My 2012 Reading List

Last week I posted on Jessica from Life as Mom's "Booking it in 2012" reading list.  After much deliberation (and a little help from my friends), I have finally devised my own 2012 Reading List, along with a few other books I want to tackle throughout the year.  My goal in 2012 is to post a brief review after reading the book of the strengths and weaknesses, pros and cons, and whether or not I recommend reading the book.

Here is my tentative "Booking It in 2012" reading list.  (I have placed an asterisk by books also on Jessica's list.)

January: Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider. As we prepare for the arrival of child number 3, the idea of "simple living" is very appealing to me.  I'm excited to start the year with this book, described on Amazon.com as follows:

Organized Simplicity's aim is to convince its readers that simple living is the absolute best way to live.  Be it with house cleaning, family schedule management, personal finances, and managing the "stuff" you allow within your four walls, the only way to live well is to do so intentionally and simply. [...] There are chapters for cleaning and organizing the home room-by-room, and future project ideas will inspire readers to turn their house in a haven they love.

February: The Meaning of Marriage: Facing Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller and Kathy Keller.  Based on Keller's sermon series, this book "shows everyone--Christians, skeptics, singles, long-time married couples, and those about to be engaged--the vision of what marriage should be according to the Bible."

March: Grace-Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel.  I've read countless parenting books but this one is the first that encourages the idea of extending grace to your child, much like our Heavenly Father is so abundantly gracious to us.  I must admit that I'm not very gracious with my kids and am eager to find ways to improve in this area of my parenting.

April: Homeschooling the Early Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3- to 8-Year Old Child by Linda Dobson.  To aid me in my "attempts" at homeschooling our three-year-old and also see if homeschooling is in the best interest of our children.

May:  Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson*.  Originally published in 1938 but made into a film in 2008 with Amy Adams.  From what I've read, Watson has a similar style to Jane Austen, probably my all-time favorite writer, so I'm anxious to read this novel by a new-to-me writer.

June: Finding Your Purpose as a Mom: How to Build Your Home on Holy Ground by Donna Otto.  God has made me a mother for a reason.  I'm always eager to read a new book on how to improve in this role and am hoping this book will be one of encouragement and practical application.

July: The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Homeschooling by Rachel Gathercole.  A book recommended by a homeschooling friend to address some of my concerns about teaching our children outside the institution of the school system.

August: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins.  In the county where we live, The Hunger Games has been recommended as a book to be read because of its universal themes and appeal to a broad range of age groups, races, and backgrounds.  Several friends have recommended these books to me and so I'm jumping on the bandwagon to participate in this community-wide challenge to read.
 

September: Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life by Emily P. Freeman.  Because life is tough and we as women generally tend to forget God's grace, striving instead to live up to impossible standards.  Love this premise because accepting grace is something I struggle with.

October: The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.  Published in 1868, Collins' novel is considered by many as the first detective novel in the English language.  As an avid Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle reader, I'm interested in getting to the roots of the modern mystery novel.  Plus, it's a literary classic.

November: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (movie to be released in December 2012)*.  A classic I have never read but once saw on Broadway and LOVED.  Plus, I'm excited to see the upcoming film adaptation starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway.

December: Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice & Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Women by Dr. James Dobson.  A book I've read once already but definitely need to re-read!

Other books I hope/intend to read in 2012:

• A World Lit Only by Fire: The Medieval Mind & the Renaissance,Portrait of an Age by William Manchester.  To satisfy my love of all things medieval.
• The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  In preparation for Financial Peace University, which Daniel & I will be taking at our church beginning in January.
• The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise.  I'm very interested in classical training for our children.
• Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.  I try to read this novel at least once a year.  It's just that good.

What are your reading plans for 2012? 

Keri