This is not new for the rest of the planet, I know.  But it is something new for yours truly. 

I got inspired by a few bloggy friends and their great lists…

I love to read.  Have FOREVER. 

With the responsibilities of life and kids and husbands… oh wait, just have one of those {ha, ha}…  it is increasingly harder to garner reading time.  Not to mention the time I now spend on computer activities.

But… I really do want to become a better Christian, a better wife, a better mom… a better person, and reading great books on those topics inspires changes in me.

And we shouldn’t ever stop learning, right?

Here’s my List!

 { family growth }

1) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen Covey

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Chris recently attended a short workshop seminar thing at work on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  It really made an impact on him, and we’re sort of reading this one together tag team style… each with our own bookmarks.  :) 

So far I am really impressed.  It has some amazing  insights into how we actually look at our families.  One big principle set forth is the Pause button.  Having the ability to put space between what happens to you and your reaction to it. 

I loved his thought of how much better to choose to respond to a unpleasant situation based upon your value system and your care for that person RATHER than your emotions at that very instant.

Ouchy.

2) Beyond Belief to Convictions by Josh McDowell. 

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I bought this one at a Teacher’s Convention a few years ago after soaking up every word from Josh McDowell’s sessions.  The statistics on Christian teenagers were SHOCKING.  Scary and Shocking.  His premise is how important it is to bring our children’s thoughts about God and the Bible from mere beliefs to real CONVICTIONS. Convictions strong enough to withstand everything that will be thrown at them once they leave home.

3) Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson

I have heard great, great things about this one.  This is one of four picks that came straight from my friend Kristi’s recommendations.  Here is what she had to say…

“This is a must-read.  I learned so much about MYSELF through this book.  The fact is repeatedly emphasized that salvation is of the LORD.  I do not control my child’s salvation.  That is both a hard reality to accept yet such a huge relief at the same time.”

4) Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt

This one is all about READING and how important it is to our kiddos.  I read this one in college but was inspired to re-read it after stumbling on Christa’s thoughts on it from last year.  Instilling a love of reading in my kids is really important to me, so I’m looking forward to reading this again with my own kids in mind.

Here’s a list Christa quoted from the book on How to Raise a Non Reader…

Have the television on at all times. Make sure you put a television set and a computer in every room. (Don’t forget the kitchen!) Keep the place neat – no books or literary magazines in sight. Never let your children see you read a book. Never take your kids to the library. Never read stories aloud past age two. Never talk about ideas while eating meals. Keep the lights down low. Buy only 40-watt light bulbs. Schedule your children for every activity you can think of so they won’t be bored. Never play any table games together. Absolutely no reading in bed or good lamps to make it east to do.”

5) Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Trip

This one was gifted to us a while back, but I never finished it.  It talks a lot about focusing on the child’s heart and reminding them of the Scripture involved, showing them that the “rules” & “principles” we are living by are not just from mom & dad.

6) Don’t Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman

This is another one recommended by Kristi and Christa.  Christa shared several quotes, but I really liked this one…

“Discipline shouldn’t be an ‘I’ll show you!’ mentality, or a ‘Boy, you’re gonna get it now!’ It should be, ‘I love you too much to allow this sin to take root in your heart and grow’.” (pg. 115)

{ personal development }

7) Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George

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I absolutely love Elizabeth George.  Her books are so encouraging, convicting, and full of life changing thoughts.  My favorite of hers is A Woman after God’s Own Heart.  I also really enjoyed Powerful Promises for Every Woman as well as several of her devotional studies on various books of the Bible or Bible Characters.  This book was actually my sisters that I ‘took off her hands’ for her a few years ago.  :)

I’ve heard great things about this one but never made time to sit down and read it. 

8) Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney

Here’s what Kristi says about this one. 

“This is another must-read.  If you only ever read one book in your whole life (besides the Bible), make it this one.  The oh-so-simple truths that we forget on a daily basis are highlighted in this book in a way that you won’t forget.  I think this should be a yearly read for every Christian.”

Wow, right?  They should pay her for reviews like that!

9) Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife & Mother by Carolyn Mahaney

This is another one from Kristi’s list.  She says…

“Packed full of Biblical truths, encouragement, reminders, and challenges.  This is on my list to have my daughters read some day.”

10) Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman

I’ve heard a lot about this book in the blogging world this year.  The concept of ‘letting go of the try hard life’ sounds like it just might be a lesson right up my alley.  Can’t wait for this one.

11) Money Saving Mom’s Budget by Crystal Paine

This is another one big in the blogger world.  Crystal Paine, aka, Money Saving Mom has a brand new book that came out YESTERDAY actually.  She was the pioneer as far as coupon blogs go… looking forward to seeing what I can learn and be inspired for in the saving money part of my life.  :)

12) Tell Your Time ebook by Amy Andrews & DIY Blog Critique ebook Preview by Melissa Culbertson

    

These two are short ebooks about blogging which I weirdly LOVE to read about.  I’m excited to be learning new things and THRILLED that I will be going to my first Blogging Conference this June with my friend, Christina.  :) Nervous, but excited too.  :)

And that’s it! 12 books in 2012.

Six of the Twelve were books I already had, and those are what are pictured.   I bought two of the remaining six {Give Them Grace & Cross Centered Life which haven’t arrived yet} and put the rest on my Amazon Wish List to get later.

Kind of odd and crazy and cool how it worked out that exactly HALF are books centered around family topics and improving how you parent.  While the other HALF are focused on personal development in regards to spirituality, responsibilities as a wife, budgeting, and even blogging.  :)

I’m very excited to get started reading ALL of these!  The idea is to read one a month, but I think I might try reading two at a time over two months if need be just to give myself some variety.

I also got some fun fiction books for Christmas that are on my to be read list as well.  :)

What are YOU reading these days? 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on any in my list!

*Sometimes I link up at these parties… Weekend Bloggy Link up, Tatertots & Jello, House of Hepworths, Delightful Order,Bowl Full of Lemons,Organize & Decorate Everything, Funky Junk Interiors, Somewhat Simple, Shabby Creek Cottage, No Minimalist Here, Skip to my Lou,Fingerprints on the Fridge,CRAFT,Today’s Creative Blog, the 36th Avenue, Thrifty Décor Chick, Home Stories A-Z, and Someday Crafts. You should check ‘em out!!