Or what did you read in 2011 that you loved?
This is the time of year that I like to start looking at book lists and putting books in my "to be read" pile. I wasn't good this year about keeping up with my reading list, I did read, I just didn't make it a priority to keep track. For 2012, I will try and keep a running list in my journal.
So, what did you read this year that you couldn't put down? What's on your TBR pile?
I read a wide variety of books. Books about adoption, spirituality, home education, nutrition, homekeeping, knitting and more.
From my stack above, the only book I haven't gotten to yet is Jane Eyre. I think my favorite book fiction book from 2011 was The Help. Although looking back over my list, there were quite a few I thoroughly enjoyed.
Leave your book recommendations in the comments and I will update this post with the list, {with a link back to your blog if you have one}. I will continue to do this as new suggestions/recommendations come in, so feel free to leave yours.
Per Barbara's suggestion I updated my Goodreads info, you can feel free to find me at Jennifer Jen4ever4always
Here are some book suggestions:
Tiffany @ Family at the Foot of the Cross liked:
A Book of Saints for Catholic Mom's
A Little Way of Homeschooling
Kimberlie @ Dumpling House read:
Weightless
Story of a Soul
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Sober Intoxication of the Spirit
Persuasion {there is also a free Kindle edition!}
Laurie @ Keeping it Simple recommended:
Teach Like Your Hair is on Fire
Made to Crave
Consoling the Heart of Jesus
Barbara @ Praying for Grace liked:
Meet Edith Stein
The Rite
Everything is Grace
The Forgotten Garden
Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Caroline @ Flowing Streams enjoyed:
Mink River
Humility of Heart
Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence
Provenance
The Rape of Europa
Mary @ Homegrown Learners read:
The Help
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Fall of Giants
Mission of Motherhood
A Pocketful of Pinecones
My "TBR" should be full for a few months :)
Happy Reading!
23 comments:
Hi Jen - I will give you my top five of 2011:
1. The Help
2. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
3. Fall of Giants
4. The Mission of Motherhood
5. A Pocketful of Pinecones
:-)
Hi, Jen! I read Mink River this year. It was a gift from my sister, and while I usually read non-fiction material, I really enjoyed this story of a community on the Oregon coast. You might like it, too. For spiritual reading, my top favorites are Humility of Heart and Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence. If you are interested in art, you might enjoy two books I read this year: Provenance (true story about an art forger and con man) and The Rape of Europa (long, detailed, documentary about the devastating effect of Hitler's seizure and relocation of great European artworks and the Allies efforts to recover them).
Are you a member of Goodreads? It's a great (easy) way to keep track of your reads and see what your friends are reading. If you join, find me --Barbara scmom.
I enjoyed this year: Meet Edith Stein, The Rite, Everything is Grace, and The Forgotten Garden. Reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks at the moment.
I'm so glad I visited here today. I've been looking for new books to read. I have yet to read The Help. Thanks for the recommendations.
Last year I was in a funk. Completely. I would start a book and get half and then stop it. I think it had to do with the season of life I was in. But I plan to watch this post and see if there is anything that peaks my curiosity or motivation.
Have you read "Teach Like Your Hair Is On Fire" yet? -
http://tribeof11.blogspot.com/2010/03/teach-like-your-hair-is-on-fire.html
I was truly inspired by this book!
Also, "Made to Crave" if you are looking for encouragement to cut sugar out of your life.
A good book to read during lent is "Consoling the Heart of Jesus". I think I purchased it on Tiffany's recommendation.
I only read two "just for fun" fiction books last year and I don't strongly recommend either of them. :(
I also stalled on documenting my/our reading. Resolution for 2012- keep a reading list!
Read Jane Eyre- and then watch the newest version of the movie. And then watch *all* of the other versions! ;)
Jen,
I decided, per your link, to try the Booking It 2011 challenge and made up my own list. For non-fiction my favorite books were Story of a Soul by St. Therese, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller, and Sober Intoxication of the Spirit by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa (Preacher to the Papel household under JPII and now Pope Benedict XVI). My favorite fiction was first, the entire series of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (I call this stuff "fluff reading" because I can read it quickly so I count the whole 7 or 8 books as 1 entry), and then in a tie, Persuasion by Jane Austen. Such different authors but I loved, loved, loved these books and will read them again. When I get my whole list together, I post it on my blog and send you the link. I actually far exceeded my expectations. I hope there is a 2012 version of Booking It because... (drum roll)... I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas! (and this past anniversary, mother's day, and birthday - I saved up for a biggie at Christmas) I am THRILLED with it!!!
Oh, and I also read Weightless by Kate Wicker and I highly recommend it for any woman/mother of daughters. There are so few books that address from a Catholic perspective beauty, body image, eating disorders, and making peace with who God created you to be.
I have to admit that I really only read spiritual books. I probably need to do some "continued education" for homeschooling so I will be watching your list here too:) One of my struggles is that I have a hard time reading fiction. On my nightstand is the Magnificat, A Book of Saints for Catholic Mom's by Lisa Hendey,( I bought one for a friend and couldn't resist buying on for myself:) I also have A Little Way of Homeschooling patiently waiting and I just heard about a book called "Mind Road to God" by St. Bonaventure. Father Baron talked about it on one of his most recent Word on Fire videos.
Kimberlie-
I'm looking forward to your list. Here is the 2012 Booking It List http://lifeasmom.com/2011/12/booking-it-in-2012.html she has some that I am definitely interested in reading. I received a Fire for Christmas too ;) Love it!
Tiffany, hey, read what you like to read! I have a copy of A Little Way of Homeschooling too. I'd be interested to see what you think when you have a chance to read it. Thanks for your list!
This is good to know.
Laurie- I haven't read any of the books you have mentioned, but they all sound great - thanks for sharing. I think Jane Eyre is next up for me.
How did you like that photography book? One of my goals for 2012 is to learn how to take better photos! Did you finish the Dr. Meeker book? I haven't yet.
Read The Help and then see the movie!! Really, good stuff.
I am registered on Goodreads, but I haven't ever really gotten started with it. I'm going to give it another go and find you. Thanks for your list!
Caroline - thanks for your sharing, your choices sound very intriguing!! I like to be challenged to read things that are a bit out of my normal arena.
Mary, I really enjoyed Mission of Motherhood and A Pocketful of Pinecones too. I haven't heard of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or Fall of Giants. I look forward to checking out both! Thanks
Thanks, Jen:) Never mind on Bonaventure's Minds Road to God. It looks over my head for now;)
I also highly recommend "Story of a Soul" that Kimberlie listed. It is one that I reread every few years and get something different from it each time.
Another fun one that I read years ago is "A Right to be Merry".
http://www.amazon.com/Right-Merry-Mother-Mary-Francis/dp/0898708249
wow, all these recommendations !!! thanks for sharing yours and yours friends' recommendations. I'm currently reading Introduction to a Devout Life by St. Francis DeSales -- it is for not only religious but also for those living out their vocations as mothers, and wives, and professionals. truly a wonderful book !
Wow, what a great list! I'm currently reading Pope Benedict's "Doctors of the Church". It's packed with information and I'm going through it slowly.
A huge thank you to you Jen and to Tifflynene too for mentioning my new book -- A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms -- here on your website. I had such a wonderful experience researching and writing the book. The saints included truly became like spiritual companions and friends. I do hope it's encouraging and helpful to the women who read it. Happy reading to you and to all of your readers!
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