Spring Reading Thing 2011: My List

I am so looking forward to reading good books on a sunny patio this spring! And while I enjoyed having the winter off from reading challenges, I’m ready to dive back in to a little structure and accountability.

In addition to my list below, I’ll also be finishing the following two books this spring:

~~Crazy Love~~ by Francis Chan (Great book! We’re going through this one with our small group this year.)

~~Unpacking Forgiveness~~ by Chris Brauns (I’m going through this book with my friend, Jennifer.)

Now for my official list for Spring Reading Thing 2011:

Non-fiction

~~Practicing Affirmation~~ by Sam Crabtree. Looking forward to this new book about encouraging others with our words.
~~The Organized Heart~~ by Staci Eastin. “Most books on organization just add more rules to your life, whether it be another plan, another calendar, or another method. This book will show you a different, better way that is grounded in the grace of God. The Organized Heart focuses on four areas of common difficulty for women: Perfectionism, Busyness, Possessions, and Leisure.” I have a feeling this book is going to be convicting while it is helpful.
~~Regret Free Parenting~~ by Catherine Hickem. It’s been a while since I read a parenting book from start to finish. I tend to dip in and out of them on a whim. With seven principles for intentional parenting, this new one looks like it has some good stuff.
~~Developing a Healthy Prayer Life~~ by James and Joel Beeke. A topic on which I can always use more instruction and inspiration.
~~The Mind’s Eye~~ by Oliver Sacks. This one caught my eye in the bookstore one day. “The Mind’s Eye tells the stories of people whose ability to navigate the world visually and to communicate with others is compromised.” I’ve heard the author interviewed on other subjects and have always found him to be interesting and insightful, and I’m looking forward to reading one of his books.

Fiction

~~Wonders Never Cease~~ by Tim Downs. One of my favorite book series is the “Bug Man” novels by Tim Downs. This most recent novel from Downs has nothing to do with bugs, but I’m hoping to love it just the same.
~~The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag~~ by Alan Bradley. After thoroughly enjoying The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, I’m eager to read another book by Bradley.
~~River Rising~~ by Athol Dickson. This is one of those books that has been on my shelf for quite a while. I’ve wanted to read it, I’ve intended to read it…but I just haven’t read it. This spring, I will.
~~Anne of Green Gables~~ by L.M. Montgomery. Yes, I’m one of the very few women who have never read this book. But several of my closest friends rank this among their favorite, favorite books. It’s about time I gave it a try.
~~The Kneebone Boy~~ by Ellen Potter. A middle-grade novel that has received great reviews and intrigued me from the start. I want to read it before passing it on to my tween, C., for two reasons: 1) It sounds like a book I’ll enjoy; and 2) I like to try to ‘screen’ new authors before introducing my kids to them. Really looking forward to this one!

I’m apparently feeling rather balanced this spring: 10 books, evenly divided between fiction and non-fiction.

Don’t forget to visit the official launch post for Spring Reading Thing 2011 to check out all the other participants!

Comments

Leah says:

March 20, 2011 at 3:03 pm

i read the river rising a while back. …it’s one of those rare books i couldn’t give a positive OR a negative review. oddly enough, i find myself thinking about the storyline from time to time. it’s definitely a book that’s going to stay with you….

Brittanie says:

March 20, 2011 at 3:26 pm

I love Anne of Green Gables. It is one of my all time favorite series. Glad to see you are reading it. Wonders Never Cease is really different than the bug man series and that is all I am saying.
Brittanie´s last post ..The Sunday Salon March 20- 2011

Lori@NotSoSuperwoman says:

March 20, 2011 at 3:37 pm

We just finished Crazy Love in our small group. It sparked a lot of discussion and debate and made us examine our walk with God, that makes it a good book in my mind!

We listened to Anne of Green Gables one year on audiobook and all enjoyed it. She’s a fun character.

The last book you have listed intrigues me. I tend to like the odd and quirky and I want to read more YA fiction, as that may be the genre I try my hand at writing more.

Great list and great idea for a challenge!
Lori@NotSoSuperwoman´s last post ..Spring Reading Thing 2011 I Love Books!

Trish says:

March 20, 2011 at 3:40 pm

See, that’s the thing about reading challenges. While I will be whittling away at the TBR list from one end, it will be growing from the other!!
Trish´s last post ..Spring Reading Thing 2011

Angie says:

March 20, 2011 at 4:17 pm

I’ve never read Anne of Green Gables either but i have heard some great things about it…perhaps I will try to read it this year.

alisonwonderland says:

March 20, 2011 at 4:20 pm

I adored Ellen Potter’s Slob but I haven’t got to The Kneebone Boy yet. I also have never read Anne of Green Gables! One of these days I’ll need to do that – but it won’t be this spring. Practicing Affirmation sounds interesting. Happy reading!
alisonwonderland´s last post ..Spring Reading Thing 2011

Robin says:

March 20, 2011 at 4:28 pm

This year I can honestly say the non fiction books you are reading look interesting. River Rising is on my wishlist. Thanks for hosting again.

