Okay, I decided to just make a big (for me) list of books to read this spring, knowing full well that I probably won’t get through all of them. I’d like to read them all, but realistically, I just don’t think it’s going to happen. So my personal challenge to myself is to complete as many of them as possible.
As I’ve done for past challenges, I’m dividing them into non-fiction and fiction. It’s always harder for me to finish non-fiction books (I love to start them, of course, but I tend to abandon them half-way through), but these reading challenges usually give me the kick in the pants to hang in there and complete a few of them.
Here’s what I hope/plan to read this spring:
Nonfiction
Sacred Chaos by Tricia McCary Rhodes (finish it) I’m already more than half-way through this book, but have been reading it forever. I tend to pick it up and read a chapter here and there, and then mull over those chapters for days or weeks before picking it up again. But I am determined to finish it this spring.
All I Need Is Jesus and a Good Pair of Jeans by Susanna Foth Aughtmon (finish it) I’ve read the first four chapters of this book, and I really like it so far. So why haven’t I just kept reading it? And why haven’t I finished it? I don’t have a good answer for that. But I will finish it this spring.
Clutter-Free Christianity by Robert Jeffress I’m reading this book for an upcoming blog tour and will be giving away a copy of it this spring. I’ve only read the introduction so far, but it looks like it’ll be a good book.
How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman This book was on my Fall Into Reading 2008 list and guess what? I never even started it. But it still looks interesting to me, so I’m going to give it another shot.
Looking for God by Nancy Ortberg I’ve enjoyed a few books by John Ortberg, and decided to check out this one, written by his wife. My friend Dianne read it recently and seemed to really like it, so I’m looking forward to diving in to this one.
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment by Tim Challies I’m a regular reader of Challies.com, and have wanted to read Tim’s book for a while. I so appreciate the book reviews Tim does and I know there will be lots to learn from the slim but packed little book.
The Mighty Queens of Freeville by Amy Dickinson This book comes with my usual disclaimer: I’m not a big memoir-reader. However, I do like Amy Dickinson, and when I was asked to read and review this book, I said “yes,” so I’ll give it a shot. I also have a copy to give away to one of my readers later this spring.
Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna This book has been on my shelf for over a year and I still haven’t read it. It looks good, and I always appreciate a helpful parenting book, so I finally took it off the shelf and put it on my spring pile.
I know what you’re thinking: Katrina, you’re crazy. That’s eight non-fiction books. You’ll never finish them all!
I know. Trust me, I know. This is nuts. Eight non-fiction books? Still, it’s not called a “challenge” for nothing. I’m going to give it my best and see how far I get.
Fiction
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Again, this book was on my Fall Into Reading 2008 list and I didn’t even crack the cover. In fact, I’ve been waffling for years between wanting to read it (since good friends of mine, including Lisa, absolutely love this book) and avoiding it. Why do I avoid it? I don’t know… I tend to be picky about literary-type books, and maybe I’m just afraid that I’ll hate it, even though I really want to read it and love it. Regardless, I’ve decided that I will read it this spring. I’m thinking about watching the movie first (I’ve never seen it) to get myself started…
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer I’ve heard good things about this book from several people, and it does look charming. Much slower-paced than my usual fare, but still, I’m curious.
The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffery Deaver After all that literary stuff, I needed to include some books with murder, bad guys, and good guys who save the day. Jeffery Deaver’s books are always page-turners for me; he really knows how to do the twists-n-turns thing.
Sinner by Ted Dekker One of the few Dekker novels I haven’t yet read. I usually enjoy his books, but every now and then, one makes me scratch my head and conclude, “That was just plain weird.” We’ll see how it goes with this one.
Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis I last read Lewis’s Space Trilogy when I was in college, and I’ve been wanting to read them again. I’ll start this spring with the first book.
