Katie Westenberg

I Choose Brave

Read More in 2016: How to Start and What I’ll Be Reading….plus a giveaway!

by Katie

Great books to read this year. My personal reading list and how I make time for reading.

I hadn’t planned to tell you about my reading goals for this year.  I mentioned that I set a specific goal for last year, but I was mostly keeping my bookish goals to myself for 2016.

But you asked.  Several of you have asked what my reading goals look like now.  Several of you have asked for recommendations of a great book to read this year.  So I decided I should probably share.  Plus, there is nothing truly brave about sharing a goal once it’s completed, right?  “Look at this scary goal in front of me” is always braver than “look what I did!”

And you know what?  That is really always my goal, braver.

Anyhow, before I tell you what I hope to read in 2016, several of you stated that your simple goal is to read more so I thought I’d share how I’ve been able to accomplish just that.  There really is no magic formula but this is how it works for me.

• Make a hard stop.  When we are home, which is most days, after lunch my 3 year old goes down for a nap and all the bigger people plop down with a book for 30 minutes.  Including me.  I like to read.  I want to model reading for my children.  So I make sure I read.  For you that may look like early mornings, reading for 20 minutes of your lunch break or before bed.  Just make a habit of it and let will power take over.

• Prioritize it.  Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we all have downtime in our day.  Time where we play around on the internet or watch television, time where we check Facebook or text friends.  None of that is bad, but it often eats up more time than we realize.  If you want to read more, prioritize reading over other distractions in your down time.

• Have a plan.  Last year was the first year I set a reading goal.  I’m a goal girl so that is motivating to me.  But it’s also important to have a tangible plan as to what you will read.  I keep constant reading lists – lists for each of my kids, lists for family read alouds and for myself.  From there I’m always planning my next step, having my next book ready so there is no time wasted wondering what to read.

• Have a book.  Simple, huh?  Reading doesn’t have to be done in big doses.  Read 10 minutes while you’re waiting to pick up kids, 5 minutes while you’re waiting to meet up with a friend, however many minutes while you’re waiting to see the doctor.  Having a book on hand allows you to capitalize on those little down times and in the end equals more books read.

So that’s how I read.  And I probably don’t need to tell you that the benefits have been invaluable.  The connection with my kids over great storylines and interesting characters is so much fun and personally, I’m a bit of a thinker, a dreamer and I like to learn, so keeping my brain active over the years as a stay-at-home mama has probably helped my sanity as well.

Good books to read in 2016

On to the books!

In no particular order, here are 25 books I plan to read in 2016.  Note there are affiliate links mixed in here, which help support this blog at no cost to you.  If you are looking for a few of my favorites from 2015, you can find those over here.  I also have to add to that Undone by Michelle Cushatt.  It’s a memoir.  And it’s excellent.  Excellent writing, incredible story, worth your time.

4 simple ways to read more in 2016 and 25 books to get you started!

1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

2. Fervent by Pricilla Shirer

3. The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson

4. Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick

5. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

6. It’s Not What You Think by Jefferson Bethke

7. Let’s All Be Brave by Annie Downs – you knew I’d pick this one right?

8. Team Us: Marriage Together by Ashleigh Slater

9. Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

10. Caught Up in a Story: Fostering a Storyformed Life of Great Books & Imagination with Your Children by Sarah Clarkson

11. A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman

12. Rees Howells: Intercessor by Norman Percy Grubb

13. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers – fact:  I’ve never read a book by Francine Rivers before, but I’ve told I’ll love this.

14. The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared by Alice Ozma

15. Fierce Women: The Power of a Soft Warrior (True Woman) by Kimberly Wagner

16. It Starts With Food by Dallas Hartwig

17. Humility by Andrew Murray – per Michele Cushatt, “don’t read if you prefer an easy and unchallenged religiosity.” I’m in.

18. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

19. Deconstructing Penguins by Lawrence Goldstone

20. Essentialism by Greg McKeown

21. Chasing the Dragon by Jackie Pullinger

22. The Spark: A Mother’s Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism by Kristine Barnett

23. The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel

24. Audacious by Beth Moore

25. Secrets of Dynamic Communications by Ken Davis

 

There you have it.  Whittling down those titles off my master list way crazy hard for me.  I doubt I’ll read them in that order, but that list is what I’m gunning for this year.

It feels like a pretty good mix of business, non-fiction, some personal growth, a little on education, motherhood, marriage, a biography and a few that I’ve been wanting to read forever and haven’t made time for.

If you are still trying to form your own reading goals for the year, Modern Mr. Darcy has a great plan to help you with that over here.  If you have some your excited to hear about, I’d love to hear about them in the comments so we can keep adding to your book list.

 

And now for that giveaway…

One little perk of writing here, is that I occasionally get to read advanced copies of books.  Last year one of my favorites was Jenni Catron’s The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership.  In this book Catron shares how, based on Mark 12:30, leading from the heart, mind, soul and strength became her framework for leadership.  She talks about the importance of developing in all four dimensions and the book comes with a leadership assessment to help readers discover their strengths.

I think, more than anything, this book made me realize we are all leaders in our corner of the world.  Parents?  Clearly leading.  At work?  Leading.  Social circles, peer groups, in our families – if people are watching (and  I promise, they are) then, like it or not, you are leading.

I found the principles in this book hugely transferable from the workplace and into the home – managing people, stewarding resources, self-leadership, servant leadership (hello, parents!), vision, clarity, strategy, wisdom, relational leadership, accountability, inspiring action, discipline, spiritual leadership – tell me one of these that it is not my responsibility to do well as a parent?

All that to say, I think you should read it AND I have a copy to give away.  This week a signed copy of the book showed up at my door and I’d love to give it to you!  Just enter your e-mail address below so I know how to get in contact with you and next Friday (January 15) at midnight I’ll randomly pick a winner.

And if you have a friend who loves to read, please share this post with them as well.  The more the merrier!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    How is your goal coming along? I am like a 3 year old when it comes to setting goals, which usually results in me setting the bar insanely too high, but I wanted to know if you got to “Crash the Chatterbox” yet? I’m reading another book by Steven Furtick called “Sun Stand Still” right now and it reminds me so much of your blog! Thank you for living bravely and inspiring us to follow God where he’s leading us, being brave despite the scariness. Blessings from Germany!

    • Katie says

      Hi Stephanie! The goal is going okay. Just okay. 🙂 The trouble I’m having is not so much with reading, but rather with all the great books I come across throughout the year. I’m fighting that darn list I made at the beginning of the year because I really want to read this other book I just heard about out or this new one that was just released. Apparently I’m a little like a 3 year old as well! I have yet to read anything by Furtick, but I really want to make that happen. I watched a video of him speaking earlier this year and really appreciated his insights so that is a huge compliment from you. Thanks! And happy reading! 🙂

      • Nancy Holte says

        I saw your comment here on you struggling with your list because of the new books that you’ve come across. I feel your pain. That’s why this year I only chose 12 books for my “to be read” list and that gave me some freedom to pick up others along the way. Last year, I chose 26 books for the year and only ended up reading a total of 27 books. This year, as I said, I only chose 12 and I’ve already read 27 (and it’s only the end of August. What I’m saying here is this is an older (much older), and maybe, but not necessarily, wiser, friend encouraging you to give yourself some grace. Reading is supposed to be fun and sometimes educational. Enjoy!

        • Katie says

          Such wisdom, Nancy! I definitely didn’t account for new books I’d come across…or life changes that might affect my interests throughout the year. A reading list should certainly have some grace in it. I’ll be planning for a little more of that next year. 🙂

  2. Nancy Holte says

    This is a great list! After adding some of them to my list I will now have to live to be 104 to read them all. And that’s only if no more books are written! Oh, to be a speed reader. By the way, I just finished reading a book called “Think Differently, Lead Differently” by Bob Hamp. It’s not an easy read (either that or I’m not as bright as I think I am) but it’s got some great little nuggets of insight scattered throughout the book. And, you will LOVE Redeeming Love!

