The books I read in 2021, plus a reading tip for mothers

HI! HAPPY NEW YEAR… ten days later ;) I’m chuckling as I type this post. Last year was busier than I had anticipated, and in many ways, it was much better than I could have wished it to be.

There were two big changes for our family: Zack accomplished his first year in business (he owns a post-production company specializing in commercials and documentaries), and I started grad school in May with Moody Theological Seminary (Chicago campus).

And so, as I reflect on the anticipation I had for being able to read a lot of books last year, I chuckle. I didn’t read much of what I hoped to, but I also read many books that helped me grow. Last year was full of many good things. We are thankful for the fullness the year brought.

Reading has always been a calming pastime for me. Whether it be an avenue to learn something new, quiet my mind with Truth, or a way to delight in the joys of life through biographies, memoirs, or fiction, I thrive from the benefits of reading. I’m thankful enjoying books and learning has been modeled to me my entire life, because now I can share this love with my family. We have bookshelves in almost every room of our home, and there are always little stacks made by my children. Books have also been a great tool for developing their artistic skills (drawing, painting, etc).

Below is a list of the books I was able to read last year. And a quick disclaimer: if a book isn’t keeping my attention, I close it and begin something new. No guilt!

BOOKS I READ IN 2021:

1. Searching For Certainty by Shelly Miller (spiritual growth)
2. Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg (a book to cheer on writers with their writing)
3. Placed for a Purpose by Chris and Elizabeth McKinney (spiritual growth: love your neighbor)
4. Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn (biography)
5. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (“a dark fairy tale” set over the course of 50 years, beginning with WWII)
6. Loneliness by Elisabeth Elliot (spiritual growth: loneliness)
7. Mere Motherhood by Cindy Rollins (spiritual growth: motherhood hilarities)
8. The Creative Habit by Twala Tharp (32 exercises for making creativity a habit)
9. Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen (spiritual growth: anxiety)
10. Make Something Good Today by Erin & Ben Napier (memoir)
11. Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic (spiritual growth: motherhood hilarities)
12. Running on Empty by Jobice Webb (overcoming childhood emotional neglect)
13. Parenting by David Paul Tripp (spiritual growth: parenting God’s way)
14. Mother Hunger by Kelly McDaniel (healing from lost childhood nurturance, protection, guidance)
15. Florence Nightingale by Pam Brown (biography)
16. I Heard God Laugh by Matthew Kelly (spiritual growth)

Plus, I read three large textbooks for my graduate degree with Moody. I’m studying for a Master’s in Biblical Spiritual Formation & Discipleship:

1. A Survey of the Old Testament by Andrew E. Hill and John H. Walton (learn how to study OT history, literature, theology)
2. Biblical Preaching by Haddon W. Robinson (learn how to preach & teach)
3. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation by William W. Klein et al (learn how to interpret Scripture through the lens of history, culture, grammar)

I’ll share soon what I hope to read this year, in 2022. Stay tuned for that!

A READING TIP FOR MOTHERS

When do you typically read, and is it easy or hard for you to sit & read for 20 minutes?

For me, I typically read in bed at the end of the day. We intentionally keep our bedroom free of toys, family photos, and television so we have a quiet place to step into and refresh our minds and bodies. This has been a great tip for me to put into practice. This has been our philosophy for years now, and we have been intentional to create this space. I always look forward to the evening and walking into our bedroom to read and rest.

xx, Maggie

PS. What type of posts would you like to read in the coming year? Leave me a comment below, or send me an email: maggie AT maggiewhitley DOT com.

POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY:

• What do you consider “a good book”?
• My book list for 2021
• My book list for 2020
• Working in 20-minute increments (this also applies to reading!)
• Two of my written devotionals (inside the (in)courage Devotional Bible)

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