The Soul Hunter by Melanie Wells I have read Melanie Wells’s books completely out of order. I read the third one first, then went back and read the first one, and now I’m finally reading the second one, The Soul Hunter. They work just fine as stand-alone books, and I thoroughly enjoyed the other two, so I don’t doubt that this one will keep me up late at night as well (in a good way). Chad, however, prefers for me to keep these books cover-side-down, to hide the freaky-looking guy you can see there in the corner.
So, that’s 14 books total for my Spring Reading Thing list. More than one book per week. I know that for some of the participants, fourteen is a pitifully small number of books to read in three months, but for me, it will be a challenge. But it’s one I’m ready to take.
Don’t forget to visit the main Spring Reading Thing 2009 post and check out what everyone else is reading!
Great list! I’ll be adding some of these books to my to read list for the future. I’ve yet to read any Ted Dekker books, but my husband absolutely LOVES them. So, I’m sure you’ll like Sinner.
That’s a great list for a challenge! I can’t wait to see how you do.
I *do* love memoirs so I’ve added The Mighty Queens of Freeville to my TBR list… I’ll be interested to see what you think of it.
Great list for the challenge – I’m looking forward to participating along with you.
Definitely read Pride and Prejudice and watch the movie first if you want to. I did that. I saw the movie several years ago then finally read it at the end of last year and I was not disappointed. Besides it’s great to imagine Collin Firth through the whole book
Great list! Don’t be so hard on yourself, I bet you read them all.
I love your list! You just added a ton of books to my TBR list.This will be my first time participating in the challenge. Good luck!
No reason not to go big:) Best of luck and happy spring.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is getting positive reviews everywhere so I’m thinking I’m going to have to go pick that one up myself!
I LOVE your list!
Great list – I have read all of Ted Dekker’s books and enjoyed most of them. And, yes, they are weird. I eventually will read p & p. It’s just one of those mood books. Thanks for hosting the challenge.
Challies’ book would be a good one — but I’m like you with non-fiction. I may give it a go when I get some of my others read. I know what you mean about Dekker — I have the same reactions to different books of his. I read P&P a couple of years ago and want to revisit it some time. I read Lewis’s trilogy years ago and would love to revisit it some time, too. I keep seeing The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society — I should check it out! The spring reading thing always increase my TBR list! Thanks for hosting it again!
great list, Pride and Prejudice is amazing, you have to read it.
I was going to suggest you watch the movie before reading Pride & Prejudice, and then you suggested it yourself! I’ve never seen the movie, but sometimes it helps, especially as Austen can be a bit slow to get into. And I say that even though I absolutely adore her!
And I’m with your husband on the last one!!
Wow, that’s a great list! You crack me up Katrina. I’m just like you when it comes to non-fiction. But I sure don’t eight of ‘em on my list. LOL. Happy Reading!
I’ve got a Dekker book on my list as well. Happy reading!
I loved Pride and Prejudice (though it’s not my *favorite* Austen). Do watch the movie–I just loved the 1995 one with Colin Firth. It might help you get inspired to read the book. (I also loved Bride & Prejudice but that’s beside the point!)
I am interested in reading the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. So I look forward to your review!
That’s a big list for you — nonfiction wise, and even the fiction looks tough, since it’s not your usual fare.
BUT — I object to memoir being on the nonfiction list. If you noticed, I put “Memoir and Fiction” in the same place on my list, since it reads the same. I think you’ll probably like Mighty Queens. . . .
Maybe we could go through Clutter Free Christianity together since it’s on my list too?
Looks like a great list. I fully recommened Pride & Prejudice.
“…Jesus & a Good Pair of Jeans” I’m intriqued. Any book with that title I’m thinking I must read.
I read the Guernsey Liteary and Potato Peel Society last year and loved it. I def. recommend it. I am with you on nonfiction. I have a ton I started with bookmarks still in them. lol I am reading a very interesting one right now called Your Brain on Joy by Dr. Earl Henslin.
Great list! I like the fact that you have an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction, including books to nourish your faith. I’ve been wanting to read How Doctors Think — thanks for reminding me. I tried C.S. Lewis’s sci-fi trilogy in college, and I felt I didn’t “get it.” I should try it again, now that I’m — ahem — older and wiser.
