I love to read. I love to read more than I like to sleep. I love to read more than I like to eat. As they have my entire life, books allowed me to travel to new places, to meet new people, and to consider new ideas. What a joy to be able to read! To have eyes that can see and the resources to purchase so many great works.
This year I had the privilege of reading 108 books. A large part of my reading continues to be non-fiction. Most of what I’m interested in is related to spiritual formation and things that will help me learn more about the person of Jesus Christ. I have enjoyed several Bible studies this past year that have shaped me and stretched me. The main focus of my reading will always be Scripture because the reading of God’s word is the only reading that has eternal value.
Tons of great ones, but I’ll call these my favorites…
I’ve added in more fiction reading over the years because the gospel reminds me that I’m called to “tell a good story” (JM Ritchey). In order to be more creative in the way I build relationships and love and lead those around me…I need to let my mind wander in new places. Some were super easy beach reads and some required a lot of thinking and a whole lot of highlighter. When you look at the list below, you will see links for all of the books that I’ve done a book review for on my blog. Many of them I just read for enjoyment or to learn something new.
I realize that reading is a HUGE privilege and it’s not anything that I take for granted. My mom is to thank for instilling a love of reading in all three of her kids from a very early age. I’ve written on this blog a number of times how I feel about reading and the way that reading shapes the influence that you have. I’ve heard it said that you can tell a lot about a person by the people that they hang out with and the books that they read. Words matter.
I’d love to hear what you are hoping to read in 2024…I’m eager to continue adding to my “to read” list!
Here are some links to the books I’ve intentionally documented the last several years…
Books from 2010 41 books
Books from 2011 63 books
Books from 2012 78 books
Books from 2013 43 books
Books from 2014 32 books
Books from 2015 41 books
Books from 2016 54 books
Books from 2017 40 books
Books from 2018 51 books
Books from 2019 51 books
Books from 2020 101 books
Books from 2021 93 books
Books from 2022 109 books
Books from 2023 108 books
Total read from 2010-2023: 905 books
Books from 2023…(link included if I posted a review on my blog)
January 6
+ An All-Surpassing Fellowship: Learning from Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Communion with God by David Beaty https://meganstrange.com/?p=15845
+ The Clutter Fix by Shannon Acheson
+ The Happy Rant by Ted Kluck, Ronnie Martin, and Barnabas Piper
+ Welcome to Adulting by JP Pokluda
+ The Cross in Four Words by Kevin DeYoung, Richard Coekin, and Yannick Christos-Wahab
+ Think Again by Adam Grant https://meganstrange.com/?p=15854
February 11
+ From Weakness to Strength: 8 Vulnerabilities That Can Bring Out The Best in Your Leadership by Scott Sauls https://meganstrange.com/?p=15851
+ It’s More Than The Music by Bill Gaither
+ Even Better Than Eden: Nine Ways the Bible’s Story Changes Everything About Your Story by Nancy Guthrie https://meganstrange.com/?p=15859
+ Sticky Faith by Kara Powell and Chap Clark http://t.ly/1n-m
+ Parenting: Getting It Right by Andy and Sandra Stanley http://t.ly/EKhSd
+ Under the Naga Tail by Mae Bunseng Taing
+ Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes
+ A New Kind of Diversity by Tim Elmore t.ly/Mjr-
+ Too Good to Be True by Ricky Jones
+ The Common Rule by Justin Whitmel Earley t.ly/yQ0H
+ Parenting by Paul David Tripp t.ly/JvkX
March 9
+ All my Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore
+ Prayer by Tim Keller
+ Is Everybody Happy? by Scott Overcarsh
+ Faith With Reason | Why Christianity is True by Joseph Farinaccio
+ Lakehouse Promises by Jodi Brice
+ Lakehouse Secrets by Jodi Brice
+ Lakehouse Dreams by Jodi Brice
+ How to Talk with Your Lids About Pop Culture by Axis
+ Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks
April 6
+ A Change of Affection by Becket Cook
+ Inspired Every Day by Kevin Paul Scott https://meganstrange.com/?p=15992
