My passion for books began in middle school when I picked up my first Nancy Drew mystery novel. It was love at first sight, and I’ve loved books ever since. I spent most of my high school and college years reading wonderful literary classics. Life got busy after marriage, and having kids only added to the busyness. I did read books during those years, but it was definitely ebb and flow. Last year, I was challenged to set a reading goal for the year. I love goals! Even better than setting a goal is checking off the baby steps that lead to accomplishing said goal. I challenged myself to read 25 books last year. That was a huge jump from what I had been doing previously, but I thought I could manage about 2 books each month. I finished 2020 reading 36 books. The more I read, the more I fell in love with reading. I’d check one book off my “to-read” list, and five others would replace it. I wanted to increase the challenge for this year, but with the preparation for an international move in our near future, I didn’t want to set something that would be unattainable. I decided to set the goal to read 40 books this year. Quarter 1 is wrapping up, and I am on track with just finishing book #12. Truth be told, I’m hoping to read at least 50, doubling last year’s challenge, but I’d be happy with hitting 40.
Practical Tips to Accomplish Your Reading Goals
Maybe you read the paragraph above and think, “40 books! I can barely get through 1!” Or maybe you think, “40 is way too low of a goal for me! I can read many more than than!” The lady that challenged me to set a reading goal has set her personal goal for 2021 at 140 books! I can’t imagine! Wherever you find yourself on the scale is perfectly fine. We are all different. We have different hobbies, schedules, goals and priorities. That’s ok! I will challenge you though- read more this year than you did last year!
When I talk about my reading goals, the biggest question I get is “How do you find time to read as a busy mom? And if you do find the time, how do you not fall asleep?” Confucius said, “No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” Wow, he doesn’t mince words! I hope no one reads that and takes offence, but there is truth in it. Reading opens the world to the reader. George R. R. Martin said, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, the man who never reads only lives one.” I’ve read many different genres of books. My current genre of choice is non-fiction, mainly books about Christian living, parenting and marriage. I have received so much wisdom from the pages of the books I’ve read. Of course, the most important book you’ll ever read is the Bible! Never let the Bible take lesser priority to other books, especially books written about the Bible.
Reading is a high priority to me. I’ve found that I can make time for things that are priority. Because reading is important to me, I’ll choose it over surfing social media or watching TV. Not at all to say I don’t do either of those things, I do! But I have found it fills me up to invest in my mind and heart through books.
The most practical thing I do to keep my reading on track is to read one chapter each day. Most of my non-fiction books are about 10-12 chapters, and a chapter can be read in 15 minutes or less. Reading one chapter each day puts me finishing around 3 books each month! You might not think you have time to read 40 books in a year, but do you have 10 or 15 minutes a day you can set aside for reading? I’d venture to say almost everyone can do that. If so, you’ll easily read close to 40!
When I first set the goal of reading a chapter each day, I had to analyze my schedule to find a pocket of time in which to accomplish that goal. What I found is that I have many little pockets of time in my day! Here are some of my “pockets of time” to help you get brainstorming about your schedule-
- In the evening before I go to bed
- During nap time/quiet time
- While waiting on my grocery pick up
- While blow drying my hair
- Waiting for Eden during her piano lesson
- While the kids do a craft, color, play with play doh, or even look at books themselves
I prefer a physical copy of books, but I’ve found that going through audio books is a great way to get in more books. I often listen while in the car, making dinner, doing dishes or laundry or cleaning the house.
Yes, I’m busy. So busy! Yes, I’m tired. Exhausted to be more accurate. But reading has given richness and depth to areas of my life, and it’s so worth it to me. I will find time to read, because there are too many wonderful books out there not to!
More Tips on How to Read More
A friend of mine from college and fellow blogger, wrote a great post on how to read more. She has divided her daily reading goal up in a different way than I have, but I love the tips she shares! Maybe a chapter a day isn’t a good break down for you. Check out Elizabeth’s advice on how she is achieving her reading goals. She even has a free printable to help track your reading goal and things you are learning and want to remember from the books you read!
How to Read More from the My Delightful Journal Blog by Elizabeth Frost
Books I’ve Read in 2021
I’ve read some amazing books so far this year (as you’ll see below, almost all of them get a 5 star rating!), and my line up for the next quarter looks just as good!
1. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom: 5 Stars– “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” What a powerful testimony of God’s love and sufficient grace during the most unimaginable circumstances. I think every Christian would benefit from reading this book!
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear: 3 Stars- So many people love this book, so I’m hesitant to give it a 3 star rating. While it was extremely thorough and had great insight and advice on forming/breaking habits, it was written from a non-Christian perspective. I knew that beginning the book, but I would love to see much of the same content written from a Christian perspective. For example, the author uses the illustration of stopping an addictive habit multiple times. I know that having good checks and balances in place can aid in overcoming an addictive habit, the power of the Holy Spirit is an essential element.
3. Risen Motherhood by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler: 5 Stars- These women do an amazing job at discussing many different issues mothers face in light of the Gospel. I loved this quote- “It might be mundane to fold laundry, but it’s extraordinary to do it patiently with joy and a heart of love. It might be mundane to sit on the couch and read another book to a whiny four year old, but it’s extraordinary to show kindness and mercy to an underserving sinner. It might be mundane to fill the fridge with groceries, but it’s extraordinary to praise God for His provision. Our every day moments might be ordinary, but when we accomplish them while displaying the fruit of the Spirit, they reflect our extraordinary Savior.”
