LIFE, PROJECTSDbooks, reading, new years resolution, the goldfinch, between the world and me, book reviewComment

Twelve Books in 2017

LIFE, PROJECTSDbooks, reading, new years resolution, the goldfinch, between the world and me, book reviewComment
Twelve Books in 2017

Well, I've made this my new years' resolution in the past but have yet to fulfill it... so here goes attempt number two! This year I'd like to try to read at least one book per month. If I can read at least eight, I'll be a happy camper. I'll edit this post as I finish books :)

JANUARY's PICK: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt // I actually picked this book up back in late September when we were at the airport headed to SF for our honeymoon. I didn't get very far at all (a couple pages or so) and restarted it at the new year. It was a pretty ambitious book as it's over 900 pages in paperback but I managed to finish it only a day late! I had seen this book everywhere (bookstores, other peoples' posts and what not) and was curious as to what made it a Pulitzer prize book. It took a while to get into but once I did, I had to finish it. This isn't to say however that though it was good, I didn't quite see what all the hype was about. Although I'm not a book critic by any means ha. It was a good coming-of-age story about loss, finding oneself, life. 

FEBRUARY's PICK: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates // This is a book that everyone needs to read. It is pretty short so you can't use that as an excuse. It is convicting and if anything, this book gives a perspective that no one can really put themselves in unless they are black. It really opened my eyes and even though I am a person of color myself, I am lucky to say that I have not experienced nearly as much prejudices and racism as others have. I found myself feeling guilty of 'acting' and 'feeling' white even though in truth I am not. 

The forgetting as habit is yet another necessary component of the Dream. They have forgotten the scale of theft that enriched them in slavery... because to remember would tumble them out of the beautiful dream and force them to live down here with us... I am convinced that the Dreamers of today would rather white than free..."

MARCH's PICK: Jesus Feminist: An Invitation to Revisit the Bible's View of Women by Sarah Bessey // I'll be honest and say that I got through about 60% of this book and despite my best efforts, didn't finish it... the book read too much like a blog post. She had some really great points- some of which I think both men and women need to hear- like the fact that "a man does not need to deny a woman's identity as a beloved and unique warrior in Christ" out of misplaced fear or insecurity or a hunger for power. I also really resonated with what Bessey says in regards to biblical women: we can't label them as wives and mothers because not all women are wives/mothers... the same for men. 

What I was hoping from this book was some in-depth study and knowledge and it just felt like she made a lot of good points, without going too much into them.

APRIL's PICK: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck // I read East of Eden awhile ago and remember loving it, so another one of Steinbeck's books went on my 'to read' list. I didn't enjoy this book as much, but appreciated how he wrote this. Every other chapter was a sort of description of the landscape/scenary of what was going on at the time.

AUGUST'S PICK: In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen // A short, but great book. I picked this up while in California visiting a friend who happened to have this in her library.

SEPTEMBER'S PICKS: What's Wrong With Religion? by Skye Jethani // I would highly recommend this book to everyone--even to those who don't consider themselves religious/spiritual. It's a short and easy book to read through and Jethani runs through nine main points to help you consider faith in a different way. I read this with Aaron and we both really resonated with this idea of 'religious activism'. Because we both grew up in pretty conservative Christian households, the idea of serving and being involved in church was heavily ingrained in us and when we realized that Jesus does not focus on our disobedience/obedience but rather our presence, it was like a huge lightbulb that turned on. 

OCTOBER'S PICK: Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practicies in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren // A book recommended to me by a friend down in Socal when I saw it in her bookbag. The title was interesting. Overall, a good read and I would recommend it. It talks a lot about slowing down and enjoying the everyday moments and recognizing them as moments in which we can truly thank and praise God for. I really liked her points on how enjoyment takes discernment as well as the lack of patience we all have. We want to have pleasure and to 'relax', but we don't know how because we have not practiced it. It is, in some ways, a lost art. 

NOVEMBER'S PICK: White Oleander by Janet Fitch //  My sis-in-law lent me this book awhile ago and I needed a good fiction to read for a bit. Another coming-of-age story about a girl and her relationship with her mom. It kept me interested. Has anyone seen the movie? 

DECEMBER'S PICK: You & Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity by Francis & Lisa Chan // I started this book way back when, when Aaron and I were still engaged and stopped reading it towards the end, when they talk about parenting. It seemed perfect timing to pick it back up and finish it with Baby Girl coming soon! Although my actions prove otherwise (of not finishing the book sooner), I would definitely encourage this book to anyone who is engaged or even married! The tagline of the book is how marriage really isn't about marriage at all--but really our mission as disciples of Christ: making more disciples. I love Francis Chan and his ministry; he's just a solid guy and what he has to say about marriage and parenting is really wise and I hope that I can, as a mom, teach my kids about grace, forgiveneness and the fact that I myself am not perfect and don't know it all. 

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Well, there you have it! Nine out of the twelve I was aiming for. I got a Kindle for Christmas this year and am hoping to read more this coming year, but we'll see with a baby ;) My hope with the Kindle is that I'll be able to read in the middle of the night while breastfeeding, but who knows how realistic this is? Before I was pregnant, I never slept well and would wake up several times a night anyhow but we'll see. 

Currently I am reading Today Will be Different, a fiction written by Maria Semple a Seattle author. I read Where'd You Go, Bernadette awhile ago and loved it.

Next up on my list: 

Got any book recs? Send 'em my way!