    • Katie says

      Thanks for adding to the list, Nancy! And the feedback on Redeeming Love has been so great I can’t wait to start it. It’s next on my list!

  3. Erin P. says

    Can’t wait to start reading The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership! Thanks for the recommendation!

  4. Stacie says

    Oh man what a good list and you SHOULD MOVE Redeeming Love to the top of your list! All time favorite!

    • Katie says

      Ok, done! 🙂 I have a couple open right now, but I’m moving Redeeming Love up in the queue. It’s time for some fiction anyhow. Thanks for stopping by!

  5. Kali says

    I love the idea of having a list that you work through of books to read. Last year I finally gave it a try and it just didn’t work for me. I enjoy that time between books when I am trying to decide what to read. Good luck with your reading goal this year.

    • Kali says

      I have several favorites from last year. A few of them are Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, Once Upon a Prince, and Ekaterina.

  6. val fletcher says

    How Evil Works was good but tough at times to stomach. Gave insight into our country’s predicament. Thanks for opportunity !

  7. Karin says

    I am not as good at reading good books as I would like to be, so my list of favorite books I read last year is pretty sparse! I did enjoy reading Breadcrumbs though. Juvenile fiction is one of my favorite genres. The next book on my list to read this year is a book on motherhood called All Joy and No Fun.

    • Katie says

      I definitely go through periods where making time to read comes easier than others. One way I hope to get a few more books in this year is through audiobooks. Great for moms who love to multi-task! 😉

  8. Maureen says

    In September, I started regularly reading out loud to my kids again. That sparked me reading again. Thanks for sharing your list of books and doing a giveaway!

    • Katie says

      Oh, I cherish our read alouds here, Maureen. Although sometimes they don’t spark my personal reading. Sometimes they just make me too tired to read on my own! 😉 I’m so glad you stopped by!

  9. Julie K. McComas says

    Great list! You will love Redeeming Love!!! I’ve read it twice. Let us know when you start Fervent. I would love to read it along with you. It is on my list, too.

    • Katie says

      I’m so glad you stopped by, Julie! I’m getting lots of Redeeming Love comments; I better bump that one up on the list. And I’d LOVE to do Fervent as a group.

  10. Tiff says

    One of my favors of 2015 was For The Love by Jen Hatmaker. I love Jen’s humor & real life take. She is one of my favorite people & authors 🙂
    I have started reading Living Well Spending Less (love so far) & have Daring Greatly & The Best Yes on my night stand.
    Happy Reading!

    • Katie says

      Can’t wait to hear what you think of the ones on your night stand. There is some seriously good stuff there! I was laughing out loud when I heard Ruth Soukup describe her car…she drives my exact, old car! 🙂

  11. Andrea says

    Hi Katie! Great list. I love Francine Rivers! We attended Tedd Tripp’s seminar the past two days and I am definitely going to read “Instructing a child’s heart.” He said the conference was a condensed version of the book. I can’t wait to dig into what he shared.

    • Katie says

      I’m glad you got to go, Andrea! I heard Tedd Tripp speak last year (really enjoyed him!) but have yet to read any of his books. Guess I better start the list for 2017. 😉

    • Katie says

      Well, thank you, Pam. How fun! I think we all struggle with the brave thing at times, but the benefits of a struggle done well make it worth it. 🙂 Looking forward to checking out the Liebster. And thank you!

  16. Alonda says

    Those books sound great! I have a book list for 2016 that I am going to be sharing too. We both chose different books though. I’m excited to hear about the ones you read!

  17. Kela Nellums says

    What a most fabulously beautiful list!!
    I have several of these!
    As far as Redeeming Love goes, somehow I ended up with 3 copies and read each one!! SO GOOD!!

    • Katie says

      I have high hopes for that one, Kela! I happened to read an interview with Rivers and she named Redeeming Love as her favorite book to have written. That’s saying something considering how many books she has written.