Most of what I write here is quite intentional. It’s either planned out in advance or as soon as the idea pops into my head, the passion stirs quick and I have to get the words out. I know right away it’s a blog post. But last year I shared my book list for 2016, kind of by accident. And it was one of the top ten most viewed posts of the year. Who knew?
Apparently many of you love books as much as I do. So I’m sharing my list for 2017 with you – intentionally this time. 🙂
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First, a few things you should know.
I didn’t read all of the book on my list last year (phew, I can breathe a sigh of relief for that!) because there so many good books out there. New books are released all the time. Life leads us down unexpected roads and we find new topics insightful. We have to be free to go there, not tied down to a ball and chain book list, for goodness sake. (If you’re interested, you can find what I actually read last year over here.)
But I still believe in the power of a strong list – good ideas at the ready, a little challenge to keep me focused, thoughtful balance, etc.
I expect more of the same for this year. Two books per month seems like a fair goal combined with the other reading I do, so I selected 24 books for 2017. This list serves as a reference point and guide, it forces me to a bit of homework and preparation as I chart an intentional course, but it is more grace than pressure. I can’t recommend that highly enough, list-making friends.
Lastly, I don’t choose lightly. I currently have 170 books on my Amazon wishlist. And another list in the notes section of my phone. And several dozen titles scribbled in the back of my journal. I might have issues. But I love books and keeping track of solid recommendations (in many different locations, apparently). So I take this seriously.
I sorted through my lists. Agonized over which ones should make the cut for this year. Added back two that I didn’t get read from last year’s list. And here you have it, in no particular order, 24 books to read in 2017!
Humility by Andrew Murray
Secrets of Dynamic Communication by Ken Davis
The Broken Way by Ann VosKamp (I’m already partly through this one and it’s fabulous!)
Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp (Excited to hear him speak in just a few weeks!)
Food Freedom Forever by Melissa Hartwig
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen (releases January 31. Her book, Anything, is on my list of all time favorites. I might have high expectations for this one!)
In This House We Giggle by Courtney DeFeo
The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett
The Go Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron
Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (I honestly can’t remember if I’ve ever read this book. Maybe I just feel like I know the characters from the movie? Time to remedy that. Added bonus, this copy is so pretty!)
The Accidental Creative by Todd Henry
Discipline: The Glad Surrender by Elizabeth Elliot
Love Lives Here by Maria Goff (releases March 7. More than what Bob & Maria Goff say, I love how they live. Can’t wait to read Sweet Maria’s words.)
Satisfied by Jeff Manion
Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist (Confession: I’ve tried recipes from this book but never actually read it. Aiming to fixing that.)
Missional Motherhood by Gloria Furman
The Art of Work by Jeff Goins
On Writing Well by William Zinsser
The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron (I started this one just before Christmas and set it aside until I got through the holiday distraction. Now, I’m ready to dive into the Enneagram!)
Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey off the Beaten Path by Erin Loechner (Just released this week!)
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Curious Faith by Logan Wolfram
There you have it! Plenty of non-fiction with some fiction sprinkled in. A memoir or two. Some new stuff and some old stuff. A few light bites and some heavier meals. Titles that came to me highly recommended and a few I dug out on my own.
I struggled over this list, friends, because I want it to be excellent. But grace says that it doesn’t have to be. It’s a start. It’s a good goal, a fit road map for a good reading adventure.
One of my favorite parts of sharing my reading list from last year is that you shared some of your favorites as well! The comments were a gold a mine. So tell me, what am I missing? Any books you are looking forward to reading this year or have loved from last year? I’d love to hear about them.
I’ve started reading “Little House on the Prarie” with my 5-year old, love that he’s already a bookworm like his mama! I’ve started a historical fiction “Book of Negroes” by Lawrence Hill, “The Power of Change” (why we do what we do and how to change that) by Charles Duhigg and just finished “Bloom” by a mama blogger like yourself, Kelle Hampton. Amazing read! If you have some leftover time, you need to get your hands on a copy! I fell in love with my kiddos all over again after reading it! The honesty and authenticity she brings to her writing is a pure blessing! Enjoy your books, I’m also quite intentional with my goals; 2017 = 12,000 pages. But what you said is pure truth, it’s about discipline, but more than that, it’s about grace! Take care & blessings from Germany!
So many great recommendations, Stephanie! I read The Power of Habit by Duhigg in December and I didn’t realize he wrote The Power of Change as well. I’ve never heard of Bloom, but I will definitely look into it. And I’ve never even considered setting a page goal. 12,000 pages sounds like a hefty goal! Wishing you the best as you tackle that one great book at a time.
Hi love. Interested i quite a few of those. I highly highly super highly recommend ‘It caterpillars can fly, so can I’ by Alvin Day. It’s one of those books I want to get multiple copies of so i can give them away
Ohh, I’ve never even heard of that one, Sapphire. I love new recommendations. Thanks!
Loved Where did you go, Bernadette!
I’m listening to Lysa TerKeurst’s Best Yes on my library’s app. It’s my second time going through the book! Check it out!
I’ve read it and loved…and probably could stand to read it again, Tina. 🙂
Where’d You Go Bernadette is a quick, entertaining read. If you like it, I think you’d like What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty as well. I just finished my list of 18 books for the year and posted it, but of course I’m already finding others that I want to read. I guess that’s just the way it goes for booklovers right?!
What Alice Forgot was on my list last year…and I really liked it! It was certainly entertaining fiction, but it also got me thinking more intentionally about my own marriage. Fiction can be a nice brain break and yet challenge the reader at the same time. Thanks for the recommendation, Samantha!
I just taught an English lesson to high school students using part of Zinsser’s ‘Writing Well’! Enjoy 🤗
No way. Maybe I should just have you teach me! 😉
I’m definitely adding some of these to my 2017 reading list! Especially the Maria Goff and Ann Vonkamp ones! Thanks!
Great choices! I am anxious to here what Maria Goff has to say too. I heard her speak once and her wisdom and insight was beautiful. There are more great recommendations coming in on FB. You can view those here https://www.facebook.com/Ichoosebrave/posts/741470559334401 if you are interested. 🙂
My women’s bible study group is starting out the new year reading “The Best Yes” by Lysa Terkurst. I’m 5 chapters in so far and I absolutely love it and highly recommend it! If anyone is struggling with a too full schedule that leaves no room for God, then this is the book for you!
The Best Yes is one of my all time favorites, Shannon. In fact, it’s been a couple years since I’ve read so I should probably read it again. So much truth there. Thanks for the recommendation!
“Present Over Perfect” by Shauna Niequist is a good one too! And of course “Anne of Green Gables” series is one I’m dying to read again and relive my childhood. 😉
Ooh, dying right along with you! I’ve been holding off, impatiently, on introducing my girls to Anne. The very series I read as a girl sits on our bookshelf, just waiting for them. 🙂 And you aren’t the first person to tell me I’d love Present Over Perfect. The title alone sells it. 🙂
I just started the Present Over Perfect Bible study with a group of women from my kids’ school and I already love it! Now I want to read the book too 🙂