As I’ve mentioned, I plan to work through Challies 2016 Reading Challenge. I’ll update my list here as I complete each category. 

A book about Christian living:  Be Still, My Soul (25 Classic and Contemporary Readings on the Problem of Pain). I started this one last year and finished it on New Year’s Day.

I recommend this collection of essays from noted theologians like J.I. Packer, Joni Eareckson Tada, Martin Luther, and John Piper. My favorite essay was from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

A biography: Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More, Poet, Abolitionist, Reformer by Karen Swallows Prior

This is a fascinating read that I will be thinking about long after today. I hope to share more soon.

A self-improvement book: The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy by Jon Gordon

We’re going through this book at work. It’s a quick read, so I finished it in just a few days.

 

A classic novel: Lord of the Flies by William Golding 

How in the world did I miss this book all these years? It was a page-turner, and I loved its depths. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. If you haven’t read it yet, don’t wait!

A book about productivity: Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies

This was another good read. I’m planning to set aside some time this coming weekend to set up the system he recommends. I appreciated how he reminds the reader why we should strive to be productive.

 

A book about theology: Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin

This is a really good resource for women who want to know God’s Word better. It is both practical and encouraging, and I’ll be referring to it again, I’m sure.

A book about joy or happiness: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

I didn’t love this one. Part of the problem may have been the format; I listened to the book on my commute via Audible, and I don’t think it’s a book that works that way. The author read it, and I found her voice distracting. Also, she would periodically read excerpts from emails or blog comments, and I had trouble distinguishing when she was referring to herself or reading something someone else wrote. I suspect I would have taken more away from the book if I’d actually read it. There are a few ideas that have stuck with me, however. One was an idea she repeated: being heavy is easy, but being light-hearted is hard. It takes effort.  Also, she talked about the idea of enthusiasm as a form of social courage. I’ve thought about that one a good bit, too. If you’re looking for a book on happiness, I think Happiness Is a Serious Problem by Dennis Prager is a better choice.

A book that won a ECPA Christian Book award: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas   I’ve owned this one on Kindle for a long time, and countless people have recommended it to me but for some reason I’ve only just now gotten to it. It’s very good. I really appreciate good biographies as a way to learn more history, and although I’d heard and read a bit about Bonhoeffer through the years, I’d never known the full story in the context of Nazi Germany. I wish I’d been able to read this before I visited Berlin a few years ago. Anyway, if you haven’t read it yet, I recommend it.

A book with a one-word title: Feed by M.T. Anderson  Yuck. I really, really didn’t like this book, but I have this compulsion to see a book all the way through, hoping that surely it gets better. It didn’t.

A book with the word “gospel” in the title or subtitle: Gossip and the Gospel: Understanding the Harmful Effects of Gossip in the Church – Timothy Williams   I was disappointed in this one. There’s some good stuff here – some painful conviction and some guidance on handling gossip, slander, etc. But there are also verses out of context and some condemnation that lacks the Gospel.

A memoir:  The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son by Pat Conroy   I’ve wanted to read this one for a while now, but it moved up in the queue upon the author’s recent passing. Pat Conroy was a master of the English language, and as a southerner I especially appreciate his love of the south. Even though he made peace with his father, his story is still a very sad one. “In families, there are no crimes beyond forgiveness.”

A book someone tells you “changed my life”:

A commentary on a book of the Bible:

A book your pastor recommends:

A book more than 100 years old:

A book for children:

A mystery or detective novel:

A book published in 2016:

A book about a current issue:

A book written by a Puritan:

A book recommended by a family member:

A book by or about a missionary:

A novel that won the Pulitzer Prize:

A book written by an Anglican:

A book with at least 400 pages:

A book by C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien:

A book that has a fruit of the Spirit in the title:

A book with a great cover:

A book on the current New York Times list of best sellers:

A book about church history:

A graphic novel:

A book of poetry:

A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with:

A book written by an author with initials in his/her name:

A book about worldview:

A play by William Shakespeare:

A humorous book:

A book based on a true story:

A book written by Jane Austen:

A book by or about Martin Luther:

A book with 100 pages or fewer:

A book about money or finance:

A novel set in a country that is not your own:

A book about music:

A book by a female author:

A book whose title comes from a Bible verse:

A book you have started but never finished:

A book by David McCullough:

A book you own but have never read:

A book about abortion:

A book targeted at the other gender:

A book by a speaker at a conference you have attended:

A book written by someone of a different ethnicity:

 

**Full disclosure: When you click on any of the book links here at georgianne and then make a purchase, Amazon tosses a few pennies my way. Thanks for supporting my book habit!