Time again to check in the Nightstand to see how much progress we've made and to set reading goals for the following month. This meme, by 5 Minutes for Books, really is fun. I find it a good way to keep myself on track and set reading priorities for each month.Last month I was "out" having a baby. So this month I get to start with a clean slate! That's always kind of fun. I definitely slowed down on the review copies in the last few months for a few reasons. The first reason is that I expected (and indeed have) less time to read than when I was in my two-children-phase of life. That said, I am not a crafty person and don't have to divide my project time up between sewing and reading, for example. Reading IS my vice and it doesn't have to stop completely. I do read a bit slower but I'm still reading.
I also slowed down on review copies because I have so many older titles that are either sitting on my shelf or come highly recommended to me and I want to have time to actually get around to reading them! I find I like not having the pressure of "having" to read a book because it landed on my doorstep. Still, there are titles here and there that catch my eye. Some are as follows, and I do purpose to get to them this coming month:
A Meal with Jesus
: Discovering Grace, Community, and Mission around the Table is a new title from Crossway Books which caught my eye. I've gotten started on this one already and should have it completed sooner rather than later.
When Praying for Your Future Husband
: Preparing Your Heart for His (new from WaterBrook Multnomah) arrived in our mailbox, Jonathan asked me if there was something he should know about. I was just curious. I still like reading books from the single's perspective. Plus, now we have a daughter and I'm curious to know what Gunn and Goyer have to say about praying for your future spouse. Thoughts forthcoming!As for "personal reads" that are sitting on my shelf awaiting attention, I have the following:
Unbroken
: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption came highly, highly, highly recommended by Amy at Hope is in the Word. If you click that last link it will take you to her post wherein she makes the prediction that this will be one of her top reads in 2011. Now - I ask you! - how could I resist a statement like that?! I ordered the book before Bookworm3's arrival and I'm hoping to get to that in the next month.
Lastly, I'll mention a book that Stephanie at Stephanie's Mommy Brain recommended. (Click on that last link to read her thoughts.) Several of you read and seemed to really love this book. Stephanie's reaction to it put me over the top and I snatched a copy up intending to read it post-baby. Well, it's post-baby time now! I trust you, Stephanie!
Other than these books I should point out that my thoughts are starting to shift towards the Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge which I will be hosting again this July. I'm currently trying to narrow down my reading list for June/July.
If you'd care to join in, I invite you to start thinking on what you will read either alone or with your kids this summer! I'm definitely looking forward to it! Stay tuned for more info on that.
Now it's time for me to pop around and see what's on everyone else's lists so that I can make my list longer. (sigh)
I have a few teen and tween on my nightstand :)
ReplyDeleteI'll have to tell my girls about the narnia challenge they loved last years
Made to Crave is one I should probably pick up -- I've seen reviews of it here and there.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the Narnia challenge.
I am actually trying to get more reading time in...which just means less computer and tv time. Sometimes for me is just picking up the book the first time and giving it enough time in one sitting to get into it.
ReplyDeleteYour month ahead looks great...and varied!
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Meal. I thought that book looked very interesting when I saw it.
ReplyDeleteUnbroken is on the LOOOONG list of books I want to read.
Made to Crave, eh? Sounds like a title I could use. I exercise with great discipline, but the fuel I give my body ain't the best.
ReplyDeleteI loved Unbroken too. I read it in the first weeks of 2011 and knew it would be the best read of the year. So far I was right...
So intrigued by Unbroken - definitely want to read that one!
ReplyDeleteI recently read I Kissed Dating Goodbye and Boy Meets Girl in anticipation of daughters dating and marrying. Mine are closer than yours (14 and 19) and I am getting a late start but they were very helpful in I know what I am giving them to read is good sound christian advise. Praying for your future husband...sounds like something I should give my 19 year old.
ReplyDeleteYou will LOVE Unbroken!
ReplyDeleteLove your list! I'm looking forward to your thoughts on Unbroken. I'd like to read it at some point. I'm about to start A Meal With Jesus...it looks good!
ReplyDeleteUnbroken is one I've been wanting to read too. As well as Made to Crave. Hope you’re enjoying that sweet little baby girl!
ReplyDeleteI also really want to read Unbroken. And congrats on the new little one!
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading Unbroken. Wow... it was definitely a difficult read. Prepare yourself there are times you will want to set the book down.
ReplyDeleteBut the end makes it so worth the read. It was one of the most powerful books I've read in 2011. Hope to review soon.
I was wondering when you were going to do your Narnia challenge (I'm sure it's the same time every year, but I didn't want to research).
ReplyDeleteAnyway--Kyle is doing really well in reading, so I want to read the first one or two aloud and see what might come of it!
I just started Made to Crave as well. It looks really, really good and just what I need right now.
ReplyDeleteI'm listening to "Unbroken" right now--you'd probably like "Lost in Shangri La," that I've reviewed this month. Have you seen "Family Meal Table" by Nancy Campbell. I found her voice and personality creepy in the dvd (she's a lightening rod figure, too) but the message is good.
ReplyDeleteJust started reading Made to Crave after reading/hearing similarly high praise. Looking forward to your thoughts on it as well.
ReplyDeleteMade to Crave sounds interesting to me; I'll have to check that one out. My husband read the Chronicles of Narnia with our son last year and they greatly enjoyed it. I like them, but am also a Space Trilogy fan. :)
ReplyDeleteAhem. I'm waiting. . . :-). (thanks for the link, btw.)
ReplyDeleteUnbroken is on my to-read list as well. Sounds like a lot of people are trying to read it! It's fun to see how books travel around the blogsphere.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
Word verification for this comment - readin ;)
Fascinating list--I'm pretty much interested in every item.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh when I saw Praying for your Future Husband and saw that it was by Robin Jones Gunn. I remember reading Gunn's Christy Miller series as a tween and starting my own letter box to my future husband-a la Christy. Years later, I've met a new friend who did the same thing in her younger day. Gunn's an inspiring woman, I guess :-)