Reading Lately

Each year I have a pile of books that I want to read, and as the year progresses, I add more to the list and tend to put off some of the older ones.  This year I’ve been trying to read books that I already own {with the exception of two}, before purchasing any new ones.  There are quite a few that I’d love to have copies of, but I’m sticking to my plan, and so far it’s going quite well.

Here’s what I’ve been reading lately:

//Grace Based Parenting, Tim Kimmel.  An excellent read for any parent or grandparent.  And it’s not all about forgetting discipline and structure in your home.  This book is full of practical and philosophical information on how to have a home that is centered around God’s grace.  Living, teaching, and exemplifying grace to my kids is tough; this definitely challenged and encouraged me.

//Choosing Gratitude, Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  My mom gave me this for Christmas, and it truly helped my attitude at the beginning of the year.  I was struggling with anger and discontentment, and as the Lord worked in my heart, teaching me to be thankful in everything {again–I just can’t seem to get this!}, I started seeing my day-to-day challenges not as negative but as good.

//Radical, David Platt.  This book took me almost an entire year to read.  I felt convicted and challenged.  My dad heard that I was reading it and jokingly said, “Don’t read that one!  It will mess you up!”  Mess you up in a good way, that is, to think of life in a way that contradicts our American norm.  If you are comfortable with your life, then you should probably read this book.

//Don’t Make Me Count to Three, Ginger Plowman.  I’ve had this book on my stack every year since I became a mom in 2008.  And, I’ve read the first half of it about 5 times.  I finally finished it.  The main lesson I learned from this book was the importance of Scripture in training our children.  It takes time, energy, and a lot of thought — which are running low in my life — but if I want my kids to really understand how to live life in relationship with God, then they need to know how Scripture applies to the situations they encounter everyday.

//A Praying Life, Paul Miller.  One of the best books I’ve ever read.  And it is transforming my prayer life.  I was mostly challenged to pray big and not to overspiritualize my prayers.  If you’re not sure what I mean by that, read the book :).

//Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, Crystal Paine.  This book caught my eye while in Barnes & Noble one day.  I promptly went home and bought it online {much cheaper}, and loved it.  Some of the principles Crystal shares have helped me in practical ways over the past month or so.  For example, I believed that myth that all good homemakers had a ‘laundry day’.  And it drove me nuts!  Crystal suggests doing one load of laundry every day, and it really has transformed my outlook on this overwhelming task.  I’m still working to get my loads folded and put away before the next day arrives, but it’s coming.

//Hope for the Weary Mom, Where God Meets You in Your Mess, Stacey Thacker and Brooke McGlothlin.   I’ve been asked to share some of my story with a group of women who are going through this study, so I thought it would be helpful to read  it first.  As a woman who often feels like things are a mess, I appreciated so much the biblical reminders and practical advice.

My current read is Shattered Dreams, by Larry Crabb.  We shouldn’t be surprised by challenges and trials, but when they come at unexpected times and in unexpected ways, it can really shake us.  I can’t give a full report on this one yet, but I will say that I wish I could take a few days and read it cover to cover, soaking in everything he says; there’s a lot to digest.

Stepping Heavenward — I’ve started this one, but haven’t gotten very far.  It’s going on my nightstand for my bedtime reading.   

What are you reading right now?  Do you have any recommendations for me?