wonder by Sally Clarkson
- Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- Mere Motherhood (a re-read; I enjoyed this title so much in 2020) by Cindy Rollins
- Adoring the Dark by Andrew Peterson
Tell me — have you read any of these books?
Do you share with something with another family member, similar to how Zack and I share books? I’m also looking for some fiction recommendations, if you have any to share…
P.S. my reading goal this year is 30 books :)
P.P.S. I don’t have a secret magic trick for how I fit in reading, but I do think through what I want to do with what I actually do. For example, if I’m in the car alone I often keep the radio silent so that I can recharge my mind for once I’m back home. Then later, when time lends itself, I have the mental capacity to sit down and read. Or when I’m drying my hair, I recently chip-clipped a book open so it could rest on the bathroom sink. And, we watch very little TV.
And then lastly, I like to keep our bedroom as a place of rest and restoration. No kid’s toys. No family photos. No(t much) clutter. When I go into my bedroom at the end of the day and trade my daytime clothes for my sleeping clothes, I like being in my room to sort of send a signal to my body, now it is time to read and sleep. I hope that helps you as you look for opportunities to read more this year.
xx, Maggie
These are helpful words for me to hear and be reminded of…our bedroom has become a place of TV watching, we shall have more reading this year! I have Searching for Certainty on my bookshelf to read this year too,
How exciting to be able to name the “issue” — I love when a solution surfaces! Thanks for your comment, Tracey! xx
I too am a reader Maggie, so it was lovely to hear that you and Zack are readers too!
My first “safe” outing after 9 months of being “self isolated”, was going to the library! Mr. Les and I used to do that together before his passing so it was a comfort to visit “our library” again.
First time back, I walk in, take a deep breath, and sigh. I am back in my safe and comfy space.
I always look forward to your next post. You are an amazing woman and the perfect Mom!
Love to you and your family.
Grambarb
Ps….. I turned 86 over the holidays. Still enjoying life and loving our God!
Grambarb, I definitely converted Zack ;) it’s a happy achievement for me. How wonderful for you to be able to visit your library. We have missed visiting ours. Though we do a lot of curbside pick up to supplement our school curriculum. Happy belated birthday! 86 years young, how wonderful :) :) xoxo
I read Adorning the Dark after Christmas and it left me in tears much of the time, he speaks to the important work of being creative and artists and calls forth homemakers in that. I just requested Becoming Elizabeth Elliot from my library.
Great tips for fitting in reading, I love to read in bed as well.
This is awesome to hear, thanks for sharing Breanne! My husband read the first chapter and said I would absolutely love it. I just came across a book on homemaking, decorating and faith (Catholic, though I think there will be large takeaways for me to glean). I’ll share a link here in case you’re interested. Happy Tuesday. Thanks for commenting! xx https://amzn.to/3iiCxrP
I have read Before We Were Yours. Loved every word
I think that’s where I got the recommendation? :) :)
What a lovely stack of books! I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for the first time this year and it’s definitely a book for book lovers. I also loved it because Francie’s mother, despite her constant exhaustion, made it a priority to read aloud to her children every day. And Michelle Obama’s book is also very good – another amazing mother to learn from :)
I cannot read in bed! When I get in bed, I almost instantly fall asleep. My reading is almost always done on the couch under a lamp and a quilt. And I listen to audiobooks as often as I can – I love good stories.
Wendell Berry is my go-to person for good fiction. I think you’ve read Jayber Crow already? Have you tried The Gilead quartet by Marilynne Robinson? I abandoned the 4th, but the first 3 (Gilead, Home, and Lila) are all books that I think you’d enjoy.
I hope you have a fantastic year of reading!!
I did read Jayber Crow. It was a little long for me, but I did enjoy the story – very much! :)
I’m really looking forward to working through this list. And, I love that you noticed Francie’s mother reads to her children every day. I have prioritized that for my children, too. (No surprise!) ;)
I love this list!! Evidence not seen is amazing!!! I loved Andrew Peterson’s book, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a favorite too, you’ll love it. I need to read that Elizabeth Elliot book- I love everything by her and about her!
Thank you for your reply! I’m thrilled to read you enjoyed many on my list. Which EE books have you read? Any by Jim? xx