Let’s be real, reading in 2019 went to pot. Don’t get me wrong, I read a few books. I started even more with every intent to finish. But alas, reading was not given the proper energy it deserves or needs.

I read something at the beginning of this year (2020) that really struck a chord with me as this new year began. (It was also from the first book of the year I have finished. Hooray!!) I not only desire to give reading the energy and focus needed, but recognize how reading , and really what we read, truly can impact our heart and mind. Some of the books I have read over the years that stand out in my mind are books that have challenged, moved and shifted something in my heart.

“Our relationships and our reading reveal our personal growth, or lack of it. And they influence the direction of that growth: deep and wide, or sparse and shallow.”

Work that God Sees: ALLIED by Shannon Guerra

At the beginning of 2020 I set a goal of reading 24 books this year. I did not reach my goal but I’m at 13 books and counting. That’s more than one book a month, I can dig it! No, I’m not disappointed; more like I am grateful for the time I did get to read such wonderful books this year! So here is the list of books I read this year, and am currently reading. Yes, I am including my graduate school books. If I read it, it counts!!!

Did you read a book this year that stood out? Did it move your heart, teach you, make you laugh or cry, or did you absolutely hate it? I would love to hear about it!!

So here’s to another year of reading, and growth.

• Work that God Sees, prayerful motherhood in the midst of the overwhelm, ALLIED by Shannon Guerra
• A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet: Southern Stories of Faith, Family, and Fifteen Pounds of Bacon by Sophie Hudson
• Beyond the Golden Hour by Vince Guerra
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi  *
• I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
• Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen *
• Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers
• Pegasus by Vince Guerra
• Developing Your Theoretical Orientation in Counseling and Psychotherapy by Kimberly Vess Halbur (if I am reading an entire book for a graduate school class, you know it’s gonna count!!)
• Annual Editions: Human Development by Claire N Rubman (graduate class) *
• Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan: Applications for Counselors (graduate class)
• Bear Attacks, Dog Teams, and a Sinking Boat by Mike Sloan
• Educated by Tara Westover

I will be ending the year currently reading the following, and fingers crossed, they will be the first books to have been read of 2021!!

• currently reading: Work that God Sees, prayerful motherhood in the midst of the overwhelm, GROWING by Shannon Guerra
• currently reading: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb
• currently listening to: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Even though I didn’t reach the goal of 24 books, I’ve already upped the ante and set my goal for 2021: 36 books!! WHAT!! That’s three books a month. Part of the thinking behind is that I am in graduate school and each class, at least the next two, that I am taking have about 4 books to go along with them!! Remember, if I read it, it counts!! So here’s to all the learning and growing deep and wide that we get to pursue in 2021!

“Keep reading! It’s one of the most marvelous adventures that anyone can have.”