What I read in January & February (so far)! – Hf #113
Today we are back on the podcast talking about reading goals, how to find more time to read, and what I’ve read so far in 2018 and loved (and didn’t love)!
Whether you are taking on an insane goal of 2 books a week, or 2 books a month, or 2 books this year, I think it’s important to discuss and review your reading goals throughout the year. (And if you didn’t make any reading goals yet this year – jump in and do it now)!
Listen to the Podcast:
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Honestly, I started off 2018 with a BANG!! I’ve been ahead of Jason by about 2-4 books consistently and I’ve been far ahead of my goal. I think if I get behind any more this week, I will be behind on my goal now and Jason has just pulled one book ahead of me!
So I’m going to share a little about the books I’ve read so far this year, but first, I want to talk a little bit about making reading goals and how to make some progress in them.
My tips for reading more
1) Set a goal
2) Enlist an accountability partner
3) Use Goodreads to keep track – You can follow me on Goodreads here.
4) Use a combination of books you already own, books from the library, audiobooks, and free or cheap kindle books!
- Visit Christian Audio each month for the free audiobook
- Sign up for a FREE 30 day trial of Audible and get a FREE audiobook!!
5) Figure out when in your week or schedule you will read.
6) Get drastic!
Some of what I’ve read so far in 2018
As of today, I have read 15 books in 2018. I am very close to finishing up several more and I should roughly be nearing 17-20 books finished when we end February.
Christian Books:
Faithful Women & Their Extraordinary God – Noel Piper
I loved this book so much! Noel takes a look at 5 faithful women and their stories of following God! These biographies were the perfect length to really catch my interest and I want to go back know and read larger biographies on these women!!
Heavenly Minded Mom – Katie Bennett
This devotional doesn’t actually come out until April 3rd, but I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy and I LOVED it! I’m not usually someone who is a big fan of devotionals, but this one goes so deep while still giving you easy bite size pieces.
Helper By Design – Elyse Fitzpatrick
Of course I love Elyse! This is a must-read book on marriage for all women. I love Elyse’s practical and yet very Biblical advice on every day marriage!
The Accidental Feminist – Courtney Reissig
This is a fantastic book for anyone wanting to study more about Biblical womanhood. Courtney writes in a very light and conversational way but doesn’t back down from the important things! I also HIGHLY recommend her newest book Glory in the Ordinary.
For Business I read:
Your Best Year Ever – Michael Hyatt
I was greatly looking forward to this book since I LOVED Michael’s last book Living Forward. But I was really disappointed with this book. It’s on goal setting (I guess) but it didn’t really give any new advice. I felt like it was very fluffy and didn’t really contain anything new or practical.
Published by Chandler Bolt
Jason and I both listened to this as an audiobook and LOVED IT!! If you are interested in self-publishing, this is the book to get.
Book Launch by Chandler Bolt
After loving Published, we decided to get his next book, Book Launch. I’m not really sure why he wrote both since they were very similar. If you are short on time, I recommend you skip this one and just read Published instead.
Non fiction:
Young Elizabeth by Kate Williams
I have been obsessed with the royal family ever since starting season 1 of the Crown! But I wanted to more about what was actual history and what was fiction. So we got this book and it was very interesting! I highly recommend it if you want to learn more about the royal family.
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
This is a book recommendation I got from both Tim Challies and Al Mohler. It was a very interesting look into a segment of American culture that I knew virtually nothing about. All in all it was very interesting. But just a warning: As a memoir, there is a ton of language and mature content in this one. Definitely not a book you want to listen to around the kids (I listened to it as an audiobook).
Meal Planning Help:
I am really excited to share with you the sponsor of today’s podcast episode: PrepDish! If you ever feel like you wish you had a little help in your meal planning, then I highly encourage you to check out PrepDish. They offer gluten-free meal plans and paleo meal plans.
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