Fall Into Reading 2009: My List

Fall Into Reading 2009Okay, I’m trying to be realistic this time around. I want to complete two books I’m currently reading, and I’ve only chosen nine new books for the Fall Into Reading 2009 challenge — to leave room for flexibility (blog tours, mood changes, etc.), but also to give myself a fair chance at finishing them. If the reading slump I was in this summer is any indication, it’ll take a tremendous amount of effort just to get through these eleven books. But I’m hoping that cooler weather, a consistent routine, and the draw of coffee and baked goods will lull me back to a life of more reading and less slumping. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even read more than is on my list!

Books I need to finish:

Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson
A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller

These two books have been in my sidebar and on my nightstand for forever a long time. I’ve been reading — and enjoying — them…just not very quickly. I need to be better about setting aside time for reading, and then reading the books on my nightstand and list, rather than the half-hearted, sporadic dabbling I’ve been doing lately.

Now for the new books I’ve picked…

Non-fiction

Always a bit of a challenge for me, but I’m looking forward to each of these books.

Finding An Unseen God: Reflections of a Former Athiest by Alicia Britt Chole. I was first intrigued by this book when Bethany House offered it as a giveaway during Spring Reading Thing 2009. Since then, I’ve heard lots of good things about it from a number of people, including my friend, Lisa. Finding an Unseen God
The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner’s Semester at America’s Holiest University by Kevin Roose. I have been incredibly curious about this book since the day I heard an interview with the author on NPR. The premise: a non-Christian goes “undercover” at the overtly Christian Liberty University (founded by the well-known and often-controversial Jerry Falwell). Why am I so curious? I attended Liberty University and, in fact, met my husband there. Though I did my fair share of complaining about certain rules, I had a fantastic college experience, and am looking forward to reading about Roose’s experience and reactions. Unlikely Disciple
Experiencing God Around the Kitchen Table by Marilynn Blackaby. This is a book that has been on my bookshelf for a long time, but I’ve just never read it. It looks like it’s part memoir, part encouragement, written to Christian women, by the wife of Experiencing God author Henry Blackaby. Experiencing God Around the Kitchen Table
Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper. I’ve read (and enjoyed) a number of books by John Piper, and I’m eager to read this book by his wife. In it, Noel examines how we can weave a love for and celebration of God into our everyday family traditions. Amazon reviewers have good things to say, and I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. Treasuring God in Our Traditions
Number Freak by Derrick Niederman. Okay, here is where I confess to you that I am a geek. A total geek. There is no other explanation as to why I would choose this book. I mean, just look at the subtitle: From 1 to 200 — The Hidden Language of Numbers Revealed. That’s right. This is a book about the first 200 numbers. Each chapter tackles a number. And talks about it. Yep. And I think it looks interesting. Go ahead — you can laugh now. Number Freak

Fiction

In no particular order

Boneman’s Daughters by Ted Dekker. For me, Ted Dekker’s novels are either, “Awesome! Amazing! Page-turner!” or occasionally, “Man, that was just too weird.” We’ll see what this one ends up being… but it looks really good! Boneman's Daughters
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I had no interest in reading The Hunger Games. It just didn’t appeal to me. Until both Jennifer and Lisa told me it was incredible. So I tried it…and was completely and utterly hooked. Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games and I can’t wait to see what happens next! Catching Fire
A Slow Burn by Mary DeMuth. Though I, admittedly, am drawn more to thrillers and mysteries than literary novels, I really liked Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth (check out my review of it). There’s definitely some mystery, but the way Mary writes just drew me completely in. A Slow Burn is the second book in the Defiance Texas Trilogy, and looks like a fantastic follow-up to Daisy Chain. Slow Burn
Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis. A hold-over from my Spring Reading Thing list. I really want to get to it this time, especially since I read these posts by Jeanne Damoff over at The Master’s Artist, after she recently re-visited Lewis’s Space Trilogy. Silent Planet

That’s it. Nine new books. More non-fiction than fiction, though I wonder if my actual reading will follow that pattern.

Don’t forget to visit the official launch post for Fall Into Reading 2009 to check out all the other participants!