+ Plugged In: Connecting your faith with what you watch, read, and play by Daniel Strange
+ Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez
+ Water From My Heart by Charles Martin
+ What Does it Meant to be a Thoughtful Christian? by David
Dockery https://meganstrange.com/?p=15909
May 3
+ Unoffendable by Brant Hansen
+ Belong by Barnabas Piper https://meganstrange.com/?p=15996
+ The Life You Long For by Christy Nockels
June 20
+ Telling a Better Story by Joshua Chatraw
+ Jesus is the Question by Martin Copenhaver
+ Glory Road by Lauren Denton
+ Please, Sorry, Thanks by Mark Batterson
+ Don’t Hold Back by David Platt
+ The Dead Don’t Dance by Charles Martin
+ Maggie by Charles Martin
+ Promise Kept by Jodi Allen Brice
+ Promise Made by Jodi Allen Brice
+ Promise Forever by Jodi Allen Brice
+ Christmas in Hartland Creek by Jodi Allen Brice
+ Promise of Grace by Jodi Allen Brice
+ Promise of Hope by Jodi Allen Brice
+ Promise of Love by Jodi Allen Brice
+ Candy Cane Christmas by Jodi Allen Brice
+ Executive Summaries of the Bible by Elmer Towns
+ Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With? by Sam Allberry
+ A Promise for Faith by Stacy Simmons
+ A Journey for Hope by Stacy Simmons
+ Long Way Gone by Charles Martin
July 7
+ The Six Types of Working Genius by Pat Lencioni
+ The Comeback Effect by Jason Young and Jonathan Malm
+ Redeeming Money by Paul David Tripp
+ Praying for your Children by Dr. Elmer Towns and David Earley
+ 50 Things Every Young Lady Should Know by John Bridges, Bryan Curtis, and Kay West
+ The Cheapskate’s Guide to Grocery Savings – How to Save a Bundle at Supermarkets by Daniel Mathews
+ The Baxters Take One by Karen Kingsbury
August 7
+ You Are A Theologian by Jen Wilkin and J.T. English
+ The Baxters Take Two by Karen Kingsbury
+ A Discipled Leader by Preston Poore
+ Girl Meets God by Lauren Winner
+ Banana Ball by Jesse Cole
+ The Baxters Take Three by Karen Kingsbury
+ The Baxters Take Four by Karen Kingsbury
September 12
+ My Jesus by Anne Wilson
+ Losing Our Religion | An Altar Call for Evangelical America by Russell Moore
+ Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness by Gavin Ortlund
+ One Fine Day by Rachel Hauck
+ You’ll Be Mine by Rachel Hauck
+ Better Than Ok by Brandi Wilson
+ With You Beside Me by Juliette Duncan
+ Towards Rest by Alabaster Company https://meganstrange.com/?p=16519
+ Once Upon Nantucket by Irene Hannon
+ The Hero Next Door by Irene Hannon
+ The Doctor’s Perfect Match by Irene Hannon
+ A Father for Zach by Irene Hannon
October 7
+ Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation by Collin Hansen https://meganstrange.com/?p=17187
+ You’re Not Crazy by Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry
+ Good Baggage by Ike Miller
+ A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter
+ The Loveliest Place by Dustin Benge https://meganstrange.com/?p=17192
+ The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership by Jenni Catron
+ Talking About Race by Isaac Adams
November 9
+ Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace https://meganstrange.com/?p=17197
+ The Way Back Home by Carolyn Aarsen
+ The Way Back to Faith by Carolyn Aarsen
+ Gay Girl Good God by Jackie Hill Perry
+ Holy Hygge by Jamie Erickson
+ Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
+ Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Vuolo
+ Memorizing Scripture by Glenna Marshall
+ Gospel Threads by David Platt https://meganstrange.com/?p=17201
December 11
+ Communication Code by Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram
+ Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan
+ Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
+ Digital Liturgies by Samuel James
+ Do Not Be True To Yourself by Kevin DeYoung
+ Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara
+ Suffering Wisely and Well by Eric Ortlund
+ Where Was God When That Happened? by Christopher Ash
+ Modern Parents, Vintage Values by Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff
+ The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters by Joanna Gaines
+ The Bible – From Eden to Eternity Chronological reading plan via Daily Grace Co (always THE BEST book)