Summer Reading Goals

 I've struggled this year with getting through my reading goals.  As much as I love to ready my time is limited so I tend to read good fiction books to relax with verses books that will help with growth that I have to think about while I read. 

For the summer, I picked out some books - both fiction and non-fiction - that I hope to get through.  It does help that we have a "required" reading time of 20 minutes every afternoon.  Plus, I've scheduled reading time in the morning for myself specifically to read my non-fiction books.  

Here's my stack of non-fiction which also includes my Bible Study Books.  I have a harder time getting through this stack.  If I don't purposefully sent aside time to read non-fiction I will not pick them up - I will always pick up a fiction book first.  

My stack of fiction books.  I should also add that I have some on my Kindle I'm reading as well as one on my phone!  Yes, I read different books on different devices so that wherever I am, I can read and I don't have to worry about trying to sync devices.  I tend to carry my Kindle with me and will read it when I'm sitting somewhere like the Library waiting for kids or the park.  Whereas the Kindle App on my phone I tend to use when reading in bed or reading outside sometimes. 

This is the actual book I'm reading right now.  I read this one every (well almost every) afternoon when we all sit down to read for 20 minutes.  

I would probably get all of these read and more if I was back at the condo in Pensacola, sitting on the balcony listening to the ocean all day HA!  Oh well, I'll have to settle for my swing and my house!! 

March Reading Goal

 

I'm running behind this month so I'm just now getting to posting my actual reading goal but, no worries I haven't started reading nay of them yet.  Don't get me wrong, I'm reading, just not these books.  

My two non-fiction books are "She's Still There' and "Ruined".  Then I have two fiction books outside of my Kindle that I want to read.  

As the weather warms up, I find it easier to read books because I love sitting outside on my swing in the sun and reading for 20 . . 30 . .. 60 minutes.  I'm hopeful that as spring arrives I can not only read the books of the month but also catch up on the ones I'm "behind" on from previous months.  

What I actually read in February

 Book #1 

Change of Heart is a book off my shelf that I actually had already read but didn't realize it!  It's a simple story of learning to trust again and rekindling old friendships that build into bigger relationships.  It's a pretty easy read but a charming story. 

Book #2

This is one of my February reading goals and one of the books I purchased in January.  I love books that take place in Michigan which is one of the reasons I picked this book as it takes place in the Upper Peninsula.  It is a story of redemption and rebuilding relationships between two sisters.  While the story itself was good and well written it had flashbacks, which I just totally skipped over (I really don't care for stories with long flashbacks that really don't pertain to the story).  It also ended abruptly and with lose ends.  It made me question what the last few sentences really meant and how could the author end a book without really ending it.  Unless there is second book to this one, I'm not sure I would pick up another book by this author. 

#3

This book came recommended either from a friend on Facebook or maybe just a general Facebook recommendation but either way it was a good story.  I will admit, after reading so many books by Julie Klasson who is an amazing story teller, this book started off a bit boring and choppy.  The author doesn't use precise and creative language (I mean the main characters names are Diane and Barry . .. )  but the over all story is a great one about reconciliation and learning the truth about why the characters respond to situations the way they do.  There is some language in this book but overall it is a good read.  Ironically this story has flashbacks but they are really part of the story; actually it is the story as it tells the story of the main character and what brought her to the place she is in currently.  I can handle those flashbacks :-) 

#4

I'm coming to the end of Julie Klassen's book list and this one did not disappoint.  The Silent Governess was one of my favorite books.  I loved the way that this one tied the story of several families together and, in the end, there was actually happiness in each of the families because truth was brought to light.  Julie Klassen is such a great writer and really just brings the reader into the story.  

#5

Well, I've run out of Julie Klassen books.  This was the last one that I had not read and, honestly, it is probably my least favorite.  I found it a little . . . .cringe worthy, as my kids would say.  It made me roll my eyes and I found it slightly comical.  I think it had to do with the dancing, the description of the dancing master, and the behavior of the main character.  It did end well but it just wasn't super exciting or nearly as deep as the previous one I read.  I guess they can't all be winners! 

January Reading

 I purposefully made time to read this month and I think it shows.  I set aside time each morning to enjoy the quiet of the house and read my daily devotional readings as well as at least one chapter in my January goal books.  I will admit, it was easier to read extra chapters in the fiction than the non-fiction :-)  

You can see all the books I've read this year HERE.  (Since it is just January - these are the only books in that Pinterest Folder currently) 

I am continuing to read through all of Julile Klassen's books and they never disappoint.  This book tells the story of the daughter of the town Apothecary and how she learns to not only enjoy her life but also to love those around her.  She begins be searching for something different but in the end, returns to what has always been in her heart. Julie Klassen writes with heart and has a way of drawing the reader into the life of the characters until you feel like they are your friends.  I always hate seeing a good book end and would like to continue on to see where their lives travel to next!  

Just Look Up  is a book on my January "to read" goals (I did not post a photo of the Fiction books I wanted to read - but my goal is to read two off of my shelf each month)  Once I started this book I realized I had actually read it before but it's been long enough that I didn't remember it all so I went ahead and read it.  It's a great story of learning to forgive past hurts and trusting those around you.  

I'm nearing the end of Julie Klassen books and I've really enjoyed them.  Lady Maybe was published in 2015 and it shows how much Julie's writing has improved.  Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as the others but the writing itself wasn't quite as good and the story had many tangents that sometimes got a little tangled.  There were also a lot of flashbacks in this book and, honestly, that is one of my least favorite things in a story.  I skipped quite a few pages in this one just to get past the fluff and get to the real story.  BUT with all of that said, this was still a great book that had me guessing all the way until the very last page on what was going to finally happen!  

This is one of my "January Goal" books.  This is a pretty easy read overall.  The author takes on the topic of whether we are really ready to give up everything for God.  Are we really willing to pray "God, anything."  Are we willing to give up our scrapbooks of what our lives should look like to follow wherever he would send us or do whatever it is He calls us to do. Really, most of what was presented are truths I've heard before but in chapter 14 she hits on the topic of God's Glory.  What does God want most?  God is most after his glory.  Glory is the evidence of God so where do I see God's glory - I should be seeing it in everything yet often we only see it in the magnificent - the sunset, a beautiful lake, or the birds singing.  What if we wanted God's glory above everything else?  Some great questions to ask and seek after.