4. Suffering Is Never For Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot: 5 Stars- “The deepest things that I have learned in my own life have come from the deepest suffering. And out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires have come the deepest things that I know about God.” While I haven’t faced anything like the trials Elisabeth Elliot did, I have walked through some dark waters. This book was a challenge and an encouragement to me. That quote is packed with truth. I know for myself, I am who I am and am where I’m at today because the suffering in my life has been an instrument used to conform me more into the image of Christ.
5. Reading Magic by Mem Fox: 4 Stars– Obviously, reading is a key element in our home. Not only do my husband and I enjoy reading, we make it a top priority to read-aloud to our children. Mem Fox gives dozens of examples, testimonies, and studies as to why reading to children is so important- no matter their age!
6. Then an Alien, Now an Heir by Jayanthi Anantharaj: 5 Stars- This booklet is the testimony of a sweet lady I use to go to church with. Raised in India, she shares how she came to know Christ as her Savior, see Him work miracles through her arranged marriage, and be faithful to her again and again as she followed her Lord. I love any time someone shares their story with the intent of bringing much glory to Christ. This book did exactly that!
7. Will They Stand: Parenting Kids to Face the Giants by Ken Ham : 5 Stars- We live in dark days. The concern of raising our children to be lights for Christ in a wicked world is a struggle many parents are battling with. God has used Ken Ham in amazing ways, and this book is one of them! He said that it is his belief that the situation in the US and around the world is not something that will destroy our children’s faith. If our children are taught about God and His Word, the darkness in this world will force them to take a stronger stand for truth than past generations. That is a good thing! Casual Christianity is ceasing to exist. You either conform to culture, or you stand courageously for Christ. I want my children to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ with their whole heart, mind, body and soul. This book gives Biblical truths to make that goal a reality.
8. Eve in Exile and the Restoration of Femininity by Rebekah Merkle : 5 Stars- Feminism is wreaking havoc on our nation, and it is heartbreaking. Merkle outlines the history of feminism, and how something that started out as seemingly innocent, gained momentum and became something that was in stark contrast to what God intended for woman. She spends the second half delving into the Scriptures sharing what God’s intent for woman was. As in every other area of life, God has such a beautiful purpose for woman. In our efforts to free and enable women, we have corrupted God’s desire for our sex.
9. Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher : 4 Stars- This book had great information on the rise of totalitarianism and how it can creep into society. The author gives great advice on how to prevent this from happening and how to stand for truth if it does happen. He does have a loose version of Christianity, including Catholics as true followers of Christ.
10. Stop Calling Me Beautiful: Find Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep World by Phylicia Masonheimer : 5 Stars- Modern Christianity promotes the message of we are all beautiful. God loves us just as we are, and we can find confidence, joy and security in the amazing people we are. It’s an empty message of fluff. The Bible says the heart is desperately wicked, and we are wretched, hell deserving sinners. God is love, but He is also just. Our ugly sin required a payment. That is why Christ shed His blood on the cross. The Gospel is beautiful! I loved this quote- “I wonder if more Christians experienced a vibrant walk with Jesus- one that transformed their daily lives- would talking about it come naturally? The shallow, defeated Christianity we see today is not worthy talking about. Who wants to talk about a faith that’s perpetually lived in defeat? Why would you share something you barely believe yourself? That’s not the kind of faith early Christians were sharing. Theirs was a Christian life touched by the powerful person of Jesus.”
11. Women of the Bible by Frances Vander Velde : 5 Stars- A sweet friend of mine gave me this book. We read through it, then met together for tea to discuss it. Cups of hot tea, instrumental music and a rainy morning set the stage for a perfect morning to delve deep into lessons we had learned from studying the lives of these women. There were so many that God used to speak truth and conviction to my heart. I’ve done several studies through the women of the Bible before, but I always glean new insight every time I read about their lives.
12. Speaking for Myself: Faith, Freedom, and the Fight of Our Lives Inside the Trump White House by Sarah Huckabee Sanders : 5 Stars- Wow! I won’t delve deep into politics, but we voted for President Trump, and we were so thankful for his love for America and his stand for justice, law and order. But this book took my appreciation to a whole new level for him and his administration as Sarah Sanders gives an insiders look at the Trump presidency. Trump wasn’t perfect, but it was an answer to prayer and a blessing from the Lord to have him serve as our nation’s leader. I have had the privilege of being in a meeting to hear Sarah Sanders speak. She is an incredible lady who, in spite of horrendous opposition, sacrificed and served her country. Getting the inside scoop from a strong woman, wife, mother, and Christian made for a read that I could barely put down.
*Something that I was taught in college is that when you read, you should “eat the fish and spit out the bones.” I do not endorse every word in the books listed above. There are “bones” that I don’t agree with 100%, but there is also wonderful insight and truth that can be gleaned from them.
In the No Higher Calling podcast episode 14, I share more details about my reading challenge. I also include tips on how to find deals on purchasing books, and some places I find them for free!
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