Comments

  1. 1
    Deborah says:

    LOVED boneman’s daughter, i thought it was one of Dekker’s best. but ABSOLUTELY ADORED Catching fire, i found out about the series through book bloggers and twitter and now i am hooked, cannot wait for the 3rd book next year!

  2. 2
    Jen says:
  3. 3
    Erin says:

    Happy reading. I heard the same interview of Kevin Roose and was interested in the book, thank you for reminding me about it. I’m with you, hopefully the cooler weather and coffee will move me to stop moving, sit down and read several books.

  4. 4
    Barbara H. says:

    You summed up my feelings about Dekker’s books exactly. I haven’t read that one yet. You mentioned mysteries and thrillers — I highly, highly recommend Adam Blumer’s Fatal Illusions. I just finished and reviewed it a couple of weeks ago.

    I’ll be looking forward to your review of these, esoecially the first couple of non-fiction you have listed.

  5. 5

    ooo looks like a great bunch of books. There are some really neat non-fiction books on your list.. I am going to have to look at some of them! I liked Out of the Silent Planet when I read it last year. Have fun reading!

  6. 6
    Jolanthe says:

    Can’t wait to hear how the next book in the Daisy Chain series is. :)
    Jolanthe´s last post ..I’m Not Big on Change

  7. 7

    Great list! I have “The Unlikely Disciple” on my list, too — I just got my local library to order it, so I’m (im-)patiently waiting for it to arrive. After just having read “The Year of Living Biblically”, I think this one will make a nice follow-up!

    I’ve given myself a list of 20 books to choose from, but am only aiming to read 10. I have a TON of review books coming up that need to be read soon, so that will take up the majority of my reading time… and then there are the “for pleasure only” books (including a bunch of vampire fiction). ;)

    I can’t wait! Off to read! :P

    ~MizB

  8. 8
    stephanie says:

    You sound like me this time – I made a shorter list, but I think it’s more realistic – for me anyway! :) Happy reading!

  9. 9
    Dianne says:

    I have enjoyed Jeanne Damoff’s post on Perelandra, etc. as well. I haven’t read those books since high school!

  10. 10

    I’ve got The Hunger Games on my list and after reading so many great reviews, I’m really looking forward to it!
    Jen E @ mommablogsalot´s last post ..Fall Into Reading 2009: Reading List

  11. 11
    Lora says:

    Looks like a great list! I’m especially interested in that one by Noel Piper. And I’ve only read one Ted Dekker novel so far, but I couldn’t put it down. I think I’d like to read more of his works.

  12. 12
    CeeCee says:

    I had no interest in the Hunger Games either. But you’re another person raving about it, and now my interest is piqued again.

  13. 13

    Lots of good choices – and I ‘still’ haven’t read Boneman’s Daughters. Maybe I’ll try to get it read as one of my bonus books this time.

  14. 14

    I haven’t read any the books on your list – although I’m hoping to get to Catching Fire very soon. (I also loved The Hunger Games – which I am going to re-read this weekend.) I am eager to see your reviews as I’m intrigued by several of your picks, especially Number Freak; I think I’ll be adding some titles to my to-read list! Happy reading! And thanks again for hosting this wonderful challenge!

  15. 15
    vivienne says:

    I feel bad I haven’t put any non fiction on my list. I have Catching Fire too.

  16. 16
    Susanne says:

    You’ve got me very curious about “The Unlikely Disciple”. I might have to check into that one.

    It always amazes me how many non-fiction books you put when they are harder for you. I’m the same way but I’m lucky if I get through one non-fiction.

  17. 17
    Kristen H says:

    I haven’t read any of the books on your list except Out of the Silent Planet. That is on my long list of books to reread someday

  18. 18
    Carrie says:

    My son won’t let me scroll through your book list here because “I want to look at the callapidder!” – said exactly that way!

  19. 19

    Wow – you have a lot of interesting books to read. Ted Dekker doesn’t disappoint with Boneman’s Daughter. I can’t wait to hear what you think about it. I must be a geek because Number Freak looks interesting. Thanks for hosting and looking forward to discovered many new and interesting books.

  20. 20

    “Treasuring God in Our Traditions” is a wonderful book. It has ministered to my family through the years.

    Enjoy!