Wow that is a huge list.. I only have 6 this year.. however one is HUGE
. I hope you can get through some of your non-fiction soon 
Love your list! I am definitely jotting down a few of these titles for future reading for myself!
A very good list of some challenging books. I’m interested in a couple of them as well: The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment and The Guernsey Literary Society. I look forward to your opinions of them.
Thanks for hosting this “thing”. Spring seems like such a cheerful and hopeful time for starting a good reading project.
Great stack of books! I had to read The Day of Evil series during the day, to help with the creepy factor, but I loved them!! I have not seen that cover for Pride and Prejudice (my favorite book). Hope you get to it!!
Let the games begin, huh! Great list. I think you’ll love the one by Nancy Ortberg – I found her to be very fresh and refreshing – if that makes sense. I see you’ve got your typical creepy thrillers on the list . . . you kill me! I’m hoping to read some memoir-type books in this coming year.
P&P is my all-time favorite and I loved Guernsey….Happy Reading!
Oooh! I love the murder and mayhem books too. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. That’s a title I’ve been looking at for quite some time, but haven’t picked up yet. I have a horrible time with non-fiction books too, although I’ve included a lot on my list this year. Good luck with your list!
Love your list, and I see some here I definitely want to read next time!
Thanks for hosting this challenge!
Revolutionary Parenting is an excellent book. I read it during a parenting group at church.
I just finished the Potato Peel Pie book and it was wonderful!! One that I think I will want to add to my bookshelves soon (it was a library book). Very, very good!
WOW! You should be VERY enlightened when you’re done!
I added Pride & Prejudice to my list because of your list, Katrina, and I’ve heard wonderful things about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Happy reading!
I have not read any of the books on your list except the C.S. Lewis one and that was AGES ago! I like how you did your list! Good luck!
Great list, I added a few to my TBR pile. Do you ever listen to audio books? I like to listen to them while Ironing, crafting or pretty much anything I can’t do well with a book in my hand.
Grace to you and Peace be multiplied.
I have tried to read P&P a zillion times, but never seem to get to it.
I really want to read it, but I am also afraid I will hate it, and will no longer be a part of the literary elite
We have some similar titles:-) You’ll LOVE “My Soul To Keep”. I’ll be looking forward to your revies:-)
There’s some of my personal favorites here, including but not limited to my beloved Pride and Prejudice! And the Potato Peel society? I’ve been wanting to read that one myself.
I popped over for the code for the button as I fully intend to get my post up today…but got distracted by your (very impressive) stack of books!
However far you get, I pray you are blessed by what you read and enjoy it all.
On a personal note, I can’t imagine anyone not liking Pride and Prejudice. It’s not a classic for nothing. However, I highly recommend waiting to watch the movie until after you read the book, otherwise you REALLY won’t want to read the book (only because watching the movie is so much easier). In addition, I highly, highly recommend the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice. It just can’t be touched.
Happy Reading!
Thanks for having this reading challenge! I only have two books on my list, but that’s okay. I can add more.
Quite a list, Katrina! I’m waffling with you on Jane Austen – she’s so loved by some people that I am almost afraid to put my toe in the water in case I don’t like her!
I absolutely ADORED Guernsey. It was delightful. Much like Pride & Prejudice…my favorite book of all time.
Well I found the CS Lewis book at my library today. I am excited to add it to my TBR pile. Thanks!
What a great list! I’m already knee-deep in several books, for different reasons/needs/purposes/challenges, so I didn’t include them, in my list. I’m sitting on the fence with Emma, by Jane Austen. I may have to read it, anyway, because I borrowed it, and I feel guilty. *giggle*
I added Sacred Chaos, All I need is Jesus and a Good Pair of Jeans, and The Mighty Queens of Freeville to my “Plan to Read” list.
~Heidi~ Cali Girl transplanted to the LowCountry, South Carolina