Every year, around this time, I like to take a look back at the previous year and plan for the coming twelve months. Since I love to read and reading is an integral part of my writing ministry, planning the books I want to read becomes part of that goal setting process. This year, I thought it would be fun to share with you the books on my list for 2015.
My book list is broken into three parts. I try to choose a variety of non-fiction books, a balance between historical and biographical, self- improvement, professional development, and inspirational Christian. Then I have a stack of books to read that pertain to current writing projects. Those books are mainly historical research, but can delve into other areas. For example, one of my current writing projects is about a Mormon family traveling on the Oregon Trail in 1847 so I’m reading a Mormon theology book. Finally, I have a list of fiction books that keep me current with other writers. Okay, let’s be honest. I read those for fun.
By year’s end, it’s intriguing to go back over my list, see what I didn’t get read and what books came across my path mid-year. One of my biggest unexpected reads this year was “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. What an excellent book!
Here’s my reading list for 2015:
Historical/Biographical
Sea Biscuit, Laura Hillenbrand
Inspirational Christian Non-fiction
Sacred Pathways, Gary L Thomas
Soul Keeping, John Ortberg
Really Bad Girls of the Bible, Liz Curtis Higgs
Free Of Charge, Miroslav Volf
The Jesus I Never Knew, Phillip Yancey
The Me I Want To Be, John Ortberg
Fiction
Heart of a Lion, Gilbert Morris
Kate Breslin’s new book, “Not By Sight” comes out July 20015. I can hardly wait!
A Matter of Trust, Lis Weil
Eyes of Justice, Lis Wiehl
Not By Sight, Kate Breslin
Laurel, Susan F. Craft
Professional Development
Platform, Michael Hyatt
You Are A Writer, Jeff Goins
Scrivner for Dummies
To Marry An English Lord, Gail MacCall and Carol McD Wallace
So many books – so little time!
Have you ever stood in front of a closet full of clothes and felt like you didn’t have anything to wear? I feel that way with books. I’ll stand in front of my very full bookcase and wonder what I should read tonight. As I look at my list, I see some gaps I want to fill – particularly in current events or historical/biographical, particularly in the era of the historical novels I’ll be working on this year.
I’m hoping my list will spark ideas for you. I’m also hoping you’ll share part of your reading list in the comment section below because I’m always looking for another good book to add to my list!
As I complete each book, I plan to share my thoughts and reflections on some of those books in this blog. I’d better go write that goal on my goals list! But first, I think I’ll go make a cup of hot beverage and curl up with my Corgi and my Kindle!
And I have so many books to read right now, most of which I either bought or received at the ACFW conference in Sept. Most of what I read is fiction, and while I enjoy different genres, my favorite is, and has always been, Mystery/Suspense, trying to figure out “whodunit.”
At the moment, I’m reading book 3 of 4, in Terri Blackstock’s Cape Refuge series. I can’t read her books fast enough and, if I may, I strongly recommend them ALL. I just finished her Restoration series (hoping it would keep going), and once I finish Cape Refuge, I have her Sun Coast series, and her Moonlighters Series as well (and she’s got more!). What an amazing author she is.
Next on the list are novels by Ane Mulligan, Pamela Meyers, and Sandra Orchard, Lauraine Snelling, Deborah Raney, and Karen Barnett (I’m positive I’m forgetting some). I look forward to read each and every one of them!
I totally understand trying to find time to read. I read so many books as submissions that I dins reading for enjoyment tough time to find. But just finished Unbroken. Amazing book!
I just finished reading While We Were Watching Downton Abbey. Next up is research books which I kinda love. Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey arrives in the mail today woohoo! After that it’ll be The Roses of No Man’s Land again for a refresher, and somewhere in there I’ll read When Paris Went Dark. For fiction reading I guess I’ll stand in front of my bookshelf and pick one of the many titles I haven’t gotten around to reading yet. Stay tuned!
Inspirational! I read so much for reviews that finding time to read for myself is limited. I love Jill Williamson and bought another of her series for Christmas, so I’ll be reading that. I have physical books on my TBR pile dating back more than five years. I want to whittle that down too. Thanks for the encouragement.
Every year, around this time, I like to take a look back at the previous year and plan for the coming twelve months. Since I love to read and reading is an integral part of my writing ministry, planning the books I want to read becomes part of that goal setting process. This year, I thought it would be fun to share with you the books on my list for 2015. 
Great idea for a post, Karen.
And I have so many books to read right now, most of which I either bought or received at the ACFW conference in Sept. Most of what I read is fiction, and while I enjoy different genres, my favorite is, and has always been, Mystery/Suspense, trying to figure out “whodunit.”
At the moment, I’m reading book 3 of 4, in Terri Blackstock’s Cape Refuge series. I can’t read her books fast enough and, if I may, I strongly recommend them ALL. I just finished her Restoration series (hoping it would keep going), and once I finish Cape Refuge, I have her Sun Coast series, and her Moonlighters Series as well (and she’s got more!). What an amazing author she is.
Next on the list are novels by Ane Mulligan, Pamela Meyers, and Sandra Orchard, Lauraine Snelling, Deborah Raney, and Karen Barnett (I’m positive I’m forgetting some). I look forward to read each and every one of them!
Blessings,
Renee-Ann
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Great book ideas! Thanks so much for sharing these titles with us, Renee-Ann.
I totally understand trying to find time to read. I read so many books as submissions that I dins reading for enjoyment tough time to find. But just finished Unbroken. Amazing book!
I for one appreciate the reading you do, Linda. Thanks for your part in providing high quality reading for the rest of us.
I just finished reading While We Were Watching Downton Abbey. Next up is research books which I kinda love. Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey arrives in the mail today woohoo! After that it’ll be The Roses of No Man’s Land again for a refresher, and somewhere in there I’ll read When Paris Went Dark. For fiction reading I guess I’ll stand in front of my bookshelf and pick one of the many titles I haven’t gotten around to reading yet. Stay tuned!
Great list. It looks like you are set for a wonderful year of reading!
Inspirational! I read so much for reviews that finding time to read for myself is limited. I love Jill Williamson and bought another of her series for Christmas, so I’ll be reading that. I have physical books on my TBR pile dating back more than five years. I want to whittle that down too. Thanks for the encouragement.