  21. 21
    Nina says:

    You got some great books on your list! Enjoy reading them

  22. 22
    Tami says:

    Fatally Flaky is on my list this time. You turned me on to this author several years ago and I really enjoy them. Treasuring God in Our Traditions is a good book. I really enjoyed reading it.

  23. 23
    Kara says:

    GREAT list! A bunch of those are on my “want to read” list too. I’m like you…I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump. I knew the first list I came up with was probably unmanageable with all I have going on right now so I had to pare it down…I ended up with 13, I think, but part of that is “homeschool reading”.
    Kara´s last post ..Fall Into Reading 2009

  24. 24

    Yes, you have a lot of non-fiction but 2 are memoirs and to me those read like fiction.

    Terry and I are both interested in the Unlikely Disciple book, so be sure to tell me what you think.

  25. 25
    JoAnn says:

    Great list. I really need to read more nonfiction!
    JoAnn´s last post ..Teaser Tuesday – September 22

  26. 26
    Michelle says:

    WOW!! These sound really good.
    Enjoy reading,
    Michelle(Joyful)

  27. 27

    I’ve been hearing lots of good stuff about Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I may have to add them to my list!

  28. 28
    Mimi says:

    You have a couple on your list I want to read. “The Unlikely Disciple” is one I wanted to read this past Spring as my daughter was looking at colleges. Liberty was one of the colleges she applied to & got in.

    “Catching Fire” sounds great! I read it, maybe at Deborah’s blog, and was totally hooked with the synopsis.

    That number book holds nothing I’d want to read about. Numbers and I aren’t friends, but I hope you enjoy it!!

    Blessings on your reading. Thanks for this challenge.

  29. 29

    Wow…what a great list! I love numbers too. :)

  30. 30
    Nise' says:

    Have been seeing The Hunger Games and Catching Fire on lots of lists. Mine included.

  31. 31
    Book Psmith says:

    The Unlikely Disciple sounds fascinating. I look forward to seeing what you think of it. Happy fall reading!

  32. 32
    Whitney says:

    Great list. The books by Alicia Britt Chole and Kevin Roose look very interesting. They are definitely going onto my TBR list!

  33. 33
    Sandra says:

    sounds like some really good books. I have added to my TBR pile, the book by Kevin Roose. My brother-in-law graduated from Liberty. As a teacher, I have used their curriculum when I taught elementary school. Good luck with your goals.

  34. 34
    Rana says:

    The bonemans daughter sounds really interesting. I’ve seen some other people talking about Catching Fire. Thanks for checking out my list.

  35. 35
    Joyful Days says:

    They all look good. C.S. Lewis should be on my list. Hopefully I will get some of his works read this time around.

  36. 36
    Stephanie says:

    That is quite an impressive list you have. I probably should have Catching Fire on my list too–I’m hoping to read it next month.

  37. 37
    Lilbear says:

    Love your list, Katrina! I’m going to add Experiencing God and Treasuring God to my list. Okay, maybe they’ll be added to my spring list! :)
    ~Lilbear
    Lilbear´s last post ..I Want to Fall Into Reading in 2009

  38. 38

    A Slow Burn is fantastic.

  39. 39
    Emily says:

    I haven’t read anything on your list, but several of the books sound interesting so I’ll be anxious to read what you think. Happy fall reading!

  40. 40
    Kipi says:

    Great REALISTIC list! Mine was a more than a little optimistic, but hopefully that will give me some motivation.

    I’ve heard such good things about Suzanne Collins’ books that I will have to give them a try. I read Out of the Silent Planet recently and enjoyed it…not my favorite C.S. Lewis book, but a good one. I have the other two on my TBR list but not for the fall.

  41. 41
    Meg says:

    Hi Katrina,

    Just wanted to say hello and thank you for being such an awesome blog neighbor and for hosting this great challenge!

    Here is a little award for you:
    http://yesterdaystuna.com/2009/09/28/letsbefriends/

    Meg

  42. 42

    So, what did you think of “anonymous”? And “Catching Fire”? Those Mary deMuth novels look intriguing…

  43. 43
    graywolfie says:

    Hello, any updates on your reading progress..? I’m at a very slow pace..can’t go ‘faster’ when my toddler keeps on ‘snatching’ my book claiming it to be her’s..

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