Jen @ pinkaboutit says:

March 20, 2011 at 4:43 pm

One blog post and my to be read list is already growing! I’ve never read Ann of Green Gables either!
Happy Reading!

Pattie says:

March 20, 2011 at 5:17 pm

Awesome!

Lisa notes... says:

March 20, 2011 at 5:48 pm

I wish I could have read Crazy Love with a group. I read it on my own and got a lot out of it, but would have benefited even more with a group. I’ve seen Practicing Affirmation on a few lists – I want to read that one too. As well as The Organized Heart. Hope they’re good. You are indeed very balanced. Ha. Enjoy!

Veggiemomof2 says:

March 20, 2011 at 5:49 pm

I think our small ladies group is going to do “Crazy/Love” next! Happy Reading!

Renee says:

March 20, 2011 at 6:15 pm

I also enjoyed Sweetness and plan on reading the next 2 Bradley books this summer.

Amy says:

March 20, 2011 at 6:54 pm

You will love Anne of Green Gables!

Thanks for hosting!

Missional Mama says:

March 20, 2011 at 7:18 pm

Your list looks amazing! I am heading to the links to check many of them out! Thanks for the challenge!~

Amy

Liz says:

March 20, 2011 at 7:48 pm

Anne of green gables…one of my all time favorites. Glad you reminded me, never too soon to introduce Katie to an exceptional series!

S says:

March 20, 2011 at 7:52 pm

I liked the first Flavia de Luce novel – maybe I can get to the second one too. Thanks for hosting the challenge.

Susanne says:

March 20, 2011 at 8:25 pm

I have watched Anne of Green Gables a million times and yet have not read it either. I really need to get that on my list sometime. All the authors you have listed are new ones to me, Katrina. That’s one of the things I love about this challenge, is all the new authors and books I find.

Jackie says:

March 20, 2011 at 8:59 pm

I loved Regret Free Parenting. For me, it was one of the best parenting books I have ever read. I hope you enjoy it too. I’m actually going to re-read it at a slower pace and journal about it as I go.
Also, Anne of Green Gables is one of my all time favorites. After you read it you should watch the movie, too… if you haven’t already. Thanks for hosting!

graywolfie says:

March 20, 2011 at 9:59 pm

Regret Free Parenting seems like an interesting book..will u be doing a book review for it..?

Barbara H. says:

March 20, 2011 at 10:47 pm

I’m so glad you’re finally getting to Anne!

I don’t think I have read any of the others you have listed here, though I have heard of a few of them.
Barbara H.´s last post ..Spring Reading Thing 2011

Ro says:

March 21, 2011 at 1:03 am

I’ve read the Anne series several times. My favorite book in the series though is Anne of the Island, which is the third book. I’m sure you will enjoy reading it! Happy reading!

Kristin says:

March 21, 2011 at 9:15 am

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Anne of Green Gables – I read the entire series when I was young and recently reread the first three books in the series. I hope you enjoy it!!!

Lizzie says:

March 21, 2011 at 9:21 am

You have a few there I would like to read, I too often just “dip” into the odd parenting book. Can’t wait for your review. Kneebone Boy looks interesting too!

Carrie, Reading to Know says:

March 21, 2011 at 12:19 pm

Oh! Love your list. =) Particularly ANNE OF GREEN GABLES!!!!!!!!!!!! =)

I also hope you get to Practicing Affirmation. I just finished reading The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and LOVED it so, like you, I’m ready to read more by him.

Have fun with all of your reading. I am very glad you are “back” to host this! =)

Amy @ A Faithful Journey says:

March 21, 2011 at 12:26 pm

I also want to read Practicing Affirmation…and Regret Free Parenting sounds like something I would really enjoy!
Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite reads!! Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for hosting this great challenge again!!

Jen E @ mommablogsalot says:

March 21, 2011 at 1:28 pm

I just read anne of green gables for the first time last year and oh my lord, fell in love! Planning to read Book 4 this Spring, because I miss Avonlea already!

Jennifer, Snapshot says:

March 22, 2011 at 11:48 am

You’ve surprised me with this post — these titles don’t really seem your “normal” reads — well, some of them do, but some don’t.

I can’t wait to hear if you like the Kneebone Boy and if C does, and although it’s the sort of slow dramatic storytelling that you don’t always love, I think you’ll like Anne.
Jennifer, Snapshot´s last post ..Whats on My Nightstand – March

Rana says:

March 23, 2011 at 11:00 am

Your not alone. I have not read the Anne of Green Gable stories either. I love the movies. One of these days I will read them. Great list of books. Happy reading!

Jenny @ My Buckling Bookshelf says:

March 24, 2011 at 2:16 pm

I’ve never read Anne of Green Gables either!

I’ve also read River Rising and must agree with Leah…it is a book that stays with you.

Blessings…and happy reading!

Janice says:

April 13, 2011 at 1:19 pm

I want to read “The Organized Heart” because I’m being curios about what the story is. The title seems told that its contents are interesting. I will keep that book in mind when